Game Coding student working on code on their computer

Understand the complex science that powers computer systems

UCAS LogoUCAS Logo
G400
3 years full time, 4 years full time with placement year
Bognor Regis Campus

Top 25

UK University

National Student Survey 2021

Top 5

for courses and lecturers

WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2021

1st

in the UK for student satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2024

Join us at one of our Open Days!

Saturday 22 June  |  Saturday 12 October  |  Friday 1 November  |  Saturday 23 November

Saturday 22 June

Saturday 12 October

Friday 1 November

Saturday 23 November

Our next Open Day is in:

Day
Hour
Minute
Second

Overview

Explore the science behind computer systems

Our BSc (Hons) Computer Science course builds your knowledge of the inner working of computer systems through both theoretical and practical modules to provide you with the skills you will need to succeed in your future career.

Study the key aspects of computer science

You will learn a wide range of computer science elements and principles, as you gain an in-depth understanding of the intricacies and connections between various systems and they come together to power the modern world around us.

Study a wide range of specialist areas, including:

  • Algorithms and data structures
  • Database systems
  • Mathematical principles
  • Programming languages and software development
  • Web and mobile applications
  • Cyber security
  • Artificial intelligence

Apply your learning to practical projects

Throughout your degree, you will use your newly-acquired skills and knowledge to inform your work on various practical projects, which prepare you for your future career within a professional context.

Learn from our team of computer science experts

Our team of dedicated, highly-qualified computing science experts are here to help support you throughout your studies, as they get to know you and your needs to help ensure you can thrive.

Gain vital industry experience with work placement opportunities

We can support you in finding and applying for a suitable year-long work placement for between your second and third years of study, which gives you the opportunity to put your studies in practice, improve you CV, and develop your professional network ahead of your career within the industry.

Prepare for your future career

In our highly-digital age, most industries rely on computer systems and developments, which means graduates with knowledge of these areas are in high demand.

We help prepare you for your future career with providing you with the knowledge and skills needed by employers to help you stand out and allow you to thrive within a professional space.

On this course you will:

  • Understand the complex science behind computer systems through theoretical and practical modules.
  • Apply your learning through practical projects related to industry needs.
  • Have the opportunity to undertake a year-long industrial work placement.
  • Learn from our team of expert and experienced teaching staff.
  • Gain the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career after you graduate.

The Course

Gain an in-depth understanding of computer science principles

Year One

Your first year introduces you to the fundamentals of computer science, as you begin to explore aspects of algorithms, data structures, programming, and mathematics.

Year Two

In your second year, you will focus on more specialist aspects of computer science such as cyber security and mathematical modelling.

You will also explore the applications of your learning with professional and business contexts, with modules that focus on developing systems for clients, professional practice, and project management.

Year Three

Your third year sees you work towards a final project that acts as a culmination of all your learning throughout your studies.

In addition, you will study more advanced computer science principles such as artificial intelligence, cyber-physical systems, and creative computing.

This list is indicative and subject to change.

Select a year

Algorithms and Data Structures

An algorithm is a sequence of steps for performing some process, and a computer program is not an algorithm but a representation of an algorithm. This module explores how to create effective algorithms, quantify their efficiency and classify them independently of any computing system or language.

Business Information Systems

Within this module, you will explore the relationship of technology with business.

As well as creating an understanding of what an information system (IS) does, you will examine how an IS may influence business structures, assist in the decision making within an organisation and some of the tools that can be used to improve information handling.

Computer Science Fundamentals

This module will introduce general models of computation such as finite state automata and Turing machines and their relationship to classes of languages. You will use these models to explore the limits of the power of computers.

Database Systems

In this module you will explore relational databases. You will be introduced to database software, design, creation, management and programming. Topics include conceptual entity-relationship design, logical database design and physical database creation.

Discrete Mathematics

The content of all the mathematics modules follows the overarching principle of developing students’ technical ability, development of knowledge into areas of mathematical structure, proof and formality, continuity, discrete procedures, limiting processes, mathematical modelling and interpretation of space. This module’s content will be taken from mathematical techniques/areas such as languages, automata, and grammars; finite-state and Turing machines; ordered sets; lattices; set theory; functions; countable and uncountable sets; combinatorics; recurrence relations.

Networked World: Systems and Architectures

This module introduces and explores the technical components, concepts and techniques that underpin the digital world, including hardware, software, and networking infrastructure.

Object-Oriented Programming (Java)

On this module you will be introduced to the paradigm of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and the specifics of Java code.

Procedural Programming

On this module you will discover the concepts involved in procedural programming from a software development prospective. You will identify core principles for writing code in Python and use these in practical situations. During practical work you will use various tools to assess requirements, design, create and test a program (including error handling) within a business situation.

Cyber Security Fundamentals

This module will help students understand the cyber-physical systems fundamentals and practical issues regarding the application of cyber-physical systems.

Some emerging cyber-physical systems applications related to IoT, robotics, autonomous systems and Industry 4.0 will be introduced and discussed. The module will enable the student to understand the relevant control theories and cyber-physical system-specific computing and communication challenges.

Design & Analysis of Algorithms

Algorithms and algorithmic problem solving are at the heart of computer science. This module introduces you to the design and analysis of algorithms. You will learn how to quantify the performance algorithms, as you learn the techniques for designing efficient algorithms, including efficient data structures for storing and retrieving data.

Developing Real Systems for Customers

This module uses the knowledge and skill you have gained throughout your degree to develop and deliver a real computer system.

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Analysis

This module introduces formulating numerical problems and building models to address and derive numerical solutions. It also provides you with the knowledge and understanding of mathematical and statistical principles appropriate to interpret numerical findings and draw justified conclusions.

Professional Practice

This is an optional module for full-time students only. You will give a short illustrated seminar presentation (artists’ talk) to selected Level 4 & 5 students, mapping the development of the critical context underpinning your own work and the development of your own material practice, relating it to relevant theory and artists who’ve inspired the work, and presenting your plans for when you graduate. You then produce a 1,000 word Self-Reflective Commentary that formalises the content of the seminar into a coherent text which articulates your own cumulative individual research and its resolution into the body of art practice presented for exhibition. You will also produce a ‘professional pack’ including CV & business card, photo documentation and a short exhibition statement.

Project Management

This module introduces you to the essential tools and methodologies for managing an effective project, including the Prince2 and Agile methodologies. You will explore techniques for change management and version control. You will have the opportunity to explore project planning and use Project Management software. You will be assessed through a 3,500-word portfolio.

Web Application Development

This module is an introductory module for those with little or no knowledge of websites. You will be introduced to the principles of HTML, CSS, PHP and effective design, and have opportunities to complete practical work by analysing and improving a current web site.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a developed field within computer science and is rapidly evolving. The foundations of this field have roots in the work of Alan Turing investigating the boundary between human intelligence and computers.

Technologies developed in the field of artificial intelligence have found their way into everyday life and form services and infrastructure that we rely on, on a day to day basis. Such services and infrastructure include internet search, predictive text, speech recognition and automation.

This module covers the foundations of the topics in artificial intelligence and considers its uses in a wide range of applications.

Computational Science

On this module you will explore computational science, an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of science, computer science, and mathematics. Computational science combines simulation, visualization, mathematical modelling, programming, data structures and symbolic computation with various scientific disciplines.

Creative Computing

This module will provide students with a detailed appreciation of human visual and audio perception. Students will learn fundamental techniques for programming with visual and audio media, gaining proficiency in combining these techniques with an understanding of perception to produce new audio and visual media projects.

Cyber-Physical Systems

This module will help students understand the cyber-physical systems fundamentals and practical issues regarding the application of cyber-physical systems.

Some emerging cyber-physical systems applications related to IoT, robotics, autonomous systems and Industry 4.0 will be introduced and discussed. The module will enable the student to understand the relevant control theories and cyber-physical system-specific computing and communication challenges.

Data Science and Analytics

This module introduces you to data science and analytics, overview challenges and solutions in this area, present approaches to data mining and techniques suitable for new information discovery.

Visualization tools and performance metrics are also considered within the module.

Final Year Project

The final year project brings together theoretical understanding and the practical skills acquired from other modules.

The project involves producing a software product from conceptualisation through to successful evaluation and producing a report to demonstrate the output of the research.

The module has a crucial role within the programme of study. It provides the opportunity for students to undertake programme related research and develop an artefact in an appropriate context. The module is designed to make a significant contribution to the professional and intellectual development of students.

Mobile Application Development

This module will introduce essential topics in mobile application development, as well as some advanced topics, using mainly an open source platform. You will explore the current trends of mobile application design and development, and analyse the unique design and deployment issues you must consider when developing applications for mobile devices.

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our expert and experienced staff

Teaching

Your teaching will take the form of scheduled classes such as workshops, lecture, and seminars, as well as spend some time studying independently outside.

As well as working independently, you will have some projects and seminars in groups where you will develop your communication and teamwork skills and create work with other students.

Smaller class sizes to help your development

Our commitment to smaller class sizes allows you to feel more confident to discuss your ideas in a supportive environment and allows your tutors get to know you and how best to aid your development.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a range of assignments that could include:

  • Coursework
  • Project work
  • Written exams

Experience

Learn in our state-of-the-art Tech Park building

Discover our £35 million Tech Park

Our Bognor Regis Campus boasts the £35m Tech Park and brings together science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics courses on one state-of-the-art site.

Work Placements

Prepare for your career with practical placements

You can apply for a year long industrial placement during your degree.

 As well as giving you an opportunity to put your studies into practice and use the skills you develop on your course, undertaking a placement helps to improve your CV and shows employers that you have already completed work in industry when you graduate.

Placements years usually take place between your second and third years of study. You will spend 1 year working with a company in industry before returning to the University to complete your final year. This effectively extends your studies by one year.

The placement will be a paid position, with pay at or above the National Minimum Wage.

Placement years are competitive. We will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement, but we are unable to guarantee placement years.

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.

Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.

You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.

Careers

Discover what you can do after you graduate

A computer science degree can take you into specialist jobs such as software development or into areas of engineering and science. Computer scientists are required in most all business activities, so you could pursue a range of roles after you graduate.

Our approach ensures that you develop the additional skills that are highly valued by a wide range of employers across many industries, such as project management, team work, communications, and autonomy.

Further studies

You could decide to continue your studies to postgraduate level.

Our postgraduate degrees include: 

  • MSc Digital Marketing
  • MSc Data Science and Analytics
  • MSc Computer Science
  • MBA
  • PGCE
  • PhD/MPhil Research

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

Typical offer:

UCAS
104 - 120
tariff points from A levels or combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC/ Cambridge Technical.
A levels
BBB - BCC
including Mathematics or Computer Science.
BTEC
DDM - DMM
with Computing.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass
International Baccalaureate
30 points
with Higher Mathematics at 5.
IELTS
6.0
overall with no element lower than 5.5

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply?

Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.

What are UCAS tariff points?

Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.

How do I know what my UCAS tariff points are?

Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.

Our address

For visits

I’m looking for