BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence at SHU is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, and the university holds Gold status for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
About this course
<p>This BSc Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence course combines programming, computation, AI, and machine learning with scientific & practical applications.</p> From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at SHU, based in City Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 86% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £29,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Computer Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 90; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 86% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 75% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Applied Artificial IntelligenceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Introduces the design and development of applications that use techniques from across artificial intelligence and machine learning. The focus is on practical development rather than foundational theory, using Python programming language and libraries such as SciKit and Pandas. Covers Python programming, AI libraries, interactions between AI and users, designing AI-based solutions, working with complex data sets, ethics in professional software development, impact of AI systems across society, an
- Mathematics For Computer ScienceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Introduces concepts of discrete mathematics and numerical skills related to concepts for application in computer science. Covers sets, relations, and functions; propositional and predicate logic; cardinality, combinatorics, recurrence, and modular arithmetic; proof techniques; graphs and trees; discrete probability; data structures; matrices; mathematics of cryptography; hexadecimal and binary number systems; floating point and other number systems; and Boolean algebra.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Programming For Computer ScienceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Provides an introduction to computer programming with a foundation in key programming concepts and their deployment in a mainstream object-oriented programming language. Focus is on design and implementation of programs and algorithms using imperative facilities of a programming language. Extends into basic concepts of object-oriented programming. Covers problem solving, top-down design, functional decomposition, the development process, variables and data structures, algorithms and control stru
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Software ProjectsCompulsory60 credits
Module details
Uses real projects to apply and develop software development knowledge. Supports development of collaborative skills in a software development environment alongside Legal, Social, Ethical and Professional Issues (LSEPI). Covers user requirements and user stories, acceptance testing, software prototyping, software development process and lifecycles, use case modelling, database design, object-oriented design, user interface design, software testing, sustainable development and deployment, and dat
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 2 4 modules
- Advanced ProgrammingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Continues to build programming knowledge, looking at object-oriented programming in modern programming languages such as C/C++. Introduces manual dynamic memory management and discusses heap and stack memory alongside profiling. Covers object-oriented principles, concepts and design, abstract and interface classes, dynamic memory management, memory pointers and references, memory profiling, standard template libraries (STLs), operator overloading, templates/generics, event-based coding, design p
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Algorithms And Data StructuresCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Imparts key concepts in computer science and further develops important skills in computer-based problem-solving and data manipulation. Covers introduction to algorithms, concurrent and parallel algorithms, sorting algorithms, searching algorithms, linked lists, stacks and queues, recursion, tree structures, graph structures, theory of algorithms, complexity, and optimisation problems and search methods.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1Compulsory20 credits
Module details
Delivers knowledge and practical skills of machine learning algorithms for artificial intelligence applications. Presents key mathematical principles and concepts required to create machine learning algorithms through data-driven approaches. Covers data-driven approaches to machine learning, linear regression and gradient descent, regression and classification problems, machine learning algorithms (decision trees, support vector machines, ensemble learning and k-mean/mean-shift clustering), data
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Professional Software ProjectsCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Provides a platform to work collaboratively in small teams to build complex software applications relating to industry. Typically work with external clients on projects and develop professional practice and profile. Covers modern software development methodologies, team working, version control tools, architecture of CRUDing applications, building secure APIs, testing strategies, cloud deployment technologies, professional profile development, building secure and sustainable systems, and accessi
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 3 1 modules
- Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional DiplomaCompulsory
Module details
Enhances students' professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s). Minimum 24 weeks, minimum 21 hours per week. Allows students to apply skills, theories and behaviours relevant to their course, enhance interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers, grow their student network and relationship building skills, provide insights into the industry, and help make informed graduate careers choices.
Final year 3 modules
- Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 2Compulsory20 credits
Module details
Delivers key concepts, theories and practical skills to implement state-of-the-art neural networks techniques within the artificial intelligence problems domain. Enhances knowledge and experiences from level 5 machine learning modules and focuses on smart system design, development, evaluation and optimisation. Covers artificial and deep neural networks, algorithms of training neural networks, customising pre-trained models and transfer learning, training large scale neural networks, computer vi
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Development ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
A research project of your choice where you identify a computer-based problem, investigate the requirements, analyse results of research undertaken and design, develop and evaluate a solution. Includes ideation and planning a larger-scale project, information gathering and literature reviews, selection of tools, techniques or methods, implementation, testing and user evaluation, critical reflection on project deliverables, referencing and citation techniques, legal, social and ethical considerat
Assessment: Coursework (40%), Practical (60%)
- Software Architecture And DesignCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Gives students the opportunity to apply the principles of good design, usability, and security to the development of software. Explores a case study that forms the starting point for discovery, discussion and development. Using a practical approach, different design techniques and architectural styles can be used to develop solutions that are then evaluated against industry-standard criteria using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Covers gathering requirements, user-centred design (i
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines programming, computation, artificial intelligence and machine learning with scientific and practical applications. You'll usually start with programming fundamentals, working in languages such as Python and Java, alongside computer systems, architecture and discrete mathematics. In your second year, you'll study algorithms, data structures, databases and software engineering, then move into artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. Year 3 progresses to specialist options such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems and networks, or human-computer interaction, whilst building towards an individual software project. Throughout, you'll apply theory to real problems and work with contemporary tools and practices in software development.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates with A-levels or equivalent qualifications. Recent accepted students typically held UCAS tariffs between 112 and 127 points. You should have a genuine interest in computer science and artificial intelligence, and be prepared for technical problem-solving and independent project work. The course is taught in English.
Careers & job market
Across Computer Science courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 75% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £25,000 to £35,000; after three years, £23,375 to £33,000; and after five years, £29,750 to £42,000. These figures reflect national outcomes for Computer Science graduates, not a guaranteed salary.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) degree is studied full-time over 3 years at Sheffield Hallam University, a university founded in 1992, based at its City Campus. Instruction is in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; your degree is nationally recognised. The course holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SHU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £29,500 | £25,000 – £33,500 | 90 |
| 3 years after | £26,500 | £21,000 – £34,000 | 605 |
| 5 years after | £33,000 | £24,500 – £45,500 | 640 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 90; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
- 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
- 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally
National figures for Computer Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 90; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Computer Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,820 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 46% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 12% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 320; response rate: 56%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence is worth about +£60,630 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 15.9. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Boilerplate and scaffolding code
- First-pass tests and docs
- Routine debugging and refactors
- Standard data wrangling
More human than ever
- System design and architecture trade-offs
- Reviewing and owning correctness & security
- Translating fuzzy problems into software
- Leading delivery and mentoring
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Computer Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Tech companies
- Banks & fintech
- Consultancies
- Government (GDS) & startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Computer Science graduates.
Software Developer Placement Programme No experience neededIT Online LearningSoftware Developer - .NET & Azure for Green Energy ProjectsOfgemSoftware Developer Backend (SFIA5)ZaiziSoftware Developer (Mobile Apps) in Guildford - ECM Selection (Holdings) LimitedJava Script WorksSoftware Developer (Contract) – Higher Education Projects (UK)Burman RecruitmentSoftware Developer – Distributed Scheduling & Workload OrchestrationCGG Services (UK) LimitedIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
86% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £29,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.1 out of 10: NSS 82.3% · in work or study 86% · continued 75%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Sheffield Hallam University
Computing across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City Campus
3,427 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to SHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check SHU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with SHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SHU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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