Computer Science with foundation year
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) and computing-related subjects are preferred.
About this course
Computer science is about much more than building, maintaining and repairing computers and software systems. It's about creativity and innovation, imagining a better way to do things and making it happen. The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Computer Science with foundation year course supports you in gaining all the practical and problem-solving skills you'll need to excel in this constantly evolving and highly rewarding field.
We live in a digital age where most industries rely on software and data. Computer science and IT influence every aspect of our lives, from business to social interaction and beyond, so computer scientists are sought after in the government, health and education sectors and companies of all sizes. By studying for your BSc (Hons) Computer Science with foundation year programme with the University of Bolton, 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 in your studies, our expert team will support you in developing knowledge of core computing disciplines and optional areas of your choice. We'll build your understanding of computers and computer systems with practical skills, including systems analysis activities, design and software development. You'll extend your knowledge by selecting from a diverse range of option modules covering topics such as big data, AI, cloud technologies, natural language processing and information security. This course is part of a family of related programmes, including degrees in Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, so we offer exciting options in all these areas.
As computer scientists work at the interface between humans and digital technology, our expert team will focus on preparing you to work across both these worlds. We'll lead you in exploring technological principles and concepts, provide realistic scenarios to develop your practical skills and focus on building your communication skills and ability to work in groups. We'll encourage you to collaborate and look at projects and problems from both the technical and human perspectives to consider the interplay between the two. We also aim to help you develop lifelong learning skills so that you can take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
This highly creative discipline requires innovation, experimentation, testing and observation, so project and practical work are essential elements of this degree. With expert guidance and support, you'll study in our well-equipped IT suites, applying and developing your learning individually and in groups. The school's strong links with business mean you'll have the chance to work on live briefs in your assignments, ensuring you gain industry-relevant knowledge. Furthermore, your final year project will build your independence and analytical skills, further develop your creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and allow you to prove your critical understanding of computer science.
By studying our BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with foundation year, you'll gain essential knowledge and experience a range of opportunities that support you in developing the attitudes, abilities and competencies needed to launch your career in computing and IT.
Modules
Information about the modules offered as part of this course is available on the University of Bolton’s website.
Assessment methods
Details of the learning activities and assessment methods for this course are available on the University of Bolton’s website.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Bolton Main Site, Greater Manchester
Computing
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a newly-classified subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. The subject is linked to important and growing computing industries, and over time we can expect more students to study them — there could be opportunities that open up for graduates in these subjects as the economy develops over the next few years.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£20k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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