Skip to main content

Undergraduate Study

BSc Computer Science - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code I400
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Computer Science
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1326 371801

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A levels: AAA - AAB
IB: 36/666-34/665
BTEC: DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: ABB-BBB
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • Develop practical skills in the specification, design and implementation of computer systems, as well as an understanding of the theory behind them
  • Our world-class teaching is informed by active, up-to-the-minute research of international standing in developing fields including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and nature-inspired computation
  • Opportunities for industry experience are available through summer placements or a year-long Industrial Placement
  • Comprehensive, relevant programmes inspired by the Computer Science development cycle: theory, design, develop, test and apply
  • We maintain excellent teaching links with computer-related industry partners such as IBM, The Met Office, NATS and Motorola

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Discover Computer Science at the University of Exeter.

Top 20 icon

Top 20 for Computer Science

20th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Computer icon

Excellent facilities spanning a wide range of machine types and software ecosystems

Handshake icon

Partner to the Alan Turing Institute

Graduation cap and diploma icon: symbolizing academic achievement and success.

Top 10 in the UK for graduate prospects

Joint 9th for graduate prospects for Computer Science in the Complete University Guide 2025 (94%)

Accreditations

Black and White BCS logo

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.

It also continues with CITP accreditation: ‘Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional'.

RIITech: The ‘with Industrial Placement’ variant of the BSc Computer Science is accredited by the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an IT Technician.

I’ve always had an interest in computers and thoroughly enjoy problem solving.

Thanks to the flexibility of my course I’ve been able to tailor my degree to what I enjoy and my career goals. I’m now working for Sainsbury’s in their technical team.

Read more from Scott

Scott

Studied BSc Computer Science at the University of Exeter

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAA - AAB GCE AL Maths grade B

Candidates may offer GCE AL Maths, Pure Maths or Further Maths.
IB 36/666-34/665 HL 6 in Mathematics (Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretations)
BTEC DDD Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma are also required to achieve a grade B at A' Level in Mathematics
GCSE 4 or C Grade 4 or C in GCSE English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade. 12 L3 credits at Merit Grade in an acceptable Mathematics subject area
T-Level T-Levels not accepted N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB-BBB
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

International Foundation programmes

Preparation for entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree:

Course content

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

This year gives you a solid foundation in computer science. It includes an introduction to procedural and object-oriented programming, system architectures, computing for the web, professional issues of computing, and explores some of the boundaries of scientific knowledge in the field. Modules on vectors and matrices, and probability and discrete mathematics provide the mathematical underpinning of later modules in computer science and artificial intelligence.

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ECM1400Programming15
ECM1407Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age15
ECM1410Object-Oriented Programming15
ECM1413Computers and the Internet15
ECM1414Data Structures and Algorithms15
ECM1415Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science15
ECM1416Computational Mathematics15
COM1011Fundamentals of Machine Learning15

The second year includes exposure to rigorous software development and software engineering best practice, together with information systems. Research-led modules in machine learning and artificial intelligence, and applied computing across science and industry give the distinctive flavour of this degree. Options this year include modules in algorithms, graphics, networks and IT management.

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ECM2414Software Development15
ECM2418Computer Languages and Representations15
ECM2419Database Theory and Design15
ECM2426Network and Computer Security15
ECM2427Outside the box: Computer Science Research and Applications15
ECM2434Group Software Engineering Project15

Optional modules

CodeModuleCredits
Select 30 credits:
ECM2423Artificial Intelligence and Applications15
ECM2425Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing15
ECM2433The C Family15
ECM1417Web Development15
Select 30 credits:
*******Free Choice Elective30

If you are studying ‘with Year in Industry’ you will spend the third year of your four year degree on placement and carry out a 120 credit module. For more Information about the ‘with Year in Industry’ programme, please see the course variants.

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ECM3419Industrial Placement120

In your final year everything you have learnt in your Computer Science studies comes together in a significant piece of individual project work. The project, in which you’ll develop a substantial software system for scientific and/or business use. This forms the core of the final year and allows you to develop your skills and interests in computer science. The wide range of optional modules in your third year allows you to tailor your degree towards your specific interests.

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ECM3401Individual Literature Review and Project45

Optional modules

CodeModuleCredits
Students will take 45-75 credits from:
ECM3408Enterprise Computing15
ECM3412Nature Inspired Computation15
ECM3420Learning from Data 15
ECM3422Computability and Complexity 15
ECM3423Computer Graphics15
ECM3428Algorithms that Changed the World15
ECM3446High Performance Computing 15
EMP3001Commercial and Industrial Experience15
You may select up to 30 credits:
*******Free Choice Elective30

Course variants

UCAS code - I401

Why choose an industrial placement?

This four-year variant includes a paid placement in business or industry for the duration of your third year, working on a substantial project and gaining first-hand experience of the practical application of computer science. The placement gives you the opportunity to put into practice some of the things you will have learned in the first two years and to enter your final year with the insights from your practical experience in the field.

An industrial placement gives you a proven employment track record and additional confidence when searching for your first graduate position – both should help to make you highly attractive to employers and the placement companies often offer employment after graduation.

What is an Industrial Placement?

A full year’s work placement, undertaken as part of your course. Your degree takes an extra year to complete, and the words ‘with Industrial Placement’ appear in your degree title for future employers to see.

Does it count towards my degree?

Yes, your industrial placement year counts as 120 credits of your degree.

How does it affect my tuition fee?

During this year you will pay a reduced tuition fee. In 2018/19 the fee was £1,850 (or 20 per cent of the maximum fee for that year). Visit the Tuition Fees page for more information.

Is the placement paid?

Yes, placements are paid with salaries varying according to role and employer.

How do I apply?

You can apply directly through UCAS using the UCAS code above for BSc Computer Science with Industrial Placement.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £30,900 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

Lectures, seminars and workshops

We make use of a variety of teaching styles, including lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Most modules involve two or three lectures per week, so you would typically have about 10 lectures each week. In addition, workshops and tutorials support and develop what you’ve learnt in lectures and enable you to discuss the lecture material and coursework in more detail. You’ll have over 15 hours of direct contact time per week with your tutors and you will be expected to supplement your lectures with independent study. You should expect your total workload to average about 40 hours per week during term time.

Virtual learning environment

We’re actively engaged in introducing new methods of learning and teaching, including increasing use of interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment, where the details of all modules are stored in an easily navigable website. You can access detailed information about modules and learning outcomes and interact through activities such as the discussion forums.

Supportive community

We aim to provide a supportive environment where students and staff work together in an informal and friendly atmosphere. The department has a student-focused approach to teaching, whereby all members of staff deal with questions on an individual basis. We operate an open door policy, so it is easy to consult individual members of staff or to fix appointments with them via email. As a friendly group of staff, you will get to know us well during your time here.

A research and practice led culture

We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field and you will become actively involved in a research project yourself. All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. You will also be taught by leading industry practitioners.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment through small practical exercises, project work, essay writing, presentations and exam.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

Expand text

Your future

Student in yellow jumper at computer

A degree from Exeter is highly valued by employers. Management and personal skills are built into our programmes and our students take advantage of the wide range of extracurricular and personal development opportunities offered by the University, including volunteering and playing an active role in student societies.

Our staff are active in developing our programmes and services to improve the employability of our students. We also have a dedicated Careers Consultant who provides career workshops tailored to computer science, as well as support in job applications and interview skills. The Career Zone run several careers fairs throughout the year which are particularly successful in putting major UK employers in touch with Exeter students. Relevant employers visit the department from the first year to meet and hold mock interviews with students, with the aim of helping them to develop their career ideas at an early enough stage to help with module choices and placement decisions

Career opportunities for computer scientists are limitless and graduates can be found working in the private and public sector in areas such as software engineering, health, communications, education, life sciences, physical sciences, finance and manufacturing. Computer scientists from Exeter have a reputation as being articulate, numerate, problem solvers, who typically claim great job satisfaction, a good salary and a huge range of career possibilities.

Our single honours Computer Science degrees explore more than simply how computers and software work.  They focus on the wider context within which the subject must operate; from the precise technical details to the social, scientific and industrial application. By combining logical thinking with key mathematical skills, they will lead to a wide variety of careers which require graduates who understand the science behind computer technology.

Career Paths

As an Exeter Computer Science and IT graduate you may find yourself working with business IT systems, the web, mobile communications, games technology, or in the management and development of the safety-critical systems that control planes, trains and power stations.

The broad-based skills acquired during your degree will give you an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers, not only those related to Computer Science but also in wider fields. Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:

  • Academic research
  • Business Analysts, Architects or Systems Designer
  • Cyber Security Professional
  • Engineer
  • Financial Accounts Manager
  • IT Network Professional
  • IT Quality and Testing Professional
  • Programmer
  • Software Developer

Industrial Experience

Our staff are active in developing our programmes and services to improve the employability of our students. We also have a dedicated Careers Consultant who provides career workshops tailored to computer science, as well as support in job applications and interview skills. The Career Zone run several careers fairs throughout the year which are particularly successful in putting major UK employers in touch with Exeter students. Relevant employers visit the department from the first year to meet and hold mock interviews with students, with the aim of helping them to develop their career ideas at an early enough stage to help with module choices and placement decisions.

Expand text