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Home The Role of Technology in Education and Training in the UK
Next Date: September 2026
Computer science is about understanding, designing, implementing and using computing systems. These systems can range in scale, and complexity, from the tiny components of a single processor to the globe-spanning internet.
The core concepts of computing come from mathematics, logic and engineering, such as:
- what it means to compute
- what can or cannot be computed
- how computers work
Applications of computer science
Computer science is also about the practical techniques of programming computers to solve real and difficult problems. There are many links to other subjects, including:
- electronics
- physics
- mathematics
- biology
- psychology
- linguistics
- sociology
This intellectually challenging subject underpins core technologies of the 21st century and can be a route into many different careers.
We offer a wide range of courses delivered by leaders in their field. Our degree flexibility allows you to tailor your experience to your interests and be in control of your learning.
What is the difference between BEng in Computer Science and BSc in Computer Science?
There is almost no difference in content between a BSc and a BEng, but the BEng imposes slightly stricter course selection rules and requires that all honours courses are passed, whereas it is possible to gain a BSc if an honours course is failed but there is an overall average of 40%.
The British Computer Society accredits the BEng. Employers treat both degrees the same and a BSc or a BEng in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh should carry weight anywhere in the world.
The choice of BEng is designed for students who come from countries where computer science is regarded as an engineering discipline rather than a science.
You can swap between these two programmes if you find one qualification would benefit you over the other.
Is this degree for me?
You do not need to have taken Computer Science or learned programming as all students are taught computation from a common starting point. You need to have taken mathematics, as enthusiasm for mathematics is key to being successful in our programmes.
Second year entry is not available.
How long it takes to complete this degree programme
This programme is studied over 4 years.
A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.
This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.
Programme benefits
- Tailor your experience to your interests and be in control of your learning: choose from a wide range of courses, from the theoretical to those that let you apply what you learn.
- Gain a degree that opens doors in most industries: our graduates are in high demand not only within the growing technology sector but across a wide range of organisations where Informatics graduates are highly valued.
- Benefit from research-driven teaching by internationally leading academics.
- Take advantage of our strong links to industry with local, national and global contacts. Student societies based in our School host industry events, monthly student tech meetups, regular workshops and hackathons.
- Study in Edinburgh, a city regularly voted among the UK's top student cities (Top 2 in the UK, QS Best Student Cities 2024).
- We are the largest Informatics department in Europe. You will be part of a large, vibrant community of students and staff from over 100 countries.
Our graduates have excellent career prospects in the IT industry and beyond. We have a great reputation with local, national and global industry connections and contacts.
Our graduates are typically recruited to a wide variety of jobs, with popular roles including:
- software engineer
- hardware engineer
- app developer
- web developer
- programmer
Graduates increasingly work as data analysts, data scientists or business analysts in the financial sector.
Careers Service
Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.
The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.
With the Careers Service, you can:
- access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
- try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
- get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
- attend careers events such as the annual Careers in Tech and Data Fair which gives you the opportunity to meet recruiters actively looking to recruit our students
- go to practice interviews
- get information and advice to help you make informed decisions
£
To apply for this programme and be considered for an offer, you will need:
- academic qualifications (for example, from school or college)
- evidence of your English language ability (for example, from school or an English language test)
A levels: standard entry requirements
These are the standard A level entry requirements for this programme.
To view the minimum A level entry requirements we set for widening access Plus Flag applicants, select 'A levels: widening access requirements' from the dropdown.
You can find out more about our minimum requirements, and check whether you are eligible to be considered for a widening access Plus Flag offer, by visiting our widening access offers page.
The A level grades you need to be considered for an offer
These are the range of grades most applicants needed to receive an offer in recent years:
- from A*A*A* to AAB in one set of exams
Required subjects
The grades you use to meet our entry requirements must include the following at A level:
- Mathematics at A
Your Mathematics qualifications must have been achieved no more than two academic years prior to entry.
Your other A levels can be in any other subject, except the few subjects we do not accept.
GCSEs required
You must also have the following at GCSE:
- English at C or 4
Apply for partial scholarships
Our graduates have excellent career prospects in the IT industry and beyond. We have a great reputation with local, national and global industry connections and contacts.
Our graduates are typically recruited to a wide variety of jobs, with popular roles including:
- software engineer
- hardware engineer
- app developer
- web developer
- programmer
Graduates increasingly work as data analysts, data scientists or business analysts in the financial sector.
Careers Service
Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.
The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.
With the Careers Service, you can:
- access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
- try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
- get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
- attend careers events such as the annual Careers in Tech and Data Fair which gives you the opportunity to meet recruiters actively looking to recruit our students
- go to practice interviews
- get information and advice to help you make informed decisions
What you will study
Our programmes start with a mostly common core of mathematics courses and informatics courses, with increasing choices for specialisation in later years depending on your interests.
If you are taking a joint degree, you will also have to take compulsory courses in your second subject, and the precise mathematics you take may differ.
Each year you will have 120 credits worth of courses spread across two semesters. Some of these credits will go toward compulsory courses and the remaining will go toward option courses. Option courses may be in schools outside the School of Informatics.
Curriculum renewal
We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.
This renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of computer science.
The information provided reflects the current structure and content of our programmes and courses, and may change in future years based on the needs of the School and its students.
Flexibility
Most Informatics students take the same, or compatible, compulsory courses in their early years. Therefore, you can normally switch between programmes offered by the School of Informatics after Year 1, and sometimes in later years. It is more complicated, and often not possible, to transfer from a degree in other schools.
Year 1
You will be introduced to basic principles of programming and computation.
What you will study:
- how information can be represented and processed in computer systems
- computer programming
- how to solve problems using computer programs
This year also includes mathematics courses necessary for all areas of informatics. Together, these form the foundations for more in-depth study of computation in future years.
You can also choose option courses from various schools across the University.
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Year 2
You will build on Year 1, covering more advanced programming and data structures with the related mathematics, and broader professional and societal issues.
You will develop a greater understanding of:
- software development
- decision making
- foundations of data science
- algorithms and data structures
- the internals of computers and/or computer systems
- the professional, social and ethical context of computing
You can also choose option courses from various schools across the University.
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Year 3
Your studies will become more focused and you will have more choice in selecting specialised courses. We offer a range of options specific to computer science and other courses in informatics.
Your coursework assignments will typically provide you with experience in:
- practical work
- independent problem solving
- group work
Your exact curriculum depends on your chosen courses. Third-year courses cover a range of exciting topics, including:
- robotics
- computer security
- machine learning and AI
- computer systems and networks
- software engineering
- algorithms
- Find courses
- The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Year 4
You will choose from a large number of advanced courses to build a portfolio particular to your preferred area of expertise.
Year 4 includes an individual honours project where you will develop a viable project starting from a given topic. You will have a variety of choices when selecting your topic with a supervisor to guide you.
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
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