BSc Computer Science
About this course
BSc (Honours) in Computer Science, a computer science and economics degree focused on the theoretical foundations and practical applications of computing systems. Core topics include Programming, Computer Architecture, Signal Processing, Mathematical Modelling, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete a major software project and a software engineering team project in later stages. The first year introduces foundational concepts through Object-Oriented Programming and Programming with Data. The second year advances technical knowledge with Computer Systems and Foundations of Computation. Unspecified year modules such as Logic and Reasoning and Computational Complexity deepen theoretical understanding. Optional modules allow specialisation in areas including Artificial Intelligence, Computer Security, Video Games, and Databases.
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: AAA, including A in Mathematics and a pass in one of the following: Biology Chemistry Computing Science Further Mathematics Geology Geography Physics Psychology. IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Mathematics and SL5 in one of the following subjects: Biology Chemistry Computer Science Geography Geology Physics Psychology.
What students say
Based on about 42 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 110 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 3%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 38 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Caring personal services: 15%
- Therapy professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 95%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 20%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 60%
Who gets in
Based on about 105 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Modules
- Logic and Reasoning : covers the foundations of logic that are relevant to computer scientists, with an emphasis on automatic reasoning and decidability. Topics include propositional and predicate calculus, various proof techniques, and Goedel's incompleteness theorem
- Computational Complexity : introduces Turing machines, non-determinism and pushdown automata, followed by study of decidability, simulation and the Halting Problem
- Software Engineering Team Project : gives a broad overview of software engineering, presenting the fundamental aspects as a collaborative professional activity including its concerns and approaches. Students apply these concepts and practices to a substantial software engineering project as part of a team
- Major Software Project : allows students to undertake a substantial software engineering project using professional development techniques. Each student designs, specifies and constructs a medium-sized software system, or undertakes a formal development and proof of such a system, under the guidance of a member of staff
- Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Component Technology
- Computer Architecture
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Security
- Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
- Constraint Programming
- Data Communications and Networks
- Data Encoding
- Databases
- Distributed Systems
- Human Computer Interaction
- Logic and Software Verification
- Operating Systems
- Programming Language Design and Implementation
- Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
- Video Games
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Programming with Data
- Computer Systems
- Foundations of Computation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £40,500 after 15 months, £51,500 after 3 years, £63,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £46,500 and £106,000. The £63,500 median after five years is £36,000 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 211 UCAS points.
Is BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Computer Science at University of St Andrews?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.