Computer Science and Physics BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Computer Science (Informatics)

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

GF43

Award

BSc (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Multiple campuses

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Informatics

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Accreditation

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

This programme draws on Edinburgh's joint strength in computational physics and informatics.

You will develop a strong interdisciplinary background including topics in both computer science and physics. You will have the chance to study topics that cross both fields, for example, computational simulation of physical systems.

Second year entry is not available.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

How a joint degree programme works

A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.

Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.

You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.

Programme rankings

  • 23rd in the world and 4th in the UK for Computer Science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • We consistently rank top 30 globally for Computer Science 

Programme benefits

  • Tailor your experience to your interests and be in control of your learning: choose from a wide range of courses, from the theoretical to those that let you apply what you learn. 
  • Gain a degree that opens doors in most industries: our graduates are in high demand not only within the growing technology sector but across a wide range of organisations where Informatics graduates are highly valued. 
  • Benefit from research-driven teaching by internationally leading academics. 
  • Take advantage of our strong links to industry with local, national and global contacts. Student societies based in our School host industry events, monthly student tech meetups, regular workshops and hackathons.
  • Study in Edinburgh, a city regularly voted among the UK’s top student cities (Top 2 in the UK, QS Best Student Cities 2024). 
  • We are the largest Informatics department in Europe. You will be part of a large, vibrant community of students and staff from over 100 countries.  

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Physics

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Physics.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

We recommend you obtain a personal laptop for your studies, although it does not need to be new or powerful. Read our advice on what to buy, or how to borrow a laptop:

Informatics Student Laptop Guidance

All students also have access to computing facilities in Appleton Tower and remote access to computing servers to run software that is too demanding to set up or run on a personal machine.

While some students purchase key academic textbooks, all essential reading materials will be freely available through the University library.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

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. Since Computer Science and Physics is a combined degree, your programme for the first two years is entirely compulsory, consisting of introductory courses in computer science, physics, and the mathematics which supports these.

Each year you will have 120 credits worth of courses spread across two semesters. In the honours years, some of these credits will go toward compulsory courses and the remainder will go toward option courses within the School of Informatics and the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Informatics: Curriculum renewal

We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.

This renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of computer science.

The information provided reflects the current structure and content of our programmes and courses, and may change in future years based on the needs of the School and its students.

Degree overview

In computer science, you will be introduced to basic principles of programming and computation, including:

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

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 emphasis on physical applications.

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

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

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
  • modern physics
  • dynamics

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

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

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

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

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

  • quantum mechanics
  • electromagnetism
  • statistical mechanics
  • thermal physics
  • fourier analysis
Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

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 when selecting your project. A supervisor will guide you in developing it, starting from a given topic.

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

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

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

  • quantum physics
  • relativity, nuclear and particle physics
  • condensed matter physics
Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

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 our partner universities are located in:

  • Australia
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Europe
  • Singapore
Subject-specific agreements

Subject-specific exchanges are also open to students of the School of Informatics. Destinations of recent placements completed by students include:

  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Spain
  • USA

Exchanges are for a full academic year.  

What are my choices for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

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

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • practical classes

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

  • building computer systems from scratch
  • developing systems
  • doing experimental work

Assessment

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.

This timetable is only intended to give you an idea of how your time might be spent in Year 1, Semester 1 based on courses offered in 2024.  

We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, so expect these courses and contact hours to change. 

Monday 

  • 10am-10:50am Foundations - Physics 1A (Lecture) 
  • 12:10pm-1pm Mathematics for Physics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 2:10pm-3pm Introduction to Computation - Informatics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 3:10pm-6pm Computer Workshop - Informatics 1 (optional) 

Tuesday 

  • 9am-10:50am Mathematics for Physics 1 (Tutorial) 
  • 2:10pm-3pm Introduction to Computation - Informatics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Computer Workshop - Informatics 1 (optional) 

Wednesday 

  • 10am-10:50am Foundations - Physics 1A (Lecture) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Computer Workshop - Informatics 1 (optional) 

Thursday 

  • 9:30am-10:50am Introduction to Computation - Informatics 1 (Tutorial) 
  • 2:10pm-3pm Introduction to Computation - Informatics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Foundations - Physics 1A (Workshop) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Computer Workshop - Informatics 1 (optional) 

Friday 

  • 10:00am-10:50am Foundations - Physics 1A (Lecture) 
  • 12:10pm-1pm Mathematics for Physics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 2:10pm-3pm Introduction to Computation - Informatics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Computer Workshop - Informatics 1 (optional) 

Optional peer-assisted learning sessions for computing (InfPALs) and mathematics (MathPALS) are available throughout the week. 

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services throughout your degree. 

Student Advisers 

You will have a named Student Adviser who you can visit in Appleton Tower. They provide guidance and support to you at key points in your study journey, or with changes to your personal circumstances.

Where appropriate, they will liaise with other University Support Services, so they can provide the best possible support and advice for you. They can also help with a wide range of administrative and practical issues to do with your degree programme. 

My Student Adviser 

Cohort Lead

A Cohort Lead is an academic member of staff who supports a group – or cohort - of students, usually on the same degree programme, with their studies. They create an academic community through group activities such as academic drop-ins and celebrations of key events.

Peer support 

Students in the School of Informatics have access to services that support their learning, particularly at the beginning of their degree. We continually review the support services on offer, but recently these have included:

  • InfPALS is a peer support service for Year 1 students focusing on material covered in courses and 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. 
  • Academic families connect Informatics students across all years for community, mentorship and fun through small "families" led by upper-year students. 

Where you will study

Study location

You will attend 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 on the Central Campus.

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.

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

Academic facilities

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

Informatics Makerspace 

Situated in Appleton Tower, the Informatics Makerspace has a variety of manufacturing equipment, programmable platforms and robots which are all available for student use. These include:

  • Farm of UltiMaker 3D printers 
  • Arduinos and Raspberry Pi devices 
  • Robots, arms and parts 
  • Laser cutters 
  • Benchtop mill, PCB mill and printer 
  • Soldering stations 
  • 3D scanners 

Virtual tour

You can explore our range of facilities and campuses on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Discover where you could be studying in the city, and listen to students share their experiences on a range of topics.

Take a virtual tour

Accreditation

This programme is recognised by the Institute of Physics (IOP). After graduating, you will meet the educational requirements for Associate Membership of the Institute and you may continue the route to full Institute Membership following appropriate professional experience.

Career paths

Our graduates have excellent career prospects in the IT industry and beyond. We have a great reputation with local, national and global industry connections and contacts.

Our graduates are typically recruited to a wide variety of jobs, with popular roles including: 

  • 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

Further examples of industries where our graduates have found employment:

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

Start-ups and spinouts

The University of Edinburgh has a long track record of start-up companies and innovations, including key players in the industry set up by Informatics alumni:

  • FanDuel, a 'unicorn' company
  • Robotical
  • PlayerData
  • Speech Graphics
  • RISE Nutrition 
  • Carbon Glance 
  • Predictiva 
Edinburgh Innovations – start-up opportunities 

We have fantastic resources through the University’s commercialisation service, Edinburgh Innovations, to help you successfully nurture your entrepreneurial ideas and launch your own enterprise. 

Edinburgh Innovations 

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events such as the annual Careers in Tech and Data Fair which gives you the opportunity to meet recruiters actively looking to recruit our students
  • go to practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

Apply to one Computer Science degree  

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

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

No one knows what it is like to study here more than the students themselves. You can read about our students’ experiences and follow us on social media to learn more about studying in the School of Informatics. 

Read the Informatics Student Tips blog

School of Informatics Instagram

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you:

  • develop your interests
  • meet like-minded people
  • find a new hobby
  • socialise

There are numerous tech societies hosting:

  • hackathons
  • student tech meetups
  • regular workshops
  • social and industry events

Some recent industry speakers from our societies' events include:  

  • Spotify 
  • Meta  
  • Amazon 

Two of the most popular societies connected with our School are CompSoc, Scotland’s largest tech society, and Hoppers, our women and gender minorities in technology group. 

CompSoc 

Hoppers 

Our students also join several subject-related societies, including: 

  • Beneficial AI (Artificial Intelligence) 
  • EdIntelligence (Machine Learning) 
  • HumanED (robotics) 
  • Endeavour (rocketry) 
  • Edinburgh University Formula Student (automotive technology) 
  • Hyped (Hyperloop) 
  • Eclipse eSports (Esports) 
  • Women in STEM  

We also have School-specific sports teams in addition to the range of University sports teams you can join. 

School of Informatics Societies and Sports  

University Societies  

University Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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