Computer Science BSc (Hons) (with Foundation Year)
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UCAS Code: I103|Duration: 4 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Accredited|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Computer Science is all about new ideas, new opportunities and fresh thinking. There is no other discipline that can be applied to so many different areas and have such a profound impact on all aspects of society. The dynamism of this exciting subject is reflected in this degree through the study of a range of topics including networks, robotics, the Internet, and mobile and embedded computing and cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
Study this degree with us and you will acquire practical skills that are highly sought after by industry, such as programming in C, C++, Java, Lua, Python, JavaScript and C#. Computer science-related jobs are not only appealing in their versatility, earning potential and demand, computer science has a wide-reaching social impact, posing many ethical questions, and these issues are examined at various points during the three years of study.
Computer Science is not only intellectually challenging, it is also THE most creative of subjects. As such the staff in the department will provide you with close academic and practical support. All staff in the Department are research active and have a varied background in a diverse range of interests, and this enhances your experience by providing a rich curriculum with exposure to multiple approaches and areas of research. If you are enthusiastic, inventive and looking to shape the future, or if you’re looking to leverage your love of technology to make a difference this degree is for you. Rest assured. Computer Science is an incredible career choice for someone who wants to change the world.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars which are smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students. You will also have the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.
If you are studying Computer Science as a Single Honours degree, in your first year of study you will have approximately 12 teaching hours per week, which reduces to approximately 11 hours in your second and third years. If you are studying Computer Science as a Combined Honours degree, in your first year of study there are approximately 6 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 5 teaching hours in your second and third years.
On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as working in groups to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
Assessment and feedback
During your degree, there are a variety of assessment types to ensure you are given a range of opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and understanding of the academic and professional components of the degree. These include written exams, portfolios of tasks and activities, and practical coursework. In your final year, there is also a dissertation or extended research project to complete.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is a great opportunity if you have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualifications required to enter directly onto our degree programmes. A significant part of the Foundation Year focuses upon core skills such as academic writing at HE level, becoming an independent learner, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management and note taking.
Successful completion of the Foundation Year will enable you to progress into the first year (Level C) of your chosen honours degree. Further details can be found here.
Year One
The first year provides a broad introduction to foundational computer science concepts across theoretical knowledge, problem solving, and practical skills. Students will get hands-on experience programming in Python and web development environments to build programs, applications, and websites. This develops computational thinking abilities.
Course topics cover:
- Professional Skills to prepare for computer science learning and expectations.
- Structured Problem Solving methodologies, with a focus on Python programming.
- Database Technology fundamentals, from theory to practice.
- Python Programming principles and practical application.
- Website Development basics.
- Computer Systems foundations.
Through this diverse first year curriculum, students gain well-rounded exposure to key computer science areas. They apply theoretical knowledge in practical Python and web programming projects. Hands-on skills in these coding languages and environments equip them with computational problem solving abilities. The courses provide a strong base for computer science mastery in later years, whether on the computer systems or data engineering track.
Year Two
In your second year, you will develop a broader understanding and knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of Computer Science, reflecting on more specialist areas within the discipline. Specific topics will be covered in greater depth with an emphasis on programming and applications development, and database technology. Other topics studied include:
- Object-oriented Programming with C++ : You will not only learn the C++ programming language in depth, but use it as a vehicle for the more general skills of object-oriented coding and design. In particular, you will learn Unified Modeling Language (UML) for designing and managing large projects for industry.
- Professional Skills: A range of topics are covered in this block, more generally equipping you for working in industry.
- Software Engineering: This course complements the skills you learn for object-oriented coding, but uses the Java programming language. It is far from just about coding though, and teaches you how to work as part of a team and the different approaches to project management that are available, as well as the latest technology being used in industry.
- Website Development: This builds upon your software engineering skills in developing complex websites, working with client- and server-side coding and connecting a database to a website. You will learn how to create fully fledged registration, login, logout systems that interact with databases, as well as dynamic server interaction with AJAX technologies and various user interaction.
- Networks: You will learn about computer network infrastructure and protocols, including clients and servers, physical media, different types of networks and how data is transmitted over them.
Year Three
Your final year will focus on your dissertation in an area of your choice, along with topics such as:
- Immersive technologies (VR/AR and MR): You will learn using the software commonly used for virtual reality development, i.e. Unity and Unreal Engine, but also touch upon other technologies, such as for VR in the browser. You will also have access to cutting edge technology to test out your creations.
- Internet of Things (IoT): You will broaden your knowledge to the emerging internet-of-things, whereby physical things in the world are part of the internet. As with VR, you will have access to a range of technologies on which to develop and test your ideas.
- Advanced Web Technologies: This part of your course will focus on the Javascript language, which has emerged as one of the world’s most popular languages. It will focus on client-side development of web applications using various libraries and the latest technologies, such as Node.JS (for server-side) and React.
- Intelligent Systems: The course focuses on artificial intelligence, with a particular emphasis on machine learning. You will begin with foundational knowledge of different ML models, moving toward metaheuristics (genetic algorithms) and reinforcement learning. You will then move toward natural language processing and more exotic models within machine learning, such as meta-learning and semi-supervised learning.
- Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing: The main emphasis of this part of the course is on Android application development, using Android Studio and the Java programming language.
Entry requirements
There may be some flexibility for mature students offering non-tariff qualifications and students meeting particular widening participation criteria.
Careers
A degree in Computer Science will make you highly employable having developed practical skills as well as having studied the theoretical aspects of the subject. This degree will enable you to consider a range of careers such as software engineering, systems development and networking, as well as roles that involve the innovative application of computer technology to areas such as computer security or robotics.
Our recent graduates have found posts working as Technical and Systems Engineers, software analysts and software engineers in organisations such as Airbus, Barclays, Oracle and Microsoft.
Many of our graduates also go on to further study. There are opportunities to study taught Masters as well as Doctoral based qualifications at Liverpool Hope, working with staff on cutting-edge research projects.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
As well as tuition fees, you need to consider additional costs such as books, hardware and software for your own personal computer/laptop, general computer consumables such as discs, USBs and printing, which will be approximately £500.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2024/25 are £13,000.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is also available with Foundation Year as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: