What are the entry requirements for the BSc?
The normal entry requirement for the BSc Computing courses is a total of 300 UCAS
tariff points (to include BCC at 'A' level). For the BSc Financial Engineering course,
you will require a minimum of 320 UCAS tariff points including grades BB at 'A' level
and a minimum grade B in 'A' level Mathematics.
What if I don't get the grades?
Don't despair! If you fall short of the conditions for entry then you
may still be accepted on the course subject to availability of places or
may be offered a change of course. The best thing to do is contact the
Faculty of Computing and Engineering Admissions Office immediately and supply them with a
copy of your results. In addition 'Advice Days' are organized after the results
are available at which you can discuss options with an Admissions Tutor.
Do I need to own a PC?
It is not essential for you to own your own computer - a wide range of computing
facilities are provided by the Faculty in dedicated PC laboratories and by the
University itself in a number of 'open access' laboratories. However, having
your own PC provides you with the opportunity to work from home (e.g. in the evenings).
What kind of job can I expect to get after graduating?
The BSc degrees prepare students for a range of jobs after graduating,
e.g. in technical support, web site development, software development, systems design,
programming and network management.
How many hours can I work on a part-time job?
We recognise that many students may need to work to supplement their income / student
loan etc. The University recommends a maximum of 10-12 hours per week. However, you
will need to ensure that any part-time work does not interfere with your study and
that all assignments associated with your course are completed on time.
How many days per week must I attend?
You will typically have classes timetabled for each day of the week (Monday to Friday).
This will be a mixture of lectures and laboratory sessions. There will probably be
a significant amount of 'free' time in your timetable - you are expected to use this
time for independent study, e.g. to go over lecture notes, prepare for laboratory
classes or do some background reading.
What does Coleraine (campus) have to offer? What's the social life like at Coleraine?
The Coleraine campus is sited to the north of Coleraine overlooking the river Bann on
over 300 acres of land, some of which is beautifully landscaped in gardens, while
other parts are used for sports fields etc. There are excellent up-to-date, custom-built
facilities for teaching, learning and research. This is supported by extensive residential,
catering, sporting and cultural facilities, including the Riverside Theatre, the third-largest
professional built theatre in N. Ireland. Coleraine itself is situated near the north
coast of Northern Ireland close to Portstewart and Portrush with the three towns making up
what is know as the 'Triangle Area'. A wide range of clubs and societies are organised
within the university (primarily by the
Students' Union)
and new members are always welcome. In addition, a number of local 'night spots'
around the Portstewart / Portrush area are regularly frequented by students (study permitting!).
How much will I need to spend on books?
Many of the modules you will study may require the purchase of a (required) textbook.
There would be some copies of these books (on short loan) in the library together
with other books from the recommended reading list. However, if a book is required
reading for a module it is advisable to have your own copy. In addition, a significant
amount of the support material in lectures is provided on module websites and can be
downloaded for viewing / printing. Module textbooks typically cost £30-£40 and you will
study three modules per semester. (Second hand copies of textbooks are sometimes available
from previous students).
What topics will I be studying?
You will study a wide range of computing topics throughout the duration of your degree.
Details of the various modules on our undergraduate courses can be found
here.
How up-to-date are the Computing courses offered at Coleraine?
All the courses offered are modern and up-to-date. They were completely revised
in 2007 and are reviewed annually to ensure that recent computing developments are
reflected in the modules of study. For example, due to the huge growth in the
computer games market a computer games course was recently introduced to
teach students the software technologies and techniques required in games development.
In addition, the BSc (Hons) courses are accredited by the British Computer Society
(BCS) and successful graduates thus gain exemption from some of the BCS professional
examinations (should you wish to join this orgainisation).
What accommodation is offered to first years on the Coleraine campus?
Students who make the University of Ulster their CF choice through UCAS are guaranteed
an offer of a room in Halls of Residences if they complete and return the application
form by the appropriate date. Full details can be found at:
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/accommodation/ccampus.html
Do I need GCSE/A-level Computing?
No, it is not a requirement for entry to any of the courses that you already
have a computing qualification.
Do I have to do placement?
If placement is part of the regulations for the course you have chosen then,
yes, you will be have to do a placement year in industry.
Will the University guarantee me a placement?
The University cannot guarantee a placement. However, the faculty does provide help
for students in finding a placement job. In particular, a placement portal is
provided where potential employers can view student CVs and similarly students can
view jobs which have been posted by employers. Students are expected to actively
engage in the placement process.
Will I learn to program? What languages are used?
Yes, you will learn to progam. Currently Java is used as the primary programming
language for a number of the modules on the degree courses. Most web development
uses PHP HTML and JavaScript. Depending on the course
and / or the choice of modules you may also meet VB, C/C++/C# and Prolog.
What computing facilities are available?
The faculty provides a number of PC laboratories which are used primarily for timetabled
classes associated with modules of study. Students can also use these labs when they
are free during the day and during most evenings. In addition the university provides
a number of 'open access' laboratories.
What sporting facilities are provided on the Coleraine campus?
The
sport and recreation facilities at Coleraine accommodate a wide range of activities.
Full details of facilities, membership charges, opening hours, classes etc. can be
found at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/sportscentre/coleraine
