Our broad BSc Computer Science (including Year Abroad) maximises your options in your second and fourth year, allowing you to choose from a range of specialist topics including, but not restricted to, software engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, web development and computer games. You also gain a firm foundation in the essential skills and knowledge required by the computer industries. In addition, completing this course also makes you exempt from British Computer Society (BCS) professional examinations. Our course also gives you an opportunity to spend your third year abroad.

Our courses help you develop the graduate capabilities that employers value. You learn to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. You develop strong analytical, numerical and ICT skills, learn to work as part of a team and on your own, and know how to manage your time effectively and meet deadlines. You develop your critical thinking abilities, and become more adaptable and agile in your thinking. We stimulate your curiosity and imagination through coursework and project work, in all years of your study. In addition, completing our BSc Computer Science makes you exempt from the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) professional examinations and it is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Our specialist modules enable you to acquire all the technical knowledge and skills needed to have a positive influence on society as a professional twenty-first century computer scientist or engineer. While students with degrees in computer science or computer systems engineering have the full range of employment opportunities that are open to graduates of any subject, there are also a large number of often well paid posts in the various IT industries. The Government and industry are increasingly concerned that there will be a shortfall in skilled personnel to meet the needs of the IT industries. Essex graduates in computer science have been very successful in finding employment as systems analysts, software engineers, programmers and systems engineers, while a number go on to postgraduate study or research. Our graduates in computer systems engineering are equipped to work at a professional level in the field of computers and networks. We have many graduates in senior positions in the computer communications industry, as well recent graduates working in IT and computer companies. Many occupy positions in the retail and services sectors, where computer expertise is in high demand, particularly expertise in developing and managing computer servers and communications networks. For example, recent graduates of BSc Computer Science have found employment as a software engineer for Formula One, as a web developer for Light Speed IT Solutions, as a software engineer for Accenture, as an application developer at JKR in the Czech Republic, as a software developer with IBM and as a business analyst at IntraLinks. Other graduates of our School have progressed to senior positions, both in industry and academia. Some of the companies and organisations where our former students are now employed include: IBM, BT, EDS, True Knowledge, AWS, Jobserve, Royal Bank of Scotland, Accenture, Google, Force India F1, BAE Systems and RBC Capital Markets.