4 years
September 2026
The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science is a four-year course offered by the School of Computer Science. The course is designed to ground you in both the theory and practice of computer science. You will learn to think and solve problems logically, understand the fundamental principles of how computing systems work, and be exposed to significant new technologies as well as teamwork.
In the first two years, you will learn the basic concepts behind computer science and several different programming languages.
Alongside computer science in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study at least one additional subject. In the second year, you can continue with this other subject or focus entirely on computer science. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
In third year, you will be introduced to the foundations of logic that are relevant to computer science, with an emphasis on automatic reasoning and decidability, and to theories of computation and complexity, including exploring Turing machines and pushdown automata.
You will apply software engineering concepts and practices to a substantial software engineering project as part of a team. This project runs through both semesters in third year and will prepare you for the workplace, where collaboration with others is essential.
In your final year, you will undertake a substantial software engineering project. You will design, specify and construct a medium-sized software system, or undertake a formal development and proof of such a system, under the guidance of a member of staff.
In addition to the compulsory modules, you will choose from a wide variety of advanced options. Examples of Honours topics can be found in the modules information below.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.
Why study this course?
The BSc (Hons) in Computer Science is designed to ground you in both the theory and practice of computer science. You will learn how to program computers and how systems are organised, designed and implemented. During your studies, you will both explore the theoretical basis of computer science and develop practical skills in software engineering.
You will be able to build a degree programme around your interests and study specialist areas such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, computer security, video games, data encoding, databases, and operating systems.
A degree in computer science will allow you to enter into technical, academic, financial or commercial posts. Most companies and organisations are heavily invested in computer systems, and this has created a demand for many different specialisations in computer technology.
Graduates from computer science go on to find careers as:
- business analysts
- systems architects and analysts
- software developers
- testers and verifiers
- technical writers
- IT trainers and user advisers
- project managers
Many computer science graduates undertake further study, here or elsewhere. The University offers a range of options including MSc, EngD and PhD-level degrees.
Computer science at St Andrews allows you to study in a friendly and intimate environment. Small group teaching will put you on a first-name basis with internationally renowned researchers and teachers.
Computer science classes are taught using a variety of teaching methods in addition to traditional lectures, with an emphasis on personal and small-group teaching.
Typical class sizes:
- First year: lectures 80 to 200, labs up to 110, tutorials 6 to 8
- Second year: lectures 80 to 130, labs up to 100, tutorials 6 to 8
- Honours: lectures, labs and tutorials 25 to 140
When not attending lectures, tutorials and computer labs, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- using library and online resources
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations
First year
Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Object-Oriented Programming: provides an introduction to object-oriented modelling and programming using Java.
- Programming with Data: explores various aspects of data storage, processing and analysis.
Second year
Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Foundations of Computation: introduces fundamental algorithms, data structures and ideas about formal languages at the heart of modern software.
- Computer Systems: develops skills in programming in C, systems programming, digital logic and low-level computer organisation.
b>Honours - compulsory
In third year, computer science students must take the following three compulsory modules:
- Logic and Reasoning: covers the foundations of logic that are relevant to computer scientists, with an emphasis on automatic reasoning and decidability. Topics include propositional and predicate calculus, various proof techniques, and Goedel's incompleteness theorem.
- Computational Complexity: introduces Turing machines, non-determinism and pushdown automata, followed by study of decidability, simulation and the Halting Problem.
- Software Engineering Team Project: gives a broad overview of software engineering, presenting the fundamental aspects as a collaborative professional activity including its concerns and approaches. Students apply these concepts and practices to a substantial software engineering project as part of a team.
In fourth year, you must take the following compulsory module:
- Major Software Project: allows students to undertake a substantial software engineering project using professional development techniques. Each student designs, specifies and constructs a medium-sized software system, or undertakes a formal development and proof of such a system, under the guidance of a member of staff.
b>Honours - optional
In addition to the compulsory modules in your Honours years, you will choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules in topics such as cyber security, video games and computer graphics.
In your final Honours year, you will also have the option to choose from a variety of modules at Masters level, providing advanced training in computer science in topics such as machine learning, data ethics and information visualisation.
Here is a sample of Honours modules that have been offered in previous years:
- Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Component Technology
- Computer Architecture
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Security
- Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
- Constraint Programming
- Data Communications and Networks
- Data Encoding
- Databases
- Distributed Systems
- Human Computer Interaction
- Logic and Software Verification
- Operating Systems
- Programming Language Design and Implementation
- Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
- Video Games
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