Your learning experience
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.
Practical lab sessions
![An academic helping students in a practical session in a computer lab](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug-how-you-study/practical-session-in-computer-lab.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=88089E037CE8535620E6B309F5262F28)
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](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug-how-you-study/student-using-vr-headset.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=13FB1FD0DF4ABEB33F521D40701E8100)
Group work
![Two students working together on a laptop outside](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug-how-you-study/students-working-on-bench.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=FB4C4CA222EDD8A959EFB1E8DD465BBD)
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](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug-how-you-study/academic-supporting-student.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=4E341B5AEA15BE5B939672BC34D8E80B)
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.
Previous placement companies include: Urban Science; Oracle; Invesco; Bayer; Disney; Eli Lily; FunTech; Veritas Technologies LLC; Tink Engineer; and PepsiCo.
You can also carry out a research project through the University's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme.
Learn more about industry placementsRhian Taylor: making an impression on placement
![Rhian Taylor](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug-stories/rhian-taylor.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=EE097EB43C7DB0CFCA2809FAF9F92037)
Rhian’s placement changed her outlook towards her career, resulting in receiving job offers before graduating.
Ross Beale: digital solutions for big brands
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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](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug-stories/rishil-haren.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=F2BA5616C021565510C639C496A73961)
Rishil made a strong impression during his placement in the Innovation Team at Vodafone Business, securing a graduate role at the company.
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.
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Optional modules
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Visit our course pages to learn more about modules
Life in the Department
![Three students working on computers in a computer lab](/computer-science/-/media/project/uor-main/schools-departments/computer-science/ug/students-working-on-computers.jpg?h=675&la=en&w=1200&hash=C321A55DC6D14A1C1C2BD963A6744747)
We offer extracurricular activities, including a Data Science Club and R. U. Hacking?, a student-led society that’s open to students across the University with an interest in technology.