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Computing (Security and Reliability)
Learn how modern computer and communications systems can be adapted to build the next generation of secure computing applications.
Course key facts
Qualification
MEng
Duration
4 years
Start date
October 2027
UCAS course code
G610
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
13 : 1 (2025)
Minimum entry standard
A*A*A or A*AAA (A-level)
41 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Computing is a creative and wide-ranging subject that focuses on using sound underlying principles and logical thinking to design and build systems that really work.
In this course, you will learn how modern computer and communications systems function, and how they can be used and adapted to build the next generation of reliable and secure computing applications.
You will acquire deep understanding of software security, reliability and privacy issues. You will also develop the skills required to apply state of the art techniques, including formal verification, AI and machine learning, to the design and implementation of secure and reliable systems at all levels.
You'll gain an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of computing, the ability to appreciate and adapt to changes in technology, as well as practical experience in applied computing.
A special emphasis of your studies will be on the fundamental principles underlying computing and on the engineering considerations involved in computing system design, implementation and usage. You will be introduced to computing architecture and hardware, and the software used to exploit them.
This course will also equip you with a strong background in discrete mathematics (logic, sets, relations and grammar), classical mathematics and statistics relevant to applications engineering and management.
Throughout the programme, you will attend laboratory and problem-solving classes, as well as completing project and design work. As the course progresses you will study advanced techniques and modules, many of which draw on current research taking place in the Department.
At the end of your third year, you will gain valuable skills and experience by completing an industrial placement. Your study reaches Master's level in the final year, with a wide choice of optional modules and a substantial individual project on a subject of your choice.
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Undergraduate events
Want to get a feel for life at Imperial?
Save the date for our next Open Days on 24–25 June and 12 September 2026. You can also find upcoming in-person and online events across the UK and overseas on our Events pages.
Search our eventsStructure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
In your first year, you will study the following core modules.
Core modules
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Introduction to Databases
- Introduction to Computer Architecture
- Computing Practical 1
- Discrete Mathematics, Logic and Reasoning
- Graphs and Algorithms
- Calculus
- Linear Algebra
In your second year, you will study all core modules.
You will also select one optional module.
Core modules
- Algorithm Design and Analysis
- Software Engineering Design
- Models of Computation
- Operating Systems
- Networks and Communications
- Probability and Statistics
- Computing Practical 2
- Computing Group Project
- Machine Learning
Optional modules
- Symbolic Reasoning
- Computational Techniques
In your third year, you will study the following core modules.
You will also select three optional modules.
Core modules
- Industrial Placement (First Part)
- I-Explore
- Network and Web Security
- Networked Systems
- The Theory and Practice of Concurrent Programming
- Custom Computing
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
The Industrial Placement does not contribute to your final degree classification.
Optional modules
- Computer Vision
- Graphics
- Data Processing Systems
- Communicating Computer Science in Schools
- Advanced Computer Architecture
- Robotics
- System Performance Engineering
- Operations Research
- Type Systems for Programming Languages
- Technical option from outside the Department of Computing
- Software Engineering Group Projects
- Deep Learning
- Natural Language Processing
Elective/technical modules from another Imperial degree programme may be allowed with the permission of the Director of undergraduate studies.
In your fourth year, you will study the following core modules.
You will also select a total of four optional modules.
A maximum of two modules may be chosen from Group B.
Core modules
- Industrial Placement (Second Part)
- Individual Project
Optional modules
- Privacy Engineering
- Cryptography and Coding Theory
- Software Reliability
- Advanced Computer Security
- Scalable Software Verification
- Scalable Systems and Data
- Advanced Computer Graphics
- Computational Finance
- Complexity
- Deep Learning
- Principles of Distributed Ledgers
- Program Analysis
- Software Engineering for Industry
- Computational Optimisation
- Natural Language Processing
- Probabilistic Inference
- Machine Learning for Imaging
- Quantum Computing
- Mathematics for Machine Learning
- Reinforcement Learning
- Knowledge Representation
- Modal Logic for Strategic Reasoning in AI
- Advanced Computer Architecture
- Custom Computing
- Decentralised Finance
- Robot Learning
- Scheduling and Resource Allocation
- Communicating Computer Science in Schools
- Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Hardware and Systems for Machine Learning
- Elective(s) from outside the Department of Computing
Elective/technical modules from another Imperial degree programme may be allowed with the permission of the Director of undergraduate studies.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and tutorials
- Laboratory sessions
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Title 1 goes here
- 10% Title 2 goes here
- 60% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Laboratory-based teaching
-
In-class problem solving
-
Personal supervision of project work
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Practical
Year 1
- 15% Title 1 goes here
- 60% Title 2 goes here
- 25% Title 3 goes here
Year 2
- 10% Title 1 goes here
- 57% Title 2 goes here
- 33% Title 3 goes here
Year 3
- 8% Title 1 goes here
- 42% Title 2 goes here
- 50% Title 3 goes here
Year 4
- 9% Title 1 goes here
- 50% Title 2 goes here
- 41% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Programming exercises
-
Computer-based programming tests
-
Written coursework
-
Computer-based coursework
-
Examinations
-
Software demonstrations
-
Group work
-
Written reports
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Research summaries
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Oral presentations
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Once applications open, you can register and start your application via the UCAS Hub. There, you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
Applications open on 12 May 2026.
Admissions test (TMUA)
To be eligible for selection for this course for 2027 entry, you must sit the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) as part of the application process.
Check the entry requirements section on this page to learn more about the TMUA and how to register for this test.
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
If your TMUA test performance is sufficient, this will be considered in conjunction with your UCAS application form. Your test score performance in combination with a full assessment of your application form will then inform the decisions of the admissions tutors of whether to make you an offer or not.
Interviews are not standard but may be offered to some candidates at the discretion of the admissions tutors.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Due to the shared core content in the first two years of all Computing degrees, it is usually possible to transfer to a different Computing course within the Department until the beginning of the third year.
Transfers from Computing to Joint Mathematics and Computing courses are normally not possible and are dealt with on a case by case basis.
If you wish to progress onto one of the MEng programmes in Year 3, you must achieve an overall average of 60% in your second year.
Transfer between the BEng in Mathematics and Computer Science and MEng in Mathematics and Computer Science is possible until the end of Year 2 subject to meeting certain minimum results criteria.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa.
Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Year abroad
Language requirement
Teaching is in the language of your host country in France and Germany, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally only students who are on track for at least a 2:1 will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students on track to achieve a 1st will be eligible for placements in the USA.
Please note the list of universities located abroad that the Department currently has partnerships with is illustrative.
Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2027 entry
£10,050* per year
Fees to be confirmed
*Home tuition fees
In England and Wales, the UK government sets the maximum tuition fee (known as a 'fee cap') chargeable by universities for Home students. Imperial’s Home fees for undergraduate courses starting in 2027 will align with this cap, which means that, subject to parliamentary approval, they are expected to be £10,050.
It is current Imperial policy to charge Home fees in line with the Government’s fee cap. The UK government announced its proposed fee caps for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 academic years in November 2025.
The fee cap beyond this hasn’t been announced yet but the Government plans to increase the fee cap each year to match inflation.
So, you should expect a rise in your fee each year. As soon as we know what this will be for 2028- to 2029 academic year and beyond, we will publish it on our course pages.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
The loan is paid directly to the university.
You will start repaying it only after you leave your course, have a job, and are earning above a certain amount.
Once the repayments start, the amount you pay each month depends on how much you earn, not on how much you owe in total.
Upcoming changes: Lifelong Learning Entitlement
From January 2027, students who live in England can access student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) – a single funding system that brings together Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans.
The LLE currently applies to England only. Student finance in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not affected by this change.
You can learn more about the LLE on the GOV.UK website.
Home students can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.
How you apply for student finance depends on whether you have studied before and where you’re from or normally live. Find out more on the UK government's website.
Upcoming changes: Lifelong Learning Entitlement
From January 2027, students who live in England can access student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) – a single funding system that brings together Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans.
The LLE currently applies to England only. Student finance in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not affected by this change.
You can learn more about the LLE on the GOV.UK website.
The Imperial Bursary is available to all Home undergraduate students with a household income below £70,000 per year.
The amount awarded is based on your household income, with up to £5,000/year available for students from the lowest income households.
It's money which you don't need to pay back, and it's paid on top of any government funding you may also receive.
It is available for each year of your course, as long as your annual household income remains below £70,000.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
Overseas fee
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2026-27 was £45,500.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
99% Of Imperial Computing graduates in work or further study*
- 99% Of Imperial Computing graduates in work or further study*
- 1%
94% Of Imperial Computing graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 94% Of Imperial Computing graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 6%
*2022-23 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2025
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Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in industry and academia.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Management consultancy, corporations, computer gaming and special effects are just some of your options.
Other potential career paths could include banking and finance.
Further links
Contact the department
- Email: jmc-admissions@imperial.ac.uk
- Admissions director: Dr Marie-Amelie Lawn
- Course director: Dr Mark Wheelhouse
- Mathematics director: Professor David Ham
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Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications