BSc

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Code, systems, and software engineering online

Online only

3 years full-time360 creditsEnglish

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Overview

This honours programme equips you to design, build, and evaluate software systems used in industry and research. You will study programming paradigms, data structures, databases, computer networks, and human-computer interaction in purpose-built labs on the Edinburgh campus. Team projects mirror agile delivery cycles, and you will maintain a portfolio reviewed by faculty each year. Optional modules cover artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and secure coding practices.

Final-year students may contribute to open-source projects maintained by GMU research groups or complete an industry placement.

Who This Programme Is For

Students passionate about programming and problem-solving
Aspiring software engineers and product developers
STEM learners seeking a research-informed computing degree

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Yuki Tanaka leads Systems Programming; Professor James Okello supervises AI ethics and software quality research.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $45 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Implement robust applications using modern languages and testing practices
Design relational databases and RESTful services
Analyse algorithmic complexity and select appropriate data structures
Collaborate in agile teams with version control and CI workflows

Curriculum

Year 1

Code	Course	Credits
CS101	Programming Fundamentals Programming Fundamentals — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Programming Fundamentals Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS102	Mathematics for Computing Mathematics for Computing — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Mathematics for Computing Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS103	Computer Systems Computer Systems — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Computer Systems Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS104	Web Development Web Development — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Web Development Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2

Code	Course	Credits
CS201	Data Structures & Algorithms Data Structures & Algorithms — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Data Structures & Algorithms Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS202	Database Systems Database Systems — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Database Systems Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS203	Software Engineering Software Engineering — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Software Engineering Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS204	Computer Networks Computer Networks — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Computer Networks Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3

Code

Course

Credits

CS301

Distributed Systems

Distributed Systems — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Distributed Systems
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

CS302

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Artificial Intelligence
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

CS303

Honours Project

Honours Project — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Honours Project
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Career Paths

Software Developer
DevOps Engineer
QA Engineer
Product Analyst
Graduate Researcher

Programme Highlights

Dedicated computing labs with GPU workstations
Hackathons and industry guest lectures each term
Pathway to MSc Computer Science with advanced standing
GitHub portfolio reviewed annually by faculty

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile
International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum
Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals
One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor
English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited

Ready to begin?BSc (Hons) Computer Science

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Overview

Final-year students may contribute to open-source projects maintained by GMU research groups or complete an industry placement.

Who This Programme Is For

Students passionate about programming and problem-solving

Aspiring software engineers and product developers

STEM learners seeking a research-informed computing degree

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Yuki Tanaka leads Systems Programming; Professor James Okello supervises AI ethics and software quality research.

Curriculum

Year 1

Code	Course	Credits
CS101	Programming Fundamentals Programming Fundamentals — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Programming Fundamentals Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS102	Mathematics for Computing Mathematics for Computing — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Mathematics for Computing Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS103	Computer Systems Computer Systems — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Computer Systems Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS104	Web Development Web Development — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Web Development Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2

Code	Course	Credits
CS201	Data Structures & Algorithms Data Structures & Algorithms — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Data Structures & Algorithms Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS202	Database Systems Database Systems — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Database Systems Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS203	Software Engineering Software Engineering — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Software Engineering Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
CS204	Computer Networks Computer Networks — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Computer Networks Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3

Code

Course

Credits

CS301

Distributed Systems

Distributed Systems — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Distributed Systems
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

CS302

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Artificial Intelligence
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

CS303

Honours Project

Honours Project — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Honours Project
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile

International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum

Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals

One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)

Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited