Undergraduate Course

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 4 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

72 (September 2024 entry)

UCAS code

I10F

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

BSc (Hons)

Start date

September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course description

The best bits

  • Spend the first year of your BSc (Hons) Computer Science course learning the fundamentals of computer science and finding out where your passions and talents lie
  • Benefit from the flexibility of having the option to transfer to another course in our Computing and Mathematics portfolio after your first year
  • Learn from our expert academic staff who are acknowledged as leading scientists in their field
  • Work on real projects
  • Placement year opportunity - previous placements have been at Microsoft, IBM, Intel and BT
  • You won’t have any written exams as all assessment is through coursework

Become a skilled graduate

Software is everywhere, running everything from our desktop computers and mobile phones to home appliances, games consoles, cars, planes and industrial machinery. On this course, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of current issues in Computing and Mathematics. You will study applied computer science with a strong emphasis on practical programming skills using cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-standard laboratories. 

A student working with the network cabinet
A student working at a computer in the lab

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Flexibility 

You’ll study a common first year alongside students on our range of Computing and Mathematics degrees. At the end of your first year, you’ll have the option to transfer to any one of the following courses: 

In your second year you’ll study specialist modules specifically for your chosen degree, with your final year offering further options to tailor your studies to an area of your interest. 

Industry connections 

The University is renowned for the strength of its contacts with employers. Our course has been designed in close collaboration with industrial practitioners, technologists, specialists and professional bodies. 

We collaborate with local and international industries on a wide range of challenging projects including Rolls-Royce, Toyota, CERN, Bloc Digital, Alstom, Bentley Motors and JCB. 

Undertaking a placement year will give you substantial experience to understand the possible careers open to you. Plus you’ll build your confidence and improve success and progression in jobs or in starting a business. 

Specialist facilities

You’ll get to use cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-standard laboratories. Facilities include: 

Celine on her placement year with her colleagues at VMware

Celine's game-changing placement year

A placement year in your degree can be a game-changer. For Celine Pypaert, it led to new skills, an invitation to address a major London conference and to write a chapter in a book on cyber security. And a full-time job.

Read Celine's storyRead Celine's story
A female student working on a tablet

Makerspace

Open to all students at the University of Derby the Makerspace is a student-led workshop based at our Markeaton Street site. There is a large range of tools in the Makerspace that you are able to use in your own time to design and develop projects.

Find out more about MakerspaceFind out more about Makerspace
A student looking through data

Data Science Research Centre

Data is all around us. And our Data Science Research Centre is exploring pioneering ways to manage, process, analyse and obtain intelligence from this data for maximum impact.

Read moreRead more

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

Your lectures are intentionally interactive, incorporating questions and answers and simulation. Seminars and tutorials will give you the opportunity to develop understanding and its application in both familiar and unfamiliar circumstances. Practical sessions will give you the chance to develop your skills in both equipment use and the evaluation of experimental procedures and data. In your third year you’ll take an Individual Project module where you’ll be encouraged to use and apply research and innovation tools and approached in a practical context. Team working will also allow you to develop interpersonal and communication skills – an important skill for the workplace. 

How you’ll be assessed 

Instead of exams, a variety of assessment methods are used. Some modules are assessed through coursework only, others by a combination of: 

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Who will teach you

Wayne Rippin
Programme leader

Wayne has been a lecturer at University of Derby since 2003. Prior to that, he worked in the computer industry. He is the programme leader for the BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree. 

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

Our Computer Science course is employment focused with industry-standard technologies that ensure you will have the skills and confidence when you graduate to secure the right role in this expanding and exciting industry. You could go on to roles such as: 

You will also develop wide-ranging skills, such as numerical and analytical skills, teamwork and project management. 

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Discover Uni

This is a new course so the data displayed via Discover Uni is for students studying in another subject area.

Full-time

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