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Canterbury Christ Church University’s BSc (Hons) Computer Science delivers a hands-on, industry-informed education in programming (C#), systems, web technologies, data science, cybersecurity, and AI. Built around the internationally-recognised CDIO framework in their modern Verena Holmes Building, it’s ideal for practical learners who want real-world project experience, placement opportunities, and strong career preparation.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
In your first year, you'll dive into Programming Design & Development, Computational Thinking, Ethics & Employability, Math for Computer Science, and Fundamentals of Computer Systems. These modules build your programming mindset, mathematical grounding, system comprehension, and professional awareness through labs, assignments, and tests that reflect workplace tasks.
Year 2
Year 2 broadens into topics such as Algorithms for Computer Science, Computer Security, Software Engineering, Computer Networking, and Visual Data Analytics. You also engage in agile, CDIO-style project work, honing your skills in software development and teamwork in an industrial-style setting.
Year 3
In your final year, you'll undertake a substantial individual major project, choosing from advanced topics like AI, cybersecurity, intelligent cloud & Data Systems. A mixture of applied modules and self-directed research enables you to demonstrate technical depth and independent problem-solving.
Year in Industry (Optional)
Choose a four-year pathway including a paid Year in Industry after Year 2. This offers valuable work experience at reputable firms and enhances employability.
Assessment Format
Continuous practical assessment: Across all years, learning is anchored by assignments, lab exercises, CDIO projects, and class tests tied to real-world tasks.
Computer-based testing is regularly used (via Blackboard and Respondus lockdown browser) for formative and summative evaluations.
Final honours project: Your Year 3 capstone is assessed through a written report, code submission, and presentation, mimicking professional development workflows.
Placement year: Assessed via employer feedback and reflective logs, it earns academic credit but doesn't count toward final classification.
Focus areas:
Programming & software design (C#) • Systems & architecture • Web & database engineering • Data · AI & machine learning • Networks & cybersecurity • CDIO‑style agile development • Final-year honours research/project • Optional paid/year-in-industry experience
Learning outcomes:
Design, implement, and test robust software systems
Use algorithmic and mathematical approaches effectively
Apply professional and ethical understanding in computing
Conduct independent, high-level computing projects
Gain industry experience through placement
Professional alignment (accreditation):
BCS-accreditation ensures eligibility for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status. The course’s placement and CDIO-based projects align closely with professional, technical, and ethical standards in industry.
Reputation (employability & student experience):
The programme is well supported by industry-standard facilities within the £65 million Verena Holmes Building.
Top 20 in the UK for Computer Science (Times/Sunday Times 2024)
Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
The BSc (Hons) Computer Science at Canterbury Christ Church University delivers real-world, practical learning through immersive labs, live projects, and strong industry engagement:
From the start of your degree, you’re immersed in a hands-on environment using industry-standard tools across computing disciplines including cloud, cybersecurity, AI, digital forensics, big data, and simulation. The degree follows the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) framework, ensuring every project mimics professional engineering practice
Facilities & Learning Environment
£65 million Verena Holmes Building featuring modern computing labs equipped for high-performance computing, Agile/CDIO project work, and collaboration.
Full CDIO learning design: labs mirror real-world environments where students conceive, design, implement, and operate software solutions from C#, AI, web, and UX modules onward.
Industry-standard hardware & software: Includes Docker, virtualization, C#, Python, Java, database, networking, AI, and cybersecurity tools, reflecting what employers actually use .
Experiential Learning Highlights
Weekly demonstrator-led labs: In every year, modules such as programming design, systems, networks, AI, UX, and security include structured hands-on sessions pulling from lectures and real-world cases.
Year 2 enterprise-style projects: As part of the CDIO model, you'll undertake group design-build-deploy modules, applying Agile and modern workflows to solve real challenges.
Final-year individual project: A substantial (40-credit) capstone where you choose an in-depth topic, be it web, AI, cloud, data mining, cybersecurity, or graphics and go from concept to deployment.
Placements & Industry Engagement
Optional Year in Industry: After Year 2, you can undertake a paid placement in partner firms (e.g., Amazon, CGI, Fidelity), again supported with academic credit and employability training.
Graduate outcomes: 100% of BSc Computing graduates are employed or studying and earn ~£30 k at 15 months, rising to ~£33 500 at 5 years.
Career-focused curriculum: Your modules include professional training and CDIO-active engagement, no surprise CCCU was 3rd in the UK for computing graduate employment .
Research & Academic Integration
Research-informed teaching: Staff are active in areas like AI, cybersecurity, big data, and simulation. All of which feed into lab work and your capstone topics.
Dynamic curriculum: Modules cover modern topics like AI, UX, Agile, cloud, and security, ensuring you're learning what industry demands .
Canterbury Christ Church University's BSc Computer Science graduates step confidently into tech careers: approximately 85% are in employment or further study within 15 months, with around 70% in highly-skilled roles.
Typical roles include:
Software Developer / Engineer
Data Analyst / AI & Machine Learning Specialist
Systems Analyst / IT Consultant
Web or Apps Developer
University services that support employment
CDIO-based curriculum & career coaching: Students benefit from active learning via the MIT-inspired CDIO model (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate), backed by support from the Careers & Enterprise Hub covering CV/interview prep, psychometric testing, and access to job and placement listings.
Year-in-industry option: After Year 2, you can take a paid industrial placement, with students previously working in roles aligned to your studies.
EDGE Hub & Verena Holmes Building: New specialist learning spaces for computing, robotics, AI and data which was designed in partnership with industry to mirror real-world environments.
Graduation Outcomes & Alumni Success
85% in work or study within 15 months.
70% in highly-skilled roles (IT professionals, managers, engineering associates)
95% report their work is meaningful, with 60% applying their university skills and 85% saying their role fits their future goals
Median salaries: ~£30k at 15 months (typical £25–36k), £27–28k at three years, and £32–33.5k at five years.
University–industry partnerships
Students work with real-world briefs via the Kent & Medway Engineering, Design, Growth & Enterprise (EDGE) Hub, and benefit from project opportunities tied to high-performance computing.
Verena Holmes Building was funded in partnership with industry and houses hands-on robotics, high-spec computing, and project labs .
Long-term accreditation & reputation
The programme follows the CDIO framework and has earned national recognition at 2nd amongst UK universities for postgraduate employability and Silver TEF status, reflecting high standards in teaching and graduate success.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BSc, you’re well-positioned to:
Extend to a 4-year degree with a professional placement year built in
Pursue MSc degrees in AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering or other computing fields either at Canterbury Christ Church or another university
Undertake PhD research, using the university’s modern labs and active research staff in computing
Build professional credentials via industry certifications (e.g., cybersecurity, cloud, networking) alongside BCS-aligned curriculum
UCAS Application • Official High School Transcripts • Personal Statement • Educational Resume • Letter of Recommendation by School TeacherUCAS Tariff Points: 112 points from a Level 3 qualification. Requirement for a numerate subject at Level 3 (e.g maths, physics, computer science). Successful completion of standard 12 th with 60% average and one further year of studyIELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any component TOEFL (iBT): Minimum of 60 overall: Reading 8, Listening 7, Speaking 16 and Writing 18Software application developerComputer systems analystSoftware systems developerWeb developerNetwork systems administratorDatabase administrator
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Canterbury Christ Church University
