Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
AA17
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems to solve complex problems
- Use machine learning (ML) to support decision making
- Design and build complex software and hardware robotic solutions
- Work with companies to solve real-world practical challenges
- Access to industry-standard facilities and technology
Through practice-based learning, you’ll develop a deep understanding of how AI and robotics are brought together to create the autonomous devices found in the industries of our modern world. You’ll become a practitioner who can build smart robotic devices – and create new ones – all the while understanding the responsibility and ethical considerations the convergence of AI and robotics requires.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year.
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
The combination of learning methods across the course allows you to develop your programming and electrical engineering skills as well as your wider professional skills – through problem-solving activities, practical implementation, and teamwork. These allow you to take an active approach to learning and self-development.
You learn through:
- Lectures
- Hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
- Regular feedback
- Teamwork and group-based learning
- Applied learning
- Discussions
- Self-study
You’ll be taught by experts from both Computer Science and Engineering disciplines, that builds into the cross-disciplinary course area, alongside experts who routinely hybridise the subject areas.
Key themes
You’ll build your understanding of how and when to use appropriate processes, tools, technologies and practices. You’ll develop programming skills which form the basis of key computer science topics – including algorithms and data structures. These feed into learning, creation and development of machine learning and artificial techniques that can be adapted and tailored for domain-specific problems.
These fundamental skills are further strengthened by introducing you to real-world projects, where you’ll deepen your understanding of the design and development of embedded systems.
Then in your final year, you’ll complete your own project that converges AI and robotic technologies – giving you the freedom to explore, research and apply new skills as you create a smart autonomous device you can be proud of.
Course support
You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly-skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
Course leaders and tutors
Michael Meredith
Associate Head in the School of Computing and Digital TechnologiesMichael is a Principal Lecturer on the BSc Computer Science degree at Sheffield Hallam University, were he teaches programming, computer architecture and practical a … Read more
Mick Marriott
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BSc Computer Science and BSc Computer Science with AIStaff profile for Mick Marriott Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BSc Computer Science and BSc Computer Science with AI
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long work placement before your final year. This helps you gain personal and professional skills through real-world experience – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma in addition to your degree, further enhancing your graduate profile.
On placement you’ll apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained on your course – in areas such as embedded systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence, software design and electrical engineering solutions.
You’ll also be supported to take advantage of work experience opportunities throughout your course, through access to a range of support activities, resources and employer events from our Employability Team. These will further add to your employability skillset, confidence and opportunity-awareness – helping you to succeed in your career after graduating.
Live projects
Tackling problems in industry helps you prepare for a career by tackling challenges and complex problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs – while also considering ethical, diversity and safety demands.
In your first and second years you’ll work on real client-based projects. After analysing their requirements, you’ll design, implement and test a prototype which you’ll present back to key stakeholders. This is great experience of the demands you’ll face when you graduate – and a confidence boost while you’re applying for work placements.
Networking opportunities
Employers and industry practitioners are an influential part of the design, content and teaching of the course. Alongside the placement opportunities and live projects you complete, your future career is supported by the frequent involvement of employers and IT professionals, through, for example, guest lectures and employer fairs.
Future careers
This course prepares you for the following career pathways:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning research and development
- Robotics engineering
- Embedded systems engineering
- Software development
- Electrical engineering
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with:
- Industry-standard software tools and hardware devices
- Embedded Systems including IoT and SBC devices
- A robotics and automation laboratory
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include a maximum of one AS level, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
- Science at grade C or 4
*GCSE Equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have no formal qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Engineering And Mathematics In Practice
Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 1
Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 2
Fundamentals Of Materials And Manufacturing
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Fundamentals Of Analogue & Digital Electronics
Maths And Computational Methods
Professional Engineering Practice
Programming For Computer Science
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Advanced Programming
Algorithms And Data Structures
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1
Industrial Group Embedded System Project
Elective modules
Study Abroad - Computing And Digital Technologies
Year 4
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Robotics, Automation, Machine Vision, And Sensor Fusion
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 2
Development Project
Elective modules
Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics
Secure Software Engineering
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
