Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Informatics BSc (Hons) top-up
Course overview
The course enables you to 'top-up' your existing qualifications - a diploma, or equivalent certification, in computing or a related field - to the internationally recognised 'honours degree' classification.
- Study the most recent developments in today’s web-intensive environment, such as cloud computing, rapid application development and cyber security.
- Gain an understanding of the social, legal and ethical aspects of the modern computing environment.
Rated Gold Overall
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2025
Why you should study this course
- Dedicated academic and technical support through the school's new Digital Literacy Centre (DLC).
- You will be provided with opportunities to become competent working in a multicultural environment with interdisciplinary teams.
- Optional modules allow you to specialise in areas such as cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI), open-source web development and software quality management.
- Access to industry-standard facilities in the Sir Frank Whittle and Beatrice Shilling buildings.
What you'll study
The course consists of three compulsory modules and a further three optional modules.
Modules
- Machine Learning – 20 credits
- Building on your existing knowledge of artificial intelligence, this module dives into the broad field of machine learning. You’ll learn the difference between supervised and unsupervised machine learning, what an artificial neural network is and when best to deploy one to solve a problem, and how to analyse the effectiveness of a wealth of machine learning algorithms when applied to actual data.
- Digital Security Risk and Audit Management – 20 credits
- The module investigates information assurance models and addresses current implementations of security audits such as COBIT and PCI-DSS. It will be delivered through taught lectures, reinforced by work on case studies that will incorporate practical applications of audit frameworks and analysis of the results.
- Artificial Neural Networks – 20 credits
- Neural networks are computational models how the human brain works. They have been successfully used in a wide range of applications including image processing, bioinformatics, emotion recognition, and robotics. This module provides an introduction to the concepts used in neural networks and their application to solving real-world problems.
- Individual Project (Informatics) – 20 credits
- The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity to research, design, implement and critically evaluate a functional or simulated system, object or concept, and to acquire further knowledge of a specialist technical area that could be one of the following domains: AI/big data, cyber security or apps development.
Optional modules semester 1
- Choose one from the following two modules:
- Project Management – 20 credits
- This module will provide you with a good understanding of key principles, concepts and theories in the field of project management. You will learn about key project management methodologies, practices and techniques, aiming to gain a good understanding of how they might be applied in real IT and business contexts.
- Reverse Engineering and Exploit Development – 20 credits
- This module will focus on exploit and malware analysis, looking at reverse engineering techniques, exploit development, and obfuscation or antivirus evasion.
- Project Management – 20 credits
Optional modules semester 2
- Choose one from the following two modules:
- Mobile Application Development – 20 credits
- This module will enable you to use development kits to build applications for mobile platforms. The practical issues of programming for such devices will be taught alongside software design for portable devices, investigation of the interface components and the user interaction possibilities of smartphones. The module will also cover how mobile devices can be integrated with the data business need in order to operate.
- Business Intelligence – 20 credits
- This module aims to provide you with an insight into the practice of big data analytics. Modern techniques will be taught which should enable you to discover patterns, relationships and associations in big data sets, and build a dashboard.
- Mobile Application Development – 20 credits
How you'll learn
Teaching contact hours
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours:
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Guided and independent study:
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.
Online learning:
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
- coursework
- exams
- group work
- projects
- individual assignments.
Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements:
- UK
- International
This course is suitable for students of computing or software studies who have successfully completed at least two years (four academic semesters) in a relevant subject at an appropriate academic level.
Other qualifications and experience
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.
Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme
If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.
Fees and funding
Student | Full-time | Part-time
---|---|---
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,535 per year | Not available
EU | £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary** | Not available
International | £19,850 per year | Not available
Facilities
Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.
Networking and Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security Laboratories
Contains 84 workstations, equipped with Cisco networking equipment and a range of open-source security suites, on a secured network that allows students to practice offensive and defensive security techniques.
Digital Literacy Centre
The DLC provides a range of help and support for digital, programming, and IT skills. From programming to email etiquette, from Word and Excel to enhancing your Google-Fu, the DLC provides a range of online and in-person help and support. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or book one-to-one appointments online and face-to-face.
sigma Centre
The sigma centre provides a wide range of learning resources dedicated to mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- demonstrate a sound understanding of the main areas of the information technology curricula
- critically analyse and apply essential concepts, principles and practices of the subject in the context of loosely defined scenarios, showing effective judgement in the selection and use of related development tools and techniques
- produce work involving problem identification, the analysis, the design or the development of a system, with appropriate documentation
- demonstrate professional skills with an ability to show organised work both as an individual and as a team member, with minimum guidance
- be creative and innovative in your application of the principles covered in the curriculum
- apply appropriate practices within a professional, legal and ethical framework, and identify mechanisms for continuing professional development and lifelong learning
- contribute significantly to the analysis, design or the development of systems that are complex and secure, recognising the important relationships between these
Career destinations for successful graduates include cyber security, data science and mobile application development, or continued study at postgraduate level.
Further study
Alternatively, you may decide to pursue postgraduate study opportunities by studying courses such as Computer Science MSc, Cyber Security MSc or Data Science and Computational Intelligence MSc which could further enhance your employability.
Overview:
- Founded in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design
- Received university status in 1992
- Over 30,000 students from over 150 countries
- Campuses in Coventry, London, and Scarborough
- Known for its focus on practical, industry-focused education
Student Life:
- Over 150 student clubs and societies
- Sports teams in various disciplines
- Student support services include counseling, mental health support, and disability support
- Campus facilities include a gym, swimming pool, and student union
Academics:
- Offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects
- Faculty with industry experience and research expertise
- Teaching methodologies include lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based learning
- Academic support services include writing centers, math labs, and peer mentoring
- Unique academic programs include:
- Centre for Applied Science and Technology
- Centre for Business in Society
- Centre for Intelligent Systems
Top Reasons to Study Here:
- Ranked among the top 150 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
- Excellent industry connections and partnerships
- Specialized facilities such as the National Transport Design Centre and the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
- Notable alumni include:
- Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
- Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and broadcaster
- Sir Patrick Stewart, actor
Services:
- Counseling and mental health support
- Health center
- Accommodation services
- Library with over 1 million books and resources
- Technology support
- Career development services