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Computer Science BSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Computer Science BSc at UCL delivers world-class, industry-relevant teaching with a strong focus on solving real-world problems through problem-based learning. The programme provides the essential material employers expect from a top-quality computer science graduate and prepares you for employment in a wide variety of industries.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£43,500
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
G400

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
A*A*A
Subjects
A* in either Mathematics or Further Mathematics required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
A*AB more about contextual offers
Subjects
A* in either Mathematics or Further Mathematics required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
40
Subjects
A total of 20 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level. 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' is preferred.

Contextual offer

Points
38 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D2,D2,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, to include either Mathematics or Further Mathematics at D2

A1,A1,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A1 at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), to include Mathematics at Advanced Higher A1.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*A*A, to include either Mathematics or Further Mathematics at A*.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry to this undergraduate programme, you may be eligible to apply for the Engineering Foundation Year at UCL. Designed for individuals from non-traditional educational backgrounds who do not meet standard entry requirements for UCL's undergraduate engineering degrees, this pre-degree programme helps you develop confidence, academic and study skills, and subject specific knowledge. On successful completion of the Engineering Foundation Year, you can gain access to a selection of the engineering undergraduate degree programmes at UCL. Find out more about the Engineering Foundation Year.

 

Additional tests

Alongside the UCAS application system, UCL will require all applicants to sit the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test run by the Australian Council for Education Research. The fee for the test is £124. Full details, including fee arrangements for Access UCL applicants, can be found here.


Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

As a student on the Computer Science BSc, you will develop an in-depth understanding of computer science, from foundations to cutting-edge applications, through world-class teaching that focuses on real-world problem-based learning, with opportunities for specialism through optional modules underpinned by the department’s leading research. 

The programme is delivered following the UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP) principles. This is a teaching framework that will engage you in a range of practical and specialist interdisciplinary activities that are designed to create well-rounded graduates with a strong grasp of the fundamentals of their discipline, significant teamwork experience, and a broad understanding of how engineering principles are applied to develop complex systems. 

This programme provides the essential material employers expect from a top-quality computer science graduate and will prepare you for employment in a wide variety of industries.

What this course will give you

UCL is ranked 9th globally in the latest QS World University Rankings (2024), giving you an exciting opportunity to study at one of the world’s best universities. UCL was also named The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2024.

UCL was ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).  

The opportunity to engage in a real-world project alongside an industry partner via the Department's Industry Exchange Network (IXN) offers invaluable hands-on experience, which is especially beneficial when applying for jobs. 

UCL Computer Science is recognised as a world leader in teaching and research, and our undergraduate degree programmes are designed and taught by world-class researchers, ensuring our material is cutting-edge. The Computer Science BSc is part of an award-winning faculty-wide integrated engineering framework that allows you to broaden your horizons through interactions with other disciplines. 

Our graduates are highly valued as a result of the Department's strong international reputation, strong links with industry, and ideal location close to the City of London. 

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

The Computer Science BSc is a three-year programme.

Year 1:

The programme's first year is designed to provide you with a firm foundation in computer science. You will take compulsory modules that address all the main strands of computer science, irrespective of specialisation, which include the theory of computation, principles of programming, algorithms, and discrete mathematics.

Year 2:

In the second year, you will take compulsory modules, including computer architecture, logic and database theory, software and systems engineering, and further mathematics. You will also begin your chosen IEP minor pathway.

Year 3:

In the third year, you will study computability and complexity theory, compilers, and continue your IEP minor pathway, and choose from a selection of specialist optional modules. You will also undertake an individual supervised substantive project/ dissertation.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules










Compulsory modules








Compulsory modules





Optional modules
















Your learning

The programme's core curriculum is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, and lab classes. There is a focus on practical problem-based learning and group-based working. From early in the programme, you will apply theory and work with others to solve real and challenging problems.

In Year 2 of the programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to take an optional year in industry; this is an additional year of study where eligible students can undertake a placement with an approved industrial partner, then resume their programme’s curriculum when they return to UCL in the following year. The year in industry takes place between the penultimate and final years of the programme and extends the length of the degree by one year.

If you are approved to take a year in industry placement, you will transfer to the Computer Science (Year in Industry) BSc, which includes the additional placement year.

Contact time across your programme can take a variety of forms, for example, lectures, seminars, tutorials, question and answer sessions, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, visits, placements, office hours (where staff are available for consultation), interaction by email or other media, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given (one-to-one or in a group.)

The following are estimates for the number of contact hours you can expect in each year of study for the compulsory modules based on recent planning. These figures are published a long time in advance and are subject to change.

Years 1 and 2: 135 hours of lectures/ tutorials/ seminars; 35 hours of question-and-answer sessions; 35 hours of labs; and 35 hours of problem classes.

Year 3: 100 hours of lectures/ tutorials/ seminars; 25 hours of question-and-answer sessions; 25 hours of labs; 25 hours of problem classes; and 10 hours of project supervision.

Contact hours will vary depending on your optional and elective module selections. You will be able to review each module’s indicative timetable in advance of making and confirming your module selections each year.

Assessment

The programme's core curriculum is assessed through a range of methods that typically include individual and group coursework, lab demonstrations and reports, individual and group projects, tests and written examinations, and oral assessments. The final year is additionally assessed via a substantive project/ dissertation report.

Assessment methods will vary according to your optional and elective module choices.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Computer Science Q&A (AM)

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Join us online for a live session with staff and students from UCL Computer Science. We will explore our programmes and support services, share admissions advice, and talk about the UCL student experience. We will have friendly staff and students on hand to answer your questions in real time. You will learn what makes UCL Computer Science unique and leave with useful advice for submitting a strong application.

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Computer Science Q&A (PM)

—

Join us online for a live session with staff and students from UCL Computer Science. We will explore our programmes and support services, share admissions advice, and talk about the UCL student experience. We will have friendly staff and students on hand to answer your questions in real time. You will learn what makes UCL Computer Science unique and leave with useful advice for submitting a strong application.

Online - Open day

Computer Science information video

Watch this video to find out more about Computer Science at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Graduates have previously secured careers with global IT consultancies, as IT analysts with City of London banks and as IT specialists with manufacturing industries. As well as these pathways, this programme will provide you with an excellent foundation for a broad spectrum of different careers. You may also choose to pursue further academic study, such as a postgraduate degree or doctoral research.

Employability

The programme is designed to produce graduates with a thorough knowledge of computer science, with strong professional skills, good experience of problem-solving in an interdisciplinary context, and an understanding of research and how it is carried out. The strong practical and analytical skills developed through the programme will leave students well-placed to meet the growing global demand for graduates in this fast-moving industry.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £43,500

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Foundation Year fees for UK students are £6,000.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

Students will require a modern computer (PC or Mac) with minimum specifications 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage. A computer with the stated specifications is estimated to cost £500 or greater.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme and 2025/26 entry.

Aspire Award

Deadline: 18 August 2025
Value: Full fees plus £20,000 stipend/yr (Duration of study)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

In addition to academic requirements, we are looking for you to demonstrate a proven interest in computing and a clear understanding of what studying computer science entails. We are keen to admit students with an interest in subjects that relate to applications of computer technology.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Once an offer has been made, applicants are invited to attend an Offer-holder Open Day (in person or virtual) where they can find out more about us and what it’s like to study Computer Science at UCL. Additionally, the Open Day gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the Admissions Tutor and students currently enrolled on the programme. The UCAS application is assessed by a central UCL team against the published entry criteria. Applicants with non-standard qualifications are referred onto the Computer Science Admissions Tutor for review. 

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Computer Science
Computer Science

cs.undergraduate-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.