Overview

Technology now underpins nearly every industry, and building genuine expertise in computer science means mastering everything from core programming and data structures to networking, security and artificial intelligence. The BSc (Hons) Computer Science at the University of Portsmouth gives students this broad technical grounding before allowing specialisation in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, robotics and cryptography, taught by academics ranked highly for research quality in the field. Students benefit from dedicated cyber security and networking labs, national and international competition opportunities, and the option to strengthen their learning further through an optional industry placement. The course suits students who want a practically grounded, technically rigorous computing education with genuine flexibility to shape their specialism as their interests develop.

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What You'll Learn

• Computer architecture, networking and the fundamentals of how systems communicate

• Programming skills and industry-standard languages for building interactive applications

• Relational database systems, data analysis and introductory artificial intelligence techniques

• Core principles of cyber security and how systems are protected against threats

• Software engineering practices for developing medium- and large-scale applications

• Data structures and algorithms, and how they affect the efficiency of real-world solutions

• Discrete mathematics and functional programming underpinning modern computer science

• Specialist optional areas such as ethical hacking, big data, robotics and web programming in later years

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply core computer science principles across programming, data structures and system architecture to design effective software solutions. They will be equipped to build and query databases, apply introductory AI techniques, and understand the cyber security principles needed to protect systems and data. Through team-based software projects and specialist option modules, students will develop practical, industry-relevant technical and problem-solving skills. Graduates will leave with a BCS-accredited, versatile grounding in computer science, well prepared for further study or a career spanning software development, cyber security, data analysis and artificial intelligence.