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Computer Science MSci

Start date
September
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
I101
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025/26:
£9,535 (UK)
£32,400 (International)
Further fee information

Our comprehensive Computer Science MSci degree programme enables you to gain a systematic grounding in the theoretical underpinning of the discipline whilst also allowing you to delve into specialist areas of your interest.

  At the University of Birmingham we recognise that today’s computer scientists are in high demand and have a range of expertise. We also know that at this point in time it is essential that the course you choose meets your future career aspirations. That’s why our MSci Computer Science degree offers a balance of general computer science with practical software engineering and the opportunity to tailor your degree to a more specialised level to suit your interests so that you leave us prepared for a career in industry or research.

The transition to University level learning can be difficult and that is why in your first year and second year we ensure you study the key components of computer science to make sure you have a solid understanding of the subject.

We are committed to ensuring you develop key skills needed to boost your future prospects. That’s why in your second year you will be taught professional software engineering techniques and work in a team on a large project to produce software. You will also learn new styles of programming in Java, a language widely used in business and industry, and the C programming language.

Your third year enables you to tailor your degree to suit your interests and strengths with a wide range of modules to choose from. A proportion of your time will be dedicated to a project which will allow you to demonstrate your computing skills. In your fourth you will be able to choose modules which allow you to specialise further in your chosen area of interest. You will also undertake a much more in-depth project which will develop your ability to work independently on an advanced problem-solving task.

Why study Computer Science Msci at Birmingham

  • State-of-the-art facilities which include: research labs for Medical Imaging, Intelligent Robotics, HCI and security; Computer Science reference library; Robotics teaching labs and exclusive computing labs just computer science students
  • We are a leading centre for Computer Science teaching and research in Europe and we are home to many acclaimed research groups which filter into teaching on the course
  • Year in Industry and Year Abroad opportunities are available for you to gain skills and experience which will help to prepare you for a career after university
  • Fantastic careers and industry links and relationships – employers want to come to our School specifically to meet and recruit our students
  • Friendly and sociable department, where staff and students harness great relationships
  • Flexible module choices throughout your degree allow you to tailor your education to suit your interests and strengths

British Computer Society logoAccredited degree

Our undergraduate programmes are fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).

Meet our Student Bloggers

The best way to find out what life is really like as a student in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham is to hear from our students. Our students study a range of programmes from across our college – from Mathematics to Mechanical Engineering. Get some great tips and a real insight into what life is really like if you choose to study with us.

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This Computer Science course is a four-year Master of Science (MSci) degree, we also offer a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree version too.

The course is also available in BSc format as a Degree Apprenticeship and is offered as BSc on our Dubai campus as well:

We also have degree programmes available in:

A key part of Computer Science is building software with which people can interact. Social media and mobile computing require computer scientists to understand not only the technology but also how people think and communicate. Trained to think rigorously about algorithms and process, you will possess one of the key skills required in industry, commerce and academia.

Professor Andrew Howes, School of Computer Science

Modules

Year 1

Your first year and second year are comprised of compulsory computer science subjects, and you’ll receive a comprehensive education in fundamental, relevant topics. You’ll be given an overview of the subject and gain a firm foundation in the principles of algorithms, artificial intelligence, software engineering and relevant maths. You’ll also learn computer programming in Java – a language widely used in business and industry.

Core modules (all 20 credits)

Year 2

You’ll move on to study more fundamental subjects in computer science, including enabling technologies such as databases, graphics and the formal basis of programming languages. Teaching these together with programming allows you to put the theory into practice, giving you a much deeper understanding. You’ll also learn to work in a team to produce software, and you’ll learn new styles of programming in Java and a second language.

Core modules (all 20 credits)

Year 3

You are able to pick your choice of modules from a wide selection. You may choose to study subjects relevant to industry, for example computer networks, distributed systems or commercial programming. Alternatively you may prefer to focus on current research in areas such as evolutionary computation, neural computation, intelligent robotics and natural language technologies.

One third of your time will be devoted to a project which will give you the opportunity to write a large piece of software and to apply the computing skills you have acquired so far.

Optional modules (all 20 credits)

Choose 120 credits of optional modules, examples listed below:

Year 4

In the final year modules from our range of Masters programmes will be open to you. You will also undertake a much more in-depth software project. Your choice of modules alongside your choice of project will allow you to specialise in a field such as Computer Security, Human Computer Interaction, Robotics or Natural Computation. 

Core module

Optional modules (all 20 credits)

Choose 60 credits of optional modules, examples listed below:

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to core modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Annual tuition fees 2025/26

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

  • £9,535
  • £32,400 - International

Visit our  tuition fees page for more information.

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

 

Tuition fees for placement years (where applicable)

There is a reduced tuition fee for the academic year spent in industry or whilst studying abroad (where available). Fee information and further clarification is available on the University fees and funding page.

How To Apply

Apply through the UCAS website using code I101.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

View advice on how to apply for undergraduate courses.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
A*AA
Required subjects and grades:
A level Mathematics grade A.

General Studies or Critical Thinking not accepted.
It is desirable, but not essential, to have some experience of writing computer programs.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

7, 6, 6 required at Higher Level (including 6 in Mathematics), with a minimum of 32 points overall. We also require 5 in Standard Level English.

BTEC 

Only accepted in combination with other qualifications, which must include A Level Mathematics (or equivalent). BTEC IT is not accepted in combination with A Level Computer Science.

Access to Higher Education

Not considered. Please see our Foundation Year programme as a route to our courses.

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements.

Foundation Year

Are you a UK student and would like to study for one of our degrees but lack the entry qualifications we require? If you are not studying A Level Mathematics you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We accept a range of international qualifications, please contact the admissions tutor for more information.

 

Standard English language requirements apply, learn more about international entry requirements.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

You will benefit greatly from an overhauled and re-designed curriculum in order to give you the chance to really dig deeper into your subjects of interest

How you will learn

You will be taught using a combination of lectures, labs and tutorials with lecturers available to provide additional help throughout your degree.

How you will be assessed

Each module is assessed independently with all containing some components of continuous assessment. Some modules are completely assessed by coursework. Assessment methods include examinations, written assignments, oral and poster presentations, computer-based tests, marked exercises, and laboratory and project reports. Feedback is an essential part of learning and the way we help to shape your success.

We use a wide range of methods, such as written feedback on your assessments, class feedback sessions and discussions with your tutor.

Your personal tutor

We know that starting university can be daunting, and is a big step into a new way of living and learning. That’s why from the beginning of your time with us you will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will remain with you throughout your studies and support your academic progress, developing your transferable skills and any welfare issues.

Seminars and tutorials

Small-group tutorials/personal tutorials run alongside our lectures, addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate and discuss lecture material with your tutor and fellow students. 

Self-study is an essential part of the programme and requires self-motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.

Lecturers and world-leading researchers

Being taught and challenged in a range of ways and by a range of people help to not only broaden your knowledge but to allow you to build your network and discover your interests. Allowing you to meet and learn from different leaders in their fields is key to the course, that’s why during your studies you will be taught by a mixture of professors, doctors and postgraduates, offering you a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience.

Resources and facilities

We know that life as a student can be busy and that juggling work and a social life can be hard. That’s why our purpose built multi-million-pound building offers exclusive swipe access for all our students to access our facilities whenever they need to.

We encourage group work and face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and academics, that’s why there are plenty of student areas in the building and collaborative student and staff spaces.

Contact Hours

Depending on the programme, the modules you select, and the number of optional help sessions you choose to take part in, each week you will have between:

  • Year 1: 15 and 25 hours of lectures, labs and tutorials, with lecturers available to provide additional help outside those hours. During your first year it is important that you have a smooth transition into University. You will be able to talk to your tutors about this and discuss if there are particular areas where you need support.
  • Year 2: 13 and 22 hours of lectures, labs and tutorials, with lecturers available to provide additional help outside those hours.
  • Year 3: 9 and 20 hours of lectures, labs and tutorials, with lecturers available to provide additional help outside those hours.
  • Year 4: 7 and 18 hours of lectures, labs and tutorials, with lecturers available to provide additional help outside those hours.

Please note the above data is based on the most common module selections for each year group and does not include hours for self-study.

Our courses are especially designed, at every stage, to equip you with the knowledge, academic skill and transferable skills you need for a successful career in industry or research. 

Graduates who have studied our courses

Example employers:

  • Accenture
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Honda
  • HP
  • IBM
  • Logics
  • Rolls Royce
  • UBS
  • QinetiQ

Example careers: 

  • Artificial Intelligence Engineer
  • Cloud Computing Engineer
  • Cyber Security Analyst
  • Systems Designer
  • Lecturer/Teacher
  • Applications Developer

Careers Network

We provide a wealth of opportunities to develop your career. From your first day at Birmingham to after you graduate, the Careers Network  is here to help you identify and achieve your individual career aspirations through its wide range of services.

Our dedicated careers team brings you information, advice and guidance tailored to your specific needs. Careers advisers offer one-to-one advice appointments where you can discuss your career plans and explore your options. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Visit the Careers Network website for more details

Professional Accreditation

British Computer Society logoAccredited degree

Our undergraduate programmes are fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).