Welcome! This page contains information for students who are considering studying for a period at UCL and who wish to include Computer Science modules in their programmes.

To take any module you must have the prerequisite knowledge and skills, including language skills. Specific modules which are prerequisite for others are stated in the syllabi. Obviously, affiliate students will not have done precisely these modules so they should interpret these prerequisites as meaning "module X or equivalent". Not all prerequisites are explicitly stated. For example, there is an unstated assumption that all students following one of our second-year undergraduate modules will have completed our first-year core undergraduate programme. To help you understand what this means, our undergraduate programmes are presented below.

You can select Computer Science modules from the following areas:

• modules taught to our own Computer Science undergraduates;
• modules we teach to students on other degree programmes;
• modules especially designed for computer science non-specialists

A complete list of undergraduate modules offered by the department of Computer Science is available here. Note that, whilst we endeavour to keep this information up-to-date we cannot guarantee that all the modules listed here will run.

Most Computer Science modules are worth half a UCL Course-Unit.   Our own students take modules to a total of 4 Course-Units each year. A typical half-unit module comprises 30 one-hour lectures plus supporting tutorials, problem classes and labs as needed.  Most often these 30 lectures fit into a single term (autumn or spring) though, occasionally, a module is spread over two terms.  In addition to attending lectures and tutorials students complete coursework assignments, exercises, private study and revision to a total of approximately 150 hours.

Modules are normally examined through a combination of marked coursework, classroom tests and written examination. The relative weightings of these vary from module to module and are documented in each individual syllabus. Nearly all modules include a written paper which must be sat in the UCL main exam period (May).

Further information about pass marks and assessment may be found in the document "Assessment of Undergraduate Modules in the Computer Science Department - Academic Year 2011/12". However, bear in mind that this document is written for students registered for full degree programmes and not all of it is relevant to you.

The ECTS is designed to allow students recognition for academic achievement gained at participating institutions across Europe, for example as part of the SOCRATES exchange programme.  The system provides greater transparency and widens choices, assisting students with access to education and employment opportunities throughout Europe.  At UCL, the course-unit and ECTS equivalence is as follows:

0.5 Course-Unit = 7.5 ECTS
1.0 Course-Unit = 15 ECTS
A full year's workload is thus 4 Course-Units

Information about ECTS is also available on the EU website at http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en.html

Although you are unlikely to be following a computer science programme exactly like those we teach to our own students, we feel that making your choice will be easier if you know how modules fit into our normal programmes. 

First-year modules

All our students follow the 6 half-unit common core programme below:

The first-year core programme

We assume no prior experience of computer science or programming at the start of the first year, however a good level of mathematics is definitely required. 

The remaining half-credit module is usually taken outside the department; in Maths, Psychology or Electronic Engineering for example. Alternatively, students may choose COMP1009 Cognitive Systems and Intelligent Technologies.

Second-year modules

All our students follow the 6 half-unit common core programme below:

The second-year core programme

The key point to remember here is that all our students will have learned to program in the first year. Therefore, competence in programming will be assumed in all modules that follow.

Our students take two additional options usually from outside our department. However, some do take one of our options aimed at non-Computer Scientists: COMPC018 Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice.

Third-year modules

The third year offers students the opportunity to pursue their particular interests, by making option choices from among a wide range. Details of our core and option modules are given in our curriculum pages

Fourth-year modules

Computer Science offers a wide range of fourth year modules. These are at advanced level and will only be offered to exceptionally well-qualified students. Details are given in our curriculum pages

Modules taught by Computer Science for students from other UCL Departments

The first step is to be offered a place as an affiliate student by UCL. This is handled by the International Office, not by the Computer Science Department.

When you arrive at UCL you will need to register for the modules you wish to take. Full details of how to do this will be explained to you by the International Office. In the case of CS modules, you will need to see the Computer Science Affiliate Tutor (Dr Jens Krinke). Please note that all registrations will be subject to approval by the Affiliate Tutor who will try to ensure that your choices are within your capabilities, yet challenging. Note also that we cannot guarantee that all the modules listed above will run nor that there will be space available for additional students. However, we do not normally have problems with devising suitable programmes for affiliate students.

• The UCL International Office has lots of relevant information including the "Study Abroad Guide" for 2009/2010 and an online forum;
• For further information on modules taught in the Computer Science department start here;
• Specific queries should be sent by email to Dr Jens Krinke.