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Computer Science is an exciting and rapidly evolving subject that offers excellent employment prospects and well-paid careers. Taught by acknowledged experts, this programme allows you to explore the subject’s fascinating growth as it relates to health and well-being, while developing a thorough understanding of current practice in computer science. You have the opportunity to put your skills into practice on a paid year in industry.
Overview
You learn the skills to participate in the healthcare technology revolution, apply your expertise in assistive technology projects, develop the next generation of fitness tracking apps or contribute to future NHS software systems. The knowledge you gain in core fundamentals will also open doors to careers across the entire span of computer science disciplines.
The School of Computing at Kent is an internationally recognised centre for excellence in programming and has won awards for its Java teaching. It is also home to several authors of leading textbooks, a National Teaching Fellow, an IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) Fellow and two Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) award-winning scientists.
Our degree programme
Our programme focuses on the technical aspects of computer science. You learn how to develop software, program mobile devices and discover the underlying protocols on which the internet runs. Specialist modules cover human physiology and sensing, advanced topics in eHealth, mobile fitness and health computing.
The first language you learn is Java, the standard programming language for many mobile devices and widely used in industry. Other areas covered include software engineering, network technology and human-computer interaction.
You study a broad range of compulsory modules in your first and second years, which prepare you for either a year in industry followed by a final year of study, or direct entry to the final year. In your final year, you select from a wide variety of options taught by acknowledged experts on cutting-edge computer science topics.
There is a continual emphasis on health-related computing which includes mobile devices, health and fitness tracking, analysis of human measurements and data, understanding of back-end IT infrastructure, front-end web-based and mobile applications, data security, and human-centric computing.
We also offer modules that allow you to gain practical experience. On our Kent IT Consultancy option, you learn how to become an IT consultant, providing computing support to local organisations and businesses while earning credits towards your degree. You can take this as a three year programme with no year in industry. For more information please see Computer Science for Health.
Year in industry
Our students go to a wide range of companies including:
- IBM
- Intel
- Disney
- Morgan Stanley.
They have also been to overseas employers in locations including Amsterdam, Hong Kong and the US.
Although it is your responsibility to find a suitable placement, the School of Computing’s dedicated Placement Team will help to identify suitable opportunities, assist with your application and prepare you for interviews.
Extra activities
Apart from core learning towards your degree, we provide access to a wealth of other activities such as entrepreneurship (including business start-up opportunities), community engagement, public lectures, participation in short research projects and assistance in obtaining summer placements.
The School of Computing also hosts events that you are welcome to attend. These include our successful seminar programme where guest speakers from academia and industry discuss current developments in the field.
Professional networks
Our two full-time placement co-ordinators are dedicated to helping students obtain and benefit from high-quality work placements. Previous year in industry participants have worked with leading companies such as BAE Systems, Citigroup and The Walt Disney Company in the UK, USA, Hong Kong and continental Europe. Many return to their final year with the security of an employment offer – testament to the high esteem in which our graduates are held by industry.
Independent rankings
Computer Science at Kent was ranked 12th for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2017.
Of Computer Science students at Kent who graduated in 2015, 92% were in work or further study within six months (DLHE). Of those who went into employment, 95% found professional jobs.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme as this listing is currently undergoing approval.
Stage 1
CO320 - Introduction to object oriented programming
CO322 - Foundations of computing I
CO328 - Human computer interaction
SS346 - Introduction of Human Anatomy and Physiology
CO334 - People and computing
CO323 - Databases and the web
CO-HCC - Healthcare Computing
CO520 - Further Object-Oriented Programming
Stage 2
CO324 - Computer Systems
CO539 - Web development
CO551 - Data Structures and Algorithms
CO-AIA - Agile Development & Software Security A
CO-AIB - Agile Development & Software Security B
CO-TFC - Theory and foundations of computer science
CO532 - Database systems
CO-CTH - Computer Science Topics in Health
Year in Industry
You spend a year working in an industrial or commercial environment between Stages 2 and 3.
CO792 - Industrial Placement Experience
CO793 - Industrial Placement Report
To automatically progress onto the year in industry, you must pass Stage 2 at the first attempt. If you fail, you must pass the first resit opportunity in the August of the same year. Students who do not obtain a work placement will have their registration changed to the equivalent three-year programme without a year in industry.
Stage 3
Compulsory modules
CO600 - Group Project* or CO620 - Research Project*
CO816 - eHealth
CO662 - Signal Analysis for Computing
WL830 - Evidence-based Practice
Optional modules (indicative)
CO636 - Cognitive Neural Networks
CO544 - Networking
CO649 - Data Mining
CO659 - Computational Creativity
CB729 - Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
CB742 - Creating your Own Enterprise
CO634 - Computer Security and Cryptography
CO650 - KITC Project*
CO645 - IT Consultancy Practice 2
CO656 - Computational Intelligence in Business, Economics and Finance
SS527 - Exercise for special populations
SA553 - Health Policy in Britain
*You are expected to select one of the projects listed
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
The School of Computing is an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence for programming education and has won awards for its Java teaching. Within the School are authors of widely used textbooks, National Teaching fellows and Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) Award-winning scientists. Programmes are taught by leading researchers who are experts in their fields.
Overall workload
Each stage comprises eight modules. Each modules has two lectures and one to two hours of classes, making 14 formal contact hours per week and eight hours of 'homework club' drop-in sessions each term.
Academic support
We provide excellent support for you throughout your time at Kent. This includes access to web-based information systems, podcasts and web forums for students who can benefit from extra help. We use innovative teaching methodologies, including BlueJ and LEGO© Mindstorms for teaching Java programming.
Teaching staff
Our staff have written internationally acclaimed textbooks for learning programming, which have been translated into eight languages and are used worldwide. A member of our staff has received the SIGCSE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education. The award is made by ACM, the world's largest educational and scientific computing society.
Assessment
The marks from stage one do not go towards your final degree grade, but you must pass to continue to stage two.
Most stage two modules are assessed by coursework and end-of-year examination. Marks from stage two count towards your degree result. Students have to pass stage two to be able to go on a year in industry.
The year in industry forms an integral part of your degree and constitutes 10% of your final grade. Assessment comprises an employer evaluation, a reflective report and a logbook/portfolio.
Most stage three modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and end-of-year examination. Projects are assessed by your contribution to the final project, the final report, and oral presentation and viva examination. Marks from stage three count towards your degree result.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
In stage three your project counts for 25% of the year's marks.
Careers
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have gone on to work in:
- software engineering
- mobile applications development
- systems analysis
- consultancy
- networking
- web design and e-commerce
- finance and insurance
- commerce
- engineering
- education
- government
- healthcare.
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 finding 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.
Work experience
You can gain commercial experience working as a student consultant within the Kent IT Consultancy.
Career-enhancing skills
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.
You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Professional recognition
This is a new programme. When a full-cohort has graduated, we will apply for accreditation from BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
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 (2017), the average starting salary for graduates of our Computer Science degree is ‘high’ at £27,000.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need 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 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 welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
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. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 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.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
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.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
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. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.