Expand+How and when to Apply
How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained...

Hide-How and when to Apply
How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in Autumn 2020 from 1 September 2019.

Advisory closing date: 15 January 2020 (18:00).

Late applications are, in practice, accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application cycle, but you should understand that they are considered by institutions at their discretion, and there can be no guarantee that they will be given the same full level of consideration as applications received by the advisory closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Expand+Entrance requirements
A level requirements
AAA (Mathematics)
OR
A* (Mathematics) AB

Irish leaving certificate requirements
H2H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 in Mathematics

Access Course
Not considered. Applicants should app...

Hide-Entrance requirements
A level requirements
AAA (Mathematics)
OR
A* (Mathematics) AB

Irish leaving certificate requirements
H2H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 in Mathematics

Access Course
Not considered. Applicants should apply for the BSc Mathematics and Computer Science degree.

International Baccalaureate Diploma
36 points overall including 6,6,6 at Higher Level including Mathematics. If not offered at Higher Level/GCSE then Standard Level grade 4 in English would be accepted.

Graduate
A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met.

Selection Criteria

In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.


Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Mathematics and Physics. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For entry last year, applicants for programmes in the School of Mathematics and Physics offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C or better (to include English Language and Mathematics), though this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. The offer for repeat candidates may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of performance in individual BTEC units rather than the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Applicants offering other qualifications will also be considered. The same GCSE (or equivalent) profile is usually expected of those candidates offering other qualifications.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of degree courses in the School of Mathematics and Physics, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.


International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs


If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

Expand+Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic p...

Hide-Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
•Lectures
Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
•Personal Tutor
Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Stage 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development
•Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
•Supervised projects
In final year, students will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that they have chosen. Students will receive support from a supervisor who will guide them in terms of how to carry out research and who will provide feedback on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.
•Tutorials
Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.

Expand+Overview

Mathematics is the universal language of science while computer science is the study of the hardware and algorithms that are used in modern computer systems. Since many of the early pioneers of computer science, for instance Alan Turing, ...

Hide-Overview

Mathematics is the universal language of science while computer science is the study of the hardware and algorithms that are used in modern computer systems. Since many of the early pioneers of computer science, for instance Alan Turing, were mathematicians it is not surprising that these two subjects are closely related. This is a three-year joint degree programme, in conjunction with the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, that combines the study of the two subjects at each level.

Mathematics and Computer Science Degree highlights

Ranked second of Russell Group Universities in the UK with 96% overall student satisfaction. HEFCE National Student Survey 2015.

Global Opportunities
•We participate in the IAESTE and Erasmus student exchange programmes, which enable students to obtain work experience in companies and universities throughout the world.

Industry Links
•We have key links with local companies who hire mathematics graduates. Several local financial services companies (including Clarus FT, Effex Capital and AquaQ Analytics) were founded by our former maths graduates.

World Class Facilities
•A new Teaching Centre for Mathematics and Physics opened in September 2016. This provides a dedicated space for teaching within the School. Facilities for mathematics include new lecture and group-study rooms, a new student social area and state-of-the-art computer facilities. At the same time a newly refurbished Computer Science building opened. Students on this degree pathway will therefore have access to world-leading learning facilities.

Internationally Renowned Experts
•The School of Mathematics and Physics is a large school with staff from 13 countries, including UK, US, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Russia, Argentina, Cuba, Germany, China, Greece, Kenya, Niger, The Netherlands and Romania. Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of mathematical research. Thus the ethos of the School is one of excellence in research informing excellence in teaching.

Student Experience
•Many students find the transition from school to university somewhat daunting. In order to help with this transition, Mathematics students have introduced a Peer Mentoring scheme that is generally regarded as one of the most effective in the University. As well as providing a forum for first year students to obtain support, it also provides mentors with transferable skills which will increase graduate employment opportunities.

Expand+Stage 1
In the first year of study, students must take the modules listed

Analysis and Calculus
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Reasoning
Numbers, Vectors and Matrices
Programming

Stage 2 Compulsory Modules
Data Structures Algo...

Hide-Stage 1
In the first year of study, students must take the modules listed

Analysis and Calculus
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Reasoning
Numbers, Vectors and Matrices
Programming

Stage 2 Compulsory Modules
Data Structures Algorithms and Programming Language
Linear Algebra
Partial Differential Equations

Stage 2 Optional Courses
Numerical Analysis
Fluid Mechanics
Classical Mechanics
Group Theory
Elementary Number Theory
Theory of Computation
Software Development
Professional Computing Practice

Stage 3
Student will take a selection of modules from both Mathematics and Computer Science
Electromagnetic Theory
Quantum Theory
Linear & Dynamic Programming
Tensor Field Theory
Partial Differential Equations
Ring Theory
Set Theory
Financial Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Algebra
Concurrent Programming
Formal Methods
Calculus of Variations & Hamiltonian Mechanics
Mathematical modelling in Biology and Medicine
Metric and Normed Spaces
Algebraic Equations
Intelligent Information System

Stage 4
The Level 4 courses open to MSci. students offer students the opportunity to study a selection of topics in greater depth than is possible in the BSc programme. The centrepiece of the fourth-year is the double-weighted investigations module, in which a student has the opportunity to study an aspect of mathematics close to the frontier of knowledge.

Stage 4 compulsory courses are outlined below:

Algorithms: Analysis and Application
Advanced Software Engineering

Stage 4 Optional Courses
Project
Advanced Quantum Theory
Mathematical Methods for Quantum Information Processing
Information Theory
Practical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
Statistical Mechanics
Advanced Mathematical Methods
Functional Analysis
Algebraic Topology
Rings and Modules
Integration Theory
Topology

Expand+The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of sem...

Hide-The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted.

Face to face comment. This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.

Placement employer comments or references

Online or emailed comment

General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.

Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time.

Feedback and outcomes from practical classes

Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.

Expand+Career Prospects
Introduction
Studying for a Mathematics and Computer Science degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and aca...

Hide-Career Prospects
Introduction
Studying for a Mathematics and Computer Science degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including mathematics.

Although the many of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in teaching, banking and finance, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors. The following is a list of the major career sectors that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Management Consultancy
Export Marketing (NI Programme)
Fast Stream Civil Service
Varied graduate programmes (Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters/AGR, Association of Graduate Recruiters UK)

In line with Queen's membership to the Russell group (UK research-intensive universities), the School offers a variety of PhD programmes at the cutting-edge of internationally leading research. Many of our MSci students successfully embark in these post-graduate programmes.

Employment after the Course
The School has links with over 500 IT companies both here and abroad. We benefit from the fact that there are more software companies located in N Ireland than any other part of the UK, outside of London. This offers benefits on many levels for our students, from industrial input to the content of our courses, through to year long and summer placements, as well as activities such as competitions organised by the companies etc.

The Prospects website provides further information regarding the types of jobs that attract Computer Science Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to Computer Science graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, see the School website www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs for more information.

Northern Ireland has an excellent international reputation for the quality and supply of its software engineers. Indeed many companies, both national and international, have opted for Northern Ireland as a base for their computing divisions in recognition of the high quality of graduates produced by the local universities.

Given this situation, it is not surprising that our graduates have had unparalleled job opportunities over the years, both locally and internationally. Because of the achievements of Queen's graduates already in the software engineering profession, a Computer Science degree from Queen's is a highly respected qualification. A good Honours degree in Computer Science from Queen's is of great benefit in seeking the best jobs.

Employers, from large multinational firms to small local organisations, actively target our students, recognising that Queen's Computer Science graduates are equipped with the skills they need. On graduating the majority of graduates take up posts associated with software design and implementation. Opportunities exist in fields as diverse as finance, games, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, research, consumer products, and public services - virtually all areas of business. Some of the employers include BT, Liberty IT, Kainos, Asidua, Autonomy, Accenture, Citi, NYSE

Statistics highlight that over 90% of recent graduates were pursuing their chosen pathway within six months of graduation. As the IT market has recovered, current industry analysis indicates that there is a shortage of IT graduates and this trend is forecast to continue. The types of career open to Computer Science graduates include: Software Engineer; Systems Analyst; Web Designer; Games Developer; Systems Developer; IT Consultant; Project Manager.
www.prospects.ac.uk

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.