BSc Hons Computer Science

BCU offers an immersive, career-focused Computer Science degree, combining advanced facilities, practical projects, and industry partnerships to prepare students for the evolving tech landscape.

Facilities & Learning Environment

• Millennium Point & STEAMhouse: A £70 million tech hub in Birmingham city centre featuring 20+ specialist labs including:

  • Software development suites

  • Cyber-security and ethical hacking labs

  • Networking labs (VoIP, penetration testing)

  • Electronic systems and forensic computing facilities

• Games Lab: Equipped with PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch dev kits, Unreal and Unity engines, plus VR headsets (HTC Vive, Oculus) for game dev coursework and hackathons.

• Makers’ Space: Laser cutters, 3D printers, sensors, electronics benches, and expert technical support to foster innovation and group projects.

• Industry-embedded Academies: In-house training via Cisco Systems, Microsoft Academy, Oracle Academy, Linux Professional Institute, and AWS Academy providing certified courses and tools.

• Professional Software Access: Inclusive licenses for Adobe Creative Suite, Visual Studio, Unity, Android Studio, SPSS, NVivo, and more.

Experiential Learning Highlights

• Weekly Demonstrator-led Labs: Covering programming languages (Java, Python, C#, C/C++), networking, cybersecurity, web/mobile development, game design, and VR, all tightly integrated with lectures.

• Live Client-based Projects: From Year 1, work in teams to solve real industrial challenges, using professional tools like UML and Agile methodologies, culminating in client presentations.

• Individual Honours Project: Final-year capstone using Makers’ Space, Games Lab, or Cyber Lab, often focusing on robotics, AI, security, or immersive tech applications.

• Certification Preparation: Optional subsidised training and exams for industry certifications like Cisco CCNA, Linux Professional Institute (LPI), and AWS, embedded in coursework.

Experiential Learning Highlights

• Optional Professional Placement Year (post-Year 2): Paid 12-month placement aligned with your interests and supported by university Careers staff; many students return to employers post-graduation.

• Short-term Placements & Internships: Assessed during term-time and summer; paid at the Real Living Wage (~£12/hr), facilitated via university scholarship schemes.

• Exceptional Employment Outcomes: Ranked top 15 in the UK for teaching quality (Guardian) and top 20 for student satisfaction (Whatuni, Complete University Guide).

About 95% of Birmingham City University’s BSc (Hons) Computer Science graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months, with around 65–80% in highly skilled roles

Typical career paths include:

• Software Engineer / Developer

• IT Consultant / Systems Analyst

• Data Engineer / AI Specialist

• Cybersecurity or Network Engineer

University Services That Support Employment

• Access to dedicated Careers and Placements teams, who help students secure optional professional placement years through partnerships with local, regional, and national employers

• Industry-standard labs and official recognition as a Cisco, Microsoft Academy Centre, and AWS Academy Centre, ensuring students gain directly relevant, employer-valued skills

Employment Stats & Salary Figures

• 95% of UK-resident graduates are employed or studying 15 months after graduation

• Median salary:

  • At 15 months: ~£22,500

  • At 3 years: ~£27,000

  • At 5 years: ~£30,000

University–Industry Partnerships

• Official partnerships with Cisco, Microsoft, and SAS, all with on-campus academies

• Placement year access supported by these links and Careers teams. Many students return to their placement employers for full-time roles

• Active research centres in Software Engineering and Cyber Security under the Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment, enhancing ties with local industry

Accreditation & Long-Term Value

• Industry-aligned curriculum accredited by Cisco, Microsoft, and AWS, with practical certifications embedded into the degree

Graduation Outcomes

• 80% of graduates report working in roles that use their degree-relevant skills

• 75–80% find their jobs personally meaningful

Further Academic Progression

After earning your BSc, you can:

• Pursue advanced specialist qualifications like an MSc in AI, Cyber Security, Data Science, or Software Engineering

• Transition into industry certification pathways, leveraging your built-in Cisco, Microsoft, and AWS credentials

• Consider postgraduate research (MSc by Research or PhD) through BCU’s active research centres

• Join professional development routes or conversion programmes in areas such as fintech, consultancy, or teaching, supported by the Careers Centre