Join our Undergraduate Open Days

Book your place

BSc Computer Science with Digital Technology Partnership - Degree Apprenticeship with PwC

Start date
September. Deferred entry is not accepted.
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
G402
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

N/A. No tuition fees are payable as the programme is fully funded.

PwC logo

Our unique BSc Computer Science with Digital Technology Partnership with PwC will allow you to gain valuable work experience alongside learning the fundamentals of computer science, preparing you for a successful career within a digital technology team.

 
This programme is closed for 2025 entry and is not currently accepting applications. You may be interested in our standard Computer Science programmes.

This programme is the latest version of the level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional degree apprenticeship standard. It includes a final year project module with an End Point Assessment. This involves a project report with presentation and Q&A as well as a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio. The apprenticeship programme starts in September 2024 and your graduation would likely be December 2028 rather than summer 2028.

Our programme enables you to enjoy the best of both worlds as it's one of a kind and allows you to both study and work at the same time. Your first and second year will be spent at university, whilst undertaking placements with the technology teams at PwC during part of your summer outside of term-time. Your whole third year will be spent working for PwC, before returning to university for your fourth and final year.  Thanks to our partnership with PwC, all of your tuition fees are fully funded by PwC and you will also receive a competitive salary throughout your four years on the course, even when you’re at university. Upon graduation, PwC hopes that you will continue your career with them in one of their technology teams, however there is no obligation to do so.

The transition to university level learning can be difficult and that is why in your first year we ensure you study the key components of computer science to ensure you have a firm foundation in the principles of algorithms, AI, software engineering and relevant maths.

During your second year your programming repertoire will be broadened and you will be taught professional software engineering techniques and apply them to develop a large team project such as a multiplayer networked game.

Your third year will be spent in industry working for PwC. PwC has a client base ranging from local businesses and the public sector, through to multinational and global companies spanning across all sectors and industries. During your placements you will be a core and valued member of the team and you’ll make meaningful contributions to these real client projects. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning in a challenging but fully supported environment and will have a career coach, buddy and lots of support from PwC’s dedicated Technology Degree Apprenticeship team. You will also still be able to take full advantage of all support networks offered at Birmingham too, which can include wellbeing, pastoral and academic support. Alongside developing your technical and analytical skills through your placements with PwC, you will also develop your professional skills, such as teamwork, communication, managing client situations and dealing with change.

Your final year enables you to tailor your degree to suit your interests and strengths with a wide range of modules to choose from and an individual project.

Applicants who meet the general academic requirements for our computer science programmes but who are not successful in obtaining an offer for this degree will be made an offer of a place on our BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry (G401).

Why study BSc Computer Science with Digital Technology Partnership - Degree Apprenticeship with PwC?

  • Develop your career and enjoy the best-of-both worlds with excellent academic tuition and varied career opportunities with PwC
  • Friendly and sociable department, where staff and students harness great relationships
  • Flexible module choices in your final year allow you to tailor your education to suit your interests and strengths
  • State-of-the-art facilities which include: research labs for Medical Imaging, Intelligent Robotics, HCI and Security; Robotics teaching labs, and exclusive computing labs for just computer science students
  • Gain valuable work experience with placements in PwC's technology teams during your summer holidays and during the third year of your degree
  • Earn a salary while you learn and have your tuition fees fully paid for

British Computer Society logoAccredited degree

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

This programme is a four-year, Computer Science Degree Apprenticeship with PwC, Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.

We also have degree programmes available in:

Modules

Year 1

In your first year you will study compulsory modules, and gain a firm foundation in programming, plus the principles of data structures and algorithms; artificial intelligence; and relevant logic and mathematics. Our main teaching language is Java, a language widely used in enterprise systems, but you will also learn functional programming, which is a style of programming with a deep connection to logic. At the end of your first year, you will complete a 10-week summer placement with PwC in one of their technology teams.

Core modules (all 20 credits)

Year 2

In your second year you move on to study more mandatory computer science subjects and will learn about enabling technologies and their application. You will learn about a wide range of subjects from the mathematics for modelling and decision making which underpins much of modern machine learning, to systems-level programming, networks, and cyber security. You will also be taught professional software engineering techniques and apply them to develop a large team project such as a multiplayer networked game. At the end of your second year, you will complete a 10-week summer placement with PwC in one of their technology teams.

Core modules (all 20 credits)

Year 3 (Year in Industry at PwC)

In your third year you will undertake a full year in industry with PwC in one of their technology teams. PwC has a range of technology teams, from Cyber Security, through to Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Consulting. You can find out more about PwC on the PwC website.

Year 4

In your final year you have freedom of choice to specialise in particular areas of computer science. The choice available covers computer graphics, computer security and verification, theoretical computer science, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and teaching computer science. You also spend one-third of your time on a final degree project. This includes writing a large piece of software or doing a major piece of research and brings together all of the computer science skills you have acquired.

Core modules

Optional modules

Choose 80 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

Applicants admitted to this programme will be simultaneously employed as apprentices by PwC. No fees are payable.

Applicants not selected for an apprenticeship position but whom meet the academic requirements for our standard BSc Computer Science programme (G400) will be offered a place for G400. Standard fees will be payable.

How To Apply

This programme is closed for 2025 entry and is not currently accepting applications. You may be interested in our standard Computer Science programmes.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAA
Required subjects and grades:
Grade A in A Level Mathematics.

General Studies or Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Deferred entry is not accepted.

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 

6, 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.

 Typical offer grades are for guidance only, other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements.

Application Process

Suitable applicants will also be invited to complete PwC’s stages of the application process, including an online assessment, a video interview and an assessment day. You will be offered support and coaching workshops from PwC to help support you through the process, and you will also have the chance to hear from current students and staff at PwC about their experiences as part of the PwC team.

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

This programme is only available to UK nationals due to funding regulations. Non-UK nationals may apply for any of our other Computer Science programmes.

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

  • 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: placement year at PwC.
  • Year 4 - 9 and 20 hours of lectures, labs and tutorials, with lecturers available to provide additional help outside those hours.

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

PwC will offer you a graduate job at the end of the degree programme providing you meet their performance criteria.

When you graduate, you could obtain a role working for PwC in various areas of the company, which could include being a Cyber Security Advisory Associate, Technology Risk Associate or working in Data and Analytics.

Placements

During your placements you will be productively employed and play an active, and valued, part on project teams and will make meaningful contributions to fee earning client projects. You will be equipped with the opportunity to apply your learning in a challenging but fully supported environment. PwC has a client base ranging from local to multinational and global companies, across all sectors and industries.

You will be fully supported when on placement with PwC, you will have a dedicated people manager, buddies, mentors, a dedicated development team, and will still be able to access all of the University support systems too.

Alongside developing your technical skills through your placements with PwC you will develop a combination of interpersonal skills (eg rapport building, behavioural styles, working in a team and networking) and consulting skills, (eg models of consulting, distinctive business advisor, change management and analytical skills) embedding the PwC Experience.

Professional Accreditation

British Computer Society logoAccredited degree

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