School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich placement

BSc (Hons) Sandwich 4 years

Turn a computer science degree into a year of real industry experience. Our BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich Placement builds the same BCS-accredited foundations in programming.

Turn a computer science degree into a year of real industry experience. Our BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich Placement builds the same BCS-accredited foundations in programming.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
G402
Course specifications
Course length
Sandwich (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich Placement is a four-year, BCS-accredited degree built around one deliberate difference from our standard Computer Science course: a minimum 48-week placement in industry, embedded as a compulsory, credit-bearing part of your degree (Industrial Placement, 40 credits) rather than something you apply for separately later on.

Recent Discover Uni data shows Computer Science graduates from Wolverhampton earning around £25,000 fifteen months after finishing, with roughly 80% in work or further study. Your placement sits inside a curriculum shaped by our Industry Advisory Board, including Amazon, IBM, the Post Office, MorServ and Ontic — so the experience you gain in industry lines up with what those same employers are hiring for.

If you already know you want a substantial year of workplace experience built into your timetable, rather than something you compete for part-way through your degree, this is the more direct route into the same computer science education.

93% of students were satisfied with the learning resources on this course (NSS, 2025)

 

What's unique about this course?

Three things distinguish this course from our standard Computer Science degree and from optional placement schemes at other universities:

  • A formal, assessed placement module. The Industrial Placement (5MM006, 40 credits) is a core part of your course structure, not a bolt-on — with academic staff visiting you during your placement and staying in contact with you throughout.
  • A genuine year, not a taster. The placement runs a minimum of 48 weeks, giving you a full year of professional life rather than a short internship.
  • The same core computer science curriculum as our standard degree — programming, full-stack development, databases and AI — plus the same specialisation options in cloud systems, artificial intelligence, data mining, computer networking, mobile development and games development.
  • A final year informed by real experience. You return to complete your Project and Professionalism module having already worked in the industry you're studying for.

What happens on the course?

This course follows the same academic structure as our standard Computer Science degree for the first two years, then adds a full year in industry before you return to finish.

Years 1 and 2: build the same foundations

You'll cover the same core modules as our standard Computer Science degree — programming, object-oriented design, internet software architecture, computational mathematics — and start choosing specialist options such as cloud systems, AI, computer networking or games development.

Year 3: your placement year

You'll complete a minimum 48-week Industrial Placement (40 credits), supported by our professional placements team to find a role and by academic staff who visit you during your placement and stay in contact throughout.

Year 4: return and specialise

You'll return to complete your final year, deepening your specialism — options include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Advanced Full Stack Development and Software Engineering — and complete your Project and Professionalism module, informed directly by what you've just done in the workplace.

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

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

This course is structured so that your placement year does the heavy lifting for your employability, rather than leaving you to arrange work experience alongside your studies.

Recent Discover Uni data for Computer Science graduates from Wolverhampton shows:

  • Around £25,000 average earnings, 15 months after graduating
  • Roughly 80% in work and/or further study 15 months after graduating

Graduates go on to roles including:

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

Course content is shaped by our Industry Advisory Board — including Amazon, IBM, the Post Office, MorServ and Ontic — and delivered by academic staff who are themselves Fellows and Members of the BCS.

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.

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.

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.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Wolverhampton's Sandwich Placement route is delivered by academic staff who are themselves Fellows and Members of the British Computer Society, backed by a professional placements team dedicated to helping you secure the right year-long placement.

  • A dedicated professional placements team, rather than being left to find and negotiate a placement alone
  • Academic staff who visit you during your placement and remain in contact throughout the year
  • The same specialist computing, networking, AI and cybersecurity labs as our standard degree, on City Campus
  • A curriculum shaped by our Industry Advisory Board, so your placement experience and your degree content reinforce each other
  • Research-active teaching linked to the Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC)

Because a full year of this degree is spent in the workplace, many of your skills are tested and refined in a real employer setting, not just in coursework.

Technical skills:

  • Applying programming, object-oriented design and database skills in a live workplace, not only in coursework
  • Designing, implementing and evaluating software systems across different platforms
  • Working with the specific tools, systems and methodologies used by your placement employer

Transferable and workplace skills:

  • Practical experience of professional conduct, workplace communication and project delivery
  • Problem-solving under real business constraints, not just academic ones
  • Self-management and personal responsibility, developed over a sustained year in employment
  • A stronger, evidence-based understanding of your own career direction before you graduate

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Sandwich £9790 per year 2026-27
International Sandwich £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.

  • 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.

Sandwich Course