Overview
Our Computer Systems Engineering BEng degree is a modern course that has been developed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to design and build hardware and software for computer systems.
You will be introduced to computing and engineering and gain knowledge on computer hardware and software. You’ll learn about programming and computer architecture and then progress to advanced computing technologies. In your final year, you can choose specialist subjects like autonomous systems, artificial intelligence systems, and the internet of things.
Access is available to modern technical facilities including computer, electronics, and power and control laboratories where you’ll work on your experiments. The latest industry standard engineering software packages are available for you to use in dedicated computer clusters.
Our BEng computer systems engineering course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This professional engineering institution ensures that your engineering degree meets the academic requirement to qualify as a professional engineer. This accredited BEng degree in computer systems engineering can be studied full-time over three years, or four years with a placement year. The BEng degree meets the educational requirement to become an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
We encourage the placement year option. This time in industry helps you to further prepare for the world of work and you’ll have a year’s worth of invaluable professional experience when you graduate. If you decide to go on an engineering placement year, you will have the opportunity to work in an engineering or technology company.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Course delivery is a combination of theory, practical sessions and project work. In your first two years, you will gain solid knowledge and understanding of computing and engineering. You’ll also learn to work as part of a team through the engineering design group project. In your final year, you will study advanced computing technologies. You will also work on your individual project on a topic of your choice.
Compulsory
- BE1629 - Digital Devices and Systems
Aim: To develop students’ understanding of the contemporary electronic and computer engineering professions, and their understanding of what being a Chartered Engineer involves. This includes developing student’s expertise in understanding and designing basic digital electronic systems.
- EE1630 - Electronic Devices and Systems
The main aims of the module are to develop students’ understanding of the contemporary electronic and computer engineering professions, and their understanding of what being a Chartered Engineer involves. This includes developing student’s expertise in both understanding and designing basic analogue and digital electronic systems.
- BE16AA - Engineering Design I
To develop the design skills required by students studying in all engineering disciplines, thereby supporting their journey through Higher Education and into their professional life with the intention of maximising their employability. Skills development in the following areas will be addressed:
- Problem solving
- Engineering design
- Introductory project management
- Engineering Communication
- Working in inclusive teams
- Health and safety
- Sustainability and Security
- BE16CC - General Engineering Science
The aim of this module is to introduce students to some of the main engineering concepts applied across all engineering disciplines. The module will cover basic principles of measurement and uncertainty, application of Newtonian physics to design and analyses of objects and engineering systems, and the basics of fluid’s behaviour. The module will provide students with an opportunity to gain experience and confidence in problem-solving in both a theoretical and practical manner.
- EE1626 - Introductory Programming for Engineers
To provide students with basic level of programming competence while developing their analytical, practical and design skills.
- EE1642 - Mathematics for Computer Systems
The aim of this module is to develop students’ ability to understand and apply fundamental methods of engineering mathematics that are relevant to computer systems.
- BE16DD - Mechanics of Materials and Manufacturing
- To provide a grounding in the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics, including statics and dynamics of rigid bodies.
- To provide knowledge and understanding of engineering materials and manufacturing processes relevant to engineering applications.
- To provide experience and confidence in problem-solving.
- BE16BB - Professional Engineering Skills - Social Responsibility
- To introduce students with the core principles and values underpinning the work of engineers, its bread and impact on society and the responsibilities that arise as a result, via a combination of general principles and specific case studies.
- To provide guidance on the typical career of an engineer and introduce the standards set by the Engineering Council, which must be met to qualify for each relevant professional title.
- To allow engineering students to develop the skills required to thrive in their journey through Higher Education and into their professional life, so that they can develop their full potential, maximising their academic performance, work productivity and their employability, while achieving a satisfactory and healthy work-life balance.
Compulsory
- EE26DD - Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Students will develop knowledge and skills in developing and applying artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, techniques, and methodologies.
- EE2649 - Computer Architecture and Interfacing
This module aims to present a comprehensive introduction to the design philosophies, fundamental constructs and operational principles of sequential computer architecture, and to develop an understanding of computer architecture from an engineering perspective.
- EE2661 - Data Networks and Cyber Security
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding to successfully appreciate, create and manage different networks depending on the various needs of the hosting environment, and to develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental issues and methods for maintenance of data security in servers and networks, and in particular of internet traffic.
- EE26CC - Digital Systems and Microcontroller Principles
- To develop an understanding of digital systems and microcontroller architecture from a practical engineering perspective.
- To develop students’ appreciation of fundamental algorithms, roles, limitations of CAD tools used in digital systems design and their limitations.
- To give a practical insight in the design, implementation and testing of Digital systems.
- To develop the underlying knowledge and give a practical insight in today’s embedded systems design using microcontrollers.
- EE26BB - Engineering Design and Professional Skills
To reinforce and develop:
- microcontroller based engineering design, personal and transferable skills appropriate to students' scheme of studies
- business aspects of engineering enterprise
- student preparedness for work placement and employment.
- EE2651 - Object Oriented Systems and Programming
This module aims to provide a foundation and understanding of the architecture, concepts and key issues involved in the design and development of object oriented software systems and applications, and to introduce the processes and techniques employed in their construction and to develop the necessary software skills to deliver such applications using modern high-level object oriented languages.
- EE26AA - Robotic and Mechatronic Systems Programming
To develop students’ ability to program and integrate robotic and mechatronic systems using modern software tools and middleware. The module focuses on software architectures for robots and mechatronic systems, message-based communication, simulation, system integration, behaviour programming, testing, debugging, and documentation.
- EE2652 - Sensors and Automation
This module aims to introduce the principles of sensors, computer control, and automation within engineering systems. Students will develop an understanding of sensor technologies and measurement principles alongside fundamental concepts of automation and control. The module also supports the development of practical skills in the analysis, design, and application of automated and computer-controlled systems relevant to modern engineering practice.
Compulsory
- EE3640 - Autonomous Systems
Provide an overview review of a range of autonomous systems in the fields of Home and Office automation, Healthcare automation, Transport automation, Factory automation, Energy generation automation, Agricultural automation, Urban automation (Smart Cities), Supply chain automation, Network automation etc. understand the driving forces behind their requirements for automation and potential impact on society and review the technology requirements for automation. Introduce students to the major technologies and abilities required to develop autonomous networks and autonomous vehicles and understand the dependence of autonomous systems on autonomous networks.
- EE3638 - Design of Internet of Things
To develop knowledge and understanding of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and methods with which IoT-enabled devices communicate and exchange, compute and visualise data gathered using the range of sensors and actuators available to them. A practical component will involve designing and developing a software application for mobile devices, such as smartphones, and wearable devices, such as wristbands, using a popular mobile platform that helps with collection, analysis and visualisation of such sensor data.
- EE3635 - Embedded Systems
This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the engineering, scientific, and economic trade-offs involved in the design and implementation of embedded systems. It also provides familiarity with, and practical experience of, a range of architectural techniques and design methodologies, including their application and suitability for embedded platforms such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
- EE36DD - Individual Project
To provide students with the opportunity to:
- Design, execute, report and demonstrate a substantial individual project in a professional manner;
- Further develop their communication, planning, time management, research and development skills and initiative.
- EE36CC - Machine Vision and Perception for Robotics
To develop students’ understanding of machine vision and perception methods used in robotic and autonomous systems, including image acquisition, visual feature extraction, camera geometry, object detection, localisation, sensor fusion, and perception-driven decision making. The module aims to enable students to design, implement, evaluate, and critically discuss vision-based perception pipelines for real-world robotic applications, considering technical limitations, uncertainty, safety, ethics, and deployment constraints.
- EE36AA - Professional Engineering skills - Management and Quality
To develop understanding of managing key processes and projects in engineering with a specific focus on principles/ techniques for managing the quality of Engineering systems.
- EE36BB - Robotic Systems
- To develop a system-level understanding of robotic subsystems, including their structure, behaviour, and interaction within integrated robotic systems.
- To develop the ability to model, simulate, and evaluate robotic subsystem behaviour using appropriate analytical and computational tools.
- To provide a comprehensive understanding of robotic systems modelling, kinematics, dynamics, sensing, and control from a systems engineering perspective.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Careers and your future
Graduates from Brunel University London earn £2,900 more than the median salary across the university sector.*
A computer systems engineering degree from Brunel will give you the design, analytical and creative skills to play a leading role in the dynamic and rapidly expanding technological industries.
Opting for the year in industry during your degree often leads to an offer of a computer engineering job from your placement company. Brunel’s closeness to the highest concentration of the UK’s information engineering and telecommunications industry – in London and along the M4 corridor – means our placement and careers network is second to none.
Our graduates have gone on to work for high-profile multinational organisations including:
- IBM
- Intel
- Microsoft
- National Grid
- Siemens
Computer systems engineering offers varied careers paths in a fast-growing professional field. A degree in computer systems engineering will set you up with the knowledge and skills to develop next generation computer systems.
*Longitudinal Employment Outcomes 2023
UK entry requirements
2026/7 entry
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.
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.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
Standard Offer: GCE A-level BBB including one of the following subjects; Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Studies and General Studies not accepted).
Contextual Offer: GCE A-level BBB including one of the following subjects; Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Studies and General Studies not accepted).
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: DDD in Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering
Contextual Offer: DDM in Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: DD in any subject and A level grade B in one of the following subjects Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Studies and General Studies not accepted). OR
DD in Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and A level grade B in any subject
Contextual Offer: DM in any subject and A level grade B in one of the following subjects Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Studies and General Studies not accepted). OR
DM in Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and A level grade B in any subject
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: D in any subject and A level grade BB in one of the following subjects Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Studies and General Studies not accepted). OR
D in Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and A level grade BB in any subject
Contextual Offer: M in any subject and A level grade BB in one of the following subjects Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Studies and General Studies not accepted). OR
M in Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and A level grade BB in any subject
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 31 points, including 5 in one of the following Higher Level subjects; Maths ( Analysis and Approaches) / Maths (Applications and Interpretation), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Design Technology.
Contextual Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points, including 5 in one of the following Higher Level subjects; Maths ( Analysis and Approaches) / Maths (Applications and Interpretation), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Design Technology.
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: Obtain a minimum of 128 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma Engineering, Engineering Science and Maths, Computing and IT, Information Technology with 45 credits at Level 3. All Maths and Science units must be Distinctions at level 3.
Contextual Offer: Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma Engineering, Engineering Science and Maths, Computing and IT, Information Technology with 45 credits at Level 3. All Maths and Science units must be Distinctions at level 3.
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Merit Overall in Digital Support Services or Digital Production, Design and Development. Alongside A level Maths grade C. Other T level subjects may be considered, please contact the admissions office for further information.
If your qualification isn't listed above, please contact the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@brunel.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1895 265265 to check whether it's accepted and to find out what a typical offer might be.
Brunel's committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We'll 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.
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 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
- BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 4.5 (min 4 in all sub scores)
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.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£9,535 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£21,795 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 £9,535 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy.
For the 2026/27 academic year, tuition fees for home students will be £9,790, subject to Parliamentary approval.
In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28 (subject to Parliamentary approval).
From 2028 onwards, the fee cap is expected to rise annually in line with inflation. This means your tuition fees in future years may increase to reflect these changes.
International fees may change 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
Teaching and learning
For new students - Level 4:
Engineering Year 1 is common to all disciplines during term 1 (Chemical; Civil; Electronic and Electrical; Mechanical; Automotive and Aerospace Engineering), providing a broad educational base and opportunities for cross-disciplinary study. While much of the teaching will remain common to all disciplines during term 2, there will also be some opportunity for discipline-specific teaching activities. The BEng Computer Systems Engineering programme shares most modules with Engineering Year 1.
Lectures will be delivered using a variety of different methods. Some will be delivered live online or on-campus, while others will be pre-recorded and made available online for students to access prior to engaging in interactive in-person tutorials on campus. Some on-campus live lectures will be simultaneously livestreamed; all live lectures, whether delivered online or on-campus, will be recorded and made available for students to review after each lecture has taken place.
All lecture-based modules will be supported by regular (in most cases, weekly) tutorials or seminars that will all be held on campus, allowing students to work with both staff and other students on the practical application of what has been discussed during lectures.
Laboratory classes will be held on campus. You will have the opportunity to perform experiments and other hands-on practical activities in the College’s labs and workshop spaces. Small group project work will also be carried out in person on campus, supported by regular on-campus interactive discussion sessions (workshops).
You will need to come onto campus on most days to participate in all the teaching activities that make up Engineering Year 1.
The online digital assessment platform will be used for submitting written coursework. All exams will be run in-person on campus. Other forms of assessment, such as presentations, are also expected to be run on campus.
For returning and new students at Levels 5, 6 and 7:
All lecture-based modules will be held on campus, allowing you to work with both staff and other students on practical applications.
All laboratory classes will be held on campus. You will have the opportunity to perform experiments and other hands-on practical activities in the College’s labs and workshop spaces. Small group project work will also be carried out in person on campus, supported by regular on-campus interactive discussion sessions (workshops).
You will need to come onto campus on most days to participate in all the teaching activities
The online digital assessment platform will be used for submitting written coursework. All exams will be run in-person on campus. Other forms of assessment, such as presentations, are also expected to be run on campus.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our computer systems engineering degrees are delivered by an expert team of multidisciplinary academic staff. Their teaching is research-led, so the newest technologies are fed into the course.
Study will combine lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, laboratory and workshop sessions, computer programming, self-study and project work.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via coursework assignments, presentations, technical and laboratory reports, exams and the final year major individual project.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.