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Your learning experience

Our academics have expertise across a broad range of areas and they work with major international companies to make your learning experience industry relevant.

You'll learn through practical lab sessions, lectures, tutorials, individual and group projects, and placements to develop skills that are highly valued by employers in the IT sector.

94% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 94.44% of responders from the Department of Computer Science).

Practical lab sessions

Lab sessions put the theory learned from lectures into practice and give you the practical skills required to be competitive in the working world.

Individual projects

A student using our virtual reality headset
Carry out a final-year project in your area of interest. Choose from proposals provided by staff or propose your own – previous students have undertaken projects connected to their placement. 

Group work

Many of our modules involve working as a group to solve a problem. For example, if you choose the Virtual Reality, Games and Graphics module, you’ll work together to create a virtual world based around a theme.

You’ll develop your understanding of how a team approaches a project, building essential teamwork and communication skills.

Support sessions

An academic supporting a student
Our staff have weekly drop-in sessions and open-door policies, and you’ll meet with your academic tutor regularly.

You can take advantage of peer-assisted learning opportunities – our final year students offer optional support for first years. 

The University also offers Maths Support, a drop-in service designed to help with any areas of maths you find difficult during your studies.

Learn through industry experience

Our dedicated placement team will help you secure paid employment, giving you the opportunity to engage with employers during your studies. As a student on a four-year course, you'll undertake a year in industry. We encourage students on a three-year course to gain relevant work experience with summer placements.

Recently, Computer Science students at Reading have undertaken placements at companies such as CGI, Eli Lilly, Indivior, Microsoft and Virgin Media O2. 

You can also carry out a short-term paid internships through the University's Reading Internship Scheme.

Learn more about industry placements

Rhian Taylor: making an impression on placement

Rhian Taylor

Rhian’s placement changed her outlook towards her career, resulting in receiving job offers before graduating. 

Read Rhian's story

Ross Beale: digital solutions for big brands

During his time at Reading, Ross undertook a summer placement on campus with Conjure, a digital agency. This experience was a turning point for him. 

Read Ross's story

 

Rishil Haren: innovation at Vodafone

Rishil Haren

Rishil made a strong impression during his placement in the Innovation Team at Vodafone Business, securing a graduate role at the company.

Read Rishil's story

Our research

Our academics’ research expertise and experience directly inform your learning, allowing you to engage with current issues and create solutions. 

Our research themes include:

  • advanced computing for environmental science
  • big data analytics
  • data mining
  • machine learning
  • computational issues of perception and reasoning in relation to image interpretation. 

Optional modules

You can explore a range of optional modules such as: Distributed and Parallel Computing; Applications of Computer Science; Image Analysis and Visual Intelligence; and Virtual Reality, Games and Graphics.
Visit our course pages to learn more about modules

Life in the Department

Three students working on computers in a computer lab

Get involved in student-led societies such as the Computer Science Society and R U Hacking?, connect with students in all year groups as well as across the wider University, and have fun with like-minded peers.

Athena SWAN Silver Award
British Computer Society logo