Computer Science

Computer science is the discipline that seeks to understand computation in all its forms, from the mathematical theory of what can and cannot be computed to the practical engineering of software systems that solve real problems. It encompasses algorithms and data structures, programming languages, operating systems, networks, databases, artificial intelligence, and software engineering, and it is the intellectual foundation of the digital world.

At the University of York, this four-year full-time programme gives you a thorough grounding in fundamental computer science theory alongside the practical skills needed to address real-world problems. You will study the mathematical foundations of computing, learn to design and analyse algorithms, understand how systems are built and how they can fail, and engage with the engineering disciplines that allow complex software to be built reliably by teams. The year in industry is an integral feature of this programme, adding a year of professional experience that applies your learning in a genuine commercial, research, or public sector environment.

This experience builds your professional judgement, your understanding of how software development works in practice, and your employability before you graduate. The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points.

Graduates from computer science programmes are among the most sought-after in the graduate labour market. Careers span software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, systems architecture, artificial intelligence research, product management, and technical consulting across virtually every sector. The combination of theoretical grounding and practical experience that this programme provides is particularly valued by employers who need people who can both think carefully and build things that work.

Further study options include master's degrees and doctoral programmes in computer science, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and related fields.