Computer Science and Mathematics BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Computer Science (Informatics)

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

GG14

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

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Mathematics forms the foundation of computer science. With the increasing scale of computing systems, and growing volumes of data, we are developing and using more sophisticated mathematical techniques every day.

This programme aims to give you a thorough understanding of mathematics and computing to allow you to operate at the cutting edge of:

  • computer and data science
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence

We offer a wide range of courses delivered by leaders in their field. You will have the flexibility to focus on the areas of computer science, artificial intelligence and mathematics that interest you most.

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

  • 20th in the world and 4th in the UK for Computer Science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
  • 5th in the UK for Mathematics and Statistics (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by Subject)
  • 5th in the UK for Mathematics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

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.
  • 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). 
  • Enjoy employability skills that are embedded in the curriculum. Our Student Development team and University Careers Service give you careers support and host regular workshops to help you prepare for applying to internships, jobs and further study. We also give presentations from industry employers and alumni career showcases to demonstrate the range of careers open to graduates.
  • 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.  

The programme provides a great balance of theory and practical learning opportunities. We had lectures to teach us the theory, and tutorials and lab sessions to put our fresh knowledge to use right away.

The weekly InfBase and MathBase sessions helped me a lot when I was struggling. I met a lot of people from various cultural backgrounds while studying there, and it was always interesting when we exchanged cultures!

Alvin Bong 2nd Year BSc Computer Science

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 Mathematics

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

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 informatics courses, with increasing choices for specialisation in later years depending on your interests. In a joint degree, you will also have to take compulsory courses in your other subject, which in this case is mathematics.

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

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

Computer Science courses

In Computer Science, you will be introduced to basic principles of programming and computation. You will:

  • study how information can be represented and processed in computer systems
  • learn fundamental techniques for managing data
  • solve problems using computer programs

These form the foundations for more in-depth study of computation in future years.

Mathematics courses
  • Introduction to Mathematics at University
  • Introduction to Mathematical Analysis
  • Linear Algebra 1

These courses are designed to build on your knowledge of mathematics from school, introducing you to more rigorous ways of mathematical thinking required at university level. They cover a wide range of mathematics, including some applications of mathematics, so you can make informed choices at honours level.

We also offer optional mathematics courses, for example:

  • Introduction to Data Science - where you will learn to collect and explore data, before using models and predictions to make rigorous conclusions.
  • Fundamentals of Algebra and Calculus - an online, introductory course that provides extra preparation in key topics from advanced high school level mathematics and further supports your transition to university.

You can choose optional courses from various schools across the University.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

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

In computer science you will develop a greater understanding of:

  • algorithms and data structures
  • the foundations of data science

In mathematics you will study:

  • Linear Algebra 2
  • Elementary Probability and Statistics
  • Further Analysis and Several Variable Calculus

These courses will extend your knowledge of analysis and calculus and generalise what you have seen in linear algebra. They also introduce you to probability and statistics.

Optional courses include a variety of subjects from different schools across the University, though many students prefer to take further courses in Computer Science and/or Mathematics.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Your studies will become more focused and you will have more choice in selecting specialised courses. We offer a range of courses in:

  • computer science
  • artificial intelligence
  • relevant mathematics
  • other areas of informatics

Your coursework assignments will typically provide you with experience in:

  • practical work
  • independent problem solving
  • group work
Computer Science courses

Your exact curriculum depends on your chosen courses. In recent years courses offered in Computer Science have included the following (and around 15-20 others):

  • robotics
  • computer security
  • machine learning
  • operating systems
  • computer networks
Mathematics courses

The School of Mathematics' honours courses provide an excellent grounding in advanced mathematics and prepare you for the choices available later in your programme.

You will study Mathematics honours levels courses drawn from the core areas of:

  • algebra
  • analysis
  • complex variables
  • differential equations

These courses provide an excellent grounding in advanced mathematics and prepare you for the choices available in Year 4.

Each course contains a skills component. These enable you to develop valuable employability skills such as group work and presentation skills.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will choose from a large number of advanced courses in:

  • pure and applied mathematics
  • artificial intelligence
  • computer science

This gives you the opportunity to build a portfolio according to your interests and career aspirations.

Year 4 includes an individual honours project where you will learn to develop a viable project in either computer science or mathematics, or spanning the two. You will have a variety of choices when selecting your topic with a supervisor to guide you.

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

Computer science 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
Mathematics teaching

In Year 1, mathematics lectures are usually interactive. Lecturers use online voting systems and encourage small group discussion to improve your understanding of core material.

These lectures are linked to your subject reading, so you will be familiar with the content before you attend. Lectures in later years follow a more 'traditional' lecturing style but occasionally include the voting system or other innovative teaching methods.

Mathematics lectures are supported by small group teaching workshops. These sessions give you an opportunity to apply the concepts you learn in lectures and develop your understanding. You will work with five to six other students with a tutor on hand to support you and answer questions.

Assessment

Computer Science assessments

In the School of Informatics 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.

Mathematics assessments

Mathematics courses are mostly assessed through exams. In Years 1 and 2, these exams are primarily 'open book' exams, where you can use your textbook and notes. This allows you to concentrate on understanding and using the ideas and concepts involved, rather than memorising procedures.

In later years, there is a mixture of open and closed-book exams, depending on the course.

Most mathematics courses have regular assessments throughout the year, both written and online, so you can get feedback on your progress. These typically count for a small part of your course grade.

Later in the degree, there are some courses available which are entirely assessed by coursework, usually in the form of:

  • reports
  • posters
  • projects
  • presentations

This timetable is only intended to give you an idea of how your time might be spent in Year 1, Semester 2 based on courses offered in 2024.  

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

Monday  

  • 9am-10:30am Linear Algebra 1 (Workshop) 
  • 12:10pm-1pm Object Oriented Programming – Informatics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 1:10pm-2pm Introduction to Mathematical Analysis (Lecture) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Object Oriented Programming workshop – Informatics 1 (optional) 

Tuesday 

  • 9am-10:30am Introduction to Mathematical Analysis (Workshop) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Object Oriented Programming workshop – Informatics 1 (optional) 

Wednesday  

  • 11:30am-1pm Object Oriented Programming – Informatics 1 (Tutorial) 
  • 1:10pm-3pm Object Oriented Programming workshop – Informatics 1 (optional) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Object Oriented Programming workshop – Informatics 1 (optional) 

Thursday  

  • 12:10pm-1pm Object Oriented Programming – Informatics 1 (Lecture) 
  • 1:10pm-2pm Introduction to Mathematical Analysis (Lecture) 
  • 2:10pm-3pm Linear Algebra 1 (Lecture) 

Friday  

  • 2:10pm-3pm Linear Algebra 1 (Lecture) 
  • 4:10pm-6pm Object Oriented Programming 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.
School of Mathematics

You will also have access to the following support in the School of Mathematics:

  • drop-in Year 1 mathematics support
  • option to take part in our peer-assisted learning scheme, MathPALS
  • Mathematics Student Services team
  • Student Development team

Our academic staff

You can find out more about the School of Mathematics' broad ranging research interests through our Researchers on Record video series.

Watch the Researchers on Record videos

Where you will study

Study location

You will attend classes in both the School of Informatics and the School of Mathematics.

Computer Science

The School of Informatics’ lectures, tutorials and other classes are mainly held in Appleton Tower on the Central Campus.

Some of your Year 1 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.

Mathematics

The School of Mathematics is based in the James Clerk Maxwell Building at the King's Buildings campus. Your mathematics teaching will take place at the King's Buildings campus throughout your degree.

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
School of Mathematics

Undergraduate students in the School of Mathematics have access to dedicated study spaces, MathsBase and MathsHub.

MathsBase is a drop-in study space staffed by tutors on weekdays during the semester.

MathsHub is a suite of rooms in the James Clerk Maxwell Building for the sole use of undergraduate Mathematicians as a study space.

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

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 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 

Enhance your CV

Both schools offer many opportunities to develop your skills and enhance your CV.

For example, you will have the opportunity to:

  • share your love of mathematics or informatics by working with the wider community on outreach projects
  • join our team of Student Ambassadors and enthuse prospective students
  • apply for a project scholarship and work with a lecturer during the summer (School of Mathematics only)

You will be able to access the School of Mathematics' weekly employability events, including:

  • presentations from industry employers
  • alumni career showcases
  • useful workshops to help you prepare for applying to internships, jobs and further study

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

Further study is also a popular option. You can progress from this programme into Masters or PhD level study in mathematics or computer science, or apply your mathematical and computational training to postgraduate study in another subject.

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 the School of Informatics are CompSoc, Scotland’s largest tech society, and Hoppers, our women and gender minorities in technology group. 

CompSoc

Hoppers

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

School of Informatics Societies and Sports  

MathSoc is the University’s Mathematics Society. It is the society to join if you are looking for an enjoyable mix of both academic and social events. MathSoc holds events throughout the year including quizzes, bitesize lectures and collaborative events with the School of Mathematics.

Learn more about MathSoc

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

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