BEng (Hons) Available in Clearing

Computer Science

Understand, design and build computer systems and gain the in-demand technical, development, and engineering skills with our accredited degree in Cambridge.

Start date: September 2025; January 2026
Location: Cambridge
Duration: 3 years
UCAS course code: G400

Start date: September 2025; January 2026
Location: Cambridge
Duration: 4 years with foundation
UCAS course code: G400

Start date: September 2025; January 2026
Location: Cambridge
Duration: 4 years with placement
UCAS course code: G401

Top 10%

in the country for the number of graduates going into paid employment or further study.

Source: GOS

Get the knowledge and skills to succeed in areas from software engineering and AI, to computer security, cloud computing or network administration.

As a student at ARU, you’ll spend lots of time in our state-of-the-art computing labs using industry-standard tools, and take part in a range of Live Briefs developed with regional employers like Regate and Citisoft.

By completing particular modules, you can apply for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) status after you graduate – a valuable addition to your CV.

Accreditation

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

About Computing and Information Science at ARU

Why ARU?

Study in the Silicon Fen, home to Apple, Microsoft, Samsung AI and many more – the perfect opportunity to connect with top employers.
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers, such as Redgate and Citisoft to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
Accredited by BCS and IET and a Cisco Network Academy for over ten years.
Engage with a curated selection of training materials, providing you with cutting-edge knowledge and skills that align with industry standards.
Take an engineering focus through final-year options on embedded computing, networks and security.
Access relevant hardware, specialised software, our fully-kitted Cisco lab and virtual 24/7 Netlab.

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

Our assignments were compelling. They allowed us to improve our skills and create projects that could be used when it came to looking for a job.

Simone Campo, BEng (Hons) Computer Science graduate

Computing forms the backbone of almost every organisation, and computer science graduates can expect an average annual salary between £25,000 (Save the Student, 2020) and £37,000 (Glassdoor, 2024).

Our BEng (Hons) Computer Science degree is designed to offer you a wide choice of career options when you graduate as the final year enables you to specialise in subjects of your choice, such as AI, ethical hacking or computer networks.

What can you do with a BEng (Hons) Computer Science degree?

Where have other BEng (Hons) Computer Science graduates worked?

How can ARU help with my employability and career development?

Teaching and modules

Explore the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of tech—building software, experimenting with AI, and strengthening cyber defences in every project.

Razvan-Ioan Dinita, Senior Lecturer

As a student at ARU, you'll learn how to work in a team, think independently, and solve problems creatively in our computing labs.

Our course is hands-on, and assessment is based less on traditional exams and tests (about 30%) and more on coursework assignments, reports and presentations.

In your final year, optional modules let you focus on areas you're interested in such as artificial intelligence, network security, and cloud computing.

What will I study?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1

Computer Systems (30 credits)
Software Principles (15 credits)
Introduction to Programming (30 credits)
Core Mathematics for Computing (15 credits)
Operating Systems (30 credits)
Into ARU

Year 2

Computing Research Methodologies (15 credits)
Database Design and Implementation (15 credits)
Digital Security (15 credits)
Algorithm Analysis and Data Structures (15 credits)
Network Routing (15 credits)
Software Engineering (30 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)

Year 3

Final Project (30 credits)
Image Processing (15 credits)
Professional Issues: Computing and Society (15 credits)
Cloud Computing (15 credits)
Artificial Intelligence (15 credits) *
Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (15 credits) *
Digital and Network Security Forensics (15 credits) *
Advanced Network Solutions (15 credits) *
Embedded Computing (15 credits) *
Computer Graphics Programming (15 credits) *

Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1

Foundation in Engineering, Computing and Technology

Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year

Work placement

Module details

What happens on a foundation year?

What happens on a placement year?

How is Computer Science assessed?

What equipment will I need?

Who teaches Computer Science at ARU?

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Dr Mahdi Maktabdar Oghaz
Senior Lecturer
Dr Arooj Fatima
Senior Lecturer
Dr Razvan-Ioan Dinita
Senior Lecturer
Dr Stiphen Chowdhury
Lecturer
Dr Vanessa Sin-Chun Ng
Senior Lecturer
Dr Cristina Luca
Associate Professor

Student experience

Hear from ARU Senior Lecturer Dr Razvan-Ion Dinita in this Springpod subject spotlight: Decoding social media: an exploration of programming and platforms. Watch the full lecture on Springpod
Hear from one of our students: BSc Computer Science student Simone shares his experience of studying at ARU and why he chose to study here. "Since the first day here I felt heard, I felt valuable, not just a number."
Get to grips with the inner workings of computers with hands on, interactive sessions. Take a virtual tour of our Computer Science degree.
Work closely with students who share your interest in computer science and get expert guidance from academics who will support you through your studies.

Facilities

Based in our Science Centre in Cambridge, you'll have the latest digital technology at your fingertips in our Computing and Information Science labs, including:

a Cisco and AI lab with high spec computers and hands-on routing and switching equipment
virtual Netlab offering 24/7 remote access to cyber security and networking software
Microsoft professional developer and designer tools
access to AI lab/software packages, Microsoft Azure and VMware IT Academy

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Entry requirements

UK students

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.

Main

5 GCSEs at grade D, or grade 3, or above and evidence of two years post-GCSE study at Level 3.

If you have achieved at least grade E in one A level, or equivalent, you are exempt from the two years post-GCSE study requirement, but you still must meet the GCSE requirements.

Applicants who do not meet the two years post GCSE study at level 3 may be considered based on their satisfactory employment history, which must be a minimum of two years full time employment supported by employer evidence and deemed appropriate by the University for meeting the course of study applied for.

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

International students

English language requirements

Making you an offer

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Fees and funding

UK students

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

If you start a course on or after 1 August 2023, you won't repay anything until you earn more than £25,000. This is called repayment Plan 5. At this point, you'll repay 9% on everything you earn over £25,000. After 40 years (from the April after graduation), all remaining debt is wiped.

If you started a course on or before 31 July 2023, you won't repay anything until you earn more than £27,295. This is called repayment Plan 2. At this point, you'll repay 9% on everything you earn over £27,295. After 30 years (from the April after graduation), all remaining debt is wiped.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

International students

£17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

Placement year fee

Living costs

Bursaries, sponsorship and working

Apply for Computer Science

Clearing places available

UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start

Apply through Clearing

UK students

Call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

Apply through UCAS

International students

Apply direct

Apply online

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Computer Science

BEng (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

Careers

Teaching and modules

BEng (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

Student experience

Facilities

Entry requirements

BEng (Hons)

Important additional notes

With foundation year

With placement

Important additional notes

International students

English language requirements

Fees and funding

BEng (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

BEng (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

Apply for Computer Science

Clearing places available

UK students

01245 686868

UK students

International students

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