Overview
Computing science is about understanding, designing, and building software and systems. It’s a mix of logic, creativity, and technical skill that underpins almost every modern industry.
A Stirling computing science degree gives you the technical and personal skills employers want. The UK tech workforce is expected to grow faster than the overall labour market between 2025 and 2030 (CompTIA Sep 2025).
Get equipped with cutting-edge programming and AI skills
Our BSc (Hons) Computing Science gives you the theory and practical experience in how to design, build and analyse computer systems. You’ll cover:
- Programming and scripting in languages such as Python, Java, C++, C#,JavaScript and PHP
- Database technologies (SQL, NoSQL)
- Software engineering
- Computer networks and distributed computing
- UX design
- Cyber security and forensics
- Data analytics
- Machine learning
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Big Data
You’ll build valuable skills in critical thinking, project management, teamwork, and communication. In your final year, you’ll take on an independent project that reflects your interests. That might be designing and developing software, exploring a research topic, or creating control software for a hardware device.
The teaching on our degree in computing science is led by academics with research expertise across diverse areas. These include Data Science and Intelligent Systems, Biological Modelling, and Computational Mathematics and Optimisation.
Gain industry experience
Our industrial placements are a great way of applying the knowledge you’ve gained in the classroom into a commercial context. You can undertake a three-month summer placement or a one-year placement in industry.
You'll build strong links within the computing science industry. Our placements, internships and industry liaison ensure great networking opportunities. We have links to organisations including:
- Accenture
- Diageo
- Honeywell
- JP Morgan
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Water
As part of our degree in computer science you can take a module covering professional skills for students. It prepares you for placement applications and job applications on graduation. You’ll work on a career development action plan. You’ll develop your CV and professional social network profile.
You’ll also practice elevator pitches and other interview skills. Industry representatives will explain what they are looking for in their future recruits.
Be part of a vibrant computing science community
We have an active student-led Computer Club that supports computer scientists. Activities include programming events and projects and technology debates. Computing@Stirling talks introduce more about your professors and their research.
Study abroad
Broaden your horizons through our international exchange programmes. Study at one of our partner universities across North America, Australia, or Europe. Previous students have studied at:
- University of Alabama Birmingham, USA
- Carleton University, Canada
- University of Victoria, Canada
- City University of Hong Kong
- Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg, Germany
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
Each year we offer the following prizes:
- Outstanding performance in 1st year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 2nd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 3rd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 4th year Computing Science modules
- a Faculty research prize for an outstanding research project
- BCS Glasgow prize: Best honours project
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
ABBB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32 points
Essential subjects
Subjects to include Computing and relevant experience of Java or other programming languages.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Additional information
For year 1 entry, there are no course specific requirements for this programme although some experience of computer programming is beneficial.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
In Semesters 1-3, students from all three of our computing-related degrees (Computing Science, Software Engineering and Business Computing) take the same core modules in Computing Science. You’ll also take two further subjects. In Semester 1 you must also take a Mathematics module that is specifically designed to help with your understanding of networks, logic and algorithms.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The University of Stirling was awarded five-star excellence for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Computing Science through lectures, small tutorial groups and most of all through practical labs, where concepts taught in lectures are implemented and tested.
Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange, as well as The DataLab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. Our staff are engaged with funded research from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as well as funding from other UK Research Councils and funding agencies.
Assessment
Computing Science is taught as a very practical subject, and almost all modules include practical assignments. Typically, these count for 50 percent of the assessment grade per module, with the remainder given to the exam. For an Honours degree, the grades for all advanced modules taken in Semesters 5 – 8 are combined to give your final degree classification.
Work placement opportunities
We help our students to build strong links with industry through three-month summer placements and one-year placements. Both of these are offered to third year students. Placement opportunities are available with local SMEs as well as large corporate companies. Year 3 contains a professional development course, which is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to secure a placement and, ultimately, job.
Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability, or think about further study.
Study abroad
You can study abroad through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Computer programming is the occupation that is expected to grow the most by 2035 in the UK (UK Universities Oct 2025).
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