Computer Science (with Placement year)

Understand, design and build future-ready computer systems and specialise in AI, cybersecurity and cloud services in Cambridge’s tech hub.

Why study Computer Science at ARU?


* Study in Cambridge’s Silicon Fen, a global tech home to Apple, Microsoft, Samsung AI and many more.


* Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers, such as Regate and Citisoft to give you exposure to ‘real world’ experiences.


* Accredited by both BCS and IET, plus we're a Cisco Networking Academy.


* Engage with a curated selection of training materials, providing you with cutting-edge knowledge and skills that align with current industry standards.


* Take an engineering focus through final-year options on embedded computing, networks and security.


* Access specialist facilities including an AI lab, Cisco lab and 24/7 virtual Netlab.


Our BEng (Hons) Computer Science combines core programming and systems and software engineering with the flexibility to specialise in AI, cybersecurity and cloud computing. You’ll learn in industry-standard labs, tackle Live Briefs with employers like Redgate and Citisoft, and gain hands-on experience that will give you an edge in the tech industry.

With AWS Academy access, CCNA opportunities and accreditation from BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, and the IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology), this degree connects you to global tech leaders and real-world innovation.

As a computing student at ARU, you'll learn how to work in a team, think independently, and solve problems creatively in our state-of-the-art computing labs. Our courses are very much hands-on and the assessment is based less on traditional exams and in-class tests (about 30%) and more on coursework assignments, reports and presentations.

Our specialist facilities include a fully-kitted Cisco lab and a virtual Netlab accessible 24/7 from anywhere in the world, being the perfect places to develop practical skills and get experience of working with industry-standard tools, such as Microsoft Imagine Premium and VMware IT Academy. We encourage collaboration, so you'll also learn through activities with your peers, as well as lectures and seminars from industry experts.

Whether you want to work in software engineering, programming, application development, computer design, graphics, gaming or artificial intelligence, studying our BEng (Hons) Computer Science degree in Cambridge will give you the knowledge and skills to succeed.

Employability is embedded in the curriculum, providing access to a curated selection of industry-approved training materials. These resources offer enhanced opportunities to experience real-world professional training as part of your degree. You’ll also be engaging with real-world projects through a range of Live Brief assessments, set and driven by local companies, across all years of your course.

Our BEng (Hons) course focuses on software engineering skills with a slight edge given to networking principles, preparing you to configure complex network systems. However, if you're interested in a stronger focus on programming languages and software engineering skills, the BSc Hons may be an interesting course for you.

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.