Computer Science for Business BSc (Hons)

This course focuses on the use of computers in a technical or business environment. We place emphasis on developing your understanding of the systems aspects of computing but, unusually, you do not need to have an A level in Mathematics or Physics to study with us on this course. We introduce you to web technologies, databases and Java at an early stage.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• You may be eligible for a special £1,500 Computer Science Bursary or for a Computer Science Scholarship of £1,500 over 3 years. See this page for more information or contact the admissions tutor.
• We have a long history of expertise in electronic engineering and computer systems and now offer a particularly rich range of course options.
• Our research and other interactions with industry ensure that our courses reflect recent developments. Staff are practising professionals, who work on joint projects and act as consultants to industry.
• Final-year projects are often carried out in collaboration with a company - providing you with advantages when seeking employment.
• We offer a large and lively community with well-equipped laboratories, networked computers using industry-standard software and its own library.
• This degree is validated by the British Computer Society which is the Chartered Institute for IT.

Key Facts from UniStats

For more on studying degree courses see our Study at Bangor section.

You will spend about 12 hours in lectures and 8 in laboratories each week. You will also have tutorials in some modules and have to work on software design and complete various problem-solving assignments. You will have an opportunity to undertake major software projects in both year 2 and year 3 which will allow you to develop your creative design and technical skills as well as apply the theoretical principles you have learned. You are encouraged to use Internet and library-based learning resources to supplement your studies. Modules are assessed by examinations, continuous assessment or a combination of both. The continuous assessment can include some supervised practical element or independent study, followed by report writing. Your module results and individual project marks contribute to your degree final grade.

What will you study on this course?

Please see below.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Computer Science for Business Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

This course is very much aimed at preparing graduates to work with computers in a business context, and leads to a wide range of career opportunities in areas such as software consultancy, technical management, computer communications, finance, sales, marketing, quality assurance and information systems management, also database design and administration.

I took part in Enterprise by Design last year. You get teamed up in groups where everyone brings their own unique skill to the table. You get given a brief from the real world and asked to come up with a solution in your team.

Andrew Leavers
Computer Science

Employability and the School of Computer Science and Engineering

Graduates in Computer Science

Graduates from Computer Science are valuable to all kinds of industrial and public-sector employers. The combination of advanced numeracy, skill with computers and experience in teamwork and problem solving makes our graduates highly employable. See recent graduate employment case studies here KCA Deutag and Simulity Labs.

Graduates in Computer Science will have career opportunities anywhere that computers are used by businesses and the public-sector. From working as application developers to managing the IT and communications services for companies, to computer games, there are plenty of opportunities. In addition to the main stream careers for our graduates, their mathematical modelling ability combined with problem-solving and project management skills makes them attractive to a much wider range of employers.

Graduates in Computer Systems with Business Studies and allied courses are well-placed to work in modern businesses, where their skills can be put to use in the growing e-commerce arena.

Many of our graduates go on to further study: taught postgraduate courses such as the MSc degree, or research degrees such as the MPhil or PhD. Wherever there is a need for people who can use their knowledge of science and engineering to solve problems, our graduates will be ready to make a valuable contribution.

Graduates in Electronic Engineering

Our graduates go on to work in a huge range of different industries. They are extremely valuable to all kinds of employers. This is because our courses combine high quality teaching coupled with laboratory time. Our students learn the theory and put this into practice in the laboratory straight away.

Our graduates can work in many different areas, from automotive electronics to computer games hardware design and from government research laboratories to consumer electronics manufacturers.

The mathematical modelling, problem-solving and project management skills that we teach our students make them attractive to a much wider range of employers which is why over 99% of our students walk straight into graduate jobs when they leave Bangor.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.

The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.

The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.

Internships

Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.

Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.

Student Volunteering

Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.

The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.

TARGETconnect - Working while you Study

The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.

TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:

• Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
• Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
• Work experience / internships
• Voluntary opportunities

For 2020 entry:

GCSE: grade C/4 in Maths. Typical offer is based on a minimum 96 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:

• A Levels (including 1 in a Science/Maths/Computing/IT, excluding General Studies)
• BTEC National/Extended Diploma and Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in relevant subject (as above): MMM
• City & Guilds Advanced Technical / Extended Diploma: case by case
• International Baccalaureate Diploma is accepted
• Access to HE in a relevant subject as listed above**: Pass
• Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
• Key Skills are not accepted

International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here. 

We also welcome applications from mature applicants.

*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.

**Other subject areas may be considered on a case by case basis.

For 2019 entry:

• 120-96 tariff points from a level 3 qualification (these include A levels, BTEC, Access, Irish Highers, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and others – for a full list, please refer to the new UCAS tariff at www.ucas.com). 
• We also welcome applications from mature applicants, individuals with European qualifications and international applicants (subject to minimum English language requirements – see Information for International Students section in the introductory pages of this prospectus).

General University entry requirements

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.

Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.

EU and International students' entry requirements

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

More information

Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants

E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717 

International students (non-UCAS applicants)

Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028

When coming to University, you will have two main costs, Tuition Fees and Living Costs.

There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for guest tickets (£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

Mandatory Costs:

Paper pens and general stationery costs for some assignments.

Optional Costs:

• Text Book Purchase - this is optional, check reading lists for selected modules and most suggested titles are available in the Library. 
• Trip to Jobs Fairs
• Car parking if required.
• Optional costs for software such as MATLAB (£53 for the student version – however this is available to use in the computer science laboratories for free).

Notes

The course cost will remain as previously described, however, the dissertations will now all be electronic submissions in line with the University policy.

How to apply through UCAS

Apply online via UCAS

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All university applications are processed through UCAS and then passed on to the universities listed.

Students may apply for a maximum of five courses. For Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses students are only allowed to apply for four courses.

The application form is found on the UCAS website, under ‘Apply’.

The early closing date is October 15 for all Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary students. The main closing date for all applications is January 15.

Your Personal Statement

Writing your Personal Statement is the part of the application form that requires most work. You are only allowed 47 lines or 500–550 words to explain why you wish to study the course and the skills you have that are essential for university study.

To write a successful personal statement for your UCAS application you must have a good understanding about the course and its content. Remember that you write only one personal statement for your five choices. Make sure that the courses are similar, if not the same, and make sure that you do not mention a specific course or university.

Read our advice on how to draft a winning personal statement or watch our video guide.

After you’ve applied

You should keep an eye on your application on UCAS ‘Track’. Offers from universities will appear on track and you will be able to accept or decline offers.

You can only reply when you have received all your decisions. The types of reply you can make are firm acceptance and insurance acceptance. Usually students reply in early May.

International Student?

If you are an international student, our International Student pages offer further information on applying.

As an international student applying to study one of our undergraduate programmes you can:

• apply via UCAS,
• or apply direct to Bangor through our online direct application system
• or apply with the help of one of our recruitment agents

Erasmus student?

We receive around 350 exchange students every year from all over the world. 45% of these students come from Europe and the remainder from as far as Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

The University’s International Exchanges Office is responsible for welcoming these students.

Confused about your next steps?

Take a look at our Going to University website for information and advice on getting ready for university.

Contact us

Admissions Administrator
computerscience@bangor.ac.uk
+44 1248 382686

Studying Computer Science at Bangor Univeristy

• We offer a vibrant environment in which to study.
• We have a low staff student ratio that ensures students receive individual attention to help them achieve the highest academic standard.
• Our research specialties include computer graphics, visualization, knowledge discovery, and communications. Expertise from these areas are incorporated into our teaching activities, giving students direct access to the latest Computer Science research.
• We use state-of-the-art computing laboratories, networked computers and industry standard software in all courses.
• We place a strong emphasis on vocational aspects including oral and written presentations, communication skills and an appreciation of business practices.
• We have sponsorship and scholarship opportunities - available on a competitive basis.

Studying at Bangor

Rated Gold for teaching

We have been awarded a Gold rating, the highest rating possible, for the standarad of our teaching in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment. The TEF assessment took into account teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes and learning gain. We were judged to deliver consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students and our teaching is of the highest quality found in the UK.

A top 10 university

The National Student Survey (NSS) results place Bangor amongst the UK’s top 10 universities (excluding specialist institutions) for student satisfaction. This reflects the University’s focus on overall student experience.

Enjoy a university experience that’s amongst the best in the UK

The guaranteed accommodation, student support, low cost of living and stunning location all contribute towards this.

Take advantage of the Bangor Student Experience with free membership of student clubs and societies, a new international experience programme and employability award scheme.

Award-winning clubs and societies!

Our clubs and societies have been named the best in the UK at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2019.

Unrivalled location

Choose to study in one of the best places in the UK to be a student. Bangor’s location – close to the mountains and the sea - has been described as ‘the best university setting in the UK’.

Bangor is the most affordable place in the UK to be a student (TotalMoney 2019).

Investment in facilities

Benefit from continued investment in facilities and services – with Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Halls of Residence, and improved sports facilities amongst recent developments.

Guaranteed accommodation in award-winning halls of residence

We guarantee accommodation for first year students who apply within the deadline and hold Bangor as their Firm Choice. Our accommodation has been named the best in the UK at the 2018 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.

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