Why study this course?
If you’re interested in studying computing but you don’t have the necessary qualifications to start a standard undergraduate degree, our Computing (including foundation year) BSc degree can provide you with an alternative route into higher education. This four-year course will teach you the fundamentals of computing, cyber security, mathematics and programming.
This Computing (including foundation year) BSc degree has been accredited with full CITP status by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. This accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by BCS. As a graduate of this course, accreditation will also entitle you to professional membership of BCS, which is an important part of the criteria for achieving Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status through the Institute. Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
More about this course
The course begins with a preparatory year to help build your confidence and increase your skills. The foundation year on this course is shared with other foundation degrees, so you’ll get to study alongside other students who are interested in a variety of specialisms.
In your foundation year you’ll learn the fundamentals of cyber security, design and communication, programming and mathematics. This knowledge will serve you well as you proceed into the following three years of the course. You’ll also have access to our world-class facilities including our Cisco labs, Cyber Security Research Centre and Intelligent Systems Research Group.
After your foundation year there will be flexibility to change your degree specialism should you wish to. Our tutors will be there to support you from the very beginning, helping you to recognise your strengths and pushing you to succeed on this four-year course.
You’ll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.
After you have completed the foundation year you will continue to study the same modules and course content as students on our Computing BSc (Hons) degree.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 0 modules include:
Cyber Security Fundamentals (core, 30 credits)
Introduction to Robotics and Internet of Things (core, 30 credits)
Mathematics (core, 30 credits)
Programming (core, 30 credits)
Year 1 modules include:
Computer Hardware and Software Architectures (core, 30 credits)
Fundamentals of Computing (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Information Systems (core, 15 credits)
Logic and Problem Solving (core, 30 credits)
Programming (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Advanced Programming and Technologies (core, 15 credits)
Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things (core, 15 credits)
Databases (core, 15 credits)
Network Operating Systems (core, 15 credits)
Professional Issues, Ethics and Computer Law (core, 15 credits)
Smart Data Discovery (core, 15 credits)
Software Engineering (core, 30 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Advanced Database Systems Development (core, 30 credits)
Application Development (core, 30 credits)
Project (core, 30 credits)
Work Related Learning II (core, 15 credits)
Artificial Intelligence (option, 15 credits)
Mobile Applications (option, 15 credits)
Project Analysis and Practice (option, 15 credits)
Where this course can take you
You could work in scientific research, design and development, management services and computing, financial work, statistical work and teaching. You could also go on to do postgraduate study.
What is a degree with a foundation year?
This is a four-year degree course with a built-in foundation year (Year 0). It’s the perfect route into university if you don’t meet the necessary entry requirements for the standard undergraduate degree. You’ll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the three-year course.
