
- UCAS course code
- I140
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Bachelor of Science
- Duration
- 3 Years
- Typical A-level offer
-
Grades A*AA including two of: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology and/or Statistics.
- Typical contextual A-level offer (what is this?)
-
Grades AAA including two of: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology and/or Statistics.
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
37 points overall, with 7,6,6 in Higher Level subjects, including 7 in Mathematics.
Changes to International Baccalaureate Diploma Mathematics Courses from September 2019, first examination 2021. We are aware of the planned changes to the IB Mathematics curriculum. IB students will be able to choose from: Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation from September 2019.
For this programme of study we will accept: Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches only.
- Number of places/applicants
The Department of Computer Science receives in the region of 3000 applications per year for 300 places across our undergraduate degree courses.
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS .
- UCAS course code
- I140
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- A broad and flexible course that provides the freedom to choose from an extremely wide range of Computer Science topics
- Equips students with skills that are in high demand from industry
- World's first stored-program computer developed here in 1948
Open days
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2021 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £25,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages .
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Computer Science
- Contact name
- Undergraduate Admissions Officer
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 543 4017
- ug-compsci@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.cs.manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty overview
-
The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way. Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.
Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.
AS-level
Subjects welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
5 GCSES at Grade A/7 or B/6 (both numeric and letter grade) including:
- mathematics (please note we do not accept Applied GCSE Mathematics courses e.g. WJEC Mathematics - Numeracy)
- two science subjects from computer science, physics, chemistry, biology or science and additional science
English Language is required at GCSE level with a minimum Grade of C / 4. GCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE English Language.
International Baccalaureate
Changes to International Baccalaureate Diploma Mathematics Courses from September 2019, first examination 2021. We are aware of the planned changes to the IB Mathematics curriculum. IB students will be able to choose from: Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation from September 2019.
For this programme of study we will accept: Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches only.
Other international entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. Detailed information on our international entry criteria is available on the Department of Computer Science Website
For general requirements not listed above see Accepted entry qualifications from your country
Scottish requirements
We normally require grade A in Highers Mathematics and grades AAAB in four further Highers subjects with a scientific bias. The Highers must be taken in one sitting.
Or:
Three Advanced Highers at grades AAB, including two Advanced Highers in the following subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science and/or Statistics. Two Highers in different subjects can replace the third Advanced Highers subject.
We also require grade 1 in five academic Intermediate 2 subjects, or grade A in five National 5 subjects, including mathematics and a physical science subject. If a physical science has not been taken at Higher/Advanced Higher we require two science subjects at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grades AB / Intermediate 2 grades AB / Standard Grade Credit level).
English Language not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade 3).
Welsh Baccalaureate
European Baccalaureate
We require an average of 85% including a minimum of 85% in mathematics studied for at least 5 periods per week and assessed by a final written examination. A scientific bias to the specialist subjects studied.
AQA Baccalaureate
Foundation year
The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:
Applicants completing the Northern Consortium (NCUK) International Foundation Year or INTO Manchester International Foundation in Science and Engineering programme in 2020 , are required to achieve A*A*A including two subjects from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, and an EAP score of B. A good performance in local examinations before starting the foundation year, particularly in mathematics and physical science, is also required.
Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the academic Department to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.
Pearson BTEC qualifications
We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in IT or Engineering with grades DDM in combination with grade A* in a A level or with an alternative of DDD in combination with grade A in a A level. The A level must be in one of the following A level subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in IT or Engineering with grades DD in combination with a grade A* or an alternative of grades D*D in combination with a grade A. The A level must be in one of the following A level subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma
We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry in any subject provided it is in combination with two A levels from the following subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with grade M plus the two A levels at grades A*A from the listed subjects or an alternative of grade D plus the two A levels at grades AA from the listed subjects.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry in any subject provided it is in combination with two A levels from the subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics. Our A level entry requirements are grades A*AA and the full National Extended Certificate can be used to replace the third A level.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic Department for clarification.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
We consider the Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in IT or Engineering with grades DDD in combination with grade A* in a GCE A level or with an alternative of DDD in combination with grade A in a A level. The A level must be in one of the following A level subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics.
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
We consider the Cambridge Technical Diploma for entry provided it is in IT or Engineering with grades D*D in combination with a grade A* or an alternative of grades D*D in combination with a grade A. The A level must be in one of the following A level subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics.
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
We consider the Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma for entry in any subject provided it is in combination with two A levels from the following subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with grade MM plus grades A*A in two of the listed A-levels or an alternative of grade DM plus grades AA in two of the listed A-levels.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
We consider the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate for entry in any subject provided it is in combination with two A levels from the following subjects: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology or Statistics. Our A level entry requirements are grades A*AA and the full National Extended Certificate can be used to replace the third A level.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or very similar.
Access to HE Diploma
Cambridge Pre-U
Conditional offers will be set on an individual basis but are likely to include achieving grade D1-D3 in three Principal Subjects including mathematics and a scientific bias subject.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Home-schooled applicants
If you have followed a non-standard educational route and have been, for example, educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the academic entry requirements as specified for the course. We will also require a reference which should be written by somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines
Non-standard educational routes
Return-to-learn students are those who have had a substantial period away from any formal learning. Often such learners have pursued careers or raised a family. The University understands that students come from many different backgrounds, with varying qualifications, careers and skills, but they often bring to their studies a high degree of motivation and experience.
The University recognises that standard selection measures and procedures may not enable these learners to demonstrate fully their suitability for their chosen course. Where appropriate, admissions officers will seek and consider alternative evidence in order to give such learners equivalent consideration. Where they deem this alternative evidence meets entry criteria fully the learner will not be required to meet the standard academic entry requirements.
English language
- GCSE English Language grade C/4 or;
- IELTS Overall 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each component) , or;
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.
Additionally, our individual Departments may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
- past academic performance;
- predicted academic performance;
- enthusiasm for, and realistic grasp of, chosen degree programme;
- evidence of interpersonal skills and non-academic interests/achievements.
How your application is considered
Applicants applying from outside the UK will be sent a link to access Virtual Visit Day content after you have received your offer.
Returning to education
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
Computer Science - and more specifically Human Computer Interaction (HCI) - is radically changing the way in which we experience our world through the development of new applications in science, engineering and business. HCI is concerned with optimising the interaction between computer systems and their human users, at the intersection of computer science, behavioural sciences and social science. Here at Manchester we equip you with the skills needed to contribute to this exciting and rapidly evolving field. We provide you with the highest level of education in understanding and improving future generations of user interfaces and interactions, up to and including specialisation in advanced topics. Our course attempts to delve much deeper than other HCI related courses, in that key course units are delivered by specialists in their field, from neurophysiology to advanced social network analysis, from complex software engineering and application development to qualitative research design and methods - and everything in between.
Your first year will give you a comprehensive, broad-based foundation from which to choose your area of specialisation. You will gain not only knowledge and practical experience of the latest technologies, but also a grounding in the underlying principles of the subject. CS(HCI) is a flexible programme, allowing you to choose course units to reflect your developing and changing interests. Furthermore, a wide range of themes from across the discipline allow you to specialise in the third year. It is this combination of skills that enable our graduates to keep pace with this fast moving subject, and secure rewarding careers that can be pursued almost anywhere in the world.
Aims
Special features

Graduates from the HCI programme will not only come out with the fantastic technical skills which all of our Computer Science graduates have, they will also have the scientific skills that they need to understand people.
They will be able to monitor, observe and analyse human behaviour as people interact with systems and then use this knowledge to feed back into the software development process essential details into how the system should behave.
Caroline Jay / Lecturer
- Allows you to plan, design, develop, and evaluate all aspects of interactive systems, device interfaces, and interaction scenarios.
- All topics are taught by experts in their field, and students attend course units from Neuroscience, Social Science, and the Statistics Unit giving them cross-disciplinary experience.
- All required Advanced Mathematics is taught as part of the course.
- Course units and themes of relevance to Human computer Interaction include: Fundamental to Advanced Human Computer Interaction, HCI Methodology, Software Engineering and Agile Design, Statistics and Advanced Statistical Analysis, Advanced Social Network Analysis, Human Motor and Sensory Systems, Human Learning, Memory and Cognition.
- You have access to all the core Software Engineering units and all the additional HCI specific units only available to specialist HCI students
- You can specialise very quickly allowing a more detailed view of HCI than on other courses.
- The course equips you with skills that are in high demand from industry
Teaching and learning
At Manchester we aim to provide a unique experience. Studying Computer Science with us will give you the chance to follow your academic curiosity and explore a fascinating subject.
A significant amount of your work will be project-based team work, tackling real problems. You will see how computer science is directly applicable to solving problems, across a broad range of areas.
The emphasis throughout is on independent learning, supported by regular meetings in small groups with personal tutors. You receive practical help and support from experienced staff and postgraduates, with leading experts guiding your learning and stimulating your interest. This approach is supported by conventional lectures and comprehensive on-line learning resources. We also provide excellent facilities, including specialist laboratories to support areas such as engineering and robotics.
Explore our teaching methods further on our website .
Coursework and assessment
Unseen examinations account for about 60% of the assessment . These assess your abilities in the selection and application of knowledge, problem solving, and the design and evaluation of software or electronics. Other assessment is mainly through laboratory-based coursework that provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of computer science of electronic principles by tackling specific problems on a more realistic scale, both individually and in groups.
The remaining assessment is through presentations and essays where, in particular, you demonstrate the transferable skills you have acquired. In the third and final year, the non-examination assessment is mainly made up of the practical project.
Course unit details
Course content for year 1
Introduces you to HCI and computer science in general, as well as software engineering. You will also gain the basic knowledge and skills that are applicable to all areas of interaction engineering such as object oriented programming, distributed systems, statistical analysis, and mathematics. Further, you will gain basic knowledge and skills that are applicable to all branches of computer science, such as: mathematics; programming; and distributed systems. You will also be introduced to the fundamental principles of Human Computer Interaction and Interactive systems.
Team-working is an important part of the first year which includes a year-long team project culminating in the demonstration and examination of a fully working team application. This project sets the context for HCI design and development and enhances your awareness of current issues.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Excitable Cells: the Foundations of Neuroscience | BIOL10832 | 10 | Mandatory |
First Year Team Project | COMP10120 | 20 | Mandatory |
Data Science | COMP13212 | 10 | Mandatory |
Fundamentals of Computer Architecture | COMP15111 | 10 | Mandatory |
Programming 1 | COMP16321 | 20 | Mandatory |
Programming 2 | COMP16412 | 10 | Mandatory |
Research Methods & Statistics | PSYC10100 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Cognition | PSYC10431 | 5 | Mandatory |
Brain & Behaviour | PSYC11222 | 10 | Mandatory |
Sensation & Perception | PSYC11322 | 5 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
The second year starts your detailed education in key areas of HCI. Course units in software engineering, operating systems, distributed computing, motor systems, and sensory systems provide the technical foundations for HCI project work. Units in quantitative and qualitative research design and methods, and native HCI methods provide the underlying scientific base. HCI specific tutorials link these aspects into a unified whole. You will also study databases technologies - a key aspect of most modern software systems.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Motor Systems for Human Computer Interaction | BIOL22332 | 10 | Mandatory |
Sensory Systems for Human Computer Interaction | BIOL22341 | 10 | Mandatory |
Database Systems | COMP23111 | 10 | Mandatory |
Software Engineering 1 | COMP23311 | 10 | Mandatory |
Software Engineering 2 | COMP23412 | 10 | Mandatory |
Distributed Systems | COMP28112 | 10 | Mandatory |
COMP - Careers Yr 2 | COMP2CARS | 0 | Mandatory |
Perception and Action | PSYC21112 | 5 | Mandatory |
Cognitive Neuroscience | PSYC21122 | 10 | Mandatory |
Cognition | PSYC21181 | 5 | Mandatory |
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Course content for year 3
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Third Year Project Laboratory | COMP30040 | 40 | Mandatory |
User Experience | COMP33511 | 10 | Mandatory |
Agile Software Engineering | COMP33712 | 10 | Mandatory |
Advanced Social Network Analysis | SOST30022 | 20 | Mandatory |
How to Make a Brain | BIOL21451 | 10 | Optional |
Clocks, Sleep & the Rhythms of Life (E) | BIOL31681 | 10 | Optional |
Learning, Memory & Cognition (E) | BIOL31692 | 10 | Optional |
The Internet of Things: Architectures and Applications | COMP32412 | 10 | Optional |
Cognitive Robotics | COMP34212 | 10 | Optional |
Natural Language Systems | COMP34412 | 10 | Optional |
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Scholarships and bursaries
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages .
Facilities

- Newly refurbished computing labs furnished with modern desktop computers, available with Linux and Windows
- Access to world leading academic staff
- Collaborative working labs complete with specialist computing and audio visual equipment to support group working.
- Over 300 Computers in the Department dedicated exclusively for the use of our students.
- Access to a hardware library, with top of the range equipment, including drones, robots and oculus rifts.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities

Here at Manchester, we encourage and support all our students to gaining industrial experience during their study.
This not only enables them to broaden and deepen their skills by combining academic knowledge with practical experience in the workplace, but also connects them with potential employers to help shape their future career.
Dr Duncan Hall / Lecturer & Employability Tutor
The course is designed from a technical perspective and will prepare you for professional careers in the Human Computer Interaction and User Experience industry (design, development, testing and operation of interfaces, devices, and behavioural modelling) as well as in other areas such as research and technical development. It will provide you with the knowledge to accomplish highly technical interaction projects and to communicate with others, making novel, informed and sensible suggestions regarding HCI/UX work being undertaken - both by you individually or as part of a wider development team. More broadly it will prepare you for leadership positions in a successful career in industry. It will develop your transferable skills, particularly team working, creativity and adaptability, and enable you to specialise in advanced HCI topics.
Employers, from large multinational firms such as EA Games, IBM and Microsoft to small local organisations, actively target our students, recognising that graduates from the Department of Computer Science are equipped with the skills that enable them to excel in a whole host of positions, including many that are not traditionally associated with computing graduates. Opportunities exist in fields as diverse as finance, films and games, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, and public services - virtually all areas of business and society.