Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year

Computer science is the study of computation: what problems can be solved algorithmically, how software systems are designed and built, how data is stored and processed, and how computers and networks function at every level from the hardware upward. It is a discipline that combines mathematical rigour with creative problem-solving, and its graduates are equipped to work in almost every sector of the economy, from finance and healthcare to entertainment and scientific research.

At UCL this four-year full-time programme includes an integrated foundation year, which is designed for students who have the potential to succeed in engineering and computer science at UCL but who do not yet meet the standard entry requirements for direct entry to the undergraduate programme. The foundation year develops both your academic foundations and your confidence, building the mathematical, scientific, and study skills you need to progress onto the full computer science degree. From there, you will cover the core areas of the discipline: algorithms and data structures, programming, computer systems, software engineering, databases, networking, and the theoretical underpinnings of computation.

UCL is one of the UK's leading universities, and studying computer science here places you in an environment with exceptional research activity, industry connections, and access to a graduate network in London's thriving technology sector.

Graduates move into careers as software engineers, systems architects, data scientists, machine learning engineers, cybersecurity analysts, product managers, and technology consultants. Computer science graduates from leading universities are among the most sought-after in the graduate jobs market, and UCL's London location provides particularly strong connections to the financial technology, media, and start-up sectors. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study or research in computer science or related fields.