Overview
Your future career starts here. Learn to design and build computer systems on this Cambridge-based course, gain in-demand skills in our virtual NetLab and take up placement opportunities with world-leading local high-tech companies such as ARM Ltd, Sony and Microsoft. Accredited by the Chartered Institute for IT and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, this course leads to Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status. Choose specific modules and apply for Cisco Certified Network Associate status after you graduate.
Your course has a new home in Compass House, which extends our campus along East Road. With the latest technology at your fingertips, you’ll be able to collaborate with other students on innovative projects to hone your skills.
Computer scientists don’t use computers like most of us do. Instead, they use them as tools to address important scientific questions, and to solve real world-problems. Computing can be amazingly diverse, including computer design, graphics, artificial intelligence, gaming, software engineering, programming and applications development.
Our course has been designed to offer you a wide choice of career options when you graduate. As you study, you can choose to focus on the core elements of computer science, or to specialise in areas such as software development, mobile applications, computer security, cloud computing, network administration and technical support.
You’ll benefit from being based in Cambridge, home to the largest cluster of technology firms in Europe. Recently named the ‚Best UK city to work in’ you’ll have lots of opportunities to gain relevant work experience locally and after graduation can expect an average salary of £35,000. (Glassdoor 2016). You’ll also benefit from talks with industry experts (Citrix, ARM, Atom, Jagex, Sony, Compare the Market, Microsoft Research etc.) who are regularly invited to give guest lectures and seminars.
You’ll spend lots of time in our computing labs, including a Cisco lab with hands-on routing and switching equipment and our virtual Netlab, offering 24/7 remote access to our Cisco equipment. You’ll have access to Microsoft Imagine Premium’s professional developer and designer tools, VMware IT Academy’svirtualisation software and tools, plus mobile devices for testing and developing mobile applications.
It’s not just about technical skills, though. You’ll learn to work effectively as a team member and become an independent thinker and a creative problem-solver who’s aware of the social, moral and ethical issues relating to the impact of computers on our lives. You’ll also be given the opportunity to participate in computing related social and educational activities with your peers. Students have previously taken a day trip to Bletchley Park as part of their course.
Our course has been developed in partnership with professional bodies, the Cambridge Network, and national and international employers. By choosing particular modules, you can apply for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) status after you graduate.
This programme is CEng accredited and fulfils the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer when presented with an accredited MSc. In addition, the programme meets the educational requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.
This degree has been accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, as well as the IET, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, both under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Careers
We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
Computing forms the backbone of almost every organisation. When you graduate from our course, you’ll have skills that are in demand in a huge range of industries. You could work in telecommunications, aerospace, security, financial services, marketing, public service, the creative industries and teaching.
By choosing particular modules, you’ll gain relevant knowledge that after graduation will enable you to apply for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) status. This will add extra skills and a recognised certification to your CV.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. If you’d like to continue your studies we offer a wide range of full-time and part-time postgraduate courses including MSc Computer Science.
Modules & Assessment
Year one, core modules
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Computer Systems
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Fundamentals of Design
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Introduction to Programming
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Core Mathematics for Computing
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Operating Systems
Year two, core modules
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Computing Research Methodologies
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Database Design and Implementation
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Digital Security
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Interaction and Usability
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Network Routing
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Software Engineering
Year two, optional modules
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Digital Data Storage and Transmission
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Network Services Engineering
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Object Oriented C++
Year three, core modules
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Data Structures and Algorithms
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Final Project
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Image Processing
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Professional Issues: Computing and Society
Year three, optional modules
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Artificial Intelligence
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Distributed-Systems Programming
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Computer Graphics Programming
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Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures
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Internet Services, Data Analytics and the Cloud
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Mobile Technology
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Digital & Network Security Forensics
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Advanced Network Solutions
Assessment
Throughout the course we’ll use a range of assessment methods to help measure your progress. Besides exams, these will include group work, presentations, case studies, laboratory tests and projects.
Where you’ll study
Your faculty
The Faculty of Science & Engineering is one of the largest of the four faculties at Anglia Ruskin University. Whether you choose to study with us full-time or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.
Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.
Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science, technology and engineering fields. This is key to all of our futures.