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Computer Science (Network Computing) BSc

Course code

G424

G423 with placement

Start date

September

Placement available

Mode of study

3 years full-time

4 years full-time with placement

Fees

2024/25

UK £9,250

International £21,260

Entry requirements

2024/25

AAB-BBB (A-level)

DDM (BTEC)

30 (IB)

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Overview

Brunel's computer science graduates' earnings rank in the top 15 in the UK according to the government's latest LEO data.

Networks are what make up much of the modern-day working world as we become more connected both as individuals and as organisations. But with network connectivity (including cloud computing) comes a heightened requirement for security and privacy. On the Computer Science (Network Computing) BSc degree course, you’ll gain a good understanding of computer science and a grasp of the important elements of a computer system before specialising in network computing.

You’ll learn to specify, design, code, modify and test different types of software, from web-based systems to mobile solutions, in a contemporary programming paradigm. All of this will be done using an appropriate commercial grade development environment and associated database tools.

In addition, you’ll acquire in-depth knowledge of algorithms, design, programming and testing techniques. By the end of the course, you’ll have confidence in your knowledge of common system and network architectures and system development approaches, requirements capture, design methods, models, tools, and techniques.

You’ll become well-versed in implementing and testing systems and software maintenance. Key to this course is cultivating a reflective approach to project management issues arising from team-based software development.

Network computing graduates have a wide range of careers open to them. Perhaps you’ll start by becoming a general analyst or programmer in a consultancy firm. This is often just the first step towards setting up your own business.

Our course is designed for flexibility, so if you’re not sure which route you want to take, you can select modules and specialise gradually during your time with us. You can transfer between Computer Science and Business Computing up to the start of Level 2, then, should you wish, to choose a specialism up to the start of Level 3.

We know that when you graduate, you’ll be working on large projects. That’s why one third of each year of our programmes is project-based. On Levels 1 and 2, you’ll build a software solution in a team, and in your final year you’ll carry out an individual project. You’ll also have the opportunity to showcase your projects at the annual  Made in Brunel (Software Innovation) event, with awards presented by the likes of Cisco, Sky and Xerox.

As part of your degree course, you’ll have the chance to take a year-long work placement between your second year and third year. We’ll support you in finding that all-important paid professional experience, in the UK or abroad. The feedback we’ve received is that those who have taken a placement are much more likely to find a job for which their degree was a formal requirement as it gives you a competitive advantage. Recent graduates have gone on to work for well-known names such as Accenture, Toshiba, Microsoft, British Airways, O2, and Barclays.

Our programmes are accredited by the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP). 

The accreditation also allows you to apply for professional membership of the BCS after you have successfully completed your degree.

The department has been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze, recognising our dedication to the advancement of gender equality in STEM subjects. We now have an ongoing three-year action plan to further implement strategies and improve our practices. As part of this endeavour, Brunel’s  Women in Engineering and Computing mentoring scheme provides our female students with invaluable help and support from the industry.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

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Course content

You’ll work your way up to specialising in network computing. As you progress through the course, you’ll develop in-depth knowledge of the challenges and ways distributed information systems work and use your skills to implement and develop them.

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

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Careers and your future

Our Computer Science graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects. With the ability to handle the increasing demands of scientific, technological and commercial development in the 21st century, you'll be in high demand with the wide-ranging companies and organisations increasingly dependent on computer technology.

You might start out as a general analyst or programmer, or join a consultancy firm. These are often the first steps towards setting up your own business.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for household names including Microsoft, IBM and Toshiba.

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UK entry requirements

2024/25 entry

  • GCE A-level AAB-BBB.
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in Information Technology, Computer Science or Computing.
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computing, Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with an A-level at grade B.
  • BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D with A-levels grade BC.
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 4 or HL 4.
  • Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Computing, Computer Science, Information Technology, IT or Engineering with 45 credits at Level 3.
  • T levels : Merit overall in Digital Business Services or Digital Support Services

For Brunel Mathematics and Computing with Integrated Foundation Year progression requirements, see the course page.

Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 and above are also required, to include Maths and English Language.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

If you are unable to meet the direct entry criteria above, you are invited to apply for a foundation course in Computer Science at Brunel Pathway College. When you successfully pass the foundation year, you can progress on to the Computer Science (Network Computing) BSc.

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EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
  • BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)  

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

£9,250 full-time

£1,385 placement year

International

£21,260 full-time

£1,385 placement year

Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.

More information on any additional course-related costs.

See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

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Teaching and Learning

How the course will be delivered

Required equipment

How you'll learn on your course

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Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback varies from one module to another and may be based entirely on coursework, entirely on examination or on a combination of both. As you progress, you’ll learn how to reliably assess the quality and value of your own before you submit it.

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree classification; Level 2 is worth a third; and Level 3 accounts for two thirds. Your final year project is worth a third of the Level 3 marks. Overall the exam-to-coursework ratio is about 60:40.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

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