Computing Science
Computing science is the study of information, computation and computational thinking. It is wide-ranging, from programming, programming languages and engineering large software systems, to the design and evaluation of human computer interfaces, algorithms, computer and network systems, and information retrieval and storage systems.
- Computing science at Glasgow is ranked equal top in the UK for student satisfaction, with our students reporting satisfaction levels of 96% (National Student Survey 2010).
- Our computing Science research is rated in the top ten in the UK, according to the most recent independent survey of research quality (RAE 2008).
Accreditation
Honours graduates are eligible for membership of the British Computer Society and, after relevant industrial experience, they can apply to become Chartered IT Professionals.
Study abroad
There are study abroad opportunities available in year two.
Programme structure
Year 1
In your first year you will take an introductory programming course that emphasises the principles of programming and a course on computing fundamentals.
Year 2
In your second year you will study Java programming, object-oriented software engineering, data structures and algorithms, algorithmic foundations, computer systems and information management.
Years 3, 4 and 5
If you successfully complete the courses in first and second years, you may move on to Honours (years three and four). You will cover the essential aspects of computing science in breadth and depth by the end of third year. In fourth year you will specialise in chosen areas. Together with team projects and a substantial individual project, the programme provides excellent preparation for professional computing scientists.
Computing Science can be taken as an MSci, which includes an additional year. Students on the MSci programme follow the BSc Honours degree programme up to the end of their fourth year of study. This is followed in fifth year by additional advanced modules and a substantial research-oriented project.
Special feature
There is a substantial emphasis on programming in first year, which we view as a fundamental skill. We also provide a broad introduction to other key areas of the subject, including computer systems, databases, and human–computer interaction.
Partnership and industry links
We provide our students with excellent work experience opportunities. You may be able to work throughout the UK as well as in Europe and the US and many of the organisations who offer placements use the experience to get to know students well, which often leads to permanent job offers. Organisations who have employed our students include: IBM, Amazon, Memex, Real Time, Google, Reuters, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley.
Our international links
Computing Science students who wish to study abroad usually do so during their second year and we have exchange agreements in place with a variety of internationally leading universities across Europe. You can also spend a year abroad in North America, Australasia or at strong universities in any other country. Your work placement between third and fourth year can be taken overseas.
Career prospects
92% of our 2009 computing science graduates are either in work or further study.
Our recent graduates have been employed by
- Codeplay, software engineer
- JP Morgan, system analyst
- JP Morgan, software developer
- Standard life, system analyst
- Morgan Stanley, system analyst.
BSc
- APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING SCIENCE: GG41
- COMPUTING SCIENCE: G400
- COMPUTING SCIENCE (FASTER ROUTE): G401
- COMPUTING SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS: GL41
- COMPUTING SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS: GGK1
- COMPUTING SCIENCE AND PHYSICS: FG34
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT: NG24
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/GEOGRAPHY: FG84
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/PHYSIOLOGY (NEUROINFORMATICS): GB41
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/PSYCHOLOGY: CG84
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/STATISTICS: GG34
MSci
- APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING SCIENCE: GG14
- COMPUTING SCIENCE: G402
- COMPUTING SCIENCE (FASTER ROUTE): G403
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS: GG4C
MA
- CELTIC CIVILISATION/COMPUTING: GQK5
- CELTIC STUDIES/COMPUTING: GQ45
- CLASSICS/COMPUTING: GQ48
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/SLAVONIC STUDIES: RG1N
- COMPUTING/BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT: NGF4
- COMPUTING/ECONOMIC & SOCIAL HISTORY: GV43
- COMPUTING/ECONOMICS: GLL1
- COMPUTING/ENGLISH LANGUAGE: GQ4J
- COMPUTING/ENGLISH LITERATURE: GQ4H
- COMPUTING/FRENCH: GR41
- COMPUTING/GEOGRAPHY: GL47
- COMPUTING/GREEK: GQ47
- COMPUTING/HISTORY: GV41
- COMPUTING/HISTORY OF ART: GVK3
- COMPUTING/LATIN: GQ46
- COMPUTING/MUSIC: GW43
- COMPUTING/PHILOSOPHY: GV45
- COMPUTING/POLITICS: GL42
- COMPUTING/PSYCHOLOGY: GC48
- COMPUTING/PUBLIC POLICY: GL44
- COMPUTING/RUSSIAN: GR47
- COMPUTING/SCOTTISH HISTORY: GVK2
- COMPUTING/SCOTTISH LITERATURE: GQ42
- COMPUTING/THEATRE STUDIES: GW44
- GAELIC/COMPUTING: QG54
- SPANISH/COMPUTING: RG44
- THEOLOGY & RELIGIOUS STUDIES/COMPUTING SCIENCE: VG64
MA (SocSci)
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT: GN42
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/ECONOMIC & SOCIAL HISTORY: VG34
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/ECONOMICS: GLK1
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/GEOGRAPHY: LG74
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/PHILOSOPHY: GVK5
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/POLITICS: LG24
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/PSYCHOLOGY: CGV4
- COMPUTING SCIENCE/SOCIOLOGY: GL43
Faster Route
The University offers this degree as a Faster Route programme to highly qualified students. This means that the time you take to complete your degree is one year less than usual.
Joint Honours
At Honours level, Computing Science can be taken as a Single Honours or Joint Honours degree. Glasgow offers one of the widest ranges of Joint Honours programmes in the UK.
BSc, MSci
Highers: AAAB in first sitting = unconditional offer.
Applicants who achieved between BBBB/ABB and AABB at their first sitting may receive a conditional or unconditional offer once all applications have been reviewed in March 2012. Higher Mathematics at B or Higher Mathematics at C together with Higher Computing Studies or Information Systems at B.
A-levels: ABB, preferably with two science subjects. Normally have A-level Mathematics at B or above.
IB: 32 points.
BSc, MSci (Faster Route)
Advanced Highers: AAA including Mathematics and Computing.
A-levels: AAA including Mathematics and Computing.
IB: 6,6,5 at Higher Level, including 6 in Mathematics and Computing, and at least 38 points overall.
For a full list of alternative qualifications please see: Entry requirements.
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.
Scholarships
We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see: