Computer Science - BSc (Hons)
Canterbury
Computer Science is an exciting and rapidly evolving subject that affects every area of our lives. A deep understanding of computing puts you in a great position to influence the future as well as opening up excellent employment prospects and well-paid careers.
Overview
At Kent, we teach you the fundamentals of computer science as well as giving you the opportunity to specialise in areas of your choice in your final year. Our excellence in teaching is underpinned by our research; we are an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research as well as being experts in programming languages and artificial intelligence. We give you lots of support via peer mentoring, web forums as well as study skills services to help you fulfil your potential.
Why study a Computer Science degree at Kent
- We lead cutting-edge research in cyber security, artificial intelligence and programming languages
- Our graduates have excellent career prospects. Recent graduates have gone to work at companies including BT, The Walt Disney Company, Microsoft, IBM and HSBC
- Choose to add a year in industry after the second year, giving you work experience, a salary and the possibility of a job with the same company after graduation
- Take advantage of the fantastic resources in ‘The Shed’, our creative makerspace
- This programme has full CITP and partial CEng accreditation from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
- Join ‘TinkerSoc’, a student-run society for those who enjoy making things
What you’ll study
You’re taught by experts in programming languages, data science, artificial intelligence and cyber security and learn to code in several languages, starting with the Java programming language, which is widely used in industry.
Building on these programming skills, you learn the principles and techniques that underpin the algorithms and systems shaping our world today. These include artificial intelligence, computer security, network technology, software engineering, and human-computer interaction. Using your knowledge you develop software in small-scale exercises before completing a major software project.
You can gain experience in teaching with our Computing in the Classroom module.
Independent rankings
89% of Kent Computer Science and Information Systems graduates were in graduate-level jobs or further study 15 months after graduation. (The Guardian University Guide 2023)
Computer Science at Kent scored over 87% for graduate prospects in The Times Good University Guide 2023.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules and provides details of the content of this course. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching
We know that people learn in a variety of ways, so most modules consist of a mix of lectures, practical classes and seminars, but we are also introducing more innovative ways of teaching, such as virtual learning environments and work-based tuition. Work includes group projects, case studies and computer simulations, with a large-scale project of your own choice in the final year.
Teaching staff
Courses are taught by leading researchers who are experts in their fields. You'll have access to authors of widely-used textbooks and award-winning scientists.
Overall workload
Each stage comprises eight modules. Most modules run for a single 12-week term and have two lectures and one to two hours of classes, making 14 formal contact hours per week and eight hours of drop-in sessions each term.
Academic support
We provide excellent support for you throughout your time at Kent. This includes access to web-based information systems, podcasts and web forums for students who can benefit from extra help. We use innovative teaching methodologies, including BlueJ and LEGO© Mindstorms for teaching Java programming.
Assessment
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and end-of-year examination and details are shown in the module outlines on the web. Project modules are assessed wholly by coursework.
The marks from stage one do not go towards your final degree grade, but you must pass to continue to stage two.
Most stage two modules are assessed by coursework and end-of-year examination. Marks from stage two count towards your degree result.
Most stage three modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and end-of-year examination. Projects are assessed by your contribution to the final project, the final report, and oral presentation and viva examination. Marks from stage three count towards your degree result.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
In stage three your project counts for 25% of the year's marks.
Programme aims
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification.
KIS Course data
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.
Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
---|---|
A level | BBB |
GCSE | Mathematics grade 4/C |
Access to HE Diploma | The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above. |
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | Distinction, Distinction, Merit |
International Baccalaureate | 30 points overall or 15 points at HL including Mathematics 5 at HL or SL, or Mathematics Studies 6 at SL |
International students
International students
If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.
Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
---|---|
English Language Requirements | Please see our English language entry requirements web page. Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme. |
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Careers
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have gone on to work in:
- software engineering
- mobile applications development
- systems analysis
- consultancy
- networking
- web design and e-commerce
- finance and insurance
- commerce
- engineering
- education
- government
- healthcare.
Recent graduates have gone on to develop successful careers at leading companies such as:
- BAE Systems
- Cisco
- IBM
- The Walt Disney Company
- Citigroup
- BT.
Help finding a job
The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
You have access to a dedicated Employability Coordinator who is a useful contact for all student employability queries.
Career-enhancing skills
You graduate with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computer science and a range of professional skills, including:
- programming
- modelling
- design.
To help you appeal to employers, you also learn key transferable skills that are essential for all graduates. These include the ability to:
- think critically
- communicate your ideas and opinions
- analyse situations and troubleshoot problems
- work independently or as part of a team.
You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Professional recognition
Our Computer Science degree has full Chartered IT Professional (CITP) accreditation from the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
Enquire or order a prospectus
BSc (Hons)
- Full-time Enquire online | Order a prospectus
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Enquiries
T: +44 (0)1227 768896
Open days
Come along to our next Open Day on Saturday 18 November. Hear from staff and students about our courses, find out about our accommodation and see our stunning campuses for yourself.