Engineering Project Day, 30th April 2019; 
TEC-0419-Engineering Project Day

Computer Science BSc (Hons)

This course is taught at our London campus - transform your passion for technology into a career with our BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree. Learn cutting-edge skills, tackle real-world challenges, and connect with industry leaders - all in the heart of one of the world’s tech capitals.

UoP London logo

Key information

For:

starting May 2026

UCAS code:

G399

Typical offer:

96-104 UCAS points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Study BSc (Hons) Computer Science at University of Portsmouth London, a TEF Gold-rated, Top 5 Young University*, based in the vibrant and well-connected borough of Walthamstow. 

What sets this degree apart is our fixed timetable, which stays the same from day one until graduation, allowing you to plan your studies, work and life with ease. 

Our block teaching approach and smaller class sizes mean you’ll focus on one subject at a time, with ample one-on-one support from academics. This more personalised learning experience ensures you get the most out of each module.

*Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024

23/06/2021.University of Portsmouth - Waltham Forest..All Rights Reserved - Helen Yates- T: +44 (0)7790805960.Local copyright law applies to all print & online usage. Fees charged will comply with standard space rates and usage for that country, region or state.

Your new home at UoP London

Located just a minute’s walk from Walthamstow’s tube and bus stations, our campus provides easy access to the entire city, placing you at the centre of London’s dynamic business scene.

Come along to an Open Day

Open Days at the London campus vary to those held in Portsmouth.

Book a London Open Day

Course highlights

  • Get insights and guidance from experienced academics with years in the tech industry, offering practical advice and real-world knowledge to support your career growth

  • Connect directly with the tech industry through field visits to companies like Dell, providing valuable networking opportunities and first-hand exposure to professional environments

  • Master essential digital skills, from understanding how technology functions to learning advanced cybersecurity techniques, including how to recognise and prevent cyber-attacks

  • Engage in authentic assessments that reflect real industry challenges, such as investigating global computer communication and exploring cloud-based solutions, ensuring you are job-ready from day one

  • Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, including programming languages like Python, using fully equipped computer science labs designed for an immersive learning experience

The University of Portsmouth is ranked 5th of the modern universities for research quality in computer science and informatics

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Read more about our computer science research

Contact information

London Campus Enquirieslondon@port.ac.uk

Entry requirements

BSc (Hons) entry requirements

Typical offers
  • A levels - BCC-CCC
  • UCAS points - 96-104 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including an A level in a relevant subject (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM-MMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 27-28

You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Typical offers
  • A levels - BCC-CCC
  • UCAS points - 96-104 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including an A level in a relevant subject (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM-MMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 27

You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Careers and opportunities

London is a key city in UK computer science jobs; it’s a UK home to giants like Apple and Google, and to start-ups like Revolut and Deliveroo. 

On this computer science course, you’ll be learning the concepts and approaches that such innovative companies build their successes on, both on the technical side and their business application. 

You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills demanded by the global tech sector. We can also support you in finding relevant part-time work during your studies with us. 

You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

Graduate destinations

Graduates of the Portsmouth campus computer science degree have taken up jobs with companies such as:

  • BAE Systems
  • Aviva
  • Capita
  • NHS
  • Penningtons Manches Cooper
  • Honeywell / Trend Controls
  • MASS
  • DQ Global
  • Servicenow

What jobs can you do with a computer science degree?

Roles you could go onto include:

  • applications engineer
  • data analyst
  • systems analyst and developer
  • information security analyst
  • artificial intelligence and machine learning engineer
  • research and development (R&D) scientist
Profile shot of Ben Spring

Computer Science graduate, Ben Spring, launches cyber security platform with over 600,000 global users

"We wanted to make the users’ learning journey as accessible as possible and felt that 'gamification'... was really important to make the platform more engaging and effective."

Find out how Ben launched his business

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

Please make sure to select the correct study mode and duration for your month of entry.

What you'll study (May 2026)

These modules are for students starting their course in May 2026 only.
Please make sure to select the correct study mode and duration for your month of entry.

Each topic will be covered over a six week block, knowledge gained will be applied during several later modules and, depending on your degree programme, will be developed further. An exploration of the history, major advances and trends in computing are discussed to give you a context for subsequent study. Foundations of computer system usability and cyber security are covered during the next two blocks. The final block introduces a technology that is specific to the your degree course, but which is not covered in a dedicated module elsewhere at level 4.

You will explore c urrent and legacy technologies together with the protocols used for developing and managing computer networks. You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience during practical lab sessions that will encompass both Windows and Linux based operating systems.

This module emphasises the logical and theoretical concepts upon which computing systems are physically constructed. Within this module the underpinning decision logic of computer systems is developed alongside an understanding of operating systems and an examination of the use of algorithms in operating system software.

You will be given ample opportunities to practise developing databases using Crow's Foot Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs) and SQL, tools that are crucial in the creation of databases. You will also learn about the concept of normalisation theory, a key principle in simplifying complex information into manageable data. You will learn to craft accurate SQL queries to extract the necessary data and information, a critical skill that allows businesses to generate actionable insights from their data. By the end of this module, you will not only be proficient in creating databases but will also be capable of operating them to meet business requirements.

The module provides you with guidance and support to enable you to increase your knowledge and skills in programming irrespective of your starting point. Techniques of program design are taught alongside the Python programming language. You'll learn how to break problems into logical steps and write programs using practical coding skills and industry-standard programming languages, building confidence through regular hands-on activities.

You will learn about the concepts of object-oriented programming and graphical user interface (GUI) construction alongside the Python programming language. You'll create, test, and refine programs, developing an understanding of how components work together in larger applications and how to improve program design.

You’ll explore how computer systems operate, examining hardware components, processor architectures, and the way these elements work together to run programs and manage tasks.

You’ll also investigate key operating system functions, including process management, memory management, and file systems. This will help you understand how the system coordinates resources and keeps everything running smoothly.

A major part of this module is learning to write low‑level programs using assembly language. You’ll create simple system‑level programs and see how software interacts directly with hardware and system resources.

This module will see you learn structured approaches to software development, including requirements analysis, design methods, implementation techniques, and testing strategies. These skills will guide you as you design, build, and deploy relational databases that meet real user and organisational needs.

You'll develop professional practices such as version control, clear documentation, and Agile ways of working. As you create functional databases, you’ll learn how to apply appropriate security measures and access controls to protect data effectively.

You'll create database schemas, identify security threats and apply safeguards, use established software development and quality assurance techniques, and understand how software engineering principles guide the entire process of database creation.

You’ll explore the principles and architectures behind distributed computing, examining how systems communicate, coordinate, and stay reliable across multiple locations. Alongside this, you’ll look at the protocols and integration techniques that allow IoT devices to share data and operate seamlessly.

This module builds your confidence in analysing how distributed and IoT environments behave, helping you understand performance, scalability, and the factors that shape system behaviour in real settings.

You’ll also investigate different approaches to designing and implementing distributed and IoT solutions, combining technical insight with practical reasoning.

 

This module explores the software development lifecycle and learn how to gather requirements through effective stakeholder engagement. These skills help you understand what users expect and how to translate those expectations into practical features.

 

You'll develop your capabilities in front‑end development and responsive design, giving you hands‑on experience in building interfaces that adapt well across devices.

You’ll also examine software development best practice, including code quality, maintainability, testing methodologies, and essential security principles that help keep applications reliable and safe to use.

This module introduces you to the key concept that underpin AI and machine learning. You’ll learn how different approaches support different types of intelligent behaviour.

You'll gain hands‑on experience in building and training machine learning models from scratch. You’ll work with essential programming components, experiment with neural network architectures, and learn how core building blocks come together to create functional AI systems.

This module introduces you to the core principles that underpin cybersecurity in modern computing environments.

You'll look at threat analysis, risk assessment, and build an understanding of how attackers think and how defenders respond.

Through hands‑on activities, you’ll apply cyber governance frameworks and industry standards to create evidence‑based security solutions that support real organisational needs.

You’ll examine essential cybersecurity concepts to design effective mitigation strategies, and assess governance frameworks for application in professional security practice.

This module gives you the space to demonstrate what you can achieve when you take full ownership of a significant piece of work, from identifying a topic to presenting your final outcomes.

You’ll begin by defining a clear problem or question and examining its feasibility. This involves exploring the wider context, understanding the needs and expectations of relevant stakeholders and clarifying the objectives of your proposed project. You’ll develop a plan that sets out the methods you’ll use, supported by a careful consideration of ethical responsibilities.

Through guided workshops, you’ll explore each stage of the project process, looking at research design, data collection, analysis and project organisation.

You'll also explore how appropriate technologies and research methods can support your investigation. You'll work with a supervisor to provide you with specialist guidance as you refine your approach and move towards producing your final output.

Your project may take the form of a written investigation, practical solution, digital artefact, or another approved format, but all projects must include evidence‑based conclusions or recommendations.

Alongside this hands-on element, you'll present your findings to different audiences and explain their significance or potential impact. These reflections will enhance your communication skills to support your future professional ambitions.

What you'll study (Sep 2026 onwards)

Through practical workshops, collaborative activities and short reflective tasks, you’ll learn how to communicate clearly, work with others respectfully and make purposeful use of technology in your learning. You’ll explore how to find and evaluate reliable information, use academic sources correctly, and reference your work following university guidelines.

You’ll also reflect on your own strengths, goals and areas for development. This will help you build self-awareness, support your wellbeing and develop as an independent learner.

Assessment includes a portfolio of short tasks that demonstrate your developing academic skills, and a short oral presentation where you will communicate your ideas clearly and appropriately.

You’ll learn about common network structures, communication protocols and the principles that allow devices to connect and share information. The module also examines the risks that networks face, including security threats and system vulnerabilities, and how these can be reduced through protective strategies.

You’ll also explore emerging technologies in networking and cybersecurity, and consider how they shape the way organisations and society use computing systems.

Throughout the module, you’ll apply what you learn to practical scenarios. This will help you understand how networking and security concepts can be used to address real-world computing challenges.

This module will provide you with a strong foundation in networking and security that will support your future study in computing.

You’ll explore key programming concepts, including control structures, algorithms and object-oriented programming. You’ll also learn how to choose and use appropriate data structures to solve different computational problems.

As you progress, you’ll develop practical coding skills and gain experience in designing, building and testing applications. This includes working with both console-based programs and graphical user interface (GUI) applications, helping you understand how different types of software are created.

The module focuses on hands-on learning, giving you opportunities to practise writing code and developing your own solutions to programming challenges.

This module will prepare you for more advanced study in software development, algorithm design and specialised areas of computing.

You'll learn how discrete mathematics helps you model and solve real computational problems, and you'll examine formal languages to understand how computers recognise and process information.

You'll also look at core concepts in computation theory, giving you a clearer sense of what computers can and cannot do, and how this affects the way algorithms and systems are designed.

Throughout the module, you'll apply functional programming techniques to describe and analyse dynamic systems, helping you link abstract ideas to practical computing tasks.

This module gives you a strong theoretical foundation to support your future study in computer science where you'll be able to use discrete maths to approach computational problems, describe formal languages and their properties

You’ll explore how computer systems operate, examining hardware components, processor architectures, and the way these elements work together to run programs and manage tasks.

You’ll also investigate key operating system functions, including process management, memory management, and file systems. This will help you understand how the system coordinates resources and keeps everything running smoothly.

A major part of this module is learning to write low‑level programs using assembly language. You’ll create simple system‑level programs and see how software interacts directly with hardware and system resources.

This module will see you learn structured approaches to software development, including requirements analysis, design methods, implementation techniques, and testing strategies. These skills will guide you as you design, build, and deploy relational databases that meet real user and organisational needs.

You'll develop professional practices such as version control, clear documentation, and Agile ways of working. As you create functional databases, you’ll learn how to apply appropriate security measures and access controls to protect data effectively.

You'll create database schemas, identify security threats and apply safeguards, use established software development and quality assurance techniques, and understand how software engineering principles guide the entire process of database creation.

You’ll explore the principles and architectures behind distributed computing, examining how systems communicate, coordinate, and stay reliable across multiple locations. Alongside this, you’ll look at the protocols and integration techniques that allow IoT devices to share data and operate seamlessly.

This module builds your confidence in analysing how distributed and IoT environments behave, helping you understand performance, scalability, and the factors that shape system behaviour in real settings.

You’ll also investigate different approaches to designing and implementing distributed and IoT solutions, combining technical insight with practical reasoning.

 

This module explores the software development lifecycle and learn how to gather requirements through effective stakeholder engagement. These skills help you understand what users expect and how to translate those expectations into practical features.

 

You'll develop your capabilities in front‑end development and responsive design, giving you hands‑on experience in building interfaces that adapt well across devices.

You’ll also examine software development best practice, including code quality, maintainability, testing methodologies, and essential security principles that help keep applications reliable and safe to use.

This module introduces you to the key concept that underpin AI and machine learning. You’ll learn how different approaches support different types of intelligent behaviour.

You'll gain hands‑on experience in building and training machine learning models from scratch. You’ll work with essential programming components, experiment with neural network architectures, and learn how core building blocks come together to create functional AI systems.

This module introduces you to the core principles that underpin cybersecurity in modern computing environments.

You'll look at threat analysis, risk assessment, and build an understanding of how attackers think and how defenders respond.

Through hands‑on activities, you’ll apply cyber governance frameworks and industry standards to create evidence‑based security solutions that support real organisational needs.

You’ll examine essential cybersecurity concepts to design effective mitigation strategies, and assess governance frameworks for application in professional security practice.

This module gives you the space to demonstrate what you can achieve when you take full ownership of a significant piece of work, from identifying a topic to presenting your final outcomes.

You’ll begin by defining a clear problem or question and examining its feasibility. This involves exploring the wider context, understanding the needs and expectations of relevant stakeholders and clarifying the objectives of your proposed project. You’ll develop a plan that sets out the methods you’ll use, supported by a careful consideration of ethical responsibilities.

Through guided workshops, you’ll explore each stage of the project process, looking at research design, data collection, analysis and project organisation.

You'll also explore how appropriate technologies and research methods can support your investigation. You'll work with a supervisor to provide you with specialist guidance as you refine your approach and move towards producing your final output.

Your project may take the form of a written investigation, practical solution, digital artefact, or another approved format, but all projects must include evidence‑based conclusions or recommendations.

Alongside this hands-on element, you'll present your findings to different audiences and explain their significance or potential impact. These reflections will enhance your communication skills to support your future professional ambitions.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

I chose to study computer science at Portsmouth because the University is well known for its high teaching standards, modern facilities and diverse culture. Applying as an international student, I was confident settling in would be pretty easy.

Hassana Sadiq, Computer Science student

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • laboratory work
  • project work

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

  • multiple choice tests
  • in-class exercises
  • written exams
  • mini projects
  • presentations
  • written reports
  • review articles

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We're planning for most of your learning to be supported by timetabled face-to-face teaching with some elements of online provision.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.

As you will be studying at our London campus, you can expect:

  • a fixed timetable - study two days a week, either all morning or all afternoon, allowing flexibility for part-time work or family commitments
  • no traditional lectures - focus on interactive seminars with small class sizes for more one-on-one time with your academics
  • on-campus learning - attend classes on campus two days a week, engaging directly with your peers and professors
  • online provision - some learning is delivered online, providing further flexibility to balance your studies with other responsibilities

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll get the following types of support via video, phone and face-to-face from our London campus support team to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed:

  • academic writing (such as essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
  • reflective writing
  • critical thinking skills
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

You'll also have access to a personal tutor to support you in your studies.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 (subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,535 (including EU Scholarship – subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £19,200 (subject to annual increase)

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,790 (subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £10,300 (including EU Scholarship – subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £18,600 (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Additional costs

Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Waltham Forest.

We recommend that you budget around £40 a year for photocopying, printing charges, binding and specialist printing - while we try to keep files and content electronic, there may be some paper and printing to be undertaken.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Apply

Ready to apply?

To apply directly, use our online application forms:

To start this course in 2026/27, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – G399 (BSc)
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application forms:

How to apply from outside the UK

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section. 

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.