BSc in Computer Sciences

The BSc (Hons) Computer Science at Exeter equips students with real-world technical skills through high-spec facilities, interactive labs, and close ties to industry leaders like IBM and the Met Office. You'll gain hands-on experience from your first year, with strong support for placements, team projects, and independent development.

Facilities & Learning Environment

• Digital Labs: Fully equipped teaching labs with updated PCs, Linux and Windows OS, and campus-wide Wi-Fi enhanced by a £3 million digital infrastructure investment (ISCA) to serve advanced computing requirements.

• Creative Quadrant & Skydeck: Collaborative workspaces with Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, AV tools, and flexible setups to support prototyping, innovation, and team ideation

• IBM Cloud Access: Students benefit from free IBM Cloud credits, enterprise-level tools, and dedicated support for coursework, group projects, and hackathons

• Technical Support: On-site experts ensure smooth operation of all lab resources and support hardware/software troubleshooting

Experiential Learning Highlights

• Weekly Labs & Workshops: Core modules integrate practical sessions using Python, Java, C/C++, cloud services, and electronics development kits

• Group Software Engineering Project: Run in collaboration with IBM, this project simulates real-world development with team coordination, cloud platform use, and industry mentorship

• Final-Year Individual Project: A 45-credit capstone research or software development project, often utilising Exeter’s advanced lab tools, cloud systems, or links to research groups

• Industrial Placement (Optional): Students may take a 12-month paid work placement between Year 2 and final year, gaining deep insight into industry environments

• Summer Placements: Shorter internships are also available through Exeter’s Careers Services and research partnerships, offering real-world exposure without interrupting academic progression

Industry Engagement & Career Preparation

• IBM Advisory Role: IBM plays a direct role in curriculum development, project mentorship, and student events, ensuring relevance and industry readiness

• Employer Partnerships: Work and placement opportunities span ABB, Met Office, NATS, NHS Digital, JP Morgan, DSTL, Southwest Water, Motorola, and more

• Research-Driven Teaching: Exeter’s computing department works closely with the Alan Turing Institute, supporting active research in AI, cybersecurity, HPC, and nature-inspired computing, benefiting both instruction and project work

• Supportive Culture: With 15+ contact hours per week, open-door academic policies, and friendly, research-active staff, Exeter fosters a learning environment that promotes both excellence and inclusion

BSc Computer Science graduates from Exeter move quickly into high-value tech careers, supported by strong teaching, structured placements, and industry-aligned project work. Employment outcomes are excellent and graduates take on roles across software, data, cybersecurity, and consultancy, with strong salary growth and meaningful career trajectories.

Graduate Career Outcomes

• 94% employed or in further study within six months

• 95% in highly skilled roles by 15 months

Typical roles include:

• Software Engineer or Developer

• IT Quality & Testing Professional

• Cybersecurity or Data Analyst

• Business Systems Architect or Consultant

Salary Benchmarks

• £27,000 at 15 months

• £29,500 at 3 years

• £33,000 at 5 years

Career Support & Employability Services

• Career Zone & CEMPS Careers Hub: One-to-one coaching, mock interviews, CV writing, workshops, and job fairs

• Online Portals: Handshake and CareerHub provide access to vacancies, internships, and employer contacts

• Placement Support: Full guidance and funding for summer internships and industrial year placements

Students report a strong alignment between career outcomes and degree skills:

• 90% say their job aligns with long-term goals

• 85% report actively using their degree skills

• 95% describe their work as meaningful

 Industry Links & Partnerships

• IBM: Key partner in curriculum design, industry board representation, and team project sponsorship

• Other partners: The Met Office, NATS, Motorola, McLaren, Amazon, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley

• Exeter Science Park: Gateway to regional startups and growing tech SMEs

Further Academic Progression

After your BSc, you can pursue:

• A Year-in-Industry BSc variant: Includes a 12-month full-time paid placement for deeper industry experience

• MSc study: AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, or computing-related postgraduate programmes

• PhD research: Especially in AI, machine learning, HPC, or nature-inspired computing supported by Exeter’s research centres and partnerships

• Professional recognition: Accredited by BCS, leading toward Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status