Computer Science is one of the University of Hertfordshire's most recruited undergraduate degrees, taught through the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science at Herts' twin campuses in Hatfield — about 20 minutes by train from central London. Herts isn't a Russell Group name and doesn't try to be one; it has built its reputation on strong graduate employability (it cites a 96% employment-or-further-study rate within 15 months of graduation), practical courses, and one of the most internationally diverse student bodies of any UK university, drawing from over 110 countries. This guide covers exactly what it costs and takes to get into Herts' BSc (Hons) Computer Science.
Acceptance Rate
Herts does not publish an official, university-wide or course-level acceptance rate. This is standard across UK "post-92" universities — Herts is a widening-participation institution, not a selective one in the US sense. If you meet the published academic grade and English-language requirements for Computer Science, you are very likely to receive an offer; there is no holistic committee weighing your file against a fixed number of available seats.
In practice, this means the real work for most applicants is making sure the English-proficiency requirement and financial/visa documentation are handled correctly — not competing against other candidates for a scarce spot.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
| Cost Item | Amount (GBP/year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (BSc Computer Science, international) | £15,965 |
| Living expenses (Hatfield) | ~£12,000 |
| Total estimated annual cost | ~£27,965 |
Over the standard 3-year degree, total cost runs to roughly £84,000 before any scholarships. Herts offers a £1,000 discount to international students who pay their full year's tuition upfront, at or before registration — a real saving if you or your family can pay in full rather than by instalment. Compared to Russell Group universities in or near London, Herts' fees sit meaningfully lower while still offering the same London-commute convenience.
Admission Requirements
Herts assesses international qualifications (A-Level, BTEC, IB, or your country's equivalent) against UK degree-classification benchmarks rather than using a GPA scale. For Computer Science:
- UCAS application and personal statement, or Herts' direct international application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- An academic or school reference
- English language proficiency evidence (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE), unless exempt
- No portfolio required — Herts' portfolio requirement applies to Creative Arts, Film & TV, and Product Design courses, not Computer Science
- An ATAS certificate may be required — computing and physics-adjacent courses are among those Herts flags for potential ATAS need; confirm on your specific course page, as this UK government approval must be completed before a visa can be issued and can take several weeks
Herts runs both September and January/February intakes on many courses, applications processed on a rolling basis with country-specific document deadlines confirmed through individual offer letters.
How to Get Into Herts' Computer Science Programme
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Check early whether your specific Computer Science route requires ATAS clearance. Because ATAS approval is a separate UK government process from Herts' own admissions decision, and can take several weeks, this is the step most likely to hold up a visa application if left too late.
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Apply through the right channel. UCAS for most UK-based undergraduate routes, or Herts' direct international portal, which typically gives faster turnaround and a direct line to international admissions.
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If your IELTS score is close but not quite at 6.0, ask about Herts' pre-sessional English options before resitting the test externally — pre-sessional completion is designed to lead straight into the main degree, though exact lengths and entry bands should be confirmed directly with Herts' international admissions team since these are set each cycle.
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Get your financial documentation ready well ahead of your CAS deadline. UK Student visa rules require proof of funds held for a set period before applying.
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Use the January/February intake as a genuine fallback, not a downgrade, if you miss the main September cycle or need more time to arrange your visa and finances.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Herts' standard undergraduate English-language policy applies to Computer Science:
- IELTS: minimum 6.0 overall, no component below 5.5; recommended 6.5
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 79 overall; recommended 88
- PTE Academic: accepted, approximate equivalent 59
- Duolingo: acceptance could not be independently confirmed at time of writing — contact Herts' international team directly if this is your only score
- Waiver: applicants with a prior undergraduate qualification taught and assessed entirely in English, including from a recognised majority-English-speaking country, are typically exempt
For borderline scores, Herts offers pre-sessional English options rather than repeated external resits — see University of Hertfordshire: Acceptance Rate, Fees, Requirements & How to Get In for the fuller breakdown of admissions process and requirements.
Career Outcomes
Herts reports a graduate employment or further-study rate of around 96% within 15 months of graduation — one of its strongest recruiting points relative to other post-92 UK universities, and a figure the university publishes at the undergraduate level rather than broken out specifically for Computer Science. Herts does not publish a specific average starting salary or a Computer Science–specific employer list, so treat any precise number you see elsewhere with caution.
Computer Science graduates from Herts, like all Herts degree-holders, are fully eligible for the UK's Graduate Route visa — 2 years of unsponsored work rights after the degree, with no employer sponsorship required during that period. Combined with Herts' proximity to London's tech and engineering job market, many international Computer Science graduates use the Graduate Route to gain UK work experience before transitioning to a sponsored skilled-worker visa.
FAQ
Does Herts publish an acceptance rate for Computer Science? No. Herts doesn't publish course-level or university-wide acceptance figures. It's a widening-participation institution — most applicants who meet the published academic and English-language requirements receive an offer.
How much does Herts' Computer Science degree cost? Tuition is £15,965/year for international students, with total annual cost (including living expenses) around £27,965 — roughly £84,000 for the full 3-year degree. A £1,000 discount applies if you pay your full annual fee upfront.
What IELTS score do I need? An overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5. TOEFL iBT 79 is accepted as an equivalent.
Do I need an ATAS certificate for Computer Science at Herts? Possibly — computing courses are among those Herts flags as potentially requiring ATAS clearance. Confirm on your specific course page and start the process early, as it can take several weeks.
What is Herts' graduate employment rate? The university reports around 96% of graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation, though this is a university-wide undergraduate figure rather than Computer Science–specific.
Can I work in the UK after graduating? Yes. Computer Science graduates are eligible for the UK Graduate Route: 2 years of unsponsored post-study work rights.