Academy Review: City, University of London

City, University, located in London, was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute. It transformed into City University in 1966, later named City, University of London in 2016. This university has a solid connection to London as the institution's head is the Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons.

There are a few interesting elements to City University. It is known as the greenest university in London and is also third in the university rankings for student satisfaction in London. Its reputation does not disappoint over 20,000 home students that attend the university. Furthermore, the university has over 150,000 alumni from over 170 different countries.

Some notable City, University of London alumni include Dermot Murnaghan, a famous British broadcaster and presenter for Sky News. He was also a news presenter for Independent Television News and BBC News. Another famous alumni is Esther McVey, a British Conservative Party politician and television presenter who served as Minister of State for Housing and Planning from 2019-2020.

Pilgrim Beart, who graduated in Computer Engineering from the university, is a successful entrepreneur with quite a few startups. Beart’s current company Service Monitoring Platform: DevicePilot, works with various companies, from EV charging point providers to utility companies, kitchen waste management solutions, and agriculture technology.

The School of Science & Technology at City, University of London offers various Computing courses which date back to the 1950s.

Location

City, University of London is located in London and has multiple campuses. The main university is in Northampton Square in the Finsbury area of Islington. An additional campus is located in Moorgate (Bayes Business School). City, University of London also has a study center in Dubai.

All campuses are located right in the heart of London. This means you will use different forms of transportation when commuting. For example, you can use the London Underground and buses and walk to and from your campus.

The main campus is located in Northampton Square in Finsbury. This campus offers programs in different disciplines; Journalism and Creative Writing, Nursing, Computing, Business and Management, and Software Engineering are just a few examples. Finsbury is located in - Zone 2, meaning you will study in the center of London. You can find many places to visit and different activities to do in this area.

• Finsbury Park - One of the most famous parks in London, Finsbury Park is known for its festivals that showcase notable artists like Oasis and Arctic Monkeys. From campus, it takes 15 - 20 minutes to reach Finsbury Park.
• Exmouth Market - a vibrant street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants.
• Camden Market - is famous for its alternative fashion, fantastic street food, market vendors, and so much more.
• Angel - this part of London offers a range of pubs, bars, and restaurants. You can also visit the famous Angel Comedy Club for an evening of laughter.

Established in 1966, Bayes Business School is one of Europe's leading business universities, ranked 3rd in London and 6th in the UK. Bayes Business School is located in Moorgate - Zone 1. This iconic London location has many places to explore, events to attend, and activities to do.

• Marketing courses at Bayes have been ranked 2nd in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2024. Business and Finance courses have also ranked highly this year.
• Barbican Centre - Barbican Centre is a renowned performance and cultural venue. It offers many events, including concerts, exhibitions, and film screenings!
• St. Paul’s Cathedral - this cathedral is a true masterpiece! Also, just a tiny side note: on top of St. Paul’s Cathedral, you will find one of the most Instagrammable bars in London.
• Sky Garden - Located a little further away, but it is work visiting. Make sure you book in advance because tickets sell out fast.

Computing programs

City, University of London has a wide range of programs in different disciplines on both - Bachelor and Master levels.

Computer Science programs at City, University of London include Computer Science (Bachelor and Master), Computer Science with Cyber Security (Master only), Computer Science with Games Technology (Bachelor and Master), Software Engineering with Cloud Computing (Master only), and Data Science (Master only).

So, why should you study computing programs at the City, University of London?

One of the significant reasons to study at this university is its central location. The university is in the heart of London, which provides students with easy access to the vibrant technology and business hubs present within the city.

The university has strong ties with the computing industry. Therefore, there are opportunities for valuable collaborations. The university invites guest lecturers and industry professionals to talk about their experiences and significant events in the industry. In addition, City’s Professional Liasion Unit helps students secure placements at leading companies, such as IBM, PlayStation, Disney, and Microsoft.

The average yearly salary post-graduation (15 months postgrad) is £31,714 upon completing one of the Computer Science undergraduate courses.

Here is the list of programs available at the university:

• Computer Science
• Computer Science with Cyber Security
• Computer Science with Data Science
• Computer Science with Games Technology
• Data Science
• Software Engineering with Cloud Computing
• Computer Science with Web Development

Both of these programs are comprised of three stages:

• Year 1 consists of compulsory foundation subjects, for example, programming and databases.
• Year 2 comprises compulsory core computer science modules and a 15-credit team project. You can take an industrial placement between years 2 and 3.
• Year 3 consists of two core and three elective modules. You will also have a significant individual project worth 45 credits.

Computer Science - this program teaches about programming languages, coding, and solving problems. Your potential career may lead to the development and architecture of software, systems, and mobile apps.

During Computer Science with Games Technology program, you will learn about game engine architecture, computer graphics, and game design. By completing this degree, you will become a technical specialist in the gaming industry.

MSci (Hons) Computer Science, MSci (Hons) Computer Science with Games Technology, MSci Computer Science with Cyber Security, and MSc Data Science

As these courses are longer, they also consist of more stages. Here you will see the structure of these courses.

Each of the four parts of the program consists of 120 credits.

• Year 1 consists of compulsory foundational material, including programming and databases.
• Year 2 consists of further compulsory core computer science subject matter and includes a 15-credit team project. You may elect to take an industrial placement between Year 2 and Year 3 or between Year 3 and Year 4.
• Year 3 consists of five core modules and three elective modules, allowing you to develop specialisms in the data science field, drawing on the expertise of the academic staff.
• Year 4 consists of four advanced core modules, one elective, and a large, 45-credit individual project supervised by an academic staff member.

Computer Science with Cyber Security is a full-time four-year Integrated master’s Programme. You will study subjects like Systems architecture, Cyber Crime and Sociotechnical Risk, Digital Signal Processing and Audio Programming, and Cyber Crime and Sociotechnical Risk. A potential career path upon completion could be ethical hacking.

Some subjects you will study in MSci Data Science may include Data Structures and Algorithms, Cloud Technology for Business Transformation, Advanced Databases, Data Visualization, and others.

Entry requirements

The UK entry requirements are similar to all the Bachelor level Computing courses. However, we suggest you visit the City University website for the international entry requirements.

Entry requirements are similar for all the Computer Science courses.

UCAS Points: 128

A level - ABB (Computer Science, Maths or Other Science preferred)

International Baccalaureate - 31 points, including 5 in Mathematics at a Higher or Standard Level and a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English

You must also pass the English language requirement if you’re not a native English speaker. The IELTS requirement is 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.

If your language skills are not up to standard yet, INTO City, University of London, offers English language programmers to help you prepare for your Bachelor studies.

Generally, the admission process is more flexible if you do not require a visa, as City, University of London offers rolling admissions opportunities throughout the year.

The UCAS system is where most applications are submitted. Sometimes you may need to use direct applications (for example, when applying to do master's programs.) We suggest you start researching your course and preparing the necessary documents in autumn when you plan to begin your studies in September/ October of the following year. You can also attend additional classes/ training to support and strengthen your application.

You will most likely need a visa if you are an international student. We suggest you follow a more strict timeline and not put your visa application on hold, as this process might take longer.

Here are some important dates that you should remember:

October: UCAS opens

January: UCAS application deadline

May/June:

• decisions usually come back from universities for January applications.
• you should reply to your offers.

July: you should send your final diploma results. If accepted, you will receive a CAS letter (Confirmation of Studies) from the university, and you can now apply for a visa. Do not put your visa application off, as it can take longer than expected!

Editors Note: this plan has been devised based on the dates of school graduations in Europe. If you receive a school leaving certificate in your country earlier, we recommend proceeding with these steps as and when.

Here are some things that you will need to prepare when applying for a Bachelor's program:

• ID
• Contact Information
• Migration information (international students only)
• Grade transcript (or diploma if you have graduated secondary school)
• Personal statement and a reference
• Consider any relevant experience (courses/ training) supporting your application

For Master's programs, you may need additional documents like a CV and two references (from an academic and professional).