Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Undergraduate

Young student working on a small remote controlled car.

Computer Science is at the forefront of technological advancements. Our course offers you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to be successful in this fast-paced, ever-changing sector.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

GCDF

Start date

September 2025
November 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. The degree with foundation year is only available for the BSc option.

Foundation year

This course covers professional and academic skills and will introduce you to the fundamentals of hardware, workshop, software and the internet. You will also be supported in developing a range of transferable skills in areas including research, project and laboratory skills, academic writing and communication.

Degree

Whether you see your future self as an app developer, a systems administrator, or an information technology specialist, our computer science course equips you with the knowledge and skills you will need to help drive the digital revolution.

Master the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to develop software solutions that address demanding user expectations and complex customer requirements.
Explore fascinating fields, such as artificial intelligence, parallel programming, and data science, and learn how these areas continue to drive major change in the domain of computer science.
Gain industry-relevant experience as you apply real-world, software development practices within peer groups, preparing you for your career after graduation.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
Provides a grounding in key areas of digital technologies.

Degree

Activity-led learning helps you consolidate what you’re taught through practical application of everything you’re covering in lectures.
You could choose to do a placement year and have the chance for further experience and skills development².
Strong professional skills focus.
Hybrid, online, and asynchronous learning to support you with different needs across a range of locations⁴.

What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

We want your degree to fit around you, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses

Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)
Computer Science with AI MSci/BSc (Hons)
Information Technology Management BSc (Hons)
Interactive Media and Web Technologies BSc (Hons)
Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

Modules

Programming: Concepts and Algorithms – 20 credits

In this module, you’ll be introduced to these programming fundamentals through an accessible and industry-favoured programming language. You’ll explore algorithms – what they are, why they’re important and how to use them – and you’ll combine this with your programming skills to write your own programs.

Compulsory

Computer Systems – 20 credits

Any developer needs a fundamental understanding of the machine, with all its complex, moving parts. This module introduces you to these concepts, taking them from the concept of computation to the twitching transistors which drive its implementation. The concept of the Operating System (OS) is introduced which will empower you to begin your journey as a developer.

Compulsory

Working with Data – 20 credits

The technologies, ethics and laws behind database processes are a fascinating and fundamental element of software development in the twenty-first century.

In this module, you’ll explore all these concepts, mastering the elements of data handling, storage, and management which you’ll have to apply in later study.

Compulsory

Mathematical Skills for Computing Professionals – 20 credits

Whenever we write software, we are writing algorithms and algebra – and to write them correctly, we need a firm grip of the maths which underpins them. In this module, you’ll gain that understanding, exploring subjects like set theory, algorithms and complexity, and logical arithmetic.

Compulsory

Programming: Professional Practice – 20 credits

This module builds upon the skills you developed in 'Concepts and Algorithms'. You will be introduced to new ideas such as object-orientation, and designing reusable code, and you’ll explore them using another industry-favoured programming language. You’ll be taught to structure your code in a way which makes it easy to follow, maintain, and extend, equipping you for the next stage of your software development studies.

Compulsory

Integrative Project – 20 credits

The Integrative Project module adopts an activity-led approach to learning, where you’ll work in a team to plan and execute a project related to your course. The project provides you a vital opportunity to consolidate and apply what you’ve learned during your first year of study, as well as develop new technical and team-working skills.

Compulsory

In your second year, you can expect to develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with artificial intelligence, theory of computation and advanced algorithms, amongst others.

Modules

Artificial Intelligence – 20 credits

In this module you’ll aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of modern artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and applications. You’ll explore the differing definitions of just what ‘artificial intelligence’ means, and the legal and ethical issues which arise surrounding decision-making computer systems. Ultimately, you’ll seek to build a portfolio of solutions which address artificial intelligence challenges, as you navigate areas such as knowledge representation, reasoning, and how human factors impact the field of AI.

Compulsory

Theory of Computation – 20 credits

You’ll be guided through some of the more challenging topics in computing such as formalisation of languages, models of computation, and the nature of computability. Ultimately, this module aims to empower you to assess whether a problem has a computable solution – or one that you can compute before the sun expands to engulf the Earth.

Compulsory

Advanced Algorithms – 20 credits

Building on your programming and algorithms studies from your first year, this module expands your insights into advanced programming techniques and complex data structures. You’ll learn what terms such as ‘graph’ and ‘tree’ mean in computing, and how to use them in your own software development. You’ll look to become familiar with strategies to address the computational complexity of the problems you’re trying to solve, empowering you to write more sophisticated, and more efficient, software solutions.

Compulsory

Operating Systems, Security, and Networks – 20 credits

What is an OS, and what does it do? These two questions are the focus of this module, where you’ll become familiar with the way the operating system you use every day is structured, why it’s structured that way, and how it works. Additionally, the module introduces the idea of networked computer systems and the accompanying security concepts, exploring topics such as cryptography, user authentication, socket programming and network protocols.

Compulsory

Data Science – 20 credits

Picking up where Working with Data left off, this module equips you with the skills and tools you need to explore the world of Big Data. You’ll explore concepts such as predictive modelling, data wrangling, sampling and analysis. You’ll also explore the complex subject of data visualisation, and how you can use visualisation techniques to make the results of your data analysis understandable to every audience.

Compulsory

Software Engineering – 20 credits

Focusing on the professional conduct of software development projects, this module introduces you to several industry-standard practices which underpin effective and efficient software engineering to meet the exacting quality standards. You’ll undertake a real-world software development project, evaluating and selecting the best tools for the task at hand while employing common professional practices such as configuration management and version control. You’ll aim to develop an exhaustively tested, highly polished software deliverable to demonstrate your skills to prospective employers.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

In your final year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with mobile application development, web application programming interface (API) development, and parallel and distributed programming, amongst others.

Modules

Optional modules

Choose two from the following four modules:

Mobile Application Development – 20 credits
Our everyday lives have never been more integrated with our mobile devices and applications. In this module, you’ll explore everything which goes into mobile application design, from the notion of RESTful APIs to continuous integration and analytics. You’ll demonstrate your understanding by using a development kit to build a portfolio of applications for mobile platforms.

Web API Development – 20 credits
Web APIs empower websites to access the data and services needed to deliver on modern user demands in terms of connectedness and accuracy. From weather patterns to GPS traffic data, APIs underpin it all. In this module, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to create your own API for use in web applications, using the latest, industry-standard technologies, and featuring an interactive web client⁴.

Parallel and Distributed Programming – 20 credits
All computing systems in the modern world are parallelised and heterogeneous – even your smart watch has multiple cores. Parallel programming and distributed programming share a great many commonalities in terms of what they represent, and how problems they solve are tackled. In this module, those similarities, alongside the key differences, will be explored in detail. You’ll be empowered to deploy computational solutions at every level, from the cloud, to your own PC, taking full advantage of all the silicon at your disposal.

Advanced Programming Paradigms – 20 credits
In this module, you’ll explore programming paradigms that you haven’t encountered elsewhere on your course. You’ll be introduced to the concepts of functional programming and logic programming, and learn why they’re completely different to your existing knowledge of programming functions and logic. You’ll also be introduced to new programming languages to enable your exploration of these exciting new ideas.

Optional

Security – 20 credits

This module dives into the subject of computer security in depth. You'll be introduced to the concepts and practical considerations of creating and evaluating secure computer systems. In addition to the technical issues involved, you’ll also explore security legislation and the regulations which apply to associated products and services.

Compulsory

Machine Learning – 20 credits

Building on your existing knowledge of artificial intelligence, this module dives into the broad field of machine learning. You’ll learn the difference between supervised and unsupervised machine learning, what an artificial neural network is and when best to deploy one to solve a problem, and how to analyse the effectiveness of a wealth of machine learning algorithms when applied to actual data.

Compulsory

Project Discovery – 20 credits

You will complete a project which is defined and driven by you, bringing your interests and learning together to produce a showcase for your skills. Working with an allocated subject specialist supervisor, the Project Discovery module is designed to equip you with the research and project management skills to define, propose and start work on, a substantial computer science project of your choosing.

Compulsory

Dissertation and Project Artefact – 20 credits

Working with an allocated subject expert as supervisor, you will deliver a project dissertation together with a project artefact, usually an advanced piece of software. This module is designed to give you the experience to self-manage project development, evaluation and successful delivery to a self-defined brief, allowing you to produce a substantial piece of work that brings together your learning over the course of the degree.

Compulsory

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option (subject to additional fees – please refer to the Fees and Funding section for further information), which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

The additional MSci year aims to consolidate and strengthen the skills you’ve developed over the course of your first three years of study. Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll explore a series of highly advanced subjects in the field of computer science which lie beyond the scope of undergraduate study, from computer vision to graphics processing unit (GPU) programming, equipping you to undertake employment or postgraduate research at the leading edge of digital technology.

Modules

Computer Vision – 15 credits

Computer vision (CV) is the field that allows smartphones to identify where to focus an image, or a social media app to identify the face of someone in a photograph. In this module, you’ll be introduced to the models, algorithms and hardware involved in building CV applications from scratch using commonly employed APIs. Crucially, you’ll be taught how to select the right tool for the job, depending on the purpose of the CV problem you’re trying to solve.

Compulsory

Artificial Neural Networks – 15 credits

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) represent an important and popular machine learning approach that attempts to model the function of the human brain. Successfully used in a wide range of applications, including image processing and medical diagnosis, ANN-based software solutions are ubiquitous throughout modern computing. In this module, you'll be introduced to the biological basis of the ANN, the concepts used in neural networks, and their application to solving real-world problems.

Compulsory

Evolutionary and Fuzzy Systems – 15 credits

This exciting module introduces you to two advanced topics in artificial intelligence: evolutionary computing and fuzzy logic. Evolutionary systems are an approach to AI which draws inspiration from natural selection in the world around us. Fuzzy logic, by contrast, is a mathematical modelling system inspired by a special school of set theory which is well-suited to handling uncertainty.

Compulsory

Ethical Hacking – 15 credits

A growing field of interest within computing, ethical hacking (sometimes called penetration testing) is a fundamental part of many companies' security strategies, testing the vulnerabilities of their systems. In this module, you'll learn the latest ethical hacking techniques and gain practical experience in selecting and applying the most suitable tools and techniques for a given situation.

Compulsory

Secure Design and Development – 15 credits

This module explores another advanced topic in cyber security - the secure design and development of computer systems. You'll learn about the security controls used to prevent, detect and recover from security violations, as well as how to formally analyse systems to evaluate their compliance with security and safety requirements.

Compulsory

Parallel Programming with GPUs – 15 credits

The GPU in a modern PC is a highly efficient chip consisting of hundreds of cores, optimised for parallel execution of increasingly sophisticated instructions. While those instructions generally relate to graphics, commonly-employed APIs empower us to use those computational resources to solve other problems. In this module, you'll learn how to identify if a task is well-suited to GPU deployment, how to restructure tasks to take advantage of the GPU's architecture, and how to build these software solutions yourself.

Compulsory

Individual Research Project Preparation – 15 credits

In this module, you will identify a topic suited for a substantial piece of research into an area connected to the discipline of computer science. You'll exercise and extend your skills in gathering, understanding and critically evaluating literature; assessing and acting on relevant ethical and legal issues, and applying planning processes for the undertaking of a significant piece of work. This should culminate in the production of a well-structured project plan.

Compulsory

Individual Research Project – 15 credits

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

Professional and Academic Skills – 30 credits

This module is aimed at creating a culture of careful learning and self-reflection, and you’ll be encouraged to take ownership of your own development and to recognise its strengths and weaknesses. You’ll be introduced to a range of skills that will aid you throughout the course and further study, such as time management, planning and resource management, and interpersonal skills.

Additionally, you will seek to develop your employment skills such as digital proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint etc), team management, communication, planning and more. We will also cover plagiarism, referencing, library skills and professional standard skills, alongside lectures on ethics, health and safety, and technical skills, so that you receive thorough, 360-degree training.

Compulsory

Hardware and Workshop Fundamentals – 30 credits

This module is designed to provide you with the basic skills required to safely build, troubleshoot and upgrade computers. Expect to take part in workshop practices, gain health and safety awareness, as well as develop technical skills. You will also seek to develop invaluable knowledge of desktop and portable computer hardware, graphics and displays, motherboard connectors and printer technologies. By the end of this module, you should understand the basics of modern-day technologies and internet fundamentals, ready for progression onto the next module.

Compulsory

Software Fundamentals – 30 credits

Developing your written communication and presentation skills, the aim of this module is primarily to work on your problem-solving skills using computer programming. You will be introduced to the foundations and concepts of programming using server-side and client-side scripting programming languages. By the end of the module, you should be able to use programming language to implement functions.

Compulsory

Internet Fundamentals – 30 credits

In this module, you’ll explore the way the internet was started and how information moves around the World Wide Web. You’ll aim to become proficient in key internet terminology such as HTML and CSS, gain a full understanding of IP addressing, DNS, SSL, TOR and basic internet privacy. In addition to a digital portfolio to showcase your new skills, you’ll be required to develop and present a basic website.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

The foundation year will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module and may include:

practical class and project performance
written practical reports
project thesis
oral presentations
tutorial tasks.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Our teaching is active, applied, social and inclusive.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours:

Guided and independent study:

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

individual coursework
group coursework
exams
tests
essays
presentations
reports
projects
vivas
core assessments (these are pass/fail and can be attempted multiple times).

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

The degree aims to offer access to a range of international experiences² including:

COIL projects – online internationalised learning, working with university students based in other countries (subject to availability).
Field trips – short trips of one or two weeks to visit other countries for cultural and learning experiences.
Study abroad optional extra year – live and study abroad for a year between your second and final years.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

64 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?

Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

Degree

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535 per year	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Applies to degree only:

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites⁴. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is usually open 24/7 in term-time, and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science is based in the Engineering and Computing Building, and the attached Beatrice Shilling Building. Both buildings are high-specification learning environments which benefit from extensive social learning facilities⁴, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Cisco Lab

The Cisco lab is used for working with general networking and towards accreditation by CISCO. Optional modules allow students to work in the lab to develop skills in preparation for the CISCO certification exam.

Virtual Laboratories

Provide a cutting edge virtualisation environment that can be used to create entire virtual networks, complete with services, users and even attackers. Students can access this environment from anywhere on or off campus.

Two students sat at a table with a laptop, talking to a tutor.

sigma Centre

The sigma centre provides a wide range of learning resources dedicated to mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments.

Careers and opportunities

The computer science degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional skills for a career in the computing industry.

Upon successful completion of the degree, you should be able to:

program - you will create working solutions to a variety of computational and real-world problems using an appropriate programming language (or languages) for the task
think computationally - you will be able to create, develop and evaluate algorithms, and measure and optimise algorithm complexity
develop software - you will develop a product from the initial stage of requirements all the way through development to its final stages of testing and evaluation
solve problems in a range of key application areas including web and app development, machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence
work professionally - you will understand the professional practice of technical, social, ethical and legal responsibilities
think critically, contribute confidently, communicate effectively and collaborate collegiately.

Computer science is changing the world. Technologies produced by computer scientists now support and enhance all areas of our modern lives, from e-commerce, through social networking, to smart cities. Ongoing technological developments, innovations and breakthroughs depend crucially, on skills in computer science. The computer science degree teaches these skills, and, equipped with them, you’ll should be able to pursue your preferred career in the computing industry: software developer, web developer, mobile application developer, IT specialist, network analyst, data scientist, and AI programmer are just some of the exciting opportunities that could be available.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates of this course have worked with a variety of companies ranging from start-ups through SMEs to large familiar names. These companies and the roles taken have included:

Test Consultant at TSG-Consulting
Tech Grad – IBM
Technical Writer at Red Hat
Graduate IT Engineer at PPS
Technical Analyst at National Grid
Consultant at Swiss FTS
Digital Project Manager at Pfizer UK
Application Support Engineer at Motorola

Further study

The computer science degree includes an optional MSci year. Alternatively, the BSc (Hons) degree serves as a basis for a range of standalone master’s degrees, both at Coventry University, nationally and internationally. It might also be possible to take a PhD (all subject to meeting all progression requirements).

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How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CEECU142I

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Study location

The Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.

If you choose to study at CU Coventry for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU Coventry, Mile Lane, Coventry. Subject to meeting progression requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject building for your progression degree.

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2025/26. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.