Our BSc (Hons) Computing (top-up) is ideal as a next step from a foundation degree, HND or equivalent diploma in Computing or Software Engineering. It’s a flexible and far-reaching undergraduate programme that’s designed to support you with focused attention, industry insights and excellent IT resources.

Key information

Award:

BSc (Hons)

Mode of Study:

Part-time

Duration:

2 years

Location:

University of Bolton

UCAS code:

G405

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

Of all the great computing degree options available at Bolton, this is the most flexible. It draws on key elements from other study pathways to give you a wide-ranging, industry-informed programme. Building on your previous studies, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on aspects of the subject you have personal interest and strengths in or that support your career or further study goals.

The department’s strong links with business mean you’ll have the chance to work on ‘live briefs’ in your coursework assignments, so you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy real-world context and application for the skills and knowledge we’ll help you develop.

With intentionally small class sizes, we can offer you more meaningful and personalised interaction with our dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers, many of whom are active researchers and come with extensive industry insights and experience. Meanwhile, guest speakers and lecturers give you access to highly relevant and up-to-date input from industry settings.

All of this is backed by our well-equipped IT suites, where you’ll get to apply and develop your learning individually and in groups, with expert guidance and support.

Highlights

Our Computer Science courses are top in the UK for student satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2022.
Our Computer Science courses are also placed first in the UK for teaching quality and student experience by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.
Your teaching and tutorial team brings an impressive range of professional experience and technical prowess to the course, so you’ll have the chance to explore and evaluate a range of perspectives relating to your studies.
We continually monitor and update the course to reflect current and ever-changing computing issues and keep your learning in line with technological advances and innovations.
A big part of our commitment to your progress is helping you develop your employability and industry networks. So we’ll encourage you to attend guest lectures that give your learning context, offer industry contact, and contribute to your underlying professional development.
By structuring our module content, assignments and projects to mimic industry processes and standards, we aim to provide an industry-relevant education that leads you towards a successful career.

Key Features

The department, and the wider University, provides a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching facilities, and excellent student support and library services.
We’ll focus on your individual needs and provide personalised support to help find the learning strategies that best support your learning and ultimate success.
Our dedicated laboratories, servers and end-hosts feature high-specification hardware and the latest software, so you’ll have industry-equivalent hands-on experience.
As you’d expect, many of our computing facilities are accessible online, so you can work on your assignments wherever you are and whenever inspiration kicks in.
We’ll help you build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills in developing content for a range of different target devices. This can put you in an advantageous position when you come to approach potential employers.

You’ll have successfully completed a foundation degree (FdSc) or higher national diploma (HND) in computer networking or computer security (or another relevant qualification comprising at least 120 credits at HE4 and 120 credits at HE5). Alternatively, you may hold a professional qualification in computer science at an equivalent level; for instance, an APTECH Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering with an overall credit or distinction profile.
We’ll be happy to consider your application if you have non-standard qualifications and/or proven relevant experience in the computing industry.
You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

With computing technologies playing a greater role in all aspects of modern life, our graduates find their skills in high demand across a wide range of industries.

The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Computing (top-up) degree combines theoretical study and practical projects. You can learn subject-specific skills such as programming, systems, databases, computer platforms, website production and networking. This degree also supports the development of soft skills such as communication, leadership, and organisation, all of which are highly sought after by employers.

Completing your honours-level studies should prove valuable in helping you achieve your career goals.

What can I do with this qualification?

Computing skills are essential in today's world. Computing is a global activity, and our graduates are employable anywhere in the world. Some of the main areas that graduates go into are network design, programming, web development, software application, interactive multimedia roles, IT support, consultancy and operations, E-commerce, and business analysis.

Some typical employers include IT consultancies and IT service providers. However, most businesses rely on computers to function effectively, so there are opportunities in telecommunications, aerospace and defence, financial services, retail, healthcare, manufacturing and the public and third sectors.

After completing this degree, you might also set up your own business offering web design or IT consultancy.

A popular postgraduate route is teaching. Alternatively, you might choose to continue your development within computing via a master's degree or PhD in areas such as networks and security or software engineering.

Alternative career options

Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:

Digital copywriting
IT sales
IT training
Teaching
Research and development
Network engineering
Product management
Technical writing
Social media management
Cyber security
Information systems management
Games development

Course fees

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Course application details are unavailable at present

Lectures introduce the core course content, while practical laboratory sessions give you practical experience and help consolidate your learning. Tutorials offer you the chance to ask specific questions and discuss topics and techniques you’ve covered in lectures and laboratory sessions. Case studies and practical scenarios allow you to apply theory to practice and enjoy real-world insights into computing in commercial environments.

Small class sizes mean we get closer to you as an individual and better understand and support your learning preferences and ambitions.

Assessment wise, you can expect a combination of assessed practical demonstrations, reports, coursework, and others. These summative assessments contribute to your final marks and are your chance to show you’ve met the learning outcomes for the course. Formative assessments, on the other hand, feature throughout your studies. While they don’t contribute to your module or final marks, they inform and support your development by helping you build on your strengths, overcome any perceived weaknesses, and find the study strategies that best support your ultimate success.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Undergraduate Project
Enterprise Systems Development
Machine Learning
Software Quality Management
Emerging Technologies
Ethical Hacking and Digital Forensics

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 94%, Written exams 6%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 77%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.