School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 years

Build the technologies shaping the future. This BCS-accredited degree combines hands-on coding, real industry projects and a guaranteed placement year — taught by BCS Fellows and shaped by employers including Amazon, IBM and the Post Office.

Build the technologies shaping the future. This BCS-accredited degree combines hands-on coding, real industry projects and a guaranteed placement year — taught by BCS Fellows and shaped by employers including Amazon, IBM and the Post Office.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
G400
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

BSc (Hons) Computer Science at the University of Wolverhampton is a three-year, BCS-accredited degree that takes you from your first line of code to a career as a software developer, AI engineer, data scientist or cybersecurity professional — with a guaranteed placement built into every student's journey.

93% of students were satisfied with the learning resources on this course (NSS, 2025). Teaching is shaped directly by employers on our Computer Science Industry Advisory Board, including Amazon, IBM, the Post Office, MorServ, Ontic and the Department for Education — so what you learn in the lab is what employers are hiring for right now.

Starting a computing degree can feel like a big step, especially if you're not from a coding background. That's where we're different. Alongside larger, more corporate-feeling universities, Wolverhampton offers small teaching groups, academic staff who are Fellows and Members of the BCS, and a course built to grow your confidence from day one — so you leave not just qualified, but ready.

Many of our academics are actively engaged in research and belong to one of our dedicated research institutes, including the Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC), ensuring teaching is informed by the latest discoveries.

What's unique about this course?

  • Guaranteed professional placement, not competitive. Every student gets a professional placement built into the course — you don't have to win a limited number of places.
  • An Industry Advisory Board that shapes the curriculum, including Amazon, IBM, the Post Office, MorServ and Ontic, keeping modules aligned to what employers actually need.
  • MaSS (Mainframe Student Society) — hands-on mainframe training, industry qualifications and direct access to professionals working at the heart of global technology, alongside your degree.
  • IBM-i User Group (IUG) - As a partner of the IBM i User Group (I-UG), we connect students with industry through national conferences, employer networking, project showcases and placement opportunities, helping you develop the skills, experience and professional connections needed for a successful computing career.
  • Specialise your way, with optional modules spanning AI, cybersecurity, cloud systems, games development, mobile app development, data mining and computer networking, on top of core programming and software engineering.
  • Research-informed teaching from academics linked to the Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC), so your course content reflects current research, not just industry practice from a few years ago.
  • A foundation year route (BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year) for students who want a stronger grounding before starting the full degree.
  • As a Level 4 student, you'll be supported by a Student Success Coach who will help you navigate your first year at university. From settling into university life to developing the skills and confidence needed for academic success, your coach will be there to support you every step of the way.

 

What happens on the course?

Over three years, you move from writing your first programs to shipping a working software project of your own — building practical coding skills through real, hands-on development rather than theory alone.

Year 1: Learn the fundamentals

You'll build core programming skills from the ground up — covering computational mathematics, fundamentals of computing, object-oriented programming and internet software architecture — alongside academic skills for higher education.

Year 2: Build and collaborate

You'll work in a team to design and build a real software artefact (Collaborative Development), develop full-stack web applications, and start choosing your specialism — from cloud systems and computer networking to AI concepts, data mining or games development.

Year 3: Specialise and create

You'll deepen your specialism — options include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Intelligent Systems, Mobile Application Design, Advanced Full Stack Development and Software Engineering — and complete a substantial individual project and professionalism module, supervised one-to-one by a member of academic staff.

Throughout the course, you'll work in specialist computing labs and networking, AI and cybersecurity facilities, using the same industry-standard tools and IDEs used by working developers — and every student completes a guaranteed professional placement, with the option to take a full placement year between Year 2 and Year 3.

Placements on the course

Every Computer Science student at Wolverhampton is guaranteed a professional placement — you don't need to compete for a limited number of places. These structured, work-like experiences are built directly into your course, giving you real industry exposure, a stronger CV and the professional network you'll need before you graduate.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

A Computer Science degree from Wolverhampton is built for direct entry into high-demand digital careers — with a guaranteed placement, an employer-shaped curriculum and clear graduate outcomes into roles across software, data, AI and cybersecurity.

Graduates go on to roles including:

  • Software Developer / Engineer
  • Data Analyst / Data Scientist
  • Cyber Security Analyst
  • AI / Machine Learning Engineer
  • Systems Analyst
  • Games Developer
  • Cloud / DevOps Engineer

Every student completes a guaranteed professional placement, giving you real workplace experience and industry contacts before you graduate — with the option to extend this into a full placement year. Course content is shaped by our Industry Advisory Board (Amazon, IBM, the Post Office, MorServ, Ontic and the Department for Education), and taught by academic staff who are themselves Fellows and Members of the BCS.

Alumnus Kaj Pederson (Class of 1988) is now CTO of AstrumU — one example of where a Wolverhampton Computer Science degree can lead.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Design, build, and maintain software applications for desktop, web, or mobile platforms using programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript. Work across sectors including finance, healthcare, and tech startups.

Analyse large datasets to uncover trends and support decision-making. Use tools like SQL, Python, R, and machine learning techniques in industries such as retail, government, and finance.

Protect computer systems and networks from cyber threats. Roles involve penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and incident response, often in compliance with UK data protection laws and security standards (e.g. NCSC guidance).

Develop intelligent systems and algorithms that can learn from data. Typical applications include natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics, especially in research labs or tech companies.

Act as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, analysing and improving IT systems. This includes gathering requirements, creating specifications, and helping deliver effective digital solutions.

Design and develop computer or mobile games, working with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. This role combines programming, creativity, and problem-solving in the fast-growing UK gaming industry.

Build and manage scalable cloud infrastructure and deployment pipelines. Use tools like AWS, Azure, Docker, and Kubernetes to ensure reliability, automation, and efficiency in software delivery.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

University of Wolverhampton's Computer Science degree is delivered by academic staff who are themselves Fellows and Members of the British Computer Society, in specialist labs on our City Campus, with a syllabus reviewed regularly to reflect current industry practice.

  • Small-group, supportive teaching from staff with genuine research and industry experience — not just large lecture halls
  • A guaranteed professional placement for every student, with the option to extend into a full placement year
  • Specialist computing, networking, AI and cybersecurity labs using industry-standard tools
  • Research-active teaching linked to the Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC)
  • A syllabus reviewed regularly against current and emerging technology, from cloud and mobile to AI

A BSc (Hons) Computer Science graduate from Wolverhampton leaves with both the technical grounding to design, build and evaluate software systems, and the transferable skills employers consistently ask for.

Technical skills:

  • Programming across multiple languages and paradigms, including object-oriented and full-stack development
  • Designing, implementing and evaluating software systems across different platforms and environments
  • Applying core computer science principles — algorithms, data structures, databases, networking and computer architecture — to real problems
  • Working with specialist tools and methodologies in your chosen area, whether that's AI, cybersecurity, cloud or games development

Transferable skills:

  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking
  • Project management and working to deadlines, individually and in teams
  • Communication, including explaining technical work to non-technical audiences
  • Gathering, synthesising and evaluating information from relevant sources

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Jan intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9790 per year £9790 per year 2026-27
Home Part-time £4895 per year# £4895 per year 2026-27
International Full-time £17600 per year £17600 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

  • 96 UCAS points
  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.
  • Successful completion of the Science and Engineering with International Foundation Year

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

International entry requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply

English language requirements also apply

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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How we compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Full-time Course