BSc (Hons) Philosophy & Computer Science

The Philosophy part of the programme is concerned with fundamental questions about, among other topics, the nature of reality, what we can know, and how we should act, and engages with some of the most searching, creative and influential thinkers of the past two-and-a-half thousand years.

Explore central questions, arguments, theories and texts concerning the world and our place within it, developing rigour and clarity in thinking and writing. 

Computer science in this programme cultivates the knowledge, techniques, and tools to develop effective and secure computer software according to legal, ethical, and professional frameworks. Students study the fundamentals of programme design including object-oriented design, software development, computer organisation, systems and networks, theory of computation, principles of languages, and advanced algorithms and data.  

This degree programme combines a rigorous philosophy and computer science syllabus with personalised elective pathway courses. 

Students develop programming and software development skills as well as a combination of analytical, critical thinking, and research skills, alongside communication and problem solving capabilities that are highly prized in the evolving employment market. These valuable and transferable skills open a wide array of career possibilities upon graduation.

Elective Courses include:

• Art & Design
• Business
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing
• Data Science
• Economics
• English
• History
• Law
• Philosophy
• Politics & International Relations
• Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE)
• Sociology
• Sustainability
• Technology & Ethics

Our academic staff selects the most appropriate pedagogy and contact hours for each individual course in order to support students to develop and succeed in their studies. This means that within your undergraduate Philosophy and Computer Science degree you are likely to experience a combination of scheduled lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials. The exact balance of these types of learning and number of contact hours will depend on the specific electives and optional courses you choose.

Most lectures and seminars will have a maximum of 40 student participants, while tutorials will typically have five or fewer students, and may sometimes be one-to-one. This personalised approach to teaching allows everyone to participate and thrive. 

By the time you graduate, you will have taken courses fulfilling the following three competencies:

1. Writing Across Audiences and Genres
2. Integrating Knowledge and Skills Through Experience
3. Demonstrating Thought and Action in a Final Project (can be dissertation)

You will also have taken courses inculcating a minimum of four of these additional competencies, depending on your learning pathways:

• Engaging with the Natural and Designed World
• Exploring Creative Expression and Innovation
• Interpreting Culture
• Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning
• Understanding Societies and Institutions
• Analysing and Using Data
• Engaging Differences and Diversity
• Employing Ethical Reasoning