Frequently asked questions

The School of Computing at the University of Leeds offer the following undergraduate degree programmes: BSc Computer Science (G400); MEng, BSc Computer Science (G402); BSc Artificial Intelligence (G700); MEng, BSc Artificial Intelligence (G702); Information Technology (G500); Computer Science with Mathematics (G4G1).

BSc are typically three years full-time and they run from September to June. The Integrated Masters (MEng, BSc) are 4 years but both can be extended a further year by either studying at a university abroad or working on an industrial placement.

Unfortunately, we do not offer any part-time degrees. This decision followed a trial which revealed that the flexibility of attendance required by the lecture timetable was too inconvenient for most employers.

Various schemes exist which enable people to undertake miscellaneous studies within the School. At the end of the year you will be given a certificate detailing the modules that you had studied and the levels at which these subjects were undertaken. To apply you would have to provide us with sufficient evidence to convince us that you were capable of performing at the required standard. The schemes are JYA and SOCRATES. Applicants should contact the representative for these schemes in their own institution in the first instance. If such a scheme is not possible for you, you may still apply for miscellaneous study on a direct entry form available from us.

We offer an industrial placement scheme between the second and third year of study and the degree title will reflect this. We do not use a separate UCAS code as we transfer students onto the industrial placement variant during their second year. Students have to pass their second year before we can allow them to take up employment in their third year and students apply for placements rather than get allocated to jobs. However, we have a lot of contacts, help students with the application process, and most students find something suitable and rewarding

Our standard offer for 2013 entry is AAA at A-Levels on all programmes that we offer. Please note that Computer Science (G400) and Artificial Intelligence (G700) require A-level Mathematics. Computer Science with Mathematics (G4G1) requires A-level Mathematics grade A. Information Technology (G500) requires GCSE Mathematics grade B or above.

In addition we require GCSE Mathematics grade B and English grade C. We do NOT exclude General Studies GCE A-Level from our offer. Furthermore, we do NOT require any prior knowledge of computing.

We are able to make equivalent offers based on other UK qualifications or on international qualifications. Your highest qualification may be generally considered to be equivalent to UK GCSE qualifications. We would therefore require further study equivalent to three UK GCE A-Levels. We would also require an internationally accepted English Language qualification.

If you wish to find out details of our equivalent offers in other UK or international qualifications then please let us know clearly the exact nature of the qualifications you are interested in.

We require all our applicants to have GCSE English at grade C or an equivalent. The most common qualifications we consider to be equivalent are:

IELTS - minimum 6 overall with 5.5 in each part.
TOEFL iBT - minimum 87 overall with 21 listening, 22 reading, 23 speaking, 21 writing

Our standard offer is Post-16 qualifications totalling at least 18 units with at least two subjects taken at six units (i.e. either two full (AS+A2) GCE A-Levels, one full (AS+A2) GCE A-Level plus one six-unit Vocational A-Level (Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE)), or one (double award) twelve-unit Vocational A-Level (Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE))). The remaining six units may
consist of additional full (AS+A2) GCE A-Level, AS-Level, or Vocational A-Level (Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE)) qualifications.

The grades over the 18 units should equate to AAA.

Please note that Computer Science (G400/G402), Artificial Intelligence (G700/G702) and Computer Science with Mathematics (G4G1) requires there to be evidence of Level 3 Mathematics equivalent to grade A in a full (AS+A2) GCE A-Level. We do NOT exclude General Studies full (AS+A2) GCE A or AS Level from our offer. Furthermore, we do NOT require any prior knowledge of computing.

Please note that whilst Key Skills are viewed positively they are not included formally as part of our offer.

We are able to make equivalent offers based on other UK qualifications or on international qualifications. If you wish to find out details of our equivalent offers in other UK or international qualifications then please let us know clearly the exact nature of the qualifications you are studying.

If you are studying 3 full A-levels we would typically make you our advertised AAA   offer for our programmes (inclusive of Mathematics for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science with Mathematics).

Note that we also require GCSE English Language grade C and GCSE Mathematics grade B.

When your results are available, if you do not meet our offer, we would certainly consider your overall grade profile including the effect of combining 2 different AS-levels with 2 full A-levels in order to compare it with our equivalent tariff offer.

For Access to Higher Education courses we require 45 Level 3 credits with Distinction. For Computer Science (G400/G402), Artificial Intelligence (G700/G702) and Computer Science with   Mathematics (G4G1) we additionally require evidence of a substantial component of Level 3 mathematics in your course, typically around one third at Level 3.

We assess other Access courses individually upon their own merits. Typically we require a Pass in the Access course with 18 credits at Level 3 graded at 70%. However, the way that we assess the quality of your course would be by interview, talking to your college and reading your tutor's reference - after we have received your UCAS application.

 We are looking for the equivalent of AAA in GCE A-Levels (and for Computer Science (G400/G402), Artificial Intelligence (G700/G702) and Computer Science with Mathematics (G4G1) we need to see evidence of Mathematics equivalent to GCE A-Level). We also require an English Language qualification equivalent to GCSE grade C.

Our typical offer is DDD for the BTEC Extended Diploma. Without an additional GCE A-level Mathematics we would only offer a place on the BSc Information Technology (G500). This standard offer is in addition to GCSE Mathematics grade B and English Language grade C.

 In order that we can advise you further we need to know what sort of qualifications you have gained. Specifically you should give the title and awarding body, length of study (full time), list of modules and grades, details of which programming languages were studied, and the grade you were awarded. You should also include details of the entry qualifications you obtained prior to undertaking your studies, especially for Mathematics and English Language. Note that we may consider some courses to be too focused when compared to our standard entry requirements of three subjects at UK GCE A-Level.

When you apply to us though UCAS, you should fax or post us (not UCAS) a copy of any certificate(s). You should also specify which of our degree programmes you wish to be considered for.

 Enquiries and documentation should be sent by email or post to:  Undergraduate Admissions Tutor 
School of Computing
The University of Leeds
LEEDS
LS2 9JT
Tel: +44 113 343 5821
Fax: +44 113 343 5468
Email: ugadmit@comp.leeds.ac.uk

The School has a long record of admitting students from a very wide range of backgrounds, being among the first in the university to take Access and GNVQ candidates. Our entry requirements, being non-discipline specific, allow us to accept anyone with sutable intellect and motivation, which we do. The evidence for this is in the proportion of "non-traditional" students seen in our programmes, which is customarily between 20% and 30%. School procedures ensure such students are supported especially carefully after admissions.

You must apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK (UCAS). All UK schools are registered with UCAS. Applicants who do not have access to registered UCAS establishments (e.g., international applicants) can apply online independently. Advice is available through careers organisations (such as Connexions) or British Council offices. All applicants are responsible for paying the application fees.

For all applicants, full instructions and a comprehensive guide are available to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application.

Before you become a registered student of the University, we must verify your qualifications. For those who have taken examinations in the UK and Northern Ireland in the last academic year, we should be able to do this without asking you to produce your certificates; if we do need to see any particular document, we shall contact you. International students should bring their original certificates with them when they come to Leeds.

You will be asked to produce proof of identity at your Departmental meeting when you collect your registration documents. The proof should be your passport, driving licence or your original birth certificate.

It is only in exceptional circumstances that we admit applicants directly into the third, and final level, of any of our degree programmes. In fact, it is fairly difficult to gain direct entry into our second level. We can only agree to the direct entry if there is sufficient match between your current and previous qualifications and our entry requirements and degree content. Before we can consider direct entry we will need to confirm that you have qualifications which satisfy our Level 1 entry requirements. Assuming a match is reasonable we would typically require a student to be able to progress on their current programme of study with an average grade of 65%

Enquiries seeking direct entry to the second or third levels of one of our degree programmes should provide all relevant information that you wish us to take into consideration. Specifically you should give the title and awarding body, length of study (full time), list of modules and grades, details of which programming languages were studied, and the grades you have been awarded. You should also include details of the entry qualifications you obtained prior to taking your current studies, e.g. high school grades, especially for Mathematics and English Language. When you apply to us though UCAS, you should fax us or post (not UCAS) a copy of your certificate(s).

You should also identify how you feel your current studies match with our degree programme(s) in those subjects that you are hoping to be exempted from, by sending us an aligned list of the modules you have taken alongside our own, for each level you wish to gain exemption.

Enquiries and documentation should be sent to:
Undergraduate Admissions Tutor
School of Computing
The University of Leeds
LEEDS
LS2 9JT
Tel: +44 113 343 5821
Fax: +44 113 343 5468
Email: ugadmit@comp.leeds.ac.uk     
[PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS]

We do not accept emailed attachments at this address. To send us any information please either email it as plain (ASCII) text in the body of the message, fax it or post it to us:
Undergraduate Admissions Tutor
School of Computing
The University of Leeds
LEEDS
LS2 9JT
Tel: +44 113 343 5821
Fax: +44 113 343 5468
Email: ugadmit@comp.leeds.ac.uk     
[PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS]

Thanks for your co-operation in this, and apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Please send transcripts of results when they are available and we will make a final decision on whether or not we can offer you a place. If we make you an unconditional offer at this point you will be informed by UCAS and we will send you confirmation but we may not send out further detailed information about registration until August

If you have met our entry requirements you should receive a letter from us and UCAS confirming your unconditional status shortly after the results are released. If you fall slightly short of our entry requirements we may still be able to accept you. Both the UCAS website and University of Leeds website have facilities for you to check the status of your application. If you do not hear from us or UCAS shortly after the release of the A-Levels grades confirming an unconditional offer or a rejection you should phone the admissions team.

Information about scholarships can be found on the Faculty fees and scholarships page.

Course fees for 2013 entry: Home/EU: £9,000 International: £16,200

Yes – the department is well known for its world-class research groups, and quite a few Masters students do go on to further research in this or another University. However, sources of funding are very competitive, and students should not expect that successfully completing a Masters will be any kind of guarantee of funding for research. Further information is available in the research section of the School's web site.

The department has strong links with industry through both undergraduate and postgraduate industrial placements, and through collaborative projects and knowledge transfer. In addition, the support of an Industrial Advisory Board means that the content of the programmes is regularly reviewed to ensure appropriateness for industry, and Board members are called on to contribute guest lectures or seminars.

Overseas students holding either conditional or unconditional offers are guaranteed a place in a University self-catered flat if they apply online before the deadline (usually mid-July). There is a limited range of accommodation for students with dependents, or students with a disability. UK/EU students are expected to find accommodation in the private rented sector.

Information on the procedure for applying using the University’s online facility is available here.

The best starting point is UNIPOL. Towards the end of the summer, UNIPOL organises postgraduate mixing days, when you can come to Leeds and join with other postgraduate students seeking accommodation.

This is very variable, and depends on the student’s individual financial circumstances. Studying for an MSc is essentially a full-time commitment, and it can be very demanding to take on paid work in addition. However, we recognize that for many students this is a necessity, and most students in this situation cope with taking on some paid work per week. We recommend that 20 hours per week should be an absolute maximum. Overseas students with a study visa are usually permitted to take on paid work up to 20 hours per week. The University Union provides a ‘Joblink’ service which helps students find paid employment in Leeds.

The School of Computing does regularly employ postgraduate students for lab demonstrating, invigilating exams, checking exam marks, acting as tour guides for open days, etc. There are also opportunities for paid work in other University units, e.g., the Library

The Student Support Office, e: pgadmit@comp.leeds.ac.uk, or t: +44 (0)113 343 5465.