Computing Science (faster route)
About this course
BSc/MSci Computing Science (faster route) is a computer science degree focusing on software systems, algorithms, and computational principles. Core topics include Programming, Systems Design, Computer Architecture, Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The programme provides a fast-track option allowing high-achieving school leavers to complete an honours degree in three years or an MSci in four years. The second year covers foundational computing through modules such as Introduction to Object Oriented Programming, Algorithmic Foundations 2, and Networks and Operating Systems Essentials 2 alongside elective choices. The third year advances into core professional topics including Professional Software Development (H), Algorithmics I (H), Data Fundamentals (H), and Team Project (H). The fourth year introduces specialized subjects like Professional Skills and Issues (H), Artificial Intelligence (H), and an Individual Project (H) (Single). For students proceeding to the fifth year of the MSci, study culminates in an MSci Individual Project and Project Research Readings In Computing Science (M). Optional study areas span advanced systems, security, machine learning, and data analytics.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: (Three A-levels at Grades A*AA which include Computing and Mathematics attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.) IB: (38 points with three Higher Level subjects at 6,6,6 including Computing Science and Mathematics.) Scottish Higher: AAABB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer Advanced Highers – AAA including Computing and Mathematics attained in one exam year and at the first attempt. Applicants must also meet the standard offer threshold (see Computing Science ) with S5 grades to be considered for faster route.
What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 78%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 32 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 7%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 75%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 13%
- South East: 1%
- Scotland: 75%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 25%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 70%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Modules
- Computing Science 1F - Computing Fundamentals
- Computing Science - 1S Systems
- Succeeding in University Study in Computing Science [COMPSCI2023]
- Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
- Object-Oriented Software Engineering 2
- Algorithmic Foundations 2
- Networks and Operating Systems Essentials 2
- Algorithms & Data Structures 2
- Web Application Development 2
- 40 credits of electives from any Level 1 subject
- Introduction to Gnu/Linu [COMPSCI9001]
- Professional Software Development (H)
- Algorithmics I (H)
- Data Fundamentals (H)
- Human-centred Systems Design and Evaluation (H)
- Systems Programming (H)
- Team Project (H)
- [[[COMPSCI4100]]]
- Conversational Interfaces (M)
- Cyber Security Fundamentals (H)
- Database Systems (H)
- Mobile Human-Computer Interaction (H)
- Networked Systems (H)
- Operating Systems (H)
- Programming Languages (H)
- [[[COMPSCI4105]]]
- Robotics Foundations (H)
- Text as Data - An Introduction to Document Analytics (H)
- Professional Skills and Issues (H)
- Individual Project (H) (Single)
- Research Methods And Techniques (M) for MSci
- Advanced Networked Systems (H)
- Advanced Systems Programming (H)
- Algorithmics II (H)
- Artificial Intelligence (H)
- Big Data: Systems, Programming, and Management (H)
- Software Product Release Engineering (H)
- Coaching Software Teams (H)
- Computational Game Theory (M)
- Computational Social Intelligence (H)
- Computer Architecture (H)
- Computer Vision Methods and Applications (H)
- [[[COMPSCI4100]]]
- Constraint Programming (M)
- Conversational Interfaces (M)
- Cryptography and Provable Security (M)
- Cyber Security Fundamentals (H)
- Data Product Engineering H
- Database Systems (H)
- Deep Learning (M)
- [[[COMPSCI4082]]]/[[[COMPSCI5084]]]
- Extended Reality Interaction (M)
- Cyber Systems Forensics (M)
- Functional Programming (H)
- Human-Centred Security (M)
- Human-Computer Interaction (H)
- Information Retrieval (H)
- Machine Learning (H)
- Mobile Human-Computer Interaction (H)
- Networked Systems (H)
- Operating Systems (H)
- Patient Centred Health-Technologies
- Programming Languages (H)
- [[[COMPSCI4105]]]
- Recommender Systems (H)
- Robotics Foundations (H)
- Secured Software Engineering (M)
- Startup Growth Engineering (H)
- Text as Data - An Introduction to Document Analytics (H)
- Theory of Computation (H)
- Web Science (H)
- MSci Individual Project
- Project Research Readings In Computing Science (M)
- Advanced Networked Systems (H)
- Advanced Systems Programming (H)
- Algorithmics II (H)
- Artificial Intelligence (H)
- Big Data: Systems, Programming, and Management (H)
- Software Product Release Engineering (H)
- Coaching Software Teams (H)
- Computational Game Theory (M)
- Computational Social Intelligence (H)
- Computer Architecture (H)
- Computer Vision Methods and Applications (H)
- Computing Science Education Theory and Practice (H)
- Constraint Programming (M)
- Conversational Interfaces (M)
- Cryptography and Provable Security (M)
- Cyber Security Fundamentals (H)
- Data Product Engineering H
- Database Systems (H)
- Deep Learning (M)
- Distributed and Parallel Technologies (H)/Distributed and Parallel Technologies (M)
- Extended Reality Interaction (M)
- Cyber Systems Forensics (M)
- Functional Programming (H)
- Human-Centred Security (M)
- Human-Computer Interaction (H)
- Information Retrieval (H)
- Machine Learning (H)
- Mobile Human-Computer Interaction (H)
- Networked Systems (H)
- Operating Systems (H)
- Patient Centred Health-Technologies
- Programming Languages (H)
- Quantum Computing H
- Recommender Systems (H)
- Research Methods And Techniques (M) for MSci
- Robotics Foundations (H)
- Secured Software Engineering (M)
- Startup Growth Engineering (H)
- Text as Data - An Introduction to Document Analytics (H)
- Theory of Computation (H)
- Web Science (H)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow earn?
The median salary is £36,500 after 15 months, £32,500 after 3 years, £46,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,500 and £64,000. The £46,500 median after five years is £10,500 more than the UK median for Computer science.
What do graduates of Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow do next?
91% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow?
79% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 38 points in the IB. The average entrant had 195 UCAS points.
Is Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Does Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on Computing Science (faster route) at University of Glasgow?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.