BSc Computer Science and Physics

All of our programmes start with a common core of mathematics courses and informatics courses, with increasing choices for specialisation in later years depending on your interests. If you are taking a joint degree, you will also have to take compulsory courses in your second subject.

Each year you will have 120 credits worth of courses spread across two semesters. Some of these credits will go into compulsory courses and the remaining can be used on optional courses. Optional courses may be in schools outside the School of Informatics.

Please note this is an overview. You can expect the compulsory courses to remain the same, but the list of optional courses on offer changes every year.

Degree overview

Year 1

Year 1 introduces you to basic principles of:

• programming
• computation
• physics

In computer science you will be introduced to basic principles of programming and computation.

What you will learn:

• how information can be represented and processed in computer systems
• computer programming
• how to solve problems using computer programs

You will learn how data can be managed and processed in computer systems and used to solve problems.

This year also includes courses in physics and mathematics. Physics courses introduce you to a wide range of physics topics and how these impact our understanding of the universe.

The topics for Mathematics relevant for Physics introduce mathematical and problem solving skills in the context of algebra and calculus, with an increasing emphasis on physical applications.

Together, these form the foundations for more in-depth study in future years.

Second year entry

The School of Informatics does not accept applications for second year entry to our programmes.

Year 2

You will build on Year 1, covering more advanced programming and data structures, together with the relevant physics and mathematics.

In computer science you will develop a greater understanding of:

• algorithms and data structures
• the foundations of data science

In physics you will focus on:

• the physics of fields and matter
• relativity and quantum physics
• dynamics

These will be supported by further advanced material in algebra and calculus.

Year 3

Your studies will become more focused and you will have more choice in selecting specialised courses in computer science and advanced physics.

Coursework assignments usually provide you with experience in:

• practical work
• independent problem solving
• group work

Your exact curriculum depends on your chosen courses. Usual courses available in computer science include (among many others):

• robotics
• algorithms and data structures
• computer architecture
• computer networks

Usual courses available in Physics include (among many others):

• quantum mechanics
• electromagnetism
• statistical mechanics
• thermal physics
• fourier analysis

Year 4

You will choose from a large number of advanced courses in computer science and physics to build a portfolio that matches your particular interests.

Year 4 includes an individual honours project in either computer science or physics (or it may combine aspects of both).

You will have a variety of choices in selecting your project. A supervisor will guide you in developing it, starting from a given topic.

Usual courses available in computer science include (among many others):

• elements of programming languages
• computer security
• foundations of natural language processing

Usual courses available in physics include (among many others):

• quantum physics
• relativity, nuclear and particle physics
• condensed matter physics

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

You will be attending classes in both, the School of Informatics and School of Physics.

Computer science

The School of Informatics’ lectures, tutorials and other classes are mainly held in Appleton Tower. Some of your first-year classes will also take place in the Nucleus building at the King's Buildings campus.

The King’s Buildings campus is around 15 minutes by bus from the Central Campus. The Nucleus building is a new shared learning, teaching and social hub, built to a sustainable and environmentally efficient design.

Appleton Tower is located in the University's Central Campus area, and provides purpose-built facilities and dedicated learning and teaching spaces. The Informatics Student Support Team is also based in Appleton Tower.

You will have access to computer laboratories and quality software support. You will also be able to use the University’s facilities, including libraries and common student spaces.

The Informatics Student Support Team is based in Appleton Tower.

Physics

From Year 1, Physics teaching is based in the University’s Central Campus and at the King’s Buildings campus.

From Year 2, you will also have access to the Computational Physics Laboratory.

Across both your subjects, you will be taught in a variety of lecture theatres located on both campuses.

Take a virtual tour

Take a closer look at all our facilities on the University’s Virtual Visit site.

Virtual visit

Study abroad

In Year 3, you may be able to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

The University of Edinburgh has a wide range of partners across the world. Some of these universities are located in:

• Australia
• USA
• Canada
• Europe
• Singapore

Subject-specific agreements

Subject-specific exchanges are also open to students studying joint degrees. Destinations of recent placements completed by students include:

• Germany
• Netherlands
• Finland

What are my choices for going abroad?

How will I learn?

You will be taught by leaders in their field through a combination of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• practical classes

In your later years, you will spend more time working on projects that involve:

• building computer systems from scratch
• developing systems
• doing experimental work
• working on projects with guidance from a supervisor

Support

Students in the School of Informatics have access to services that support their learning, particularly in the beginning of their degree.

InfPALS is a peer support service for Year 1 students focusing on material covered in courses and also general topics related to informatics.

InfBase is a drop-in help desk for Year 1 and 2 students to get additional tutoring and support with their courses.

You will also be invited to join:

• CompSoc, a tech society which offers a varied programme of events
• Programming Club, to get more practical programming experience

Pastoral support is offered by the Informatics Student Support Team.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by:

• coursework assignments
• larger projects
• exams

You will undertake some project work individually and some with other students.

You will complete a large individual project in Year 4.

Our graduates have excellent career prospects in the IT industry and beyond.

Graduates comfortably secure roles such as:

• software engineer
• hardware engineer
• app developer
• web developer
• programmer

Graduates increasingly work as data analysts, data scientists or business analysts in the financial sector.

Popular employers

Popular employers include:

• Google
• Facebook
• Amazon
• IBM
• SkyScanner
• Intel
• Samsung
• ARM
• Nvida
• Keysight
• RockStar North
• NatWest
• J.P. Morgan
• Citigroup

Other industries and professions that rely heavily on computing systems and are potential employers for graduates include:

• media (for example, BBC)
• communications (Ericsson, Huawei)
• energy (British Gas)
• medicine (Canon Medical Systems)

Start-ups and spinouts

Our school boasts a record number of start-ups and spinouts over the last ten years, including those set up by our alumni, such as:

• FanDuel, a 'unicorn' company
• Robotical
• PlayerData
• Speech Graphics

Careers Service

We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation. Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University and provides:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree and studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.

Careers Service

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: A*A*A* - AAB in one set of exams.
• IB: 43 points with 777 at HL - 34 points with 665 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 32 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A and Physics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. Advanced Higher Mathematics is recommended. Your Mathematics qualifications must have been achieved no more than two academic years prior to entry. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics at A and Physics at B. Your Mathematics qualifications must have been achieved no more than two academic years prior to entry. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) at 6 and Physics at 5. Your Mathematics qualifications must have been achieved no more than two academic years prior to entry. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies..

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Selection

We normally make offers to the highest qualified applicants. If competition for places is high this may mean that offers will only be made to applicants who are predicted, or who have achieved, above the single set of grades or the upper grade level in a range. Any conditional offer made may require you to achieve grades above the upper grade level. Therefore, achieving the top of our standard entry requirements does not guarantee a place on the relevant degree.

Please apply for only one Computer Science degree as we are only able to consider one application to this subject area.

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BSc Computer Science and Physics

Additional costs

You may want to buy textbooks and a personal laptop for your benefit. Otherwise, you will have access to computing facilities in Appleton Tower.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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