Computer Science BSc (Honours) 2022 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science is designed to ground you in both the theory and practice of computer science. You will learn how to program computers and how systems are organised, designed and implemented. During your studies, you will both explore the theoretical basis of computer science and develop practical skills in software engineering.

You will be able to build a degree programme around your interests and study specialist areas such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, computer security, video games, data encoding, databases, and operating systems.

Students interested in this course may also be interested in the Computer Science Integrated Masters course or joint degrees with Computer Science.

How to apply Register your interest

UCAS code

G400

Course type

Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

Start date: 5 September 2022
End date: 30 September 2026

Entry requirements

These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

- Standard entry grades: AAAAB, including A in Mathematics and a pass in one of the following:
  - Biology (or Human Biology)
  - Chemistry
  - Computing Science
  - Geography
  - Physics
  - Psychology.
- Minimum entry grades: AABB, including A in Mathematics and a pass in one of the following:
  - Biology (or Human Biology)
  - Chemistry
  - Computing Science
  - Geography
  - Physics
  - Psychology.
- Gateway entry grades: BBBB
- Standard entry grades: AAA, including A in Mathematics and a pass in one of the following:
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Computing Science
  - Further Mathematics
  - Geology
  - Geography
  - Physics
  - Psychology.
- Minimum entry grades: ABB, including A in Mathematics and a pass in one of the following:
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Computing Science
  - Further Mathematics
  - Geology
  - Geography
  - Physics
  - Psychology.
- Standard entry grades: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Mathematics and SL5 in one of the following subjects:
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Computer Science
  - Geography
  - Geology
  - Physics
  - Psychology.
- Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Mathematics and SL5 in one of the following subjects:
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Computer Science
  - Geography
  - Geology
  - Physics
  - Psychology.

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

Direct entry to second year

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.

Gateway programmes

Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about English language requirements.

How to apply

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of computer science is required, but candidates are expected to have studied mathematics at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, or equivalent.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.

Other qualifications

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Reputation

With an excellent student to staff ratio of 12:1, the School of Computer Science is widely known for high student satisfaction ratings.

The School was ranked first in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2022. The School was also ranked first in Scotland by the Complete University Guide 2022 for high entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects.

The School is committed to advancing gender equality and has been recognised by an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2021. More than 93% of St Andrews final-year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

The School also has an excellent reputation for the quality of its research in a wide range of theoretical and practical computer science. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) ranked the School second in Scotland for the quality of its research and research impact.

Video transcript

- If you're thinking of applying to St Andrews, you definitely should.

It's so rewarding. There are so many things you can do here.

Although it's a small town, the opportunities are completely endless.

>>FIONA: St Andrew's location is stunning. A small seaside town on the east coast of Scotland.

>>PROFESSOR JUDITH WOLFE: Close enough to places like Edinburgh, and frankly to all of Europe. We are connected while also being our own place.

>>HENRY: For me, the best thing about St Andrews is the fact that it's such a small town, but yet it's got so many different opportunities within it.

>>THOMAS: Whether it's the societies or the sports clubs that you can get involved with. It's so much more than just academia.

>>DR JAMES RAE: St Andrews is a fantastic place to study because you get a university that has a strong research focus, but it's also a university that really values its teaching. We do that through having small class sizes, and through, I think, a really, a kind of strong community feel.

>>AABIYAH: The lecturers are really, really helpful. There's not this kind of hierarchy or anything. Everyone's really, really friendly and everyone's really trying to help out.

>>PROFESSOR KISHAN DHOLAKIA: Why does a person go to University? They want to expand their mind. They want to push the boundaries of what they know from a personal level and an academic level. It's not just education, it's research. Because they want to go to a place that is pushing the frontiers of human knowledge.

>>DR DHARINI BALASUBRAMANIAM: We look for people who are willing to question what they are taught and willing to explore their subject in depth.

- We want people who are curious, who are motivated, who want to understand the world around them, and then apply that to make ideally the world a better place.

>>PROFESSOR CLARE PEDDIE: The University degree at St Andrews reflects the Scottish degree system. Students coming into first and second year can take subjects outside their intended degree specialisation and then specialise in their degree subjects in third, and fourth, and possibly fifth year.

- It just offers an opportunity to explore new subjects and it's kind of changed my way of thinking.

>>MARKUS: It really helped me to just explore different things and try out everything.

- St Andrews has a really big feel.

-You really get to know everyone. You see a lot of people that you know and you recognise.

>>RACHEL: Hall life plays such a big part in St Andrews. Living in halls has such a wonderful atmosphere.

>>SHUTONG: It is a really tight community.

- You get a lot of different students, you get to meet a lot of different people which you normally wouldn't meet.

- We come from very different educational backgrounds, so, therefore, we're all gonna have a different point of view. So, you know, you're not gonna have people that agree with you all the time or they're gonna pick up on things that you don't necessarily pick up on.

>>DR STEPHEN TYRE: With a St Andrews degree you can almost do anything because the skills that you learn here are attractive to employers.

>>PROFESSOR FRANK LORENZ MULLER: Our students go into all kinds of professional careers, whether that's the law, whether that's financial services, whether that's civil service or government. Many of them also go into further study.

- Our students tend to be in great demand from employers. We have companies that see character in graduates.

- The skills that students get here allow our students to be successful at getting jobs, and they seem to be equipped very well for a wide range of jobs.

- If you're thinking of applying, do it. Absolutely do it. It's been one of the best decisions that I've made.

>>SARA: St Andrews really isn't a place to be afraid of, but going to college is scary, because you don't know what you're gonna have when you get there, but it's really great here because it's so easy to feel like you have everything.

Course information

The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science is a four-year course run by the School of Computer Science. The course is designed to ground you in both the theory and practice of computer science. You will learn to think and solve problems logically, understand the fundamental principles of how computing systems work, and be exposed to significant new technologies as well as teamwork.

In the first two years, you will learn the basic concepts behind computer science and several different programming languages.

Alongside computer science in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study at least one additional subject. In the second year, you can continue with this other subject or focus entirely on computer science. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

In third year, you will be introduced to the foundations of logic that are relevant to computer scientists, with an emphasis on automatic reasoning and decidability, and to theories of computation and complexity, including exploring Turing machines and pushdown automata.

You will apply software engineering concepts and practices to a substantial software engineering project as part of a team. This project runs through both semesters in third year and will prepare you for the workplace, where collaboration with others is essential.

In your final year, you will undertake a substantial software engineering project. You will design, specify and construct a medium-sized software system, or undertake a formal development and proof of such a system, under the guidance of a member of staff.

In addition to the compulsory modules, you will choose from a wide variety of advanced options. Examples of Honours topics can be found in the modules information.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.

It is possible for students to take Computer Science as a five-year Integrated Masters course, allowing you to graduate with a Master of Science.

Reading party

All Honours students have the opportunity to attend a reading party in their third year. The reading party takes place in a large country house in the Highlands where students will spend three days giving presentations, taking part in outdoor and indoor activities, and socialising with peers and staff.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in computer science alongside modules in at least one other subject. Typically, you will take one or two computer science modules per semester during your first two years, and three to four computer science modules during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).

Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:

Object-Oriented Programming: provides an introduction to object-oriented modelling and programming using Java.
Programming with Data: explores various aspects of data storage, processing and analysis.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:

Computer Systems: develops skills in programming in C, systems programming, digital logic and low-level computer organisation.
Foundations of Computation: introduces fundamental algorithms, data structures and ideas about formal languages at the heart of modern software.

In third year, computer science students must take the following three compulsory modules:

Logic and Reasoning: covers the foundations of logic that are relevant to computer scientists, with an emphasis on automatic reasoning and decidability. Topics include propositional and predicate calculus, various proof techniques, and Goedel's incompleteness theorem.
Computational Complexity: introduces Turing machines, non-determinism and pushdown automata, followed by study of decidability, simulation and the Halting Problem.
Software Engineering Team Project: gives a broad overview of software engineering, presenting the fundamental aspects as a collaborative professional activity including its concerns and approaches. Students apply these concepts and practices to a substantial software engineering project as part of a team.

In fourth year, you must take the following compulsory module:

Major Software Project: allows students to undertake a substantial software engineering project using professional development techniques. Each student designs, specifies and constructs a medium-sized software system, or undertakes a formal development and proof of such a system, under the guidance of a member of staff.

In addition to the compulsory modules in your Honours years, you will choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules in topics such as cyber security, software engineering and computer graphics.

In your final Honours year, you will also have the option to choose from a variety of modules at Masters level, providing advanced training in computer science in topics such as machine learning, data ethics and information visualisation.

Here is a sample of Honours modules that have been offered in previous years:

Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
Artificial Intelligence
Component Technology
Computer Architecture
Computer Graphics
Computer Security
Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
Constraint Programming
Data Communications and Networks
Data Encoding
Databases
Distributed Systems
Human Computer Interaction
Logic and Software Verification
Operating Systems
Programming Language Design and Implementation
Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
Video Games.

The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules appropriate to the programme for the current academic year can be found in the programme requirements.

Teaching

Teaching format

Computer science at St Andrews allows you to study in a friendly and intimate environment. Small group teaching will put you on a first-name  basis with internationally renowned researchers and teachers.

Computer science classes are taught using a variety of teaching methods in addition to traditional lectures, with an emphasis on personal and small-group teaching.

Typical class sizes:

First year: lectures 72 to 170, labs up to 100, tutorials 6 to 7
Second year: lectures 70 to 104, labs up to 100, tutorials 6 to 7
Honours: lectures, labs and tutorials 9 to 125.

When not attending lectures, tutorials and computer labs, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

working on individual and group projects
using library and online resources
preparing coursework assignments and presentations
preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge of computer science. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials and demonstrations in laboratory classes, as well as assessment of coursework, under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all computer science staff on the School of Computer Science website.

In addition to your studies in the School of Computer Science, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.

Assessment

Most computer science modules are assessed by at least 40% coursework, with the rest of assessment in the form of written examinations. Project modules are assessed entirely by coursework.

The School uses a range of forms of assessment for the coursework component. For example, these could include programming assignments and projects, design exercises, essays, and problem sheets.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School aims to provide feedback on every assessment within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.

Meet us online

If you're interested in studying at St Andrews, join us on a visiting day or online information session to find out about our courses, how to apply, and to meet current students.

Virtual visiting days

Fees

Tuition fees for entry

Home-funded	£1820
RUK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Republic of Ireland	£9250
Islands (Channel Islands, Isle of Man)	£9250
EU and overseas	£26350

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take Computer Science as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects.

Special joint degree notes

Normally, for joint degree programmes, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. However, the Biology and Computer Science joint degree programme has different entry requirements. Select the joint option above to see the entry requirements.
The joint option with Psychology can also be taken as a degree programme with British Psychological Society accreditation.

In taking a joint degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects. Find out more about joint degrees.

Your future

Careers

A degree in computer science will allow you to enter into technical, academic, financial or commercial posts. Most companies and organisations are heavily invested in computer systems, and this has created a demand for many different specialisations in computer technology.

Graduates from computer science go on to find careers as:

business analysts
systems architects and analysts
software developers
testers and verifiers
technical writers
IT trainers and user advisers
project managers.

Many computer science graduates undertake further study, here or elsewhere. The University offers a range of options including MSc, EngD and PhD-level degrees.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

Computer science students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. Computer science students are only able to study abroad for the full academic year (semester placements are not available). For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.

Student life

The University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first-year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions, and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from, ensure a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of computer science may be interested in joining the following student societies:

Computing Society (STACS) provides a social group for people interested in computers or who are looking to undertake projects involving computing. Events include hackathons, talks on computer topics, and socials.
Gaming Society meets regularly to play and discuss a variety of video games, ranging from retro and handhelds to modern PC and console gaming.
Women in Computer Science supports and encourages women in technology. They host events such as mentorship programmes, coding workshops, and many other female-led activities.

The School of Computer Science is situated in the Jack Cole and John Honey Buildings on the western edge of town, and labs and tutorials will take place here. The buildings host both traditional lecture theatres as well as specialised rooms equipped with computer workstations. As a student, you will have all-hours access to teaching labs which provide a vibrant environment that supports individual and group work.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As University buildings are located throughout the town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings, parks and beaches, providing a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. Find out more about the town of St Andrews.

Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

"The balance between practical applications and theory-based learning is incredibly well constructed. During my first year, I was able to take modules in astrophysics, mathematics and organic chemistry alongside my compulsory degree modules. This allowed me to broaden my horizons and explore topics I had not previously considered before, develop a lot of new interests, as well as considering the interconnectivity of subjects."

Zachariah (Singapore)

Contact

School of Computer Science
University of St Andrews
Jack Cole Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9SX

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3253
Email: admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk

School of Computer Science website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official statistics about higher education courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges about all their students. You can use this data to compare information for different degree programmes to help you make a decision about what and where to study.