BSc (Hons) Computing with foundation year

BSc (Hons) Computing with foundation year

Award

BSc (Hons)

Start Date

To be confirmed

Duration

4 years

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Bolton

UCAS Points

48

UCAS Code

G410

The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Computing with foundation year is a flexible and far-reaching undergraduate programme designed to support you with focused attention, industry insights and excellent IT resources. Forge your own path into specialisms and potential career options with dedicated help from our expert teaching staff.

Apply Now Download Prospectus Programme Specification

Course Overview

Of all the excellent computing degree options available at the University of Bolton, this is the most flexible. It draws on key elements from other study pathways to give you a wide-ranging and industry-informed programme. By studying for your BSc (Hons) Computing with foundation year honours degree with us, you can develop essential knowledge and understanding of computing and IT principles and practices while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus.

The foundation year is the first year of this degree, offering an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of computing, programming and mathematics. It's designed to prepare you for degree-level study.

As you progress through the degree, 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. For instance, you might opt to study machine learning, artificial intelligence or cyber security. 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.

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. We'll also support you in building lifelong learning skills so you can take ownership of your professional development for the future and maximise your potential for success.

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

Highlights

Key Features

Entry Requirements

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.

Career Opportunities

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 with foundation year 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 you to develop soft skills such as communication, leadership and organisation, all of which are highly sought after by employers.

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
Fees & Funding

Home/EU Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.

International Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.

Bursaries

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

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 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.

How to apply

Home Applicants

If you wish to apply to multiple institutions or courses for September, then apply through UCAS

You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.

The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.

You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:

  • Institution Code Name: BOLTN

  • Institution Code Number: B44

UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com

International Applicants

The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.

This course is not currently accepting international online applications.

Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom

Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Partner Organisation Applicants

Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom

Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Teaching & Assessment

Lectures introduce the core course content, while practical laboratory sessions give you practical experience and help consolidate your learning. Tutorials allow you to ask specific questions and discuss topics and techniques you've covered in lectures and laboratory sessions. Case studies and practical scenarios will enable 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.

This programme adopts a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.

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.

  • Fundamentals of Programming
  • Logical Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Computer Systems
  • Foundation Project
  • Maths for Computing
  • Computer Science Fundamentals
  • Computing Infrastructure
  • Databases
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Web Design and Programming
  • Cloud Technologies
  • Advanced Databases and Big Data
  • Introduction to AI
  • Advanced Operating Systems
  • Research and Professional Issues
  • Undergraduate Project
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Applied Machine Learning
  • Software Quality Management
  • Information Security Management
  • Operations Management
  • Natural Language Processing

Assessment methods

Level Assessment method
Level 0 Coursework 87%
Practical exams 13%
Level 1 Coursework 100%
Level 2 Coursework 100%
Level 3 Coursework 90%
Practical exams 10%

Learning Activities

Level Activity
Level 0 Guided independent study 55%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 45%
Level 1 Guided independent study 66%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34%
Level 2 Guided independent study 77%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%
Level 3 Guided independent study 77%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%

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.

Postgraduate Options

Programme Contacts

Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
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QQA Scheme Participant

Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant