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Computer Science BSc (Hons)

3 years, starting in September 2025

This course is closed to applications from Home students for September 2025 entry. We are still accepting applications from Overseas students.

Develop theoretical and practical abilities in software design, development and experimentation, to become an innovative computing professional.

This course is for you if you’re interested in studying computer science but want to wait until later in your degree before deciding what area to specialise in. It's a broad-ranging course providing you with the knowledge to apply computer science methods to new and emerging computing problems, and learn skills highly valued by employers.

You will gain a solid foundation in computer science with rigorous theory and practical experience. The course combines software systems design, software development, interaction design, artificial intelligence, computational mathematics, computer graphics, and vision.

Tailor to your interests

In the first year, you will learn the basics of computer science, including mathematics and programming skills, followed by more advanced and specialised units in the following years. In the second year, you'll complete a group project with other students to design and build an interactive application.

You can specialise in a particular field through optional units and an individual project combining your interests in a specific area of computer science. You’ll regularly meet with an academic who specialises in your chosen field.

  • If you want a more in-depth study experience, you could consider applying for our MComp Computer Science course.

Extracurricular support and activities

As a student here, you’ll be part of a supportive department, with lots of opportunities to get involved in societies and events such as hackathons, coding competitions and conferences.

The Bath Computer Science Society is a very active society and organises events throughout the year.

Put your learning into practice

Alongside teaching, our academics carry out research in important areas of computer science including artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, mathematical foundations and visual computing. You’ll have the chance to work alongside them on your own research project.

Develop your professional skills

You will attend a skills development programme during the first and second years of your course. These timetabled sessions focus on developing your understanding of your personal strengths and transferable skills, and how these can be used within industry. The programme includes employer events, where you can learn more about the opportunities available to you when you graduate.

Use specialist facilities

You will have access to purpose-built teaching labs, including a maker lab, allowing you to explore, create, experiment and share software-driven and physical artefact projects in a collaborative workspace context. You will also have access to specialised hardware (for example GPUs) and multiple cloud computing services for the analysis of complex, data-intensive processes. You will have access to most of our specialist labs 24/7. You can see some of our facilities in this guided tour of the Department .

Get ready for your future career

Our courses offer excellent graduate prospects. Recent roles include Business Analyst, Software Developer, Hardware Engineer and Technology Consultant at companies such as:

  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • Google
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Met Office
  • Sony Interactive Entertainment

Many of our graduates also go on to postgraduate study in preparation for academic or industry-based research careers.

Learn more on our Virtual Experience page

You can learn more about studying computer science at Bath by visiting our Computer science Virtual Experience page to hear from staff and students in the Department.

2025/2026 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 3 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2028. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.

Year 1

Compulsory units

  • Artificial intelligence 1

    10 credits

  • Computer systems architectures

    10 credits

  • Discrete mathematics and databases

    10 credits

  • Mathematics for computation

    10 credits

  • Programming 1

    10 credits

  • Programming 2

    10 credits

Year 2

Compulsory units

  • Advanced programming

    5 credits

  • Algorithms and complexity

    10 credits

  • Cybersecurity

    5 credits

  • Human-computer interaction 1

    5 credits

  • Human-computer interaction 2

    5 credits

  • Machine learning

    10 credits

  • Software engineering

    10 credits

  • Visual computing

    10 credits

Year 3

Options

  • Final Year Options

    60 credits

Study abroad or placement


We also offer this course with a professional placement or study abroad. You can take advantage of our links with industry and research institutions to gain extra experience for your CV, make new contacts or try out a career option.

View all course options

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Tutorials

Assessment

  • Closed book written examination
  • Essay
  • Open book written examination
  • Report
  • Visual or recorded presentation

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Contact hours

Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 15 and 20 hours a week in your first year.

Our teaching for this course is delivered through in-person learning on campus, supported by high quality online provision. The significant majority of contact hours over the duration of your course will be in person, and this will be enhanced by some online delivery which will constitute a smaller proportion of these contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials.

The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year.

Independent learning

In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 15 to 25 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing course working assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example in a final year project.

Assessment breakdown

You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge. These include closed and open-book examinations, essays, reports and presentations.

As a guide, 40 to 60% of your course will be assessed through examinations, and 40 to 60% through coursework, including practical work. The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree and will depend on your choice of optional units.

In your final year, you will be expected to complete a project or dissertation. You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

Four students working on a project around a table
‘My placement experience has been overwhelmingly positive. It's fulfilling seeing my skills and knowledge apply to software, making real-world contributions.’
Rainbow Hong BSc Computer Science with professional placement (Graduating year, 2025)

Entry requirements


We consider a range of factors when assessing your application for this course, including your previous academic performance (such as GCSEs), your personal statement, your predicted grades and the combination of subjects you study at A level (or equivalent).

Your personal statement should explain your motivation for choosing this degree and any relevant non-academic interests and achievements. You are more likely to be successful if you demonstrate a keen interest in areas relevant to computer science such as AI or programming through relevant reading, extracurricular or co-curricular activities, or work experience.

You will need a strong performance in Mathematics as part of your entry qualifications. We prefer applicants who can demonstrate evidence of logical and analytical thinking through the study of Computer Science, Further Mathematics, or both. While we prefer applicants who have previously studied Computer Science, you do not need to have done so to be suitable for this course.

We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

A level Typical offer

A*A*A

A*A*A in three A levels including A in Mathematics.

Read more about our approach to A levels and AS levels.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Contextual offer

A*AA or A*A*B

A*AA or A*A*B in three A levels including A in Mathematics.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Alternative offer

A*AA or A*A*B

We know that you may have study beyond three A levels that will help prepare you for your degree. If you are not eligible for a contextual offer, we recognise these studies through our alternative offers.

A*AA or A*A*B in three A levels including A in Mathematics plus one of:

  • grade A in an EPQ or IEPQ
  • grade A in AS level Further Mathematics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
  • grade B in a fourth A level, where your four A levels include A level Further Mathematics
  • an appropriate grade in any other project qualification we recognise

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is not accepted in place of an A level for these offers. If you are studying three A levels and this qualification you are eligible for an alternative offer:

A*AAB or A*A*BB in three A levels including A in Mathematics and B in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

If you receive an offer, you will receive each alternative offer you qualify for alongside the typical offer. You only need to meet one of these sets of conditions to meet your offer overall.

Read more about how our alternative offers work.

International Baccalaureate Typical offer

7, 7, 6 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 7, 7, 6 in three Higher Level subjects including 6 in either HL Mathematics.

Read more about how we consider the IB Diploma.

Standard Level in Mathematics

If you are studying Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches we may be able to consider you. In this case the typical offer is 36 points overall and 7, 6, 6 or 7, 7, 5 in three Higher Level subjects plus 7 in the Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches.

We do not accept Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations for this course.

We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual IB certificates and vocational qualifications you study within the programme. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates and common vocational qualifications.

To be considered for this course you will usually need to study either Mathematics course at Higher Level.

We prefer vocational study in Computing or related subjects.

International Baccalaureate Certificates

If you are studying IB subjects as part of the IB Diploma, you will usually need to complete the full diploma programme to be considered.

If you do not follow the IB Diploma programme, we can consider stand-alone IB Higher Level Certificates either on their own or combined with other qualifications. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates.

To be considered for this course you will usually need to study either Mathematics course at Higher Level.

International Baccalaureate Contextual offer

7, 6, 6 or 7, 7, 5 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 7, 6, 6 or 7, 7, 5 in three Higher Level subjects including 6 in either HL Mathematics.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Standard Level in Mathematics

If you are studying Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches we may be able to consider you. In this case the contextual offer is 36 points overall and 7, 6, 5 or 6, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects plus 7 in the Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches.

We do not accept Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations for this course.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer

D*D*D plus A at A level

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (RQF)

D*D*D in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) plus grade A in A level Mathematics.

You must be studying A level Mathematics alongside your BTEC qualification.

We prefer the above qualifications in Computing but we are also able to consider those in IT. We prefer you to have studied some of the following units: Data Modelling, Software Testing, Object-oriented programming, Systems Analysis and Design. Your offer will be based on the type and level of qualifications that you are taking.

Read more about our approach to Extended Diplomas.

BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

You must be studying A level Mathematics alongside your BTEC qualification.

T level Typical offer

Distinction* and A* plus A at A Level

D* overall with grade A* in the core component in a T Level plus grade A in A Level Mathematics.

You must be studying A level Mathematics alongside your T Level qualification.

We are able to consider the above T Level technical qualification in Digital Production Design and Development or Digital Support Services.

Your GCSE profile will be an important part of selection if you apply with a T Level. You will also be required to undertake an interview as part of the application process if your application is assessed as suitable.

Scottish Highers Typical offer

AA in Advanced Highers

AA in two Advanced Highers including Mathematics.

We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved AAAAA in their Highers.

Read more about how we consider Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Access to HE Diploma Typical offer

42 credits at Distinction

A pass in the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 42 credits achieved at Distinction and 3 credits achieved at Merit or above. This must include 12 credits from Mathematics units achieved at Distinction.

Our Computer Science courses are academically challenging and require solid foundations of knowledge in Mathematics. We are able to consider Access to HE Diplomas in Science, Engineering or Computing, and we are looking for you to be studying a suitable level of Mathematics to be able to succeed on our course. You will need to have studied Mathematics graded units worth at least 12 credits.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part of the admissions process.

Combinations of qualifications Typical offer

We accept a range of other qualifications offered in UK, as well as combinations of typically studied qualifications (such as A levels and BTECs). You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider UK qualifications.

To be considered for this course, your combination of qualifications must include A level Mathematics (or equivalent).

You can contact us at admissions@bath.ac.uk for more advice.

GCSE requirements

  • GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category C)

GCSE grades are an important part of selection for this course and we typically expect students to have a good number of GCSEs at grade 7-9 or A-A*. Your GCSE grades in Mathematics and Physics are particularly important and we typically expect grade 8-9 in at least one of these subjects.

Your GCSE grades will be carefully considered as part of our contextual admissions process and depending on your circumstances, we may be able to consider you with GCSE grades of mostly 6 or B.

Read more about how we consider GCSEs.

English language requirements

Category C

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • IELTS Indicator: 6.5 with 6.0 in each component
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components
  • TOEFL IBT and IBT Special Home Edition: 90 overall with 21 in each component
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
  • Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 120 overall with sub scores of Literacy 120, Comprehension 130, Conversation 115, Production 100
  • Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 120 overall with sub scores of Literacy 120, Comprehension 120, Conversation 120, Production 120
  • LanguageCert SELT: B2 Communicator High Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Computer Science BSc (Hons)


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa.

Please read the information about planning your finances for your placement year which includes potential sources of funding, travel insurance, and visas.

Application information



Selection process

We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application. If you are studying certain qualifications, such as an Access to HE or T Level, you will be invited to attend an interview as part of our selection process.

Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.

Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.

Course enquiries


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