BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Bachelor's degree at the University of Edinburgh
BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science at University of Edinburgh. The four-year structure (rather than the more common three) gives extra room to build up both strands properly, so students aren't rushed into specialising before they've had a chance to see how machine learning, reasoning systems and…
About this course
BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Edinburgh, based in Central. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £35,000. (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: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (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 14 modules
- Informatics 1 - Critical Skills and PracticeCompulsory
- Informatics 1 - Foundations of ComputingCompulsory
- Linear Algebra 1Compulsory
- Informatics 1 - Introduction to ProgrammingOptional
- Calculus and Algebra Fundamentals for InformaticsOptional
- Our Changing WorldOptional
- Sustainability and Social Responsibility (UG)Optional
- Wicked problems: Reason and RhetoricOptional
- Understanding decolonisation in a globalised worldOptional
- Sustainable Development Goals: History, Progress and Beyond 2030Optional
- Living in the AnthropoceneOptional
- Understanding Society with Big Data: Computational Social ScienceOptional
- Understanding Gender in the Contemporary WorldOptional
- Healthy Eating for People and PlanetOptional
Year 2 6 modules
- Informatics 2 - Foundations of Data ScienceCompulsory
- Informatics 2 - Introduction to Algorithms and Data StructuresCompulsory
- Discrete Mathematics and ProbabilityCompulsory
- Informatics 2C - Introduction to Computer SystemsCompulsory
- Informatics 2 - Software Engineering and Professional PracticeCompulsory
- Informatics 2D - Reasoning and AgentsCompulsory
Year 3 16 modules
- Professional Issues (Level 10)Compulsory
- Computer SecurityCompulsory
- Informatics Large PracticalCompulsory
- System Design ProjectCompulsory
- Algorithms and Data StructuresOptional
- Computational Cognitive ScienceOptional
- Software TestingOptional
- Introduction to Theoretical Computer ScienceOptional
- Elements of Programming LanguagesOptional
- Compiling TechniquesOptional
- Computer Communications and NetworksOptional
- Operating SystemsOptional
- Machine LearningOptional
- Introduction to Mobile RoboticsOptional
- Foundations of Natural Language ProcessingOptional
- Probabilistic Machine LearningOptional
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
The degree blends foundational computer science with a sustained emphasis on artificial intelligence, so students build up programming, algorithms, systems and mathematical grounding while also engaging directly with AI methods rather than encountering them only in a final-year option. As the course progresses, there's scope to lean into areas such as Software Engineering, Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Web & Mobile, Cloud & DevOps, Games, or HCI, allowing students to shape their later years around where their interest and ambition actually lie. Because the course runs across four years, there's more space than usual to move from grounding to genuine depth, whether that means a stronger research component in AI or broader coverage across the wider discipline. The teaching draws on Edinburgh's standing as a research-active university, meaning students are learning within a department actively engaged in the field rather than solely from a fixed syllabus.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about how machines can be made to reason, learn and make decisions, but who also wants a solid grounding in computer science rather than a narrower AI-only route. It works well for students who enjoy problem-solving with a mathematical edge, who like the idea of testing ideas through code, and who are happy to commit to four years of sustained study rather than a shorter degree. Because the course allows movement into areas such as software engineering, data science, cyber security, or games later on, it suits people who don't yet have a fixed idea of their eventual specialism and want the flexibility to discover it as they go. Most students accepted onto Computer Science courses of this kind arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically in the 176–191 UCAS tariff range, so it's aimed at those coming from a fairly conventional academic background rather than requiring unusual prior experience. Day to day, studying here should feel intellectually demanding but broad, building fundamentals early, then gradually gaining the confidence to pursue a personal interest within AI or computer science more widely. Anyone who enjoys both the abstract puzzle-solving of algorithms and the more hands-on satisfaction of getting a system to actually work will likely feel at home.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Computer Science courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after finishing, and 75% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures that reflect the discipline as a whole rather than this specific university or course. National graduate earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) show starting salaries in the region of £25,000–£35,000 at 15 months, dropping slightly to £23,375–£33,000 after three years, and rising to £29,750–£42,000 after five years; these are national ranges rather than guarantees tied to any individual or institution. With specialisation routes covering areas such as software engineering, data science, AI & machine learning, cyber security, and HCI, graduates leave with options across a fairly wide span of the tech sector, from research-adjacent AI roles to more applied software and systems careers. It's also worth noting that, nationally, 85% of computer science students continue past their first year, which is a useful indicator of how manageable the transition into this kind of degree tends to be.
University & format
The University of Edinburgh is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group, with around 26,138 students in total and a history dating back to 1583. It's. This particular course is delivered full-time over four years at the university's central location, taught in English, and leads to a BSc (Hons) award, a nationally recognised degree from a UK degree-awarding body.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 71%.
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.
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 | 75% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| a Baccalaureate | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
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 (code GG47). 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. Set under Scotland's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at University of Edinburgh →If you normally live in Scotland
For eligible Scottish-domiciled students at an eligible Scottish provider, SAAS can pay tuition directly. Living-cost support can combine bursary and loan and depends on household income and student circumstances. Students from elsewhere use their home funding body.
Check the current amounts with SAAS →Paying for it
- SAAS tuition payment: paid directly to the university for eligible Scottish-domiciled students, applied for through SAAS.
- Living-cost support: a mix of bursary and loan from SAAS, depending on household income.
- Repayment: only above the Scottish repayment threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Scotland runs its own system through SAAS; check saas.gov.uk for current rates.
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 | £35,000 | £34,000 – £40,000 | 30 |
| 3 years after | £37,000 | £26,500 – £50,500 | 70 |
| 5 years after | £55,500 | £38,500 – £75,000 | 70 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; 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: 30; 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 · 75% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
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: 35; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £35,000. 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 8.9 out of 10: NSS 76.1% · in work or study 90% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Edinburgh
Computing across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Edinburgh from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,552 / 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 University of Edinburgh’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 University of Edinburgh and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Edinburgh
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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