Computing BSc (Hons)
Course code G400
What is special about this course?
If you are looking for a successful career in the fast-moving computing industry, the BSc (Hons) Computing degree is for you.
You will learn all the knowledge and skills you need to work in this sector, as well as developing key personal and intellectual qualities necessary for continued professional development.
In years three and four you can choose to study for a generic degree in computing or you can specialise in software development or technical support. This will allow you to exit at the end of the fourth year with a themed award, for example: BSc (Hons) Computing (Networking and Cybersecurity) or BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering).
The course provides a high-quality design/development web education that has been designed to meet employers’ requirements. When you graduate, you will be well-equipped to implement and manage web design and development projects from start to finish.
Special features
- A highlight will be the team project you will undertake, where you will be involved in the delivery of an ICT-related product for an external client
- You will also be involved in the management, configuration and utilisation of live internet servers to provide web-based services
- You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- Entry to year one, HNC, is 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above PLUS
- 3 National 5, Standard Grade or Intermediate passes or equivalent
- Alternatively, completion of Foundation Apprenticeship ICT: Software Development or Foundation Apprenticeship ICT: Hardware/System Support
- Entry to year two, HND, is an appropriate computing based HNC, such as HNC Computing or HNC Information Technology
- Entry to year three of the degree is an appropriate computing-based HND such as: HND Computer Science; HND Technologies in Business; HND Software Development; HND Technical Support; or HND Information Technology
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
- All relevant HN computing-based awards will be considered
- NC Digital Media Computing
- NC Multimedia Computing
- Intermediate 2 Business, Administration and Computing Studies
- SVQ Information Technology
Year 3 - BSc
In year 3 you will choose one of the following pathways:
- BSc (Hons) Computing
- BSc (Hons) Computing (Networking and Cyber Security)
- BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
Core modules for all pathways are:
- Advanced databases
- Designing web-based applications
- Team project (computing and interactive media) or Work placement industry-specific skills (computing and interactive media)
If you wish to take the Networking and Cyber Security pathway you must take the following option modules:
- Cyber security
- Server technologies
- Network and information security
If you wish to take the Software Engineering pathway you must take the following core modules:
- Artificial intelligence or Cyber security
- Software construction
- Mobile applications development
If you wish to take the Computing pathway you may choose from any of the option modules listed above.
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
You will study the following core modules:
- Advanced topics
- The science of computing
- Data analytics on the web (Software Engineering or Computing pathway) OR Cyber operations (Networking and Cyber Security or Computing pathway)
- Web programming (Software Engineering or Computing pathway) OR Cloud Computing (Networking and Cyber Security or Computing pathway)
You will also complete a dissertation in a topic such as: robotics; web application development; network operations; cloud based networking solutions; or machine learning; or another subject of your own choice.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, as well as online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured): 8 years @ 10 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides - online only
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
Start date
- September
- January (part-time study only)
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2023-24 Full-time | 2023-24 Part-time | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2023-24 Full-time | 2023-24 Part-time | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship for the degree (3rd) year and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2023-24 Full-time | With scholarship | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,980 | £7,980 | £8,775 | £8,775 |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,980 | £7,980 | £8,775 | £8,775 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,360 | £11,360 | £15,996 | £11,996 |
| Year 4 | Honours |
£15,360 |
Free | £15,996 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2023-24 Full-time | 2023-24 Part-time | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,980 | £532 (per HN credit) | £8,775 | £585 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,980 | £532 (per HN credit) | £8,775 | £585 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,360 | £2,560 (per 20 credit module) | £15,996 | £2,666 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | £15,360 | £2,560 (per 20 credit module) | £15,996 | £2,666 (per 20 credit module) |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award, including where students are following a recognised ‘top-up’ degree structure where the first year and second is made up of an HNC/D award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed the BSc (Hons) Computing you might like to consider employment or entrepreneurship in fields such as:
- artificial intelligence
- software engineering solutions
- web design
- website development
- interactive web-based software development or design
- server maintenance and management
- software development
- database analysis
- database implementation consultancy
- web-based services consultancy
- technical support roles
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BSc (Hons) Computing to the following postgraduate courses:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I enjoyed the self-study and research mode of teaching as it encouraged me to go and find out information and techniques for myself. My lecturers were always able to point me in the right direction when help was required and helped me to expand my knowledge.
The main skill I develped was programming and the importance of cyber security and the different ways to protect computer systems and private data. I also learned the importance of team roles, constant communication and working with others to complete a task or achieve an outcome. The major highlight for me was working on team projects where we delivered a mobile application. Another project in year 4 year involved working with students across all the other years. It provided networking opportunities and created a really strong team environment
Currently I work as a vocational training advisor which involves designing and building a web-based system for a local food distribution organisation for poverty recording. I'm using skills from almost every module from my degree years. The job was brought to my attention by a lecturer and they suggested that I had the necessary skills so I applied for the job and started preparing for the interview.
Ewan Forsyth completed the BSc (Hons) Computing at Perth College UHI.
I’d previously studied with the university and enjoyed the environment. I found the lecturers more than helpful but also, on a more subject-related topic, loved the highly practical aspect that the course offers. There are only 2 exams (one per semester) and the rest is more development or research. Since development is what I wish to go into, it made so much sense to do a course that heavily focused on the practical aspects and not memory-based exams which are questionable in a world where Google exists.
My favourite aspect of the course is the practicality of developing software, websites or scripts. It’s cool being able to have an idea and go ahead and make it an actual product. The versatility of what we learn (mobile development, web development, application development) also comes into play as you’re not just stuck with one platform.
Jamie Simpson studied BSc (Hons) Computing at UHI Moray.
Computing is a very broad subject and I took the opportunity of studying at my local university campus to allow me to familiarise myself with various subjects. The course has allowed me to work and learn skills in many areas of computing. I believe I now know the specialist area of study I would like to take in the future, as I have developed a greater understanding of which areas of computing I enjoy and feel that I excel in.
Cameron Halley, BSc Computing graduate.
Apply for Computing BSc (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.