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Computer Science

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Computer science is more than just knowing how to program. It’s about studying the core foundations of computing, managing real-world projects and preparing yourself to enter a field that’s constantly shaping the future.

Do you enjoy programming, or convinced you would? Do you want to know how to talk to customers and clients, understand their needs, and be able to specify, design, build and test the software they need? How to work by yourself and also in teams? And do you want to know more about the scientific and theoretical foundations of the subject? If you want to do all these things, and also learn about the principles of coding, underpinning mathematics, mathematical models of computation, operating systems and networks, and professional skills, Leicester’s Computer Science programme is for you!

Programming is fun! You no doubt have a phone, laptop, tablet and so on; your car may have a navigation system, park itself, and have surround-space scanners; and you may be able to control your heating from a mobile. All of these cool devices work using program code. At the heart of coding such systems are state-of-the-art technologies including Android, C++, Haskell, Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, Prolog and R, and programme development environments such as Eclipse. At Leicester you will be taught to program in a selection of these languages, and have opportunities to learn others in project work. Programming will not only include mobile and web applications and technologies, but also new styles of programming such as functional and logic-based languages.

The course covers the methods for developing software, following rigorous engineering practices. You will learn how to plan and manage software architectures for practical large-scale development projects, while adopting an academic and rigorous approach which will support you throughout your career. We cover: how to understand customer requirements; specify, design and code a solution; and test and release your solution to your customer. You will learn about mathematical models of computation such as automata and register machines, and formal language theory.

Modules in computer architecture, operating systems and networking cover essential knowledge of modern computing systems (mobile computers to world-distributed computation). And, of course, we cover databases and information systems. In optional modules you can learn about a range of advanced topics including user interfaces, web technologies, mobile applications, security, distributed systems and applications, and concurrency theory.

Project work is highly desired by employers. In your second year group project you will learn the demands of working in a professional environment as you endeavour to deliver software that is often commissioned by a real client. In your final year, you undertake an individual problem-based project, exercising your creativity and innovation to design and implement a software solution to the problem; you can also apply the scientific principles you learnt. Previous projects have included 3-D games, mobile phone/tablet apps, security software, internet telephony, programming robots, a sheet music editor, theorem provers, processor emulators, and more.

Modules

For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course information page on our website

Assessment method

For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course information page on our website

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
G400
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Contact the Admissions Team at study@le.ac.uk with details of the course you are studying including modules taken, previous qualifications obtained with grades (at GCSE and A level or equivalent), the reason for your transfer request.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

A level - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D*D*

BTEC must be in IT, Science or Engineering. Please contact study@le.ac.uk regarding eligibility of other BTEC subjects.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass relevant Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction.

Scottish Higher - AABBB

AS

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D

Accepted in combination with A-Level grade B. Some relevant subjects in IT, Maths, Science or Engineering should be studied within qualification profile. Please contact study@le.ac.uk regarding other combinations.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D*

Accepted in combination with A-Level grades BB. Please contact study@le.ac.uk regarding other qualification combinations.

Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points

Minimum of 5 in SL Maths or 4 in HL Maths required if grade 5/B not held at GCSE. Applications & Interpretation and Analysis & Approaches both accepted.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

ABB from two A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Extended Project

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H3

Must include Maths OR Ordinary Level 4 in Maths.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in combination with other qualifications.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths Grade 5/B required.

T Level - D

In Digital Production, Design and Development (with an Occupational Specialism in Software development technician) or Digital Business Services

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme of study and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous examination results.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is required. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

For further details of our English Language requirements please see our website https://le.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-language-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria.

Learn more on the University of Leicester website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

95% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

65 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

85 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fee for home students is reviewed annually and for the academic year 2025/6 it is £9,535. The fee for subsequent years may increase in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be RPIX, which includes all the items in the Retail Price Index, excluding mortgage payments. For your information, the inflation rate used by the Government when increasing the tuition fee from £9,250 to £9,535 was 3.1%.

Fees for international students can be found on the individual course pages. https://le.ac.uk/courses

For further information about fees and funding please see the following page of the University website: https://le.ac.uk/student-life/undergraduates/fees-funding

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