This is an archived page and for reference purposes only
Computer Science is an exciting and rapidly evolving subject that offers excellent employment prospects and well-paid careers. At Kent, we teach you the fundamentals of computer science as well as giving you the opportunity to specialise in an area of your choice.
Overview
The School of Computing at Kent is an internationally recognised centre for excellence for programming and has won awards for its Java teaching.
It is also home to authors of leading textbooks, two National Teaching Fellows and two Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) award-winning scientists.
The wide-ranging expertise of our teaching staff means you have the chance to explore a large choice of subjects, from artificial intelligence and computer security to parallel systems and mobile computing.
Computer Science at Kent was:
- 12th for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2017.
Our degree programme
Our Computer Science programme focuses on the technical aspects of Computer Science. The first language you learn is Java, the standard programming language for many mobile devices and widely used in the industry.
Other areas covered include software engineering, network technology and human-computer interaction. You learn how to develop software, program mobile devices and discover the underlying protocols on which the internet runs.
The programme is flexible; you take a broad range of compulsory modules in your first and second years and can select from a variety of options in your final year of study, so is ideal if you want to keep your options open. You can also choose themed degrees, see Your options below.
Practical experience
During your degree, you can also gain work experience with leading companies in the UK by taking a Year in Industry (see Your options below) or by choosing one of our practical experience modules.
In the Kent IT Consultancy option, you learn how to become an IT consultant, providing computing support to local businesses while earning credits towards your degree.
You can also gain experience in teaching with our Computing in the Classroom module, which gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a school setting.
Study facilities
Facilities to support the study of Computer Science include:
- [info on school-specific IT software/equipment, computer labs with flexible opening times etc – check with School]
- access to The Shed, the School of Computing’s Makerspace.
- 3D printers
- laser-cutting facilities
- use of development equipment, including Oculus Rift and Raspberry Pi.
We also have an extensive library collection of books and journals, including online resources.
Inspiring community
The School of Computing provides excellent support throughout your time at Kent. This includes access to web-based systems, podcasts and web forums for students who can benefit from extra help.
The Shed is the School’s collaborative workspace for making, exploring and sharing. It provides an informal environment where you can build physical devices for your coursework, as well as develop your own interests and hobbies.
The School organises a successful seminar programme to which guest speakers from academia and industry are invited.
You can also get involved with the student-run Kent Computing Society, which provides networking opportunities with industry professionals as well as access to valuable knowledge and resources to help you develop your skills outside of your course.
Your options
Many Computer Science students choose to spend a year in industry on a work placement. This is a chance for you to put theory into practice while making a valuable contribution to an organisation.
Recent participating organisations include:
- Accenture
- BT
- Lilly
- IBM
- Microsoft
- Morgan Stanley
- WarnerBros.
You even have the option to take your work placement abroad. Previous destinations include Hong Kong and the USA.
You don’t have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions apply: see Computer Science with a Year in Industry.
You can take Computer Science as a themed degree – Artificial Intelligence, Consultancy, or Networks; these degrees will be best suited to you if you have a special interest you would like to pursue.
You can also enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Independent rankings
Computer Science at Kent was ranked 12th for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2017.
Of Computer Science students who graduated from Kent in 2015 and went into employment, 95% found professional jobs (DLHE).
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
Most modules run for a single 12-week term, and are usually a combination of lectures, seminars, private study and practical sessions. Assessment is by a combination of coursework and end-of-year examination and details are shown in the module outlines on the web. Project modules are assessed wholly by coursework.
Programme aims
- Provide a programme that will attract and meet the needs of both those Contemplating a career in computing and those motivated primarily by an intellectual interest in Computer Science.
- Be compatible with widening participation in higher education by offering a wide variety of entry routes.
- Provide a sound knowledge and systematic understanding of the principles of Computer Science.
- Provide computing skills that will be of lasting value in a field that is constantly changing.
- Offer a range of options to enable students to match their interests and study some selected areas of computing in more depth.
- Provide teaching which is informed by current research and scholarship and which requires students to engage with aspects of work at the frontiers of knowledge.
- Develop general critical, analytical and problem solving skills that can be applied in a wide range of different computing and non-computing settings
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
- Hardware: the major functional components of a computer system.
- Software: Software: programming languages and practise; tools and packages computer applications structuring of data and information.
- Communication and interaction: basic computer communication network concepts; communication between computers and people; the control and operation of computers.
- Practise: problem identification and analysis; design development, testing and evaluation.
- Theory: algorithm design and analysis formal methods and description modelling.
Intellectual skills
- Modelling: knowledge and understanding in the modelling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the trade-off involved in design choices.
- Reflection and communication:present succinctly to a range of audiences rational and reasoned arguments.
- Requirements: Identify and analyse criteria and specifications appropriate to specific problems and plan strategies for their solution.
- Criteria evaluation and testing:Analyse the extent to which a computer-based system meets the criteria defined for its current use and future development.
- Methods and tools: Deploy appropriate theory, practices, and tools for the specification, design, implementation, and evaluation of computer-based systems.
- Professional responsibility:Recognize and be guided by the professional, economic, social,environmental, moral and ethical issues involved in the sustainable exploitation of computer technology.
- Computational thinking: demonstrate a basic analytical ability and its relevance to everyday life.
- Enable students to meet the above aims more deeply by providing both a broad overview of the subject and enabling specialisation in selected areas.
- Several themed pathways build on the core Computer Science modules to allow students to pursue particular interests.
Subject-specific skills
- Design and implementation: Specify,design, and implement computerbased systems.
- Evaluation: Evaluate systems in terms of general quality attributes and possible tradeoffs presented within the given problem.
- Information management: Apply the principles of effective information management,information
- organisation, and informationretrieval skills to information of various kinds, including text, images, sound, and video.
- Tools: Deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of software, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in using computers to solve practical problems.
- Operation: Operate computing equipment and software systems effectively.
Transferable skills
- Teamwork: Be able to work effectively as a member of development team.
- Communication: Make succinct presentations to a range of audiences about technical problems and their solutions.
- Information Technology: Effective use of general IT facilities information retrieval skills.
- Numeracy and literacy: understand and explain the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of a problem.
- Self management: Managing one’s own learning and development including time management and organisational skills.
- Professional Development:Appreciating the need for continuing professional development in recognition of the need for lifelong learning.
Careers
You graduate with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computer science and a range of professional skills, including:
- programming
- modelling
- design.
To help you appeal to employers, you also learn key transferable skills that are essential for all graduates. These include the ability to:
- think critically
- communicate your ideas and opinions
- analyse situations and troubleshoot problems
- work independently or as part of a team.
Graduate destinations
Our Computer Science degree programme prepares you for a career in many different sectors, including finance and insurance, technology and IT, commerce, engineering, education, government and health.
It has full Chartered IT Professional (CITP) accreditation from the British Computer Society.
Possible careers include:
- software engineering
- mobile applications development
- systems analysis
- consultancy
- networking
- web design and e-commerce.
Recent graduates have gone on to develop successful careers at leading companies such as:
- BAE Systems
- Cisco
- IBM
- The Walt Disney Company
- Citigroup
- BT.
Help looking for a job
The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
Independent rankings
Of Computer Science students who graduated from Kent in 2015 and went into employment, 95% found professional jobs (DLHE).
According to Which? University, the average starting salary for graduates of this degree is ‘high’ at £27,000.
What our graduates say
“The Year in Industry was a huge opportunity to gain real-life experience, travel abroad and most likely secure a job offer.”
Paul Wozniak
Computer Science with a Year in Industry graduate, now working at LoopUp in San Francisco.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 points at HL including Mathematics 5 at HL or SL, or Mathematics Studies 6 at SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.