Computer Science

Course overview

Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) to achieve a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) qualification, this course prepares you for a successful career in a diverse and in-demand sector.

This program is meticulously designed to teach you the fundamentals of computer science that can be applied to the latest trends, to keep you ahead of the curve. From mastering code to exploring the world of AI, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills that top tech employers look out for.

We know theory alone won't cut it in the real world, so this course prioritises practical experience through real-world projects, placements, and industry collaborations to help you build a strong portfolio before you graduate.

“My advice to future students would be to get to know your lecturers, network with fellow students on your course and try to absorb as much knowledge as possible, as you'll definitely use it through the years.”

Lesroy Joseph Wedderburn

BSc Computer Science

Technical Analyst at Deloitte Digital

Why Computer Science at Aston University?

Accredited degree

Accredited by the British Computer Society (BSC)

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Ranked 13th in the UK

For median earnings on average £33,200 in the first year after graduation (LEO, 2023)

A day in the life of a computer science student at Aston University

Follow BSc Computer Science student Sana as she shares a snippet of her day with us as a final-year student.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

The BSc Computer Science degree at Aston University equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in the tech world.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by experienced and passionate faculty members who are not only experts in their fields but dedicated to helping you succeed. Use of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs. To ensure all our students have the sufficient equipment to excel in your studies we provide all computer science students with a brand-new high spec laptop to keep.

What you will provide
We are looking for students who are up for a challenge, have a passion for technology, a curious mind, and a hunger to make a real impact. Computer Science revolves around problem-solving and overcoming obstacles, so embracing a growth mindset and continuously seeking self-improvement will serve you well on your academic journey.

What skills we teach
Our BSc Computer Science degree equips you with a powerhouse of skills. From mastering a range of programming languages, such as Java, HTML, PHP, Laravel, MySQL, Python, to UI Design, Android, Unity, and more. You will strengthen your skills in project management, time management, communication, and teamwork enabling you to be a highly sought-after professional in the digital age.

Placement year
The optional placement year is a fantastic opportunity and highly encouraged with Aston University’s Computer Science course. Our award-winning careers and placement team will help you find an exciting and relevant placement and support you during your year. Previous students have gained experience with leading companies, such as IBM, 3M, Hewlett Packard, Corus and TNT.

Career prospects
Our Computer Science degree is ranked Top 15 in the UK for Graduate Prospects "On-Track". (Complete University Guide, 2023). Graduates from this versatile and in-demand degree have gone on to successful roles such as Software engineer or developer, Technical analyst and IT compliance consultant for leading tech companies, startups, and the public sector.

How you will learn

Our teaching methods range from engaging lectures to interactive workshops, allowing you to absorb knowledge through multiple approaches. You will dive into real-world projects that challenge and inspire you through hands on work, where you will put theory into practice.

Here at Aston University, we are passionate about supporting our students. You will have a personal tutor throughout your studies to provide support and guidance, and a dedicated programming support officer for additional support. The Learning Development Centre is there to provide maths support, academic writing development, advice, and strategies for managing your studies. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in PAL sessions, learning from your peers who have been through the course content before you.

Extracurricular activities:

You can join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals in our Aston Computer Science Society
Become a member of the 'Industry Club'. Where you'll gain access to hands-on industry experience, internships, and projects with tech companies. Helping you build your professional network from the get-go.
Challenge yourself in the annual Aston Hack hackathon, an exciting 24 hours of designing, coding, and making.
Let your creativity run wild in our Design Challenge, whilst you tackle real-world engineering problems and propose innovative solutions.
Join our Formula Student team where you will design, build, and race your very own formula-style car.

What you will learn

On this course you’ll learn how to run software projects, understanding how to create usable and accessible software. Whilst developing the skills to be a designer, programmer, and project manager, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience that sets you apart in industry.

First year

Through hands-on programming projects, critical exploration of ethical issues, and the application of mathematical and technical principles, you'll develop a powerful foundation in your first year that sets you up for a successful journey through the world of Computer Science.

Second year

In your second year, you'll delve deeper into the digital realm, mastering skills that will set you apart as a tech leader. Your learnings will propel you beyond the basics and strengthen your ability to construct, collaborate, and secure systems.

Placement year

For students who choose to spend a year in industry during their degree we will support you to find paid, professional placement in the field you will one day thrive within. This placement will help you gain invaluable practical experience in a real work environment giving you a huge boost to future career prospects.

Final year

In your final year, you will consolidate all your learnings from the course and apply them to an in-depth final project. You will be able to specialise based on your areas of interest - by selecting from a broad range of optional modules and through your project – you can even suggest your own if you wish!

My Computer Science Placement

Discover Parminder's placement year as a Software Developer

Find out more

Facilities

Aston University campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs, collaborative spaces, and resources to aid your studies and research. We have dedicated lab officers and laptop support technicians available to all students.

As part of our innovative, modern delivery model we provide a free laptop to all enrolling first years on Computer Science. These will support you throughout your studies with us and the laptop is yours to keep at the end of your studies. We ensure these laptops are fitted out with a specification to suit the range of our teaching.

We also have a range of high-spec gadgets such as Augmented and Virtual Reality headsets, a Driving Simulator, and AI Robots which can be utilised for individual student projects.

Course objectives

Produces Graduate Software Engineers who specialise in object-oriented software design and Implementation. Graduates will be highly attractive to employers and well prepared for a rewarding career as a computing professional adaptable to a wide range of employment opportunities.
Develops practical information systems engineering capability based on well-founded principles, allowing graduates to be seen as candidate software engineers.
Instills generic attributes appropriate to professionally oriented graduates.
Enables students opting for the sandwich variant of the programme to enhance their career preparation through a period of structured professional training.
Provides a participation route that may lead to professional computing employment that is accessible to students who have demonstrated good intellectual aptitude rather than necessarily subject-specific preparation.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Computer Systems	15
Internet Applications and Database Design	30
Mathematics for Computing Professionals	15
Object Oriented Programming	30
Business Aspects of Computing	15
Professional and Social Aspects of Computing	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Utilise intellectual skills in course-relevant contexts: critical thinking; making a case; numeracy and literacy; information literacy. Construct well-argued and grammatically correct documents. Research and describe relevant ideas, ensuring these are correctly and accurately referenced and attributed.
Apply appropriate mathematical and/or statistical principles.
Construct reliable, secure, and usable object-orientated computer-based systems.
Recognise the legal, social, ethical, and professional issues involved in the exploitation of computer technology and be guided by the adoption of appropriate professional, ethical, and legal practices.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of systems architecture and related technologies.
Describe the business aspects of computer science.
Construct and deploy Internet applications incorporating a server-side database.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Software Engineering	15
Data Structures and Algorithms in Java	15
Human Computer Interaction	15
Information Security	15
Programming Language Concepts	15
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence	15
Team Project	30
Total	120

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Specify, design, construct, and test reliable, secure, and usable object-orientated computer-based systems.
Work as a member of a development team recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams.
Deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve practical problems.
Use a variety of programming languages, software tools, and environments.
Explain essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to computing and computer applications in modelling and design.
Recognise and analyse criteria and specifications appropriate to specific problems and plan strategies for their solutions.
Use appropriate diagrammatic and formal written notations in design work and in reports.
Reason about the scope for information security issues within a given computing environment, recognise security breaches, and apply appropriate measures and tools to protect against future breaches.

Placement year modules

If you opt for an integrated placement year, you will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement Year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Develop an understanding of business and the relevant commercial environment and/or intercultural study and their role within it.
Gain knowledge of key aspects of good practice relevant to industry and/or intercultural study context.
Develop new knowledge and understanding appropriate to the industrial, business, study or research sector related to degree programme.
Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a professional and industrial environment and/or in an intercultural study context.

Final year modules

In your final year, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Individual Project	45
Software Project Management	15
Total	60

Select 60 credits from the following optional modules

Module Title	Credits
Secure Network Services	15
Operating Systems	15
System Administration	15
Interaction Design	15
Mobile Design and Development	15
Computational Intelligence	15
Multi-Agent Systems	15
Advanced Database Systems and GIS	15
Techniques for Data Analysis (Data Mining)	15
Game Development	15
Image and Video Processing	15
Multimedia Information Retrieval	15
Computer Animation	15
Enterprise Computing Strategies	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to capacity, staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final Year Outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Deploy appropriate theory, practices, and tools for the specification, design, implementation, and evaluation of computer-based systems.
Analyse the extent to which a computer based-system meets the criteria defined for its current use and future development.
Follow appropriate theoretical and practical processes to specify, deploy, verify, and maintain information systems, including working with technical uncertainty.
Work independently to tackle substantial practical problems with limited individual guidance.
Select and apply concepts, principles and methodologies relevant to chosen areas of specialisation, thereby achieving additional depth and breadth.
Manage a software project effectively, especially in relation to planning, scheduling, resourcing, monitoring, and control.
Demonstrate qualities and general transferable skills that will be useful in a wide range of situations: these include problem-solving, working with others, effective information management and information retrieval skills, numeracy in both understanding and presenting cases involving a quantitative dimension, communication skills in electronic as well as written and oral form to a range of audiences and planning self-learning and improving performance as the foundation for on-going professional development.
Integrate and apply knowledge and methods from a variety of sources.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (standard offer)
BBC if grade B achieved in EPQ or Core Maths
BCC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: DDM
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
National Diploma and Diploma: DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: DM plus 2 A-level minimum grade B
National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: M plus 2 A-level minimum Grade B
Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

31 overall points and above, with 5, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects.

Access with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at Level 3.

Non-standard qualifications

Degree:

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second-year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space in that year of the programme.

Typically, applicants for second-year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university.

The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation.

The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Accounting Grade D
Agriculture, Land Management and Production Grade D
Animal Care and Management Grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D
Catering Grade D
Craft and Design Grade D
Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing Grade D
Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D#
Digital Business Services Grade D
Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D
Digital Support Services Grade D
Education and Childcare Grade D
Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control Grade D
Finance Grade D
Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy Grade D
Legal Services Grade D
Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing Grade D
Management and Administration Grade D
Media, Broadcast and Production Grade D
Onsite Construction Grade D
Health Grade D
Healthcare Science Grade D
Science Grade D

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE Maths Grade C/4 and English Grade C/4 and above.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£21,100
During placement year:	£2,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

The BSc Computer Science degree employs a range of authentic assessment methods, including presentations, coursework, quizzes, and exams. We make sure to coordinate deadlines to ensure you have a manageable workload.

The assessment methods will reflect the most effective and relevant way to review your performance for each module. Therefore, each module will be assessed in a variety of ways to reflect your knowledge from that module and how you would apply it in the real world.

Career prospects

BSc Computer Science at Aston University is ranked Top 15 in the UK for Graduate Prospects ‘On-Track’ (Complete University Guide 2023).

Computer technology encompasses almost every aspect of our modern lives, making tech graduates high in demand.

Our BSc Computer Science graduates have gone on to work in a variety of roles including graduate programmer, software developer or engineer, consultant, new media programmer, network analyst, systems analyst and internet applications developer. For a range of employers, such as: Capgemini, Microsoft, Toyota, Unisys, Coca-Cola, IBM UK, Ford, Hewlett Packard, Logica CMG, HSBC and PCMS.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Does accreditation matter?

Yes. Accredited engineering degrees offer students, their parents and advisors, and employers a mark of assurance that the degree programme meets the standards expected by the engineering profession. Accredited degrees also give confidence that the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for registration with a professional engineering institution have been met.

Our Computer Science degrees are accredited for Chartered IT Professional (CITP), the British Computer Society's (BCS) Chartered qualification. Upon graduation, you’ll have the right to join the BCS - the principal organisation for IT professionals in the UK. 

How will a placement year benefit me?

The optional placement year gives you invaluable practical experience and enhancing your career prospects through a paid professional placement in the UK or abroad. We think that the knowledge you gain through your studies are best applied to real life and the most effective way to do this is by working in a company. As well as the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned, you’ll also gain invaluable communication and team skills.

We have excellent links with industry and will help to arrange this placement for you.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham