Computer Science at Bristol

At Bristol, you will be taught by internationally renowned experts with a passion for computer science. You can study topics such as high-performance computing, machine learning, cryptology and artificial intelligence. You will also develop skills in software development and system design, and gain important transferable skills in teamwork, communication and enterprise. We work closely with industry, enabling you to gain knowledge from leading companies, work with industrial mentors and spend time with them on internships. Each year several client-led products are developed and released by computer science students. You will develop your analytical skills and get experience devising practical solutions for real-world challenges during a range of individual and group projects that you will co-create with leading academics. Our teaching facilities include a new collaborative lab, designed for flexibility and usability and equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology and Linux machines. It's a brilliant addition to our modern building, which also houses the popular Hackspace – a creative space for hacking, making and crafting – and a large atrium that's a hive of activity.

Unit structure

The department offers many classes that are based in a single semester, and can therefore accept unit requests from Study Abroad students who want to join Bristol for just the autumn or spring semester.

Unit levels

The department offers advanced level classes only: Year 3 (Level H/6) and Year 4 (Level M/7). These levels are only suitable for Computer Science majors who have studied this subject for 2-3 years beforehand. Year 4 (Level M/7) are considered postgraduate units.

Unit codes

Unit codes in the Department of Computer Science begin with 'COMS'. This is followed by a number indicating the year (1, 2, 3). For example:

• COMS30000 = year 3 unit
• COMSM0000 = year 4 unit

For more information about each unit, check the University's unit catalogue for 2022/23. Applicants on all study abroad programmes must review the unit details on the catalogue before listing unit choices on their application form. This includes checking the format of assessment for each unit. The unit catalogue for 2022/23 is updated by April.

Your unit choices cannot be guaranteed. Some units may not have capacity to accommodate all of the unit requests we receive. Registration on a unit also depends on whether you meet the pre-requisite conditions through prior study at your home university.

Important note about our units

In the autumn semester (Teaching Block 1), Year 3 and Year 4 units can be assessed either by examination (10 credits) or coursework (15 credits). Students pick one format of assessment (they cannot take both an exam and coursework for the same unit). The coursework assessments are undertaken in specific weeks, so they are not available to students taking units outside of the Department of Computer Science, as we cannot guarantee that students will be free from conflicting assessments. Students who want to take all their units from Computer Science in the autumn semester must take 2 units assessed by coursework and 3 by examination. The units then add up to the right amount taken in one semester (60 Bristol credits).

Study Abroad (Subject pathway)

If you have been nominated to Bristol on the Study Abroad (Subject pathway), you must take the majority of your credits in this department.

Units available on the study abroad programme in 2022/23

The following units from the Department of Computer Science are open to incoming Study Abroad students.

Unit combinations

Students can build a meaningful "track" by combining sets of units in TB1 and TB2. Those units can be completed by related units. Students can contact the department Study Abroad Academic Director (nirav.ajmeri@bristol.ac.uk) to discuss their choice.

Here is an example of 2 tracks:

Security Track
(TB1)
- Cryptology - COMS30023
- Security Behaviours - COMS30038
- Systems and Software Security - COMSM0049
(TB2)
- Applied Cryptology - COMS30048

Additionally, in the "Security Track", those interested in cryptography side of security could select Advanced Algorithms (TB1) - COMS30042 and those interested in human aspects of security could select Interaction Design (TB2) - COMS30060.

Programming Languages and Theoretical Track
(TB1)
- Advanced Algorithms - COMS30042
- Types and Lambda Calculus - COMS30040
- Advanced Topics in Programming Languages - COMSM0067

Application queries

Contact the Global Opportunities Team if you have any queries about the application process for the study abroad programmes:

Phone: +44 117 39 40207
Email: global-opportunities@bristol.ac.uk