Program Overview

Computer Science with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Do you want to develop the skills needed to be a leading IT professional? BSc Computer Science with a Foundation Year will develop your skills in producing computer systems solutions. You will gain a sound mathematical and scientific understanding alongside developing the professional attitude needed in industry.

Why Choose Us?

• Brand new facilities at STEAMhouse - This state-of-the-art building is the new home for our Computing courses. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this unique centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and teaching spaces, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.
• State-of-the-art facilities - You will be based at our Millennium Point building, at City Centre campus that has recently had £6.5 million invested in IT facilities. You’ll be able to undertake work in artificial Intelligence, human computer interaction, mobile and web application development and project management.
• Home to Microsoft Academy Centre - We are one of Microsoft’s top UK university-based academics and a member of the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance. This means we are able to use various Microsoft software products and online resources for research.
• Industry connections - We are also a Cisco ASC and one of only ten Cisco Instructor Training Centre’s in the UK. We have strong industry links with companies such as Apple, Oracle, LPI, Microsoft and AWS, to ensure that the course content remains up-to-date and is relevant to employers.
• Gain vendor certificates - Including LPI 1 Beta certification and Cisco networking certificates, while studying your degree.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements: This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.
• A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements:
  • A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent)
  • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
  • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects considered
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall.
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BSc (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: £9,535 in 2025/26

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BSc (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: £17,690 in 2025/26

Course in Depth

Foundation Year

• In order to complete this programme a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Fundamental Mathematics 20 credits
  • Fundamentals of Digital Technology 20 credits
  • Web Application Design 20 credits
  • Emerging Technologies 20 credits
  • Independent Practice 20 credits
  • Foundations of Programming 20 credits

Year One

• In order to complete this programme a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Computer Programming 20 credits
  • Computer Systems 20 credits
  • Website Design and Development 20 credits
  • Data Structures and Algorithms 20 credits
  • Network Fundamentals 20 credits
  • Innovation Project 20 credits

Year Two

• In order to complete this programme a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Object Oriented Programming 20 credits
  • Operating Systems 20 credits
  • Discrete Mathematics and Declarative Programming 20 credits
  • Database and Web Application Development 20 credits
  • Cyber Security 20 credits
  • Software Design 20 credits

Year Three

• In order to complete this programme a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Individual Honours Project 40 credits
  • User Experience Design 20 credits
  • Cloud Computing 20 credits
  • Mobile & Wearable Application Development 20 credits
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 20 credits

Employability

• Our graduates typically design and implement software across such rewarding areas as web development, interface design, security issues and mobile computing.
• We know that employers are looking for graduates who have a good balance between in-depth academic knowledge and technical and practical expertise, which is why our course is geared towards employability.
• What you learn on our course will help you to stand out when you look for your first professional role and because you’ll know how to use sophisticated, industry-standard equipment and software, you will be able to demonstrate that you can put into practice your deep theoretical knowledge.

Facilities & Staff

• We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities. This course will be taught at Millennium Point at the City Centre Campus.
• The course is supported with a wide range of cutting-edge facilities in the City Centre Campus. We have a state-of-the-art computer games technology lab which contains high-performance PCs, Sony PlayStation development kits and a range of industry standard software including Unity, Unreal and a suite of professional Microsoft development tools.
• We also have many open access areas where students can study together and even hire out laptops for use in these spaces and others within the university.
• Within the University there are many internationally recognised research teams giving you the opportunity to collaborate with them on exciting interdisciplinary projects.

Our Staff

• Dr Khaled Mahbub - Associate Professor in Software Engineering
• Ron Austin - Associate Professor
• Harjinder Singh - Senior Lecturer