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Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Close up image of someone holding computing equipment
Computing components, 2021, UAL Creative Computing Institute, Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute
UCAS code
I100
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 / 4 years (with optional foundation year)

From web platforms, computer graphics, to machine learning and AI, create models of real-world problems through computer programming.

Why choose this course at UAL Creative Computing Institute

  • Coding: Learn practical coding skills in core modern programming languages, enabling you to work within a wide range of contexts.
  • Project-based learning: Complete a range of computing projects, learning how to apply your skills and understanding to real world problems.
  • Ethical computing: Learn how computational technologies have the potential to impact individuals and society at scale.
  • Collaboration and creativity: Work with your classmates to creatively solve problems together. This ability to work creatively as a team is a core attribute highly sought after by graduate employers.
  • The CCI community: Join a community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about the future of computing.
  • Campus location and facilities: All your classes will be taught at our High Holborn site in central London. You will also have access to workshops and facilities at all other CCI buildings in South London including Peckham Road, Greencoat and The Hub at Eagle Wharf.

Follow CCI online

Twitter: @ual_cci

YouTube: @ual_cci

Instagram: @ual_cci

Course overview

Computer Science underpins much of modern life and supports economic opportunity at all scales. the fundamentals of the subject give you opportunities to shape the future across a wide range of sectors, from web platforms, computer graphics, communication technology to machine learning, AI and computer vision. You will be trained to apply scientific principles to support creation of mathematical models of real-world problems through computer programming.

The BSc Computer Science programme offers a deep engagement with core computer science skills including algorithms, data structures, secure systems, software engineering, architectures and networking. 

What to expect  

  • Coding: You will learn practical coding skills in modern programming languages common in industry, enabling you to develop for a wide range of professional contexts.
  • Project-based learning: You will complete a range of computing projects, learning how to apply your skills and understanding to real world problems.
  • Ethical computing: You will learn how computational technologies have the potential to impact individuals and society at scale. 
  • Collaboration and creativity: You will learn how to work with others and creatively solve problems together. These abilities and attributes are highly sought after by graduate employers.
  • The Creative Computing Institute community: You will join a community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about shaping the future of computing. You will become a member of our integrated online community.
  • A supportive environment: You will have access to both technical and pastoral support and be part of a community committed to promoting accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
  • An optional foundation year: You will have the option to take a ‘Year Zero’ course that gives you a foundational understanding of creative computing and prepares you for the rest of the course, whichever direction you choose.

Industry experience and opportunities   

Throughout the course, you will learn using industry standard tools and frameworks, ensuring you are ready to progress to a wide range of roles across the technology sector. You will also benefit from industry talks and meet industry representatives throughout your studies.

Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to undertake the optional year in industry, details of which will be provided in the second year of study.

Entrepreneurship is encouraged and the opportunity to start enterprises will be supported with business training and access to incubator programs, as well through team entrepreneurship pedagogies.  

Course units

Year 0 (common with BSc Data Science and AI (Artificial Intelligence))

Foundational Programming One (20 credits)

This unit will introduce you to core programming skills and concepts. You will also explore basic coding environments such as Processing and block programming. 

Computing Histories (20 credits)

This unit will help you develop academic writing skills and offer diverse historical perspectives of computing.

Computing Project: Introducing Computing One (20 credits)

This unit will introduce project work through set tasks such as simple game creation.

Foundational Programming Two (20 credits)

In this unit, you will apply the skills and knowledge you have developed so far in friendly coding environments such as Processing and block programming.

Foundational Maths for Computing (20 credits)

This unit will develop the foundational maths skills required for the following years of the course.

Computing Project: Introducing Computing Two (20 credits)

In this unit, you will continue your project work through set tasks and introduce code management tools and project management basics.

Year 1

Coding One: Introduction to Programming (20 credits)

This unit will introduce you to programming basics using modern programming languages and constructs that form part of professional practice in computing. You will learn fundamentals including variables, conditionals, loops, functions, simple object orientation and interaction approaches, applying mathematical principals throughout.

Human Factors: Introducing Inclusive HCI (Human Computer Interaction) (20 credits)

This unit will introduce you to human computer interaction fundamentals including key theories and approaches for understanding accessible computing systems. You will learn accessible and inclusive approaches to computing through HCI case studies and practices.

Computing Project: Web Programming (20 credits)

You will learn and apply fundamental approaches to web application development, understanding user requirements, designing interactions, programming interfaces in HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript, and testing, evaluating and presenting your work in class.

Coding Two: Further Programming and Information Architecture (20 credits)

This unit will further expand your knowledge, skills and competencies in programming. You will learn how computing hardware interprets instructions, and how these instructions flow through computing systems. You will explore binary and hexadecimal representations of numbers, and how operations are understood in binary form. 

Ethics and Information Security (20 credits)

This unit will introduce cybersecurity essentials through the lens of ethical and legal requirements in relation to data collection, data storage, data access, data sharing and data processing. You will examine current information security processes, which are enforced and regulated by legal and human rights legislation.

Computing Project: Data and Databases (20 credits)

This project will build on your knowledge and skills in web programming. It will also introduce data structures for storing, querying, accessing and interrogating data. You will explore SQL and schemaless NoSQL approaches to data management and storage, moving towards full stack competencies using Python and JavaScript.

Year 2

Coding Three: Algorithms and Complexity (20 credits)

You will be introduced to a range of standard algorithms using programming languages including Python and C. Using common algorithms, you will create and analyse computational models, learning how to determine which ones might be best suited to certain kinds of problems.

Human Factors: Interfaces and Interaction (20 credits)

This unit will help you understand how to design interactive applications, applying user-centred design cycles with related tools and techniques. You will analyse and evaluate user interfaces considering use and stakeholder needs, universal access, inclusiveness, assistive technologies, and culture-sensitive design.

Computing project: Software Engineering One (20 credits)

You will design and develop a prototype software project, supported by and reinforcing learning from your studies in Human Factors and Programming. You will be encouraged to develop projects that consider specific problems and challenges across a range of use cases, learning how software development teams operate, applying professional practice approaches common across the sector.

Coding Four: Computer Graphics and Signal Processing (20 credits)

On this unit, you will learn how sensory information is represented in computers and how images, sounds and related media forms can be stored and analysed in 1, 2 and 3 dimensions. You will also be taught how 3D objects can be represented in 2D, and how to programme contemporary graphics pipelines from scratch.

Computational Entrepreneurship (20 credits)

A key aim of this unit is to enhance your employability and team entrepreneurship skills in a computational context,

Computing project: Software Engineering Two (20 credits)

You will deliver a software project based on the knowledge and skills you have developed so far. 

Year 3

Coding Five: AI and Intelligent Systems (20 credits)

Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence is at the core of modern industries. This unit will first introduce you to interactive concepts in machine learning and AI. You will then examine more complex intelligent systems design, including neural networks, reinforcement learning and other critical techniques.

Security, Privacy and Trusted Systems (20 credits)

Cybersecurity essentials are a critical part of computer science. You will be taught to use techniques including static program analysis and threat analysis. You will also become familiar with tools such as Burp Suite which is used to analyse security risks in online applications. 

Computing Project: Product Development (20 credits)

This unit will reinforce professional practice approaches to product development. You will learn advanced approaches to product development including project management essentials, time cost estimation, product architecture and testing systems. 

Ethics of Computing (20 credits)

In this unit, you will be asked to consider and reflect on critical approaches to technology development, including legal, regulatory and research-led ethics. You will be encouraged to apply these techniques to your own final year projects, exploring how you have applied your knowledge of computing ethics in your own work.  

Computing Project: Final Project (40 credits)

Your final project incorporates a range of methods and approaches drawn from skills acquired throughout the course. This includes HCI methods, software engineering, signal processing, interaction, machine learning and AI, security and trust, and other essential topics in the discipline.

Diploma in Professional Studies (optional year)

The Diploma in Professional Studies is an optional placement year in industry between the second and third year of the course. It is a managed year of professional experience, undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations. Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the Diploma of Higher Education (year 2) and by portfolio and proposal.
 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Studio/lab-based practice and masterclasses
  • Project work
  • Technical tuition
  • Experiential team learning
  • Collaborative problem-solving and group work
  • Independent study

Watch the online open day

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows: 

For Year 1 entry: 

  • Grades BCC or above at A-level  
  • Merit Merit Merit (MMM) at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology) 
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 104 UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology)   
  • Equivalent International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma

For Year 0 entry: 

  • Grades CC or above at A-level 
  • Merit Pass Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology) 
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 64 UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology) 
  • Equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma 

You should also have three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C). If you do not have a Science or Mathematics-based A-level, you should have at least Grade B/Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics.

English Language Requirements 

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking 

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For more details, please check our main English Language requirements webpage.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning 

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence.

This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit, but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria:

  • A current ability or potential to engage with the ideas of computing
  • Experience of experimenting with code
  • Demonstrable engagement and improvement in a recently learned technical skill
  • Ability to critically reflect and evaluate your achievements
  • Ability to present and discuss your work
  • Willingness to collaborate and resolve problems both individually and as a team

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

I100

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

I100

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

Computing graduates are highly sought after across lots of different sectors and our degrees facilitate progression to a wide range of careers in both industry and academia. Graduates can join large companies or start their own business using their engineering skills and their knowledge of computational innovation.

Graduates can become:

  • Software engineers for technology companies and for film and television production industries
  • Applications developers for mobile platforms such as Apple and Google
  • Cyber security specialists
  • Web developers
  • Founders of technology start-ups in sectors such as finance, healthcare and the creative industries.

Opportunities for further study:

  • Study one of our specialist creative computing master's courses.