Overview
This integrated programme is designed to prepare and support students for a strong and rewarding experience in their selected discipline, Computer Science, immediately aligning students to the fundamentals of computing from the moment they enrol.
In addition to providing all necessary science, technology, engineering and mathematics background to allow students to confidently enter year one of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science programme, the first year of study will also develop transferable skills such as communication, professionalism, teamwork and creativity, and provide an excellent transition period in preparation for learning and teaching methodologies used in the UK to support high engagement and achievement in the discipline.
The foundation year is taken in common with four complementary engineering disciplines (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil & Structural, Mechanical) and the following year in common with Computer Science for Cyber Security, and Software Engineering, allowing students to transfer after this common year if they feel an alternative programme better suits their emerging interests and career aspirations. Therefore, prior to being immersed in the technical depth of your selected area in the final two years of study, your education includes developing an understanding of the relation and importance of other technological areas to your own discipline, thereby broadening career options and employability on graduation.
Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) forms a core element of programme delivery, based around developing innovative and sustainable solutions to real-world problems and closely linked to our well-developed industrial collaborations.
Professional accreditation
The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
What I like is building software because it's more creative and it's more about the user experience. I like that because there’s an interaction with the client. We do quite a lot of individual and team projects. In the second year, we did a real-life project with a client called Triple-A who work with Jaguar Land Rover.
Computer Science at the University of Bradford
We believe that technology should benefit everyone, and that everyone should have the opportunity to work within an exciting and future-defining discipline.
Our courses have been carefully designed to promote openness and inclusivity for all – we do not require students to have previously studied IT or Computer Science A-Levels or BTECs. Our curriculum begins from first principles, both practical and theoretical, to bring everyone up to a high standard of knowledge and expertise while still challenging and motivating those with previous subject knowledge through open-ended and extensible practical tasks.
We strongly believe that employability and practical skills, built on solid theoretical foundations, are critical for student success after graduating from our University. We embed the development of employer-focussed skills and experience into our programmes in many ways. Our module contents and curricula are built around input and feedback from our Industry Advisory Board, providing a direct line for industry experts to shape our taught content. We also embed opportunities to work on live industry projects directly into our modules, with projects available to students from both internal and external group to the University that have real problems to be solved, requiring students to produce real solutions and gain real experience.
Study support
We have a commitment to strong pastoral care for all of our students, which includes a Personal Tutor for all students, regular contact hours for tutor groups and our supportive student service teams who are always ready to help with any questions and provide the advice that you need. In addition to standard study support through taught sessions, our Virtual Learning Environment allows students to access resources, participate in group work and submit work from anywhere in the world 24/7. Our Personal Tutor system provides students with a specific academic staff member to support them through regular meetings and interactive activities, acting as an independent source of advice and guidance on making the transition to Higher Education and assisting them with any questions or problems they encounter. University central services are rich with support teams to assist students with every aspect of their journey through our degree courses. From our Career and Employability Service, through our strong Students' Union, to our professional and efficient Student Finance team, there are always friendly faces ready to support you and provide you with the answers that you need.
Research
Most of our staff are research active, and contribute to the cutting edge of their disciplines.
Bradford has a strong pedigree of world leading research, and our aim is to ensure that students benefit from our staff’s insight into the future of their subject.
The integration of new and innovative research findings into our curriculum, known as research informed teaching, is a core value and one of the key principles driving the design of our courses and our modules. Particularly in the final year, but throughout their course from the very first day, students are given insight into the future of Computing and Business, and the opportunities presented when they come together.