Computer Science (Software Engineering)

Description

All our degrees emphasise acquiring knowledge and skills to develop your new understanding creatively and professionally. Although this is an academic degree, the course balances theory with ‘real world’ practice in information and computer management.

You’ll gain a good understanding of computer science and a grasp of the important elements of a computer system. You’ll also learn how to build different types of software – from web-based systems to mobile solutions. In the final year you’ll take core modules in advanced computer science and choose options from a range of computing topics.

By specialising in Software Engineering, you’ll focus on how to build high quality systems which will be easier to maintain and develop in the long term as the requirements of the system change, and the available technologies evolve. The techniques involved include testing, service-oriented architectures, and refactoring.

Computer Science at Brunel

Study at Brunel and you’ll be working with staff internationally recognised for their state-of-the-art subject knowledge. Our Department of Computer Science was ranked top in the country for ‘Research Power’ in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). In fact almost 85% of our research was rated ‘World-leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’.

We offer a wide choice of dynamic courses with options ranging from Artificial Intelligence right through to the Social Web. It means we’re always on top of industry developments and future trends.
More than 50 academic staff teach Department of Computer Science courses, many having a background in the computer industry. Practically all are involved in our applied computing research which includes information systems, software engineering, knowledge-based systems, and simulation modelling.

We also have a high quality infrastructure to match including more than 250 computers and servers for exclusive student use – all running state-of-the-art software. The Department of Computer Science is a member of the Microsoft Alliance, the Apple iOS Academic Developer Programme and is an nVidia CUDA Teaching Center.

Aims

This course equips you to be knowledgeable both in the efficient design of software and in the techniques you can apply to all aspects of software design, development and verification. You’ll also learn enough about hardware to make the most of its potential using your own software designs. This programme also allows you to focus on a Software Engineering specialism in addition to the core Computer Science content.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 14250 Year (Non-EEA)

£1,000 placement year

• English

Course Content

Level 1

Our Level 1 course meets the needs of students joining us from a wide variety of backgrounds and with diverse computing experience. These classes build a firm foundation for the rest of your degree by introducing you to the style and ethos of both the College and the computing profession.

Foundation units include:

• Systems architecture

• Systems analysis

• Software development

• Relevant mathematics

By the end of Level 1, regardless of your degree programme, you’ll have covered the fundamental concepts of computer science and information systems, with a particular emphasis on programming. You’ll then be ready to explore them in greater depth at Level 2.

See below for typical modules.

Level 2

This consolidates Level 1 learning but places more emphasis on judgement and evaluation skills. You’ll expand your understanding of:

• Processes for developing large and complex software systems

• Roles and technologies to help you control such projects

• Human-computer interface

• How to develop sound criteria such as ‘user friendliness’ – and make reliable and repeatable judgements based on them.

You’ll further specialise to cover systems analysis and design by the end of Level 2 – plus aspects of formal logic, important preparation for the final level advanced study in software engineering. You’ll also have studied foundation topics such as logic and compilers, operating systems and network architectures.

See below for typical modules.

Level 3

Final year project

This is a substantial individual project for which you research a software engineering topic in-depth. If you’re on a sandwich course it’s quite likely that this project will be of interest to future employers. This is assessed and is worth a third of your Level 3 marks.

In this final year, you’ll will continue to specialise in software engineering. At the same time you’ll study options to broaden your understanding of computing. You’ll begin to address research-level issues in areas such as information systems, simulation modelling, digital media and games, network computing and artificial intelligence.

We revise the options available each year to reflect the range of specialist interests among our staff, and industry trends.

Typical modules

Level 1

• Level 1 Group Project

• Introductory Programming

• Data and Information

• Information Systems and Organisations

• Logic and Computation

Level 2

• Level 2 Group Project

• Software Development and Management

• Usability Engineering

• Algorithms and their Applications

• Networks and Operating Systems

Level 3

• Final Year Computer Science Project

• Software Project Management

• Advanced Topics in Computer Science

• Software Engineering

Level 3 Options (choose one)

• Artificial Intelligence

• Network Computing

• Digital Media and Games

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 60(Grade C)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

UCAS Tariff - 320 points, from:

• GCE A and AS-level Tariff points typically from 3 A-levels together with either 1 AS-level or Extended Project Qualification (typical offer BBC, plus a C in either an AS or EPQ). General Studies/Critical Thinking accepted.
• Irish Tariff points from 5 subjects.
• Scottish Tariff points from 3 Advanced Highers, plus 1 Higher.
• Advanced Diploma Tariff points in Engineering or IT, including an A-level for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC ND DDM in a related subject.
• IB Diploma 32 points.
• Access: Pass, with Distinctions in 30% of units and Merits in the remainder.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Brunel University.