Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
Why study Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at Derby?
- Be a graduate that’s sought after by an industry offering attractive salaries and significant progression right from the start of your career
- Benefit from the flexibility of having the option to transfer to another course in our Computing portfolio after your first year
- Learn from our expert academic staff who are acknowledged as leading scientists in their field
- Take advantage of our connections with employers on work placements and projects
- Learn in a modern, flexible and supportive environment, supported by specialist facilities
- You won’t have any written exams – all assessment is through coursework
Course Description
Dealing with data is one of the biggest challenges that society faces – but it also offers huge opportunities. From autonomous vehicles to medical systems, data science and AI is penetrating nearly every industry. And with the demand for AI skills and data science continuing to grow, now is the perfect time to study this area and set yourself up for a successful career.
On this degree, you’ll study the mathematical foundations of data analysis combined with the practical elements of performing that analysis and extracting useful meaning from the data. You’ll also learn the mathematical foundations of AI and how to construct AI systems and models.
Foundation Year
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Benefit from Flexibility
In your second year, you’ll go on to study more specialist modules with further options to tailor your studies to an area of your interest in your final year.
Industry Connections
The University has strong connections with industry. We collaborate with local and international companies on a wide range of projects, having previously worked with Rolls-Royce, JCB, Bentley Motors, Alstom, CERN, Toyota and Bloc Digital.
This course is also linked to our East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT), so you will benefit from the industry connections this centre provides. The EMIoT’s initiative is to deliver world class, research orientated, employer-led learning focusing on clean growth and digital delivery.
You have the option to take a placement year between years two and three. This will give you substantial experience in industry as well as insight into the careers available to you once you graduate. You’ll also gain confidence and improve your success and progression in jobs.
Facilities
Our industry-standard computer labs contain cutting-edge software development tools. You’ll get to work in:
- Computer Lab - home to a full suite of specialist hardware facilities and software access
- XR (cross-reality) Lab - a flexible space for visualisation and other projects, also used for mixed-course games development
- CAVE Lab provides data visualisation hardware containing a 270-degree 3D projection set up allowing multiple users to experience a shared virtual environment
What You Will Study
- Foundation Year
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Optional Placement Year
- Year 3
Core Modules
- Preliminary Mathematics
- Scholarship for Technologists
- Technology Project
- Introduction to Computational Mathematics
- Programming Fundamentals
Preliminary Mathematics
This module is an introduction to Mathematics in an engineering/technical context. It will concentrate on the principal mathematical tools of Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry and Calculus and will introduce you to the fundamental use of Maths in understanding and predicting the behaviour of engineering and technical processes and systems work.
- 20 Credits
- Core
- Coursework
Careers
Data Science jobs are increasingly in demand across all sectors including engineering, technology, society, commerce and healthcare. You could move into roles such as:
- Data Scientist
- Data Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Data Architect
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Business Intelligence Engineer
Getting You Career Ready
Your degree is only part of your story. We're here to help prepare you for life after university.
- 96% of UK graduates are in employment or further study.
- Top 5 for employability. Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.
- 87% of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.
Entry Requirements
2025 Entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.
- UCAS points: 72
- A Level: DDD
- T Level: Pass
- BTEC: MMP
- GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
- Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15
- English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
Fees and Funding
2025/26
- UK: £9,535 per year (full-time)
- International: £16,900 per year (full-time)
How to Apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
- UK students: Apply through UCAS or directly to the University.
- International students: Apply through our online application portal or through one of our trusted local representatives.
Discover Uni
This is a new course so the data displayed via Discover Uni is for students studying in another subject area.
- 58% say staff value students views and opinions about the course
- 70% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
- 92% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course
For more official course information visit Discover Uni.