Overview
This course creates specialists in understanding AI, computing and data science, to meet market demand for experienced and skilled graduates.
Advances in data driven AI and machine learning, particularly computer vision and natural language, are becoming increasingly popular in industry and society at large. Technologies such as self-driving cars, intelligent assistants (like Alexa), ChatGPT, and AI health care have made AI an increasingly everyday technology, and one that will revolutionise the way we live and work in the years to come. This course will teach you computing and data science technologies, with an emphasis on applications of artificial intelligence. You will also learn the underlying computing and algorithmic principles driving data science and artificial intelligence technologies.
You will gain skills, experience and expertise valued by data science employers in a wide range of industry sectors including finance, transport, food, and local government. These include scripting languages, databases, machine learning, analytical and data processing skills, and a modern, data-driven approach to AI including computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI.
The course has a strong focus on employability, including a three-month work placement to provide valuable industrial experience and an opportunity to apply your skills in a commercial setting. The final year includes a dissertation project, in which you will set the initial requirements, undertake development and research, and culminates with the presentation of your results to staff and industry representatives.
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
ABBB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32 points
Essential subjects
Subjects to include Computing and relevant experience of Java or other programming languages.
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team on admissions@stir.ac.uk for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team on admissions@stir.ac.uk for advice about other access courses
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the routes available.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
In all four years students need to complete 120 credits comprising of compulsory and optional modules.
In year 1 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn and Spring semesters. However, CSCU9B2 is recommended. Year 1 provides a broad foundation to the subject including an introduction to programming, data science and mathematics.
In year 2 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn semester. Year 2 focusses on database principles and technologies including relational and non-relational approaches. You will also study Python scripting for data science and basic statistics.
Year 3 focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. In the final year students embark on their honours project which will give students the opportunity to apply their learning from the course.
Modules
Compulsory full time modules
| Introduction to Computing Science(CSCU9P1) | 20 credits |
| Discrete Structures(MATU9S1) | 20 credits |
| Programming and User Interface Design(CSCU9P2) | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Data Science(CSCU9S2) | 20 credits |
| Database Principles and Applications(CSCU9B3) | 20 credits |
| Scripting for Data Science(CSCU9M3) | 20 credits |
| NoSQL Databases and Data Warehousing(CSCU9B4) | 20 credits |
| Practical Statistics(MATU9D2) | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Machine Learning(CSCU9M5) | 20 credits |
| UX Design(CSCU9X5) | 20 credits |
| Data Strategy(CSCU9D6) | 20 credits |
| Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision(CSCU9M6) | 20 credits |
| Computing Science Project(CSCU9Z7) | 60 credits |
| Data Science Applications(CSCU9DA) | 20 credits |
| Distributed Data Science Systems(CSCU9DC) | 20 credits |
Course details
In the most recent National Student Survey (2022) Computing Science at Stirling was ranked 3rd in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction. Computing Science at Stirling also ranked top 10 in the UK and 3rd in Scotland in the 2022 Guardian University Guide. Furthermore, the University of Stirling was awarded five-star excellence for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Data Science through lectures, small tutorial groups and most of all through practical labs, where concepts taught in lectures are implemented and tested.
Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange, as well as The DataLab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. Our staff are engaged with funded research from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as well as funding from other UK Research Councils and funding agencies.
Our BSc (Hons) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence degree is taught as a very practical subject, and almost all modules include practical assignments. Typically, these count for 50 percent of the assessment grade per module, with the remainder given to the exam. For an Honours degree, the grades for all advanced modules taken in Semesters 5 – 8 are combined to give your final degree classification.
We help our students to build strong links with industry through three-month summer placements and one-year placements. Both of these are offered to third year students. Placements are available with local SMEs as well as large corporates.
Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability, or think about further study.
You can study abroad through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.
Fees and funding
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Preparing you for the world of work
When ScotlandIS, the Scottish trade organisation for the IT industry, asked companies about the greatest opportunities for their business over the next 18 months, the top three answers were all data related (AI, machine learning, Internet of Things), for the second year in a row (ScotlandIS Survey 2020). The BSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Stirling will prepare you for a career in the data industry in these areas.
Engagement with potential employers, work-related learning and the dissertation project in your final year will develop your professional skills.
Companies we work with
We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison: Accenture, ARM, Calnex Solutions, Diagio, GE Digital, Honeywell, JP Morgan, Mage Control Systems, Modus Scotland, Morgan Stanley, Natural Power, NHS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sainsbury's Bank, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Sports Scotland, Verint and Wood MacKenzie.
We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison:
- Accenture
- ARM
- Calnex Solutions
- Diagio
- GE Digital
- Honeywell
- JP Morgan
- Mage Control Systems
- Modus Scotland
- Morgan Stanley
- Natural Power
- NHS
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Sainsbury's Bank
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Scottish Government
- Scottish Water
- Sports Scotland
- Verint
- Wood MacKenzie
