Computer Science with a Year in Industry

Computer science is the discipline that underpins the digital world. It encompasses the theory of computation, the design of algorithms and data structures, the engineering of software systems, and the study of how computers interact with people and with each other. It is at once a rigorously mathematical field and an intensely practical one, and the graduates it produces are among the most sought after in any sector of the economy.

At Cardiff this five-year full-time programme includes a year in industry, giving you a substantial period of professional experience working in computing before you complete your degree. The academic content covers the full breadth of the discipline, from programming and software engineering to computer architecture, networks, databases, and the theoretical foundations of computation. You will develop an awareness of ethics, security, and sustainability in computing, the kinds of concerns that employers increasingly expect graduates to understand alongside their technical skills.

The typical entry tariff for this programme is 184 UCAS points. The year in industry extends the programme to five years and significantly strengthens your employability by demonstrating that you can apply your knowledge in real professional environments.

Career destinations for computer science graduates are exceptionally broad. Software development, systems engineering, data science, cybersecurity, product management, and technology consulting are among the most common paths. The technical depth and professional experience the Cardiff programme provides open doors across the private sector, the public sector, and the growing world of technology startups.

Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in computer science, artificial intelligence, or related fields, and the discipline's intellectual rigour also provides a strong foundation for roles in finance, management consulting, and research.