Programme Specifications

Computer Science (with integrated year studying abroad)


1 : Awarding Institution / Body
Aberystwyth University

2a : Teaching Institution / University
Aberystwyth University

2b : Work-based learning (where appropriate)


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:



3a : Programme accredited by
Aberystwyth University

3b : Programme approved by
Aberystwyth University

4 : Final Award
Bachelor of Science

5 : Programme title
Computer Science (with integrated year studying abroad)

6 : UCAS code
G406

7 : QAA Subject Benchmark


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

This Programme Specification has been designed to conform to the QAA Benchmark statement for Computing.



8 : Date of publication


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

September 2023



9 : Educational aims of the programme


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

  • Subject knowledge

To give students a good grounding in the major fields of Computing through a wide range of experiences;

To give students an understanding of the political, economic, legal and social issues surrounding software.

​To enable students to learn about an organization and its area of work, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate future career paths

  • Subject specific skills

To equip students with the skills necessary to design software and to program in high-level computing languages;

To enable students to understand and apply the range of principles and tools available to the software engineer;

To instil the professional skills and ethical responsibilities required of computer practitioners.

  • Generic and graduate skills

To reason logically and creatively; to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; and to be able to obtain and interpret information from a wide range of sources.

To develop highly valued transferable and professional skills during a work placement, providing a competitive edge in the graduate job market.

Overall aim of the scheme

To produce graduates who are highly sought after by industry, and who have the potential to succeed in a rapidly changing computing workplace.

Year abroad

  • To apply Computer Science approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories learnt in an international academic environment.

  • To develop highly valued transferable and professional skills during a year of study abroad, providing a competitive edge in the graduate job market.

  • To enable students to learn about alternative educational practice, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate further career paths.

On completion of the degree, students will have gained invaluable experience of living and studying aboard, gaining personal skills and international experience which is widely valued by employers in a global job market.



10 : Intended learning outcomes


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

Due to integrated year abroad, on completion of the degree, students will have gained valuable experience of studying and living in an international environment developing associated skills. The scheme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, kills, qualities and attributes in the following areas.



10.1 : Knowledge and understanding


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • Knowledge of a range of programming languages and software design techniques;

  • Knowledge of algorithm design and use of efficient data structures;

  • An understanding of mathematical underpinning of Computer Science;

  • An understanding of computer hardware, architecture and construction;

  • Knowledge of software engineering, the management of software projects, and their legal, social, ethical and professional aspects;

  • Knowledge of a range of specialist topics giving a broad experience of computing (some of Robotics, Vision and Graphics, Systems Administration, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Web development).

Learning and Teaching

  • ​​​Lectures (A1-A6)

  • ​Problem classes (A2,A3)

  • ​Seminars (A5, A6)

  • ​Laboratory work (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6)

  • ​Group and individual projects (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6)

  • ​Visiting lecturer series (A5, A6)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

  • ​​​Time-constrained examinations (A1-A6)

  • ​Problem sheets (A1, A2, A3)

  • ​Project diaries (A1,A5, A6)

  • ​Project reports (A1, A2, A5, A6)

  • ​Oral presentations (A5, A6)

  • ​Computer programs and assignments (A1, A2, A5, A6)

  • ​Capstone project (A1, A2, A5, A6)​​



10.2 : Skills and other attributes


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

  • Apply of a range of concepts and principles in well-defined software development contexts, showing judgement in the selection and application of tools and techniques.

  • Implement computer programs in a modern object-oriented language.

  • Develop and evaluate logical arguments

  • Abstract the essential elements of problems, model them and obtain solutions by appropriate methods

  • Apply engineering principles and knowledge to develop complex software systems

  • Evaluate systems in terms of general quality attributes, possible trade-offs and risk within the given problem

  • Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including autonomy in learning and the ability to live and learn in a different country.

Learning and Teaching

  • ​​​Lectures (B1-B6)

  • ​Problem classes (B3, B4, B5)

  • ​Seminars (B1, B4, B5, B6)

  • ​Laboratory work (B2, B4, B5)

  • ​Group and individual projects (B1-B6)

  • ​Visiting lecturer series (B3, B5, B6)

  • ​Year abroad (B7)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

  • ​​​Time-constrained examinations (B1-B6)

  • ​Problem sheets (B1, B2, B3)

  • ​Project diaries (B1, B3, B6)

  • ​Project reports (B1-B6)

  • ​Oral presentations (B1, B3, B6)

  • ​Computer programs and assignments (B1, B2, B4, B5)

  • ​Capstone project (B1, B2, B4, B5)​​

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

  • Present arguments and conclusions effectively and accurately;

  • Use computer software to support presentations, produce reports and work as part of a software team;

  • Understand the different ways in which project teams operate in the computing industry;

  • Use appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems;

  • Recognise any risks, safety or security aspects that may be involved with a computer system within a given context;

  • Deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve practical problems;

  • Use a range of transferable skills including communication across cultural boundaries, self-management, independence, confidence, adaptability, as well as linguistic skills.

Learning and Teaching

  • ​​​Lectures (C1-C6)

  • ​Problem classes (C1)

  • ​Seminars (C1-C6)

  • ​Laboratory work (C4, C6)

  • ​Group and individual projects (C1-C6)

  • ​Visiting lecturer series (C1, C3, C5)

  • ​Integrated year in industry (C1-C7)​​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

  • ​​​Time-constrained examinations (C1, C4, C5)

  • ​Problem sheets (C1)

  • ​Project diaries (C2, C3, C5)

  • ​Project reports (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6)​​



10.3 : Transferable/Key skills


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to

  • D1 Apply general mathematical skills to a range of problems;

  • D2 Work independently;

  • D3 Use information technology confidently;

  • D4 Manage time and resources effectively;

  • D5 Develop effective learning skills;

  • D6 Be aware of the need to plan for employment and to develop various skills for such employment;

  • D7 Work cooperatively as a member of a software development team, recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams;

Learning and Teaching

  • ​​Lectures (D1-D7)

  • ​Problem classes (D1,D5)

  • ​Seminars (D4, D5, D7)

  • ​Laboratory work (D3, D4, D7)

  • ​Group and individual projects (D2, D3, D4, D5, D7)

  • ​Visiting lecturer series (D6, D7)​

Assessment Strategies and Methods

  • ​​​Time-constrained examinations (D1)

  • ​Problem sheets (D1,D5)

  • ​Project diaries (D3, D4, D7)

  • ​Project reports (D5,D6, D7)

  • ​Oral presentations (D7)

  • ​Computer programs and assignments (D2, D3, D4, D5, D7)

  • ​Capstone project (D2, D3, D4, D5)

  • ​Integrated year in industry (D2-D7)​​



11 : Program Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards



BSC Computer Science (with integrated year studying abroad) [G406]

Academic Year: 2024/2025Single Honours scheme - available from 2019/2020

Duration (studying Full-Time): 4 years

Part 1 Rules

Year 1 Core (120 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
CS10220

Introduction to Computer Infrastructure

CS12020

Introduction to Programming

CS18120

Study Skills for Computer Science

Semester 2
CS10720

Problems and Solutions

CS11010

Fundamentals of Web Development

CS11110

Information security

CS12320

Programming Using an Object-Oriented Language

Part 2 Rules

Year 2 Core (60 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
CS21120

Algorithm Design and Data Structures

CS27020

Modelling Persistent Data

Semester 2
CS22120

Software Engineering

Year 2 Options

Choose 20 credits

Semester 2
CC24520

Python Gwyddonol

CS24520

Scientific Python

CS26020

Robotics and Embedded Systems

CS26520

Artificial Intelligence

Year 2 Electives

Choose 40 credits as advised by the department (up to 40 credits can be modules outside of Computer Science).

Year 3 Core (120 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
CSS0500

Integrated year studying abroad

CSS0600

Integrated year studying abroad

Semester 2
CSS0560

Integrated year studying abroad

CSS0660

Integrated year studying abroad

Final Year Core (60 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 2
CS38220

Professional Issues in the Computing Industry

CS39440

Major Project

Final Year Options

Choose 20 credits

Semester 1
CS31420

Computational Bioinformatics

CS31620

Mobile Development with Android

CS31920

Advanced Algorithms

CS32420

Computer Graphics and Games

Semester 2

Final Year Electives

Choose 40 credits as advised by the department (can be modules outside of Computer Science)


12 : Support for students and their learning
Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors have an important role within the overall framework for supporting students and their personal development at the University. The role is crucial in helping students to identify where they might find support, how and where to seek advice and how to approach support to maximise their student experience. Further support for students and their learning is provided by Information Services and Student Support and Careers Services.

13 : Entry Requirements
Details of entry requirements for the scheme can be found at http://courses.aber.ac.uk

14 : Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
All taught study schemes are subject to annual monitoring and periodic review, which provide the University with assurance that schemes are meeting their aims, and also identify areas of good practice and disseminate this information in order to enhance the provision.

15 : Regulation of Assessment
Academic Regulations are published as Appendix 2 of the Academic Quality Handbook: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aqro/handbook/app-2/.

15.1 : External Examiners
External Examiners fulfill an essential part of the University’s Quality Assurance. Annual reports by External Examiners are considered by Faculties and Academic Board at university level.

16 : Indicators of quality and standards
The Department Quality Audit questionnaire serves as a checklist about the current requirements of the University’s Academic Quality Handbook. The periodic Department Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance processes and for the University to assure itself that management of quality and standards which are the responsibility of the University as a whole are being delivered successfully.