Computer Science BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Computer Science - BSc (Hons)

Overview

This course provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to apply best practice in developing software systems to solve problems in organisations.

Summary

This course is offered at the Derry~Londonderry campus by the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. If you wish to develop your skills of problem solving and computational thinking to an advanced level, this is the course for you. This course will enable you to learn about the principles and practice of software development and to apply these skills in developing a wide range of computer-based systems in any organisation.

About this course

About

The Computer Science (Software Systems Development) course aims to develop graduates that study computational systems and how they can solve problems in the real world, focusing on the use and creation of hardware and software systems. There are three broad streams of study within the course:

• Software Development Principles and Practice;
• Networking and Cyber Security;
• Cloud Computing and Operating Systems.

The duration of the course is dependent on the number of modules you study and successfully complete each year. There are normally six modules at each of three levels in the course. Each year, you can choose to undertake a minimum of two modules and a maximum of four modules. This choice aims to enhance flexibility and empowers you to complete the course as slowly or as quickly as you like. You will have an annual opportunity to review and adjust your rate of progress. All modules are compulsory.

During the final year of the course, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the planning, development and implementation of your Final Year Project and this can be used to showcase your skillset to future employers.

Attendance

This course is part-time. Part-time students are taught alongside full-time students, and modules are scheduled to accommodate day-release from employment.

Each student normally completes between 40 and 80 credits (usually two to four modules) in each academic year. Modules are taught on campus on a single day per module basis and are web-supplemented.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The course is taught using a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, tutorials and practical laboratory sessions.

Lectures are used to present theory and concepts, which are normally supported by tutorials to delve deeper into a topic, and provide opportunities for students to develop their problem-solving skills.

Practical laboratory sessions enable the practical application of theoretical concepts, facilitating a deeper understanding of key topics. In programming laboratories, there is an emphasis on small group tutoring and support.

Modules are either assessed by coursework only or by a combination of coursework and formal examinations (January and May). Coursework assessment is carried out using any combination of written assignments, class tests, presentations, and group assignments as appropriate to meet the learning outcomes of each module.

Modules

Year one

• Mathematics for Computing
• Software Development I
• Software Development II
• Database Systems

Year two

• Computer Hardware and Operating Systems
• Systems Analysis and Design

Year three

• Computer Networks & Security
• UX
• Object-oriented Programming
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Professional Development

Year four

• Cloud Computing
• Mobile Application Development

Year five

• Cyber Security (optional)
• Concurrent and Distributed Systems (optional)
• Mixed Reality (optional)

Year six

• Cloud Operating Systems (optional)
• Advanced Mobile Technology (optional)
• Intelligent Robotics (optional)
• Computer Vision (optional)
• Computational Intelligence Technology (optional)

Year seven

• Final Year Project

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades CCC. All subjects are considered. Reduced offer: Grades CDD. One subject from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Software Systems Development, Computing (not IT/ICT).

Applied General Qualifications

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)

Award profile of DMM

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite)

Award profile of MMM

Irish Leaving Certificate

96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

Grades CCCCD. All subject areas considered.

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades DDD. All subject areas considered.

International Baccalaureate

Minimum of 24 points to include 12 at Higher Level. Grade 4 in Mathematics and Grade 4 in English Language is also required in overall profile.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Access Course (120 credits) with an overall mark of 55% to include a pass in NICATS Maths (level 2) or GCSE Maths at Grade C. GCSE English at Grade C is also required.

GCSE

GCSE Profile to include to include minimum of Grade C or above in Mathematics and English Language.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Allstate NI
• Citi Group
• Civica
• Kainos
• Liberty IT

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Database Administrator
• Software Developer
• Software Engineer
• Mobile Application Developer

Career options

Graduates with computer science and software systems development skills will find many career opportunities available to them in developing new software. On completing this course successfully, students will be able to choose from a number of career options such as software engineer, computer programmer, computing consultant, or systems’ manager or administrator. Skills developed in the course will always be in strong demand, as virtually every modern enterprise needs increasing numbers of computer-literate graduates.

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Science Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Scientist.

Fees and funding

Module Pricing

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

Fees Credit Points	NI/ROI Cost	GB Cost	International Cost*
120	£4,860	£9,535.20	£17,010
60	£2,430	£4,767.20	£8,505
30	£1,215	£2,383.80	£4,252.50
20	£810	£1,589.20	£2,835

*Please note our on campus part-time undergraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.

Terms and Conditions

1. We prepare our prospectus and online information about our courses with care and every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate. The printed version of the prospectus is, however, published at least a year before the courses begin. Information included in the prospectus may, therefore, change. This includes, but is not limited to changes to the terms, content, delivery, location, method of assessments or lengths of the courses described. Not all circumstances are foreseeable, but changes will normally be made for one of the following reasons:

• to meet external, professional, or accredited body requirements;
• to provide for exceptional circumstances due to reasons beyond our reasonable control;
• to improve or enhance your experience, or to adopt changes recommended in student feedback, with the aim of improving the student experience and/or student outcomes; and/or
• to ensure appropriate academic standards are met, for example in response to external examiners’ feedback.

2. If there are insufficient enrolments to make a course viable, it may be necessary for the University to withdraw a course. If you have received an offer for a course that we subsequently have to close, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternative courses. If you do not wish to study any alternative courses at the University, you may withdraw your application by informing us by email to .
3. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses, campuses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
4. We will include a durable PDF when we send you an offer letter which will highlight any changes made to our prospectus or online information about our courses. You should read this carefully and ensure you fully understand what you are agreeing to before accepting a place on one of our courses.
5. The University will always try to deliver the course as described in the durable PDF you receive with your offer letter.
6. At any point after an offer has been made, students will be notified of any course changes in writing (usually by email) as soon as reasonably practicable and we will take all reasonable steps to minimise their impact where possible. The University will, where possible and reasonably practicable, seek the express consent of the student in regard to any changes concerning material or pre-contract information.
7. The University website will be updated to reflect the changed course information as soon as reasonably practicable.
8. If, after due consideration, you decide that you no longer want to study your course or to study at the University because of the changes, you may withdraw your application or terminate your contract with the University. In order to do so, you should notify us in writing by emailing (and update UCAS if applicable). We will, on request, recommend alternative courses that you could study with us, or suggest a suitable course at an alternative higher education provider.
9. If you do not agree that the changes are fair, you can seek redress under the Student Complaints Procedures (opens in new window).
10. Providing the University has complied with the requirements of all applicable consumer protection laws, the University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any modification, relocation or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University. The University will give due and proper consideration to the effects thereof on individual students and take the steps necessary to minimise the impact of such effects on those affected.
11. The University is not liable for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control providing it takes all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
12. Further information can be found in our terms and conditions (opens in new window).

Student Terms and Conditions

The full Student Terms and Conditions 24/25 (opens in new window) is now available.

Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships : Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Sustainability at Ulster University (opens in new window)