- 100% of our research impact in Computer Science and Informatics was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Sussex explores the scientific basis of intelligence in animals and machines.
The course covers the fundamentals of computer science, the principles of adaptive behaviour and intelligent systems, and their applications. You can also apply for a year working in industry.
You can shape your degree to suit your interests, specialising either in technology or in cognitive science – the interdisciplinary study of intelligence and mind.
You’ll study in our Future Technologies Labs, which include a student-focused hub, teaching labs with suites of high-spec computers, and project workspaces.
Accreditation
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. Find out more
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. This can be a fantastic opportunity to gain real-life insight into industry as well as skills valued by employers. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:
- find an employer
- draft an application
- prepare for interviews.
Don’t worry if you’re not successful, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
- Introduction to Cognitive Science: Minds, Machines and Consciousness
- Introduction to Programming
- Mathematical Concepts
- Programming Concepts
- Data Structures & Algorithms
- Further Programming
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Professional Skills
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Intersemester Week
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Compilers and Computer Architecture
- Neurons, Brains, Behaviour and Minds
- Philosophical Foundations of Cognitive Science
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
An industrial placement gives you the chance to spend a year working with an organisation, in an area relevant to your course, while being paid. It’s a proven way to fast-track your career.
Recent students have gone on placements at:
- Crunch
- BMW Group – Rolls Royce Motor Cars
- Brandwatch.
You develop your technical, team-working and transferable skills, and apply what you have learnt in your studies to a business environment.
Find out more about placements and internships
Our careers team offers dedicated support to help you obtain a placement, including:
- finding an employer
- drafting an application
- preparing for interviews
- ongoing help throughout a placement.
Don’t worry if you’re not successful in securing a placement, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.
After one year I was already up to date with most practices and technologies used in the web development universe.”Radu Lupescu
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence BSc
Associate Developer, Estates Gazette (RBI Group)
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Computational Imaging Methods
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Intelligence in Animals and Machines
- Introduction to Computer Security
- Structure and Function in the Human Brain
- Topics in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Computer Science at Sussex – Harry Collins
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
The world we live in is governed by automated systems run by software. This is as fascinating as it is challenging.”Bernhard Reus
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Dr Ronald Grau
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
IT skills are highly valued in many sectors. Your degree also provides skills in flexibility, critical thinking, problem solving and attention to detail.
Our graduates find employment in a diverse range of fields, including:
- advertising, marketing and PR
- banking
- telecommunications and media production.
You benefit from our links with industry, which are as diverse as American Express, Demos (the think-tank) and the V&A Museum. Our curriculum is informed by sector experts who sit on an advisory board, ensuring that what we teach is what industry needs.
Leading companies such as Creative Assembly, IBM, Microsoft and Thales have visited recently to talk to our students.
What to do with a Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence degree
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
I developed a strong technical understanding, which helped me to secure a place on the American Express Technologies Graduate Programme.”Chris Young
Senior Programmer Analyst, American Express