Computer Science with a Foundation Year

If you want to study computer science but don't meet our standard entry requirements, our foundation year could be for you. You'll learn the fundamentals of maths, physics and engineering in a variety of innovative ways to prepare you for your degree.

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, you can start a BEng or MEng degree.

Embark on a transformative journey with our innovative and comprehensive BSc or MComp in Computer Science.

Delve into the core concepts of computer science to develop your problem-solving skills, and learn how to apply your knowledge to engineer solutions that shape our digital world.

In this ever-evolving field there are no shortage of subjects to explore, and you will have the chance to experiment with cutting-edge technologies to develop your skills. These include speech recognition, voice synthesis, text summarisation, and machine learning, to name a few.

As well as learning to program and think critically, You will be encouraged to work in teams, develop your communication skills, and think about the impact of your work in a real-world context. These are essential for a career in industry or research, and demonstrate the well-rounded education our programme will provide you.

Core modules in years one and two will provide you with the foundations of computer science, while in the final year a range of optional modules will allow you to tailor your studies to your own interests. These include topics such as software re-engineering, cybersecurity, and software for mobile devices.

On top of these specialised modules, the focus of your final year is a dissertation project, where you will have scope for creative and intellectual exploration through a year long individual project guided by one of lecturers.

The BSc course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). It fully meets the requirements for Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and partially meets the requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng).

The MComp course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). It fully meets the requirements for Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Why study this course?

• Specialist teaching facilities: Our lecturers are renowned computer scientists and internationally recognised researchers whose research shapes our cutting-edge teaching. You'll have access to the latest software and equipment, including high-spec computers with graphics processing units, as well as a robotics arena in our dedicated labs.

• Combining theory with practice (Applies to our MCOmp course only): In your final year, you'll be able to specialise and get the chance to work alongside our research staff as part of a group research project. You'll also have the option to participate in Genesys Solutions – our student-led software development organisation – throughout your final year, solving customer’s problems, using agile software engineering and lean startup practice.

• Professional skills and group work: Professional, communication and presentation skills help to create more employable computer scientists and software engineers. These are extremely valuable to companies, making you a well-rounded and highly prized candidate.

• Flexible study options: It's possible to transfer between our courses. This provides an opportunity to understand which areas of computer science spark your interest and add flexibility to your education.

• Support throughout your degree: Our dedicated student welfare advisor is available to provide support, for example, if you are feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling to adjust to student life.