Data Science and Computing (BSc): 3-year, full-time — Birkbeck, University of London Skip to main content Birkbeck Home Students Research Staff Alumni Birkbeck Home Search Menu Search keywords Search Home Find a course Study Study here Undergraduate study Postgraduate study MPhil/PhD research Short courses Entry requirements Financial support How to apply Come and meet us Evening study explained International Students Student Services Business Services Library Life at Birkbeck Student life at Birkbeck The Birkbeck Experience Boost your career About Birkbeck About us Find us Contact us Research Schools and Departments Events News ReciteMe accessibility Info Data Science and Computing (BSc): 3-year, full-time Year of entry 2022 Start date October 2022 Location Central London Status Fully Approved UCAS Code I265 Apply now via UCAS Duration Three years full-time Attendance Up to four daytime/evening sessions a week, October to July Awarding Body University of London Data is everywhere and continuing to grow massively, which has created a huge demand for qualified experts who can uncover valuable insights from data. Data science is an emerging and trending field that is rapidly developing. It combines data analytics, statistics, computer science and software engineering and is highly sought-after by employers in business, education, finance, industry, the public sector and many other fields. Birkbeck's BSc Data Science and Computing will give you the strong technical grounding you need to work in a job as a data scientist or industry analyst. You will gain a broad knowledge of computing and mathematics and acquire strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, R and Java - the most popular programming languages used by data scientists. During this course you will also investigate current research areas in data science more deeply and engage practically with the industry. This course is also available for part-time evening study over four years. Highlights The Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at Birkbeck was one of the first computing departments established in the UK: we celebrate our 65th anniversary in 2022. We provide a stimulating teaching and research environment, for both part-time and full-time students. Our world-class research in data science, data analytics and software engineering at the Birkbeck Institute for Data Analytics (BIDA) informs our teaching and our interactions with business, public and third-sector organisations. We have four modern computing laboratories in the Department, with a total of 133 workstations. The labs have projection facilities and are air-conditioned. Our wide range of software runs on a number of platforms including Unix, Windows and Linux. The local area network is a switched gigabit/10gigabit ethernet. The Department and College computers are connected to the SuperJANET academic network. Departmental computer services and networks are managed and supported by the Department's Systems Group. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, more than 75% of our research outputs in Computer Science were ranked world-leading or internationally excellent. Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact the department Course structure The course consists mainly of 15-credit modules, to a total of 360 credits. In Year 1, you take seven compulsory modules and choose one option module. In Year 2, you take seven compulsory modules and choose one option module. In Year 3, you take five compulsory modules, choose one option module and undertake a project worth 30 credits. Read more about modules Module groups Year 1 compulsory modules Foundations of Data Science I Introduction to Computer Systems Introduction to Database Technology Introduction to Programming Mathematics for Computing Software and Programming I Systems Analysis and Design I Year 2 compulsory modules Computer Networking Data Structures and Algorithms Foundations of Data Science II Professional Issues in Computing Software Engineering I Software Engineering II Systems Analysis and Design II Year 3 compulsory modules Concepts of Machine Learning Data Science Applications and Techniques Database Management Information Security Introduction to Data Analytics using R BSc Data Science project BSc Data Science Project Option modules Advanced Web Authoring Calculus 2 Cloud Computing Concepts E-business Introduction to Semantic Technologies Introduction to Web Authoring JavaScript Mobile Web Application Development Programming Language Paradigms Software and Programming II Software and Programming III Web Data with XML, JSON and AJAX Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students. Entry Requirements Entry requirements We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. If you have no previous formal qualifications you will need to complete an admission test including English comprehension and mathematical knowledge. UCAS tariff points 112-128 points The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. A-levels: BBC-ABB GCSEs Applicants are expected to have GCSE grade C or grade 4, or equivalent, in English and mathematics. Foundation Year Degrees If you need extra support before starting an undergraduate degree, we offer a BSc Data Science and Computing with Foundation Year degree, which provides an extra year of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. Once you successfully complete the Foundation Year, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. Alternative entry routes Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in information technology or computing units. The Certificate of Higher Education in Information Technology offers a route into the Foundation Degree in Information Technology, which can then lead to entry onto the BSc Data Science and Computing. English Language Requirements If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details of how we can help. Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country. Visa requirements If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course: Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules). For full information, read our visa information for international students page. Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant requirements by country. Credits and Accredited Prior Learning (APL) If you have studied at university previously, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution. You should discuss this with the Programme Director when you are making your application. Find out more about credits and Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Fees Fees Full-time home students: £ 9250 pa Full-time international students: £ 14560 pa Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their programme. Tuition fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy. TUITION FEE AND MAINTENANCE LOANS Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them. Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income. Funding for EU students is changing from August 2021: find out about details of these changes. Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck. Teaching and assessment Teaching At Birkbeck, almost all of our courses are taught in the evening and our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other daytime commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience. In the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the government’s system for rating university teaching, Birkbeck was allocated a Silver award. Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study. Our distance-learning and blended-learning courses and modules are self-directed and we will provide you with interactive learning opportunities and encourage you to collaborate and engage via various learning technologies. These courses involve limited or no face-to-face contact between students and module tutors. In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor. Methods of teaching on this course Lectures, group tutorials and exercises, and laboratory-based computing exercises. Teaching hours Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available. On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable). Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time. Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning. On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies. Timetables Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol). Indicative class size Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor. Independent learning On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments. Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching. On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, the emphasis is very much on independent, self-directed learning and you will be expected to manage your own learning, with the support of your module tutors and various learning technologies. Study skills and additional support Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas: academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation) written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar) numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics). Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia. Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies. Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies. Assessment Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams. Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online. Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy. Methods of assessment on this course A combination of coursework, in-class tests, examinations and a final-year project. Breakdown of assessment on this course The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework will often depend on the option modules you choose. The approximate percentages for this course are as follows: Year % Exams % Practical % Coursework 1 70 0 30 2 70 0 30 3 50 0 50 Careers and employability Careers and employability Graduates can pursue careers as data scientists or data analysts, with the benefit of being competent software engineers as well, a combination of skills sought by employers. Job opportunities exist in software companies, healthcare, banking, insurance, policing and tech companies as, for example, machine learning engineers for artificial intelligence software, analytics associates/data scientists, quantitative analysts or graduate software developers. We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies. How to apply How to apply If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application. Birkbeck offers a range of free face-to-face advice and support to help you make a successful application. Birkbeck can give you all of the information and help you need to complete your application form, including our online personal statement tool, which will guide you through every step of writing your personal statement. UCAS Code I265 Application deadlines and interviews 15 January is the first UCAS deadline and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after 15 January, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August. Read more about key dates for UCAS applicants. Apply now via UCAS Visit the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems Related courses Data Science and Computing (BSc): 4-year, part-time Evening learning Our students work in the day and study at night to get a head start on other graduates in a highly competitive job market. 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