(Full time) 2020 start
Computer Science (Digital & Technology Solutions) BSc
Overview
This four-year degree apprenticeship with PwC will give you a head start in your chosen profession. You will experience university life alongside work experience and skills training.
Work experience with a leading organisation: You’ll work on cutting-edge digital and technology client work during work placements with PwC.
A degree from a highly ranked university: Leeds is among the top universities in the world and the School of Computing is ranked in the top ten in the UK.
Earn while you learn: Your university tuition fees are funded by PwC and as a PwC employee, you'll receive a salary each month.
A job offer from PwC: At the end of the degree programme, providing you meet their performance criteria, PwC will offer you a graduate job.
This degree programme will provide you with the core technical and problem-solving skills required to succeed in industry. You will develop core skills in information systems, data, cyber security, business organisation, systems development, computer and network infrastructure, IT project management and technical knowledge informed by the School’s research.
You’ll be taught by experts in world-class facilities and undertake project work in every year, to build the range of skills you’ll need throughout your professional career.
During this programme, you will undertake two summer placements (after the end of Year 1 and Year 2) and a full-year placement in Year 3. All of these placements will be hosted by PwC.
Specialist facilities
You’ll have access to specialist facilities including a new testbed for cloud computing and dedicated labs with high-spec, dual-display Linux workstations, iPad, Mac and Android development areas. For final-year project work you’ll also be able to make the most of our research facilities, such as a 53-megapixel powerwall display and dedicated 3D virtual reality suite.
Course content
You’ll start with the fundamentals of programming and the underlying mathematical principles of computer science, before developing skills in software engineering and algorithm design and exploring challenges in cloud and mobile computing and robotics and graphics that will shape the future.
You’ll learn to work with state of the art technologies and select optional modules in topics that suit your interests and career pathway, from cloud computing and machine learning to topics in enterprise and innovation.
Year 2 allows you to deepen and broaden your knowledge of computer science, with core modules introducing you to topics such as artificial intelligence and developing your understanding of algorithms and operating systems. You’ll also select optional modules to focus on topics that suit your interests or career pathway, such as data mining, systems development and business organisation.
Module pathways in Year 3 have been developed with PwC to strengthen the alignment of graduates with their technical teams. The pathways include data analytics/data assurance, cyber security, technology consulting – enterprise applications and forensic technology solutions. This alignment will take place at the end of Year 2 and will inform the Year 3 placement and final year module choices.
In your final year, you will study options and undertake a project that will be aligned with your specialisation and fit with the PwC technical teams. You will undertake the project over two semesters in the final year, with guidance from an academic member of staff from Leeds and an adviser from PwC. You will present the outcomes of your project to academic staff in School of Computing and PwC.
During your placements you will be productively employed and play both an active and valued part on project teams and will make meaningful contribution to fee earning client projects. You will be equipped with the opportunity to apply learning from off the job training in a challenging but fully supported environment. PwC has a client base ranging from local to multinational and global companies being serviced from Belfast, across all sectors and industries.
You will be fully supported when on placement with PwC, you will have a dedicated people manager, buddies, mentors and a dedicated development team.
Alongside developing your technical skills through your placements with PwC you will develop a combination of interpersonal skills (eg rapport building, behavioural styles, working in a team and networking) and consulting skills, (eg models of consulting, distinctive business advisor, change management and analytical skills) embedding the PwC Experience.
Projects
Every year of the course gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.
Find out more about our Projects.
Ethics
You’ll study computing ethics as part of your course. This is taught using real life case studies, with input from specialist ethicists as well as your tutors and lecturers. The team responsible for the ethics taught in computing has produced educational material used to stimulate debate in class about topics such as ethical hacking, open source software, and use of personal data.
Not only will this enhance your reasoning and decision making skills which are crucial to employers, but it will help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you will encounter in your professional life in the IT industry.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Databases 10 credits
- Computer Architecture 10 credits
- Computer Processors 10 credits
- Fundamental Mathematical Concepts 10 credits
- Introduction to Discrete Mathematics 10 credits
- Procedural Programming 10 credits
- Object Oriented Programming 10 credits
- Professional Computing 20 credits
- Programming Project 10 credits
- Placement (Year 1)
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Operating Systems 10 credits
- Networks 10 credits
- Formal Languages and Finite Automata 10 credits
- Numerical Computation 10 credits
- Artificial Intelligence 10 credits
- Algorithms and Data Structures I 10 credits
- Algorithms and Data Structures II 10 credits
- User Interfaces 10 credits
- Software Engineering Principles 10 credits
- Software Engineering Project 10 credits
- Placement (Year 2)
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Data Mining 10 credits
- Systems Thinking 10 credits
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Placement (Year 3) 120 credits
Year 4
Compulsory modules
- Secure Computing 10 credits
- Final Project 40 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Web Services and Web Data 10 credits
- Distributed Systems 10 credits
- Parallel Computation 10 credits
- Mobile Application Development 10 credits
- Cryptography 10 credits
- Programming Languages and Compilation 10 credits
- Machine Learning 10 credits
- Intelligent Systems and Robotics 20 credits
- Information Visualization 10 credits
- User Adaptive Intelligent Systems 10 credits
- Computer Graphics 10 credits
- Combinatorial Optimisation 10 credits
- Graph Algorithms and Complexity Theory 10 credits
- Big Data Systems 15 credits
- Data Science 15 credits
- Cloud Computing 15 credits
Learning and teaching
You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes, project work, and your placements with PwC allow you to gain first-hand experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations.
Our personal tutorial system will provide academic and pastoral support. You will have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds. He or she will be an academic member of staff: you will have weekly academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first year, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings twice per semester. Your personal tutor will also stay in contact with you via phone and/or email during your work placement with PwC.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using various methods including formal exams, lab practicals and project reports. Throughout the year, you’ll also be assessed using coursework, worksheets, in-module tests, example sheets and presentations to develop your knowledge and allow us to monitor your progress.
During your work placements, PwC will provide workplace supervision and will advise you on assignments that can be undertaken either within the workplace or using workplace scenarios. At the end of each placement, you will present a portfolio of work to PwC and the University for progression to the next level of the programme.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAA including Mathematics or Computing. Grade B (6) or above in GCSE Mathematics is required if no Mathematics A-level is taken.
Where an A-level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.
Excludes A-level General Studies or Critical Thinking.
Due to the competitive nature of this course, the Admissions team may take a variety of factors into account when assessing applications. Please read the admissions statement for further information.
Extended Project Qualification - Whilst we recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, we do not currently include this as part of our offer making. We do however encourage you to provide further information on your project in your personal statement and if invited, at interview.
GCSE: English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction (including an appropriate number of Mathematics modules) and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.
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BTEC
D*D*D with Distinctions in all Mathematics units. Mathematics units must include Further Mathematics. This unit may be optional on your BTEC but is it required by the Faculty. Please contact us for further information. Please note: there may be different requirements for the new RQF BTECs, please contact Admissions.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall, with 18 points at higher level including 5 points at higher level in either Mathematics or Computing. If only Computing is offered from the IB, Grade B or above in GCSE Mathematics is required.
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2, including Mathematics.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AA at Advanced Higher level, including Mathematics or Computing, and AABBB at Higher level.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with a Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.
If your application for Computer Science (Digital & Technology Solutions) BSc is unsuccessful, you will automatically be considered for our Computer Science MEng, BSc programme.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
You will need to complete an online assessment that will be sent to you by PwC. Suitable applicants will be invited to an applicant and assessment day, which gives you the opportunity to find out more about the programme and the placements with PwC. You will get the chance to tour our campus and accommodation and meet our students, academic staff and colleagues from PwC.
The applicant and assessment days will be jointly delivered by PwC and Leeds and take place between October – February at the University of Leeds. You will receive the offer via UCAS.
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
You do not pay fees for the course; the fees are covered by PwC and the UK Government.
Please note you will not be eligible for tuition fee or maintenance loans from the Student Loan Company.
To be eligible for funding, you must be:
a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
or a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Career opportunities
Graduates from the School of Computing have excellent job prospects. With the continuing application of computer technologies, rapid growth of hardware and software technologies, their allied industries, and widespread application, the demand for our graduates is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Our graduates find employment in the IT industry, ranging from start-ups to international organisations, and across a range of other sectors including technology, retail, finance, public authorities and consultancies. We have close links with companies such as PwC, IBM, Accenture and Hewlett Packard, and employers ranging from small/medium enterprises to large multi-nationals consistently target our graduates.
90% of our recent graduates have gone on to work or further study within six months of graduating. Many have launched careers as software developers and engineers, mobile solution engineers, technology consulting analysts, production project managers and business system analysts at organisations like Amazon, BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, Deloitte, Gazprom, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, IG, Microsoft, PwC, Saudi Aramco, Toshiba Research Europe and Transport for London.
Study abroad and work placements
During this programme, you will undertake two summer placements (after the end of Year 1 and Year 2) and a full-year placement in Year 3. All of these placements will be hosted by PwC.
On your work placements you’ll get to work with some of the biggest brands in the world, and the work itself can often be front page news. You’ll work hand-in-hand with PwC clients, across their full digital ecosystem, and gain experience that you won’t find elsewhere. You’ll work with several PwC technology teams, gaining experience that will set you apart from your peers.
The study abroad option isn't available on this programme.