Computer Science BSc Honours

Course overview

This accredited course meets the evolving needs of industry, and will give you a deep understanding of the principles of Computer Science.

You'll be based in the truly inspiring Urban Sciences Building, and study at a world-leading centre in computing innovation and industry collaboration.

By studying a broad curriculum in your first two years, you'll develop knowledge in different aspects of computing science, and gain highly desirable skills in problem solving, program design and implementation.

In your final year you can specialise in a particular area of computer science or build your own broad based degree. You can choose topics that are taught by renowned experts in areas such as security and resilience, software engineering, bioinformatics and game engineering.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Additional information

Flexible degree structure

At Newcastle, all Computer Science students study the same modules for the first two years, before specialising in the later years. This gives you time to explore the subject and decide which area you want to specialise in. It means you can also transfer between our degrees up to the end of Stage 2.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll learn the fundamentals of computer science, with an emphasis on developing your skills in program design and implementation. You'll gain experience in Java programming and develop a broad view of hardware and software architectures.

You'll develop an appreciation of what it is to be a professional working in the IT industry and develop your problem-solving skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Fundamentals of Computing	20
Computer Systems Design and Architectures	20
Foundations of Data Science	20
Programming Portfolio 1	30
Programming Portfolio 2	30

You'll study modules in software engineering, algorithm design and the fundamental principles that govern the operation of the internet. We'll introduce you to requirements analysis and databases, and the formal specification of software systems.

You'll also work in a team to engineer a substantial software product, developing practical teamworking skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Security and Programming Paradigms	20
Algorithm Design and Analysis	10
Software Engineering Team Project	30
Introducing Contemporary Topics in Computing	30
Software Systems Design and Implementation	30

You'll choose topics from across our specialist areas, equipping you with a broad base of knowledge and keeping your career options open.

You'll also complete a project and dissertation in an area of interest.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Major Project and Dissertation in Computer Science	60

Optional Modules	Credits
Distributed Systems	10
Introduction to Quantum Computing	10
Graphics for Games	10
Gaming Technologies and Simulations	20
Abstract models of systems & Languages	20
Understanding Concurrency	10
Introduction to BioDesign and Natural Computing	20
Biomedical Data Analytics and AI	20
Cryptography	10
System and Network Security	20
Fault Tolerant and Cyber-Physical Systems	20
Human Computer Interaction: Interaction Design	20
Predictive Analytics, Computer Vision & AI	20
Data Visualization and Visual Analytics	10
Career Development for final year students	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include:

• lectures – including guest lectures by visiting IT professionals
• tutorials – from our expert staff
• supervised practical work – which accounts for a significant amount of your time
• project work – to help you develop real-world business skills such as teamworking and project management

Project work includes a team project in Stage 2 to develop a substantial software product, and a major individual project in Stage 3.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Business skills

In addition to your academic work, employers look for evidence of skills and experience. Our degrees have been created with industry need in mind.

In Stage 2, you will gain a realistic preview into industry life, being taught in a team environment with real-life industry briefs. You will pick a problem – identified by industry – and develop a project to find a solution. The projects are marked by industry representatives, lecturers and the project sponsor.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You will be part of the School of Computing, based in the Urban Sciences Building on our Newcastle Helix area of campus.

Our brand new £58m building offers great facilities for our students, including:

• cyber-physical systems laboratory
• decision theatre for data visualisation
• flat floor teaching facilities
• 315 PCs with a Raspberry Pi3 on every desk

The building and its surrounding area is becoming a living laboratory, underpinning research to make urban centres more sustainable for future generations. Research at Newcastle Helix focusses on:

• cyber-physical systems
• infrastructure
• smart grids
• future of our city
• big data

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Join a network of successful graduates

97% of our Computer Science graduates are in graduate-level jobs or in further study within fifteen months of graduation*.

Recent graduates have secured roles such as:

• business analyst
• developer
• front-end web developer
• software developer
• software engineer

*Guardian University league tables 2021

Preparing you for career success

In the present job market, computing science graduates are better placed than many others to obtain employment in a challenging and fulfilling career, and the employability of Newcastle graduates is particularly high.

An increasing number of employers require digital skills, meaning our graduates are highly sought after. They move into bespoke software development roles in software houses and computer manufacturers and also into corporate organisations that use computers on a larger scale, such as banking, insurance and manufacturing companies and public sector institutions.

Benefit from strong industry links

You'll also benefit from our well-established links with organisations within the industry. Our placement students and graduates are regularly recruited by companies such as:

• Nissan
• Waterstons
• Accenture
• IBM
• P&G
• Deloitte
• Microsoft
• Sage
• DWP
• GCHQ

Local businesses often approach the School to advertise small, part-time or voluntary work opportunities, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience.

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Careers support

Our degree programmes have been developed to ensure that you are gaining the transferable skills that employers like to see alongside your academic study. You will benefit from guest lectures from industry professionals, mock interviews and professional skills workshops.

The school annually hosts a week of intensive employability events. These have included:

• hackathon workshops
• placement discussions
• coding and enterprise challenges
• employer talks
• networking events

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£26400

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages