School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies
Concentrating on the technologies that make the interconnected world of today possible
As a cohesive and cross-disciplinary school, we focus on real world skills and research, with teaching that delivers industry graduates and research that delivers impact.
- About
We are pioneers in developing new ways of teaching the skills that graduates really need. We are especially proud to have produced the first degree apprenticeship graduates in the country in 2017, with our BSc Digital & Technology Solutions graduates working in partnership with CapGemini. As a major partner in the government-led Institute of Coding, we work to bring industry, government, higher education and outreach partners together, creating new courses, developing existing skills, and providing support that attracts fresh talent into digital careers.
Our research concentrates on the technologies that make our interdependent and interconnected world of today possible. This includes cutting-edge work on smart technologies and environments, optical communications, data, networks, the Internet of Things (IoT) as well as the social and public health implications of these advancements.
- Our Teaching
We offer programmes in mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, as well as joint honours degrees between these disciplines.
Our teaching’s breadth and flexibility means that we can provide students with a direct path from abstract subjects such as mathematics to their real-world applications and counterparts, such as engineering. These three core disciplines and their joint honour combinations represent a solid foundation for a successful career in fields such as computing, telecommunications, engineering and many more. We deliver a range of sought after degree-level apprenticeships, conducted in partnership with major employers across Britain. Many of our postgraduate programmes are offered as two-year programmes that include the opportunity to carry out a nine-month work placement.
- Our Graduates
Our graduates have an enviable track record in securing sought after roles within well-established and respected institutions. Many of our graduates in Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering now work in fields that range from actuarial sciences, software engineering, the automotive industry and telecommunications providers, to global financial institutions and much more.
Our students learn by doing, whether that is on campus, or in the workplace. Electronics engineering students take on build and test projects, designing products for a consumer market. Our student-led enterprise, Beautiful Canoe, employs computer science students for internships and placements. Not only does Beautiful Canoe develop bespoke, high-quality software solutions to meet clients’ precise needs, it represents a powerful development opportunity for our students who run it. The work is undertaken by student fellows, who we mentor with the help of the latest technologies and techniques such as agile coaching.
This win-win approach helps ensure that our fellows get the most out of their experience while delivering new software solutions.
Our research
Achieving real-world impact is the true measure of research success. As part of our commitment to research that makes a difference to people’s everyday lives, we focus on smart technologies and the environment, and the innovations that make an interconnected world a reality.
Our computer science expertise is in artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics, software engineering and cybersecurity. Aston’s world-leading Institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT) in Electrical Engineering, specialises in optical communications, non-linear optics, signal processing, optical sensing and power engineering. Mathematicians in the School are active in data science research as well as mathematical modelling and linear dynamics. Researchers across the School actively contribute to Aston’s Institute for Urban Technologies and the Environment.
Developing areas of expertise encompass a range of emerging technologies including digital health, health informatics (complex systems and networks) and HCI (human-computer interaction).
