Study complementary subjects to become fluent in both.
Year of entry: 2021/22
GG14
Y50
4 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAA (full entry requirements)
September 2021 (term dates)
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Book nowStudy both Computer Science and Maths in this combined course and leave with an advanced Masters level qualification.
Computer Science is founded upon Maths, and the study of the two together allows you to explore topics core to both whilst gaining an insight into how they intersect.
Maths influences Computer Science, from designing and analysing efficient computer programs to developing formal proofs that a piece of software does what was intended. This is especially important, for example, if the software is being used to fly a plane.
Increasingly, Computer Science is also being used to find solutions to mathematical issues. Computers are used to solve long-standing mathematical problems, as they can help visualise complex numerical data, search for solutions, and make number manipulation faster.
You will gain a thorough grounding in both Computer Science and Maths in your first two years, introducing the fundamental concepts in both subjects whilst gaining an insight into the interplay between the two. Your third year offers a wide range of optional modules. In your final year you can choose to weight your studies towards either subject. Your individual project can be in either subject.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
Your first year contains essential fundamental material in programming and computer architectures. You will study the mathematical and theoretical foundations of Computer Science. You will also learn how to increase your employability prospects, including improving your presentation style and exploring the professional issues in Computer Science.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
Your second year continues teaching you the fundamentals of both disciplines, and more specialist modules start to be introduced.
When you reach Year 3, you will do 60 credits of Maths modules and 60 credits of Computer Science modules. You'll be able to select the modules from a list encompassing modules in both departments.
Module options for Computer Science are drawn from core streams and other advanced topic areas. Example optional module titles are:
Please note that some of these modules require you to have selected certain other modules in Years 2 and 3. If you have a specific question, please contact the department for further information.
In your final year, you can choose to weight your studies more towards Computer Science or Mathematics.
You must choose Computer Science and Maths modules totalling 80 credits.
You’ll take options drawn from a range of advanced specialised modules. Options have recently included:
You must choose Computer Science and Maths modules totalling 80 credits. Options have recently included:
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
The fees and funding figures below are for 2021/22 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £22,650 |
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
There are unlikely to be any mandatory additional costs associated with the course, although you may want to set aside £200 for optional photocopying and personal stationery over the duration of the course.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2021/22 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
We hope to deliver this course as advertised for 2021/22 entry, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to return to a normal timetable. For an idea of how this course might be affected, see our changes for 2020/21 entry.
A typical week will involve about 15-20 hours of scheduled teaching time. Our courses are based on a series of one-hour lectures with associated laboratory sessions, programming classes and tutorials.
Throughout the course, you will have a personal supervisor responsible for guiding your studies. In addition to any timetabled sessions, you will meet with your supervisor regularly, and you can also go to them at any time should you have any issues, academic or personal. There are problem classes to help you put learning from lectures into practice and weekly one-to-one project supervisions in your final year.
You will also undertake learning outside of the scheduled timetable. This can be through working in the labs, which are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or through reading recommended materials or working through problems. Consequently, you'll need to be self-motivated, self-disciplined and willing to learn outside regular classes.
As you progress through the course you will develop your skills to become a more independent learner. You'll also spend time working on your individual research project later on in the course, in addition to timetabled activity; you will be allocated a project supervisor, with whom you will have regular meetings in addition to timetabled sessions. You can go to your supervisor for support and advice regarding your project.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 11 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 1 hour per week |
| Tutorials | 0-1 hours per week |
| Problem classes | 1 hour per week |
| Workshops | 0-1 hours per week |
| Practicals | 5-6 hours per week |
| Presentations | 1 session |
| Optional activities | 8 hours |
These figures are based on an average student in an average week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practise completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during term time. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Built to the highest specifications, the Department of Computer Science is packed with cutting-edge facilities housed in a modern, self-contained building.
Computer Science houses four software and two hardware laboratories which you will be able to use depending on the topic of your third year project. These facilities are professional grade and used by our research teams so, depending on your interests, you'll get first hand exposure to these environments.
The Department of Mathematics is a community of mathematicians from all over the world, engaged in world-class research and committed to excellence in teaching with a special emphasis on small groups and a friendly atmosphere.
The Department of Computer Science is based on Campus East and the Department of Maths is based on Campus West. As a result, you will be taught at locations across campus.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
In Computer Science we use a variety of assessment techniques throughout your course. This allows you to practice different techniques, from report writing, presentations and live demos to timed programming assessments and closed exams. It also means that you are not disadvantaged by being assessed in any one way.
To aid your learning we provide feedback on your assessments in addition to the marks you receive. The Computer Science Examinations Team is also available should you have any assessment queries.
We ask our students for feedback on the Computer Science course at the end of each year. This helps to improve and modify what we do to help meet the needs of our students.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 85% | 87% | 100% | 50% |
| Coursework | 7% | 8% | 0% | 47% |
| Practical exams | 8% | 5% | 0% | 3% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The move towards a digital economy creates demand for computer scientists and software engineers across a broad section of employers, so the skills you develop here will make you attractive to many organisations.
Many of our graduates are employed by software and electronics industries, but the continuing expansion of the use of computers in commercial and financial operations means that you will be able to find employment in other industries - and here your sharpened numeracy and analytical skills will have prepared you well.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including A in Mathematics |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | We accept the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The syllabus must contain a significant portion of Mathematics that is considered equivalent to A level standard. Applications will be considered on an individual basis - please contact the Department before you apply. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD and grade A in A level Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). We consider applicants with a combination of other BTEC Level 3 qualifications, and this must include a grade A in A level Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). Please contact us to discuss your combination of qualifications. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall, including at least 85% in Mathematics |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points overall, including grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics |
| Other qualifications | We welcome applications offering a mix of OU, A level and other appropriate qualifications. Applications will be considered on an individual basis: please contact the Department before you apply. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
We require a qualification in a physical science; for example, a GCSE at grade 4 (C) or above in Physics or Double Science, or Science and Additional Science.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Duolingo | 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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