Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Computer System Engineering (Top-up)

Overview

The BSc Top-up programme is designed to be followed after the completion of an HND NQF level in Computing, Electrical and Electronic Engineering or closely related fields. This programme also provides a forward route for BEng students who have been unable to progress directly to BEng level 6 status.

Why Computer System Engineering at LSBU?

• 4th in London for Student Satisfaction in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Complete University Guide, 2025). This course is running under the Division of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
• 9th in the UK for Engineering teaching (National Student Survey 2023).
• From AI machine learning boot camp to silent film processing, there is a range of extracurricular activities for Engineering students to get involved in.

Mode and Duration

• Mode: Part-time
• Duration: 2 years
• Start date: September
• Application code: 5793
• Application method: Direct to LSBU
• Mode: Full-time
• Duration: 1 year
• Start date: September
• Application code: H655
• Application method: UCAS

Location

• Southwark Campus
• London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.

Entry Level Requirements

• UK Qualifications:
  • HND, Foundation Degree in related subject, or
  • Equivalent L5 qualification worth 240 credits in related subject.
• International Qualifications:
  • An overseas qualification assessed by UK ENIC as equivalent to at least BTEC HND in a closely-related subject and an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.

Course Status

• Accreditation and Course validation status: This course is validated by London South Bank University. Applications are being accepted.

Tuition Fees

• UK fee: £9535
• International fee: £16500

Course Content

Semester 1

• Computer Architecture and Operating Systems (EEECAO)
  • This module consists of two parts. The first part, Computer Architecture, provides the basic engineering foundations of detailed design and implementation of a digital computer system; designs for the CPU, I/O subsystems, and memory organizations; ALU design and computer arithmetic. Bus, memory organization and interrupt structures, control function implementation, pipelining, performance measurement and further Computer Organisation topics. The second part, Operating Systems, is designed to teach students about the role that the operating system has in computing. It also considers the applications in systems such as distributed, multimedia systems and the role that the OS has in supporting the functioning of these. Students will view the operating system from several vantage points. Assessment methods: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
• Cybersecurity and Cryptography (EEECSC)
  • This module provides a thorough discussion on cybersecurity and cryptography. It covers thoroughly computer security, network security, information security and mobile security. It discusses critical network security techniques, including the use of firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection, and enterprise-wide security policies. Network security is a major concern when designing and maintaining modern networks, which typically use open protocols and connect to public networks such as the Internet. Cryptographic algorithms in network protocols and network applications as well as the security of computers against intruders (e.g., hackers) and malicious software (e.g., viruses) are examined. Assessment methods: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
• Computer Systems and Software Engineering (EEECSE)
  • This module covers computer systems from database system to advance computer architectures. It provides a co-ordinated and consistent coverage of theory, design and development of database systems. Then it focuses to the development of modern computer architectures for servers, workstations, hand-held devices, signal processing and embedded systems. Emphasis is given to design approaches and applications of Data-Level Parallelism in Vector, SIMD, and GPU Architectures. This module also provides students with a theoretical understanding and practical experience in software engineering. The module concentrates on the whole life-cycle of a software product, including: requirement analysis, software architecture and design, implementation, quality assurance, maintenance activities. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.

Semester 2

• Artificial Intelligence and Signal Processing (EEEASP)
  • This module focuses on the signal processing in intelligent systems applications and consists of two parts. The first part, Artificial Intelligence, covers the history and contemporary development of artificial intelligence systems and looks forward to likely near-future developments. It will cover all the major techniques of problem description, knowledge representation and data searching that represent the current toolkit for developing intelligent applications. The second part, Signal Processing, encompasses the following: need for and tradeoffs made when sampling and quantizing a signal, linear, time-invariant system properties, frequency as an analysis domain complementary to time, filter design and implementation, control system properties and applications. Assessment methods: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
• Embedded Systems and The Internet of Things (EEEESI)
  • This module presents the nature and characteristics of embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). It presents techniques for embedded applications, parallel input and output, serial communication, interfacing, interrupt handling, applications involving data acquisition, control, sensors, and actuators, embedded micro controllers, implementation strategies for complex embedded systems. It is discussed advanced challenges in embedded systems design using contemporary practice; interrupt driven, reactive, real-time, object-oriented and distributed client/server embedded systems. It is further discussed how IoT connects devices and various systems aiming to understand that it is a network of multiple connected physical objects, the things, involving myriad of applications.
• BSc Project
  • The individual BSc project requires students to plan, execute, review and report upon a major piece of technical work directly related to their degree discipline. In this regard, it provides students with the opportunity to develop a high degree of subject specific expertise.

Careers

This course will prepare you for a career in most of the industries where nowadays the computer system engineering is essential. To name a few, like automobile, aerospace, telecommunications and networking, network security etc.

Teaching and Assessment

Our teaching staff have a great deal of experience. Whether they are teaching, carrying out research or involved in consultancy, they have the skills to make a difference to all our students. You will learn in a modern, well-equipped environment complete with sophisticated technology.

The course is delivered with the traditional approach of lectures in lecture theatres and practical work in workshop and labs with electronic equipment. Session for so-called tutorials is also timetabled. Roughly each 20-credit module has around 4 or 5 hours of contact time per week over a period of 13 weeks or around 52-65 hours per semester. Lectures is for all students while workshops are for groups no larger than 30 students. Lectures are recorded and all material is distributed via vle.lsbu.ac.uk portal.

Modules are assessed by exam and/or coursework so that the balance overall is around 60% of coursework and 40% in written examinations.