Computer Science at UCA

While other computer science degrees sit within a traditional technological setting, our BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree course at UCA Farnham sits within a highly creative community – giving you a fresh perspective on your learning.

You’ll work with creators across different artforms – from acting to film – and gather data to feed systems and build creative outputs.

You’ll have access to a wealth of creative facilities, resources, and collaborative opportunities to create unique work that’s conceptual, aesthetically pleasing, and responsive to the latest industry developments. You’ll learn about coding, programming for interactivity, AI for creativity, and much more.  

Studying in a community-driven environment, you’ll have plenty of one-to-one tutorials, plus opportunities to work alongside postgraduate and PhD students. Along the way, our programme of learning will help you develop sought-after creative problem-solving skills and prepare you to evolve with the industry throughout your career.

Course entry options

Select from the following options to find out more about the different study options available for our BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree:

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Computer Science
BSc (Hons)

Our standard three year undergraduate degree for those who meet the entry requirements for higher education.

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Institution code
C93
UCAS code
G400
Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2026
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry requirements

112 UCAS points

International equivalent qualifications

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Computer Science
BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year

A four year degree programme, including a foundation year to help develop your creativity before you embark on year one of a degree.

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Institution code
C93
UCAS code
G40A
Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2026
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry requirements

UK: 32 UCAS points
International / EU: 12 years of schooling (with good grades)

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Computer Science

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Institution code
C93
UCAS code
G40C
Campus
Start date(s)
Duration
Entry requirements
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Computer Science
BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year

A four year programme, which sees you spend an entire year gaining valuable industry experience prior to your final year of study.

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Institution code
C93
UCAS code
G401
Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2026
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry requirements

112 UCAS points

International equivalent qualifications

Close

Computer Science
BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year and Professional Practice Year

A five year course, including a foundation year to help develop your creativity before you embark on year one of a degree, and a year on a professional placement gaining valuable industry experience prior to your final year of study.

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Institution code
C93
UCAS code
G40B
Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2026
Duration
5 years full-time
Entry requirements

UK: 32 UCAS points
International / EU: 12 years of schooling (with good grades)

Close

Computer Science

A five year course, including a foundation year to help develop your creativity before you embark on year one of a degree, and a year on a professional placement gaining valuable industry experience prior to your final year of study.

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Institution code
C93
Campus
Start date(s)
Duration
Entry requirements

Upcoming webinars

We offer a range of webinars throughout the year that Computer Science students may be interested in.


19 Nov 2025

How to write a personal statement for a creative degree

Are you looking to write a memorable personal statement and make a strong impression? In this webinar, our expert team will talk through how to approach the three questions and what to include. Book now: How to write a personal statement for a creative degree

3 Dec 2025

Creative Careers & Life After University

If you’re interested in working in the creative industries, then this webinar is a great place to start and find out why a creative degree is the perfect first step to turn your dreams into a reality.   Book now: Creative Careers & Life After University

10 Dec 2025

Supporting Students at University - Information for Parents & Guardians

Is your child thinking about applying to university? Are you unsure of how to support them through this important application? We’re here to help you and your child navigate through the UCAS application process.   Book now: Supporting Students at University - Information for Parents & Guardians

14 Jan 2026

Making an Outstanding Portfolio & Applicant Day Advice

We know that creating an outstanding portfolio can be difficult when you’re not sure where to start, so we’re here to get you started with our top tips on what to include and how to submit it.   Book now: Making an Outstanding Portfolio & Applicant Day Advice

28 Jan 2026

Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on Masters & PhDs

At UCA, we offer a range of creative postgraduate opportunities that we’ll discuss during this webinar. Join us to learn more about our postgraduate courses and the application process.  Book now: Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on Masters & PhDs

18 Feb 2026

How to Apply to Accommodation

Applying for accommodation can be a confusing process when you’re unsure of what to look out for, from different room options to staying in halls or in private accommodation off-campus, there’s a lot to consider. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.   Book now: How to Apply to Accommodation

This includes subject talks, masterclasses, application proccess advice and student life guides. Check out our upcoming webinars and book your place today.

Accreditations, partners and industry connections

The Rookies logo

The Rookies

The Rookies is a leading platform for digital artists to promote their work and assists members in preparing for industry. We are proud to be ranked 25th in the 2024 Top 50 Creative Schools in the World.

What you'll study

What you'll study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

UCA’s Integrated Foundation Year is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to start your degree in the best possible way – with confidence, solid knowledge of creative practice, study skills and more.

You’ll explore a range of creative techniques and develop your portfolio, with your chosen subject in mind. We’ll work with you throughout the year to ensure you’re on the right track and give you the tools to achieve your highest potential on your degree.

Find out more about the Integrated Foundation Year

Launch
This week is all about preparing you for university learning for the year, through workshops designed to audit and refresh your existing skills to prepare you.

Programming & Interactivity
You’ll be introduced to the fundamental concepts of programming and learn core aspects of software literacy, framed around building an interactive application. You’ll do this through weekly labs, pre-recorded materials, and self-directed study. After core learning has taken place, from week 8 you will have focused development labs, which will support you with troubleshooting your applications.

Equality Diversity & Inclusion
Through this unit, you’ll develop an awareness and understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and learn progressive values and attitudes for creative practice.

Data and Databases
This unit introduces the basic concepts underpinning relational databases and to provide the tools for designing, implementing, and querying databases.

Opportunity
A range of activities will be available to broaden your engagement and subject knowledge, such as Code Jams and Design Sprints. Other activities could include study trips and/or studio visits within the local area, nationally or internationally. Examples of this would be the Berlin digital arts/music/culture festivals Transmediale and CTM, or to other European destinations such as Amsterdam or Barcelona.

Programming & GUI Applications
You’ll continue to build your fundamental concepts of programming and help establish core aspects of software literacy, framed around building graphical user interface applications using Java.

The Computing Professional
This unit introduces you to the professional roles and working practices in the computing and related industries.

Web Design & Development
You’ll establish your understanding of browser-based design and development using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, and use these to create a piece of online work that uses one or more of these elements (structure, style, front-end programming). 

ATOM Activities
ATOM activities are tiny pieces of diverse individual learning that facilitate interdisciplinary exposure and give you the chance to learn topics that would not otherwise be scheduled on your timetable.

PLE Digital Outcome 1
Your PLE Digital Outcome is a purposefully edited, self-directed record of your constructive engagement with and presence on, digital media platforms across the year. Examples of this could be an online portfolio or blog/vlog, or social media activity.

Launch
This week is all about preparing you for university learning for the year, through workshops designed to audit and refresh your existing skills to prepare you.

Object-Orientated Programming & Cybersecurity
Building on programming with Processing and Java in Level 4, the unit introduces object-oriented programming, one of the principal programming paradigms. This will include developing an understanding of object-oriented problem modelling. This unit will also explore basic concepts of cybersecurity. It will seek to draw out the connections between these two important areas of computer science. Coding skills are key to developing secure systems and an understanding of security concerns and processes is important in developing reliable and safe software. Having a secure approach to software development is becoming increasingly important.

The Conscious Practitioner (or Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 2)
Explore creative practice in relation to a range of global perspectives, as you continue to learn about subject specific concepts of inclusion, exclusion, and diversity.

Opportunity
A range of activities will be available to broaden your engagement and subject knowledge, such as Code Jams and Design Sprints. Other activities could include study trips and/or studio visits within the local area, nationally or internationally. Examples of this would be the Berlin digital arts/music/culture festivals Transmediale and CTM, or to other European destinations such as Amsterdam or Barcelona.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
You’ll be introduced to the fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence and implementation using the Python programming language and its associated libraries. Artificial intelligence is growing in importance in computer science and will continue to do so, so it’s essential you have a good understanding of the concepts of AI as well as an appreciation of its power and limitation. 

Application Development: Industry Brief 
In this unit you’ll develop an application in line with the requirements of the industry partner involved with the project. This unit will provide an opportunity to focus your Javascript and p5.js skills developed in the first term and apply these in an industry-focused setting. 

ATOM Activities and PLE Digital Outcome
These units are an extension of the Year 1 ATOM Activities and PLE Digital Outcome.

Elective units
You’ll also be able to choose from two of the following elective units through the course of the year:

  • Conceptual Interdisciplinary
  • Immersive Media
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Hardware Projects using Arduino
  • Life Drawing
  • Virtual Production Studio
  • Pervasive Game Studio
  • Creature Animation
  • Motion Capture Technologies
  • Environmental Storytelling

If you opt to complete a professional practice year, this will take place in year three. You will undertake a placement within the creative industries to further develop your skills and CV.

While on your Professional Practice Year, you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee for that year. This fee will be determined using government funding regulations. Based on current regulations, we expect this to be a maximum of 20% of the tuition fee rate that you are charged for your second year of study. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during this year. The University will provide you with further advice and guidance about this as you approach your Professional Practice Year.

Please note: If you are an international applicant, you will need to enrol onto the course ‘with Professional Practice Year’. It will not be possible to transfer onto the Professional Practice Year after enrolment

Launch
This week is all about preparing you for university learning for the year, through workshops designed to audit and refresh your existing skills to prepare you.

Artificial Intelligence for Creativity
Building on your existing Python knowledge and using open-source machine learning frameworks, you will learn to create and work with AI models – towards the creation of unique and innovative cutting-edge creative applications.   

Mobile Application Development
This unit provides an overview of the different approaches to build mobile applications and introduces students to key concepts, standards, data formats and development tools in integrated application development, covering both frontend (client-side) and backend (server-side) technologies.

Opportunity
A range of activities will be available to broaden your engagement and subject knowledge, such as Code Jams and Design Sprints. Other activities could include study trips and/or studio visits within the local area, nationally or internationally. Examples of this would be the Berlin digital arts/music/culture festivals Transmediale and CTM, or to other European destinations such as Amsterdam or Barcelona.

Final Major Project
The culmination of your skills, passion, and creativity, the final major project and your role in it (if as a team member) should be ambitious but achievable and framed within how you want to promote yourself as a creative computing practitioner/computer scientist. You’ll produce a creative, challenging, detailed and logical proposal for a body of work that you’ll complete in the final semester. You will plan the production of this work using a common industry methodology, the approach of which will be covered during this unit. Alongside the project, you will be compiling a showreel of work to showcase your mini-projects and prototypes thus far. The unit and year will finish with an exhibition which celebrates the prototypes and projects completed for this unit and throughout the course.

This course is designed to offer you (if eligible) the opportunity to study part of your degree aboard at a UCA partner university, while still earning credits towards your UCA degree.

For more information please visit the Study Abroad section

Integrated foundation year

  • Independent study: 60%
  • Scheduled teaching: 40%
  • Online delivery: 0%
  • Placement: 0%

Year one

  • Independent study: 60%
  • Scheduled teaching: 40%
  • Online delivery: 0%
  • Placement: 0%

Year two

  • Independent study: 60%
  • Scheduled teaching: 40%
  • Online delivery: 0%
  • Placement: 0%

Year three

  • Independent study: 70%
  • Scheduled teaching: 30% 
  • Online delivery: 0%
  • Placement: 0%

Professional placement or International year (if undertaken)

  • Independent study: 0%
  • Scheduled teaching: 0%
  • Online delivery: 0%
  • Placement: 100%

Please note, these details are for 2025 entry and could be subject to change for other years of entry.

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Explore our gradshow

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

Visit the online showcase
Fees & funding

Fees & financial support

Tuition fees - 2026/27

  • Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
  • BSc course: £9,535

If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2026 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,900. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year. The University will provide you with further advice and guidance about this.

UK undergraduate tuition fees are linked to inflation and this means 2026 entry fees may increase. Details for these will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Tuition fees - 2026/27

  • Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535 (see fee discount information)
  • BSc course: £9,535 (see fee discount information)

If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2026 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,900. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year. The University will provide you with further advice and guidance about this.

UK undergraduate tuition fees are linked to inflation and this means 2026 entry fees may increase. Details for these will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Tuition fees - 2026/27

  • Integrated Foundation Year: £18,000
  • BSc course: £18,000

If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2026 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £3,490. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year. The University will provide you with further advice and guidance about this.

The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only, for details of previous years please see the full fee schedules.

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of scholarships and fee discounts available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our financial support information.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of the Course Information Document for more details of the costs you may incur.

Find out what's included in your tuition fees.

Facilities & equipment

Studios feature individual workstations, light boxes, Wacom tablets, line testers and batch scanners. Macs have the full Adobe Creative Suite as well as Toon Boom and Maya CG software. You can also access sound and editing suites, a stop-motion studio with Dragonframe capture software, Canon DSLRs and professional camera stands, and stages pre-rigged with grips, stands and lights. 

Interior of CGA Incubator Studio at UCA Farnham

CGA Incubator Studio

Room: JL23

  • 6 high-spec PC workstations with dual monitor screens.
  • AV with large screen TV
Interior of Prototype Lab, UCA Farnham

Prototype Lab

Room: JL17

  • 3 Ultimaker 3D printers
  • 1 Ultimaker 3D print washing machine
  • Laptop rental machine storing 12 high-spec gaming laptops
Interior of PC Studio & VR at UCA Farnham

PC & VR Studio

Room: JL11C

  • 20 dual-screen PC workstations
  • Virtual reality play test area with two dedicated PCs
  • Full AV with 2 large screen TVs and full sound
Games Studios, UCA Farnham

Creative Lab

Room: JL11A

  • 26 PC workstations
  • Full AV with 3 large screen TVs and full sound
Launch the Virtual Tour

Career opportunities

Graduates will have had the opportunity to study from a range of elective units to broaden their knowledge in specialist subjects, while also being able to explore their specific interests. This tailored approach to studying computer science means a variety of job roles are of high interest to our graduates.

These include:

  • Software developer
  • Web developer
  • IT project manager
  • Information security analyst
  • Systems architect
  • AI engineer
  • Video game developer.

You may also like to consider further study at postgraduate level.

Our Staff

Dr Digdem Sezen

Dr Digdem Sezen

Senior Lecturer in Games
Dr Adila Nordin

Dr Adila Nordin

Lecturer in Computer Programming
Andy Bossom

Andy Bossom

Industry Engagement Lead

What’s it like being a student at UCA?

That’s a big question. Get some answers from people who are studying right here, right now.

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Entry requirements

These courses don't require a portfolio but, if you're UK-based and you receive an offer, we'd still like to meet you at an Applicant Day. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

We’re interested to know if you have any background in computing and why you wish to study at a creative university, so we recommend you include this information in your personal statement.

Select your country to find the equivalent requirements

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