Subject

Computer science

Impatient to create future tech?

Computer science
Computing is everything, computing is everywhere. Our lives would be unrecognisable without it.

Information systems make businesses run properly. Computer games create imaginary worlds. Simulation enables us to understand how things, people and countries behave. Social media, face recognition, website design, cloud computing, network security, robotics – all of these are fascinating areas of computing, and there is nowhere better to study them.

Why study here?
  • We are home to many of the world’s top scientists and engineers in the field of computer science.
  • We specialise in areas as diverse as assistive technologies, computer games, artificial intelligence, evolutionary computation, big data, and robotics.
  • We are Top 250 for Computer Science in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
A young Black woman in a green top is working on some wires in an acoustic device that is sitting on a lab bench.
Research Experience Scheme

The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering Research Experience Scheme gives undergraduate and Masters degree students opportunities to work with academics on research projects. You'll be able to choose between focusing on research in our School, or work on a collaborative project with our colleagues in the Department of Psychology.

Read more about the scheme
Photo of computer science student, Jakub Kernivinen, at CERN
"My placement at CERN in Switzerland is teaching me about what work will be like. It’s showing me the roles I’ll have as a developer and is giving me a chance to discover what I do and don’t like so I know what work suits me. It’s a great chance to learn practical skills in a real workplace but is also teaching me how to work as part of a team and how to collaborate which will be vital for any future job. Without the support I’ve received at Essex, I wouldn't be where I am and wouldn't have had as many opportunities. I think Essex goes above and beyond to help provide every advantage for its students."
Jakub Kernivinen BSc Computer Science (with placement year)
Artificial intelligence drives innovation and will transform industries. Information systems make businesses run properly. Computer games create imaginary worlds.

Simulation enables you to understand how things, people and countries behave. We give you a thorough and up-to-date grounding in all these areas and more, while allowing you to develop in-depth specialisation. Our cutting-edge research is changing people’s lives.

Why study here?
  • We are leaders in artificial intelligence, assistive technologies, brain-computer interfaces, computer games, evolutionary computation, human language technology, and robotics.
  • Our curriculum is closely aligned to the needs of industry and also provides an ideal preparation for further study.
  • We have a range of dedicated laboratories for our computer science and engineering students to use for their own projects and research.
Image of alumnus, James Usherwood
"The thing I enjoyed the most about studying at Essex was the passion the academic staff brought to the lectures and lab sessions. Their knowledge and experience was absolutely outstanding and the course gave me strong practical skills so I could hit the ground running when I graduated. After Essex, I moved to Brisbane, Australia, and for the last twelve years I’ve been working for a company called GroundProbe, which provides tech solutions to the mining industry. Recently we were honoured at the Financial Review’s Most Innovative Companies awards, including being recognised as Australia’s most innovative company. My time at Essex provided me with the strong foundation I needed to get to where I am today!"
James Usherwood BSc Computer Science; MSc Embedded Systems and Robotics*, 2002 (*This course is now MSc Intelligent Systems and Robotics)
A young Black woman in a green top is working on some wires in an acoustic device that is sitting on a lab bench.
Research Experience Scheme

The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering Research Experience Scheme gives undergraduate and Masters degree students opportunities to work with academics on research projects. You'll be able to choose between focusing on research in our School, or work on a collaborative project with our colleagues in the Department of Psychology.

Read more about the scheme
Our School has a large and thriving graduate research community. 

We provide an active and stimulating environment to carry out your doctoral research and have an extensive range of specialist labs and facilities. We offer various routes to a research degree.

Why study here?
  • We have an international reputation for the outstanding quality of our research.
  • We offer research degrees spanning the computer science and electronic engineering disciplines.
  • Access to specialist labs and facilities including six laboratories exclusively for our students, along with office space and dedicated equipment for our research students.
A row of old looking library books
Explore our research

Discover cutting edge research from the University of Essex. Browse our site to find relevant publications, projects, groups, centres, postgraduate opportunities for research supervision and wider areas of interest. Simply search our site to find information relating to your subject.

Search our research
Student holding books next to the library at Colchester Campus
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