BSc Computer Science / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

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1st Year Team Projects - Computer Science UoM

Through the development of new applications in science, engineering, and business, Computer Science is radically changing the way in which we experience our world. This programme equips students with the skills needed to contribute to this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

Computer Science is our most flexible programme, allowing you to chose 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 second and third years.

You will gain not only knowledge and practical experience of the latest technologies, but also a grounding in the underlying principles of the subject. 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.

Special features

  • A broad and flexible programme 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

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.

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 content for year 1

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
First Year Team Project COMP10120 20 Mandatory
Mathematical Techniques for Computer Science COMP11120 20 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Computation COMP11212 10 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Computer Engineering COMP12111 10 Mandatory
Operating Systems COMP15212 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming 1 COMP16321 20 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming 2 COMP16412 10 Mandatory
Careers workshop, Year 1 Computer Science COMP1ASP 0 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Software Engineering 1 COMP23311 10 Mandatory
Software Engineering 2 COMP23412 10 Mandatory
Programming Languages & Paradigms COMP26020 20 Mandatory
Managing My Future – Y2 Computer Science COMP2ASP 0 Mandatory
COMP - Careers Yr 2 COMP2CARS 0 Mandatory
Logic and Modelling COMP21111 10 Optional
Processor Microarchitecture COMP22111 10 Optional
Microcontrollers COMP22712 10 Optional
Database Systems COMP23111 10 Optional
Introduction to AI COMP24011 10 Optional
Machine Learning COMP24112 10 Optional
Knowledge Based AI COMP24412 10 Optional
System Architecture COMP25212 10 Optional
Introduction to Visual Computing COMP27112 10 Optional
Distributed Systems COMP28112 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 15 course units for year 2

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Third Year Project Laboratory COMP30040 40 Mandatory
Giving Meaning to Programs COMP31311 10 Optional
The Internet of Things: Architectures and Applications COMP32412 10 Optional
Agile Software Pipelines COMP33312 10 Optional
User Experience COMP33511 10 Optional
AI and Games COMP34111 10 Optional
Cognitive Robotics COMP34212 10 Optional
Mathematical Topics in Machine Learning COMP34312 10 Optional
Computational Game Theory COMP34612 10 Optional
Natural Language Processing COMP34711 10 Optional
Natural Language Understanding COMP34812 10 Optional
Chip Multiprocessors COMP35112 10 Optional
Algorithms and Complexity COMP36111 10 Optional
Mathematical Systems and Computation COMP36212 10 Optional
Graphics & Virtual Environments COMP37111 10 Optional
Computer Vision COMP37212 10 Optional
Advanced Distributed Systems COMP38311 10 Optional
Cyber Security COMP38412 10 Optional
Independent Study and Technical Explanations EEEN31001 10 Optional
Enterprise Management for Computer Scientists MCEL30031 10 Optional
Managing Finance in Enterprises for Computer Scientists MCEL30032 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 21 course units for year 3

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 .

What our students say

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Computer Science @ Manchester - What our students say?
Todd Davies, BSc Computer Science

I always has the mind-set in my degree that I was learning how to learn. I feel like the BSc in Computer Science gives you a very holistic view of the subject, all the way from logic gates to high-level modules like Computer Vision.

Seb Masaru, BSc Computer Science

The community, the Department, the University, and the city itself are so vibrant in Manchester. You get the sensation that the people here are all extremely approachable.

Facilities

As you would expect from leaders in the field, we offer some of the most up to date facilities in the world. Amongst the wide range of facilities available to you are:

  • 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

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk