Study complementary subjects to become fluent in both and enhance your skills with a Year in Industry.
Year of entry: 2025/26
GG1K
Y50
5 years full-time
AAA (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
Study both computer science and maths in this combined course and leave with an advanced Masters level qualification. You will also benefit from spending a placement year in industry, furthering your knowledge, networking and getting real-life experience of the field.
Computer science is founded upon maths, and the study of the two together allows you to explore topics core to both while gaining an insight into how they intersect.
Maths influences computer science, from designing and analysing efficient computer programs to developing formal proofs that a piece of software does what was intended. This is especially important, for example, if the software is being used to fly a plane.
Increasingly, computer science is also being used to find solutions to mathematical issues. Computers are used to solve long-standing mathematical problems, as they can help visualise complex numerical data, search for solutions, and make number manipulation faster.
We have fantastic links with industry, and this allows us to give you exposure to the latest developments in the real world, as well as in our research. You may work on projects that have been specified by companies such as IBM or BT, who will then take any solutions and could use them within their business.
Our Industrial Advisory Board helps to steer our courses to make sure that what we teach is up-to-date and relevant to today's workplace. This means that when the time comes for you to get a job, you will be able to adapt quickly in the workplace, due to our principled and relevant teaching.
This course is also available as a four-year degree without the year in industry.
Work with world-leading tutors and researchers in two highly-regarded academic departments
You will gain a thorough grounding in both computer science and maths in your first two years, introducing the fundamental concepts in both subjects while gaining an insight into the interplay between the two. You'll then spend a year out in industry in Year 3. Your fourth year offers a wide range of optional modules. In your final year you can choose to weight your studies towards either subject. Your individual project can be in either subject.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
Your first year contains essential fundamental material in programming and computer architectures. You will study the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computer science. You will also learn how to increase your employability prospects, including improving your presentation style and exploring the professional issues in computer science.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
Your second year continues teaching you the fundamentals of both disciplines, and more specialist modules start to be introduced.
You will spend this year out in industry if you successfully obtain a placement. You will be supported in achieving this by our dedicated Industrial Placements Team, who is there to help you with your CV, give you interview tips, arrange interviews on campus, and will keep in touch with you while you are on your placement to ensure everything is going well. We have excellent relationships with a strong portfolio of companies from large multinationals such as IBM and Airbus UK, to smaller companies such as YorkTest and Informed Solutions.
Your year in industry gives you a chance to use what you have learned during your degree. As well as being paid a good salary, students who take a year in industry generally achieve better grades, develop a broader range of skills and are more attractive to future employers. Some students even find a job with their placement company before they graduate.
Before starting a placement that forms part of your course, you are likely to be asked by the placement provider to sign a confidentiality agreement. This is to ensure that you do not disclose any information that is confidential to the placement provider.
When you reach Year 4, you'll select modules from a list encompassing modules in both departments.
You will study six option modules; three in Computer Science and three in Mathematics. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Most Computer Science option modules are open to students in Year 4 or Year 5 subject to meeting module prerequisites. If you take an option module in Year 5, you will need an additional assessment - for example, an extra exam question with stricter marking criteria - to reach Masters Level (M Level) in Year 5. You cannot take a module at M Level in Year 5 that you have already completed at H Level in Year 4.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In your final year, you can choose to weight your studies more towards Computer Science or Mathematics.
You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Most Computer Science option modules are open to students in Year 4 or Year 5 subject to meeting module prerequisites. If you take an option module in Year 5, you will need an additional assessment - for example, an extra exam question with stricter marking criteria - to reach Masters Level (M Level) in Year 5. You cannot take a module at M Level in Year 5 that you have already completed at H Level in Year 4.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Our modern, self-contained building houses four software laboratories, two hardware laboratories and a range of social learning spaces.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £31,100 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
There are unlikely to be any mandatory additional costs associated with the course, although you may want to set aside £200 for optional photocopying and personal stationery over the duration of the course.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
A typical week will involve about 10-15 hours of scheduled teaching time. Our courses are based on a series of one-hour lectures with associated laboratory sessions, programming classes and tutorials.
Throughout the course, you will have a personal supervisor responsible for guiding your studies. In addition to any timetabled sessions, you will meet with your supervisor regularly, and you can also go to them at any time should you have any issues, academic or personal. There are problem classes to help you put learning from lectures into practice and weekly one-to-one project supervisions in your final year.
You will also undertake learning outside of the scheduled timetable. This can be through working in the labs, through reading recommended materials or by working through problems. Consequently, you'll need to be self-motivated, self-disciplined and willing to learn outside regular classes.
As you progress through the course you will develop your skills to become a more independent learner. You'll also spend time working on your individual research project later on in the course, in addition to timetabled activity; you will be allocated a project supervisor, with whom you will have regular meetings in addition to timetabled sessions. You can go to your supervisor for support and advice regarding your project.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 11 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 1 hour per week |
| Tutorials | 0-1 hours per week |
| Problem classes | 1 hour per week |
| Workshops | 0-1 hours per week |
| Practicals | 5-6 hours per week |
| Presentations | 1 session |
| Optional activities | 8 hours |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Built to the highest specifications, the Department of Computer Science is packed with cutting-edge facilities housed in a modern, self-contained building.
Computer Science houses four software and two hardware laboratories which you will be able to use depending on the topic of your third year project. These facilities are professional grade and used by our research teams so, depending on your interests, you'll get first hand exposure to these environments.
The Department of Mathematics is a community of mathematicians from all over the world, engaged in world-class research and committed to excellence in teaching with a special emphasis on small groups and a friendly atmosphere.
The Department of Computer Science is based on Campus East and the Department of Mathematics is based on Campus West. As a result, you will be taught at locations across campus.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
We use a variety of assessment techniques throughout your course. This allows you to practice different techniques, from report writing, presentations and live demos to timed programming assessments and closed exams. It also means that you are not disadvantaged by being assessed in any one way.
To aid your learning we provide feedback on your assessments in addition to the marks you receive.
We ask our students for feedback on the course at the end of each year. This helps to improve and modify what we do to help meet the needs of our students.
The move towards a digital economy creates demand for computer scientists and software engineers across a broad section of employers, so the skills you develop here will make you attractive to many organisations.
Many of our graduates are employed by software and electronics industries, but the continuing expansion of the use of computers in commercial and financial operations means that you will be able to find employment in other industries - and here your sharpened numeracy and analytical skills will have prepared you well.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including Mathematics. If you are studying towards a fourth A level, we will make an alternative offer of AABB including grade A in Mathematics. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | We accept the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The syllabus must contain a significant portion of Mathematics that is considered equivalent to A level standard. Applications will be considered on an individual basis - please contact the Department before you apply. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD and grade A in A level Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). We consider applicants with a combination of other BTEC Level 3 qualifications, and this must include a grade A in A level Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). Please contact us to discuss your combination of qualifications. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall, including 85% in Mathematics |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points overall, including grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations). |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - A in Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - BBBB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other qualifications | We welcome applications offering a mix of OU, A level and other appropriate qualifications. Applications will be considered on an individual basis: please contact the Department before you apply. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve an A or higher at EPQ, you will be eligible for a reduced offer, one grade below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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