BSc (Hons) Computing Science with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- G414
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Why you should choose us
in the UK for Computer Science for Graduate Prospects - Outcomes
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Course Overview
Learn to program the future and gain a solid foundation in a range of computing fields, including managing and storing data for banks and businesses; creating and designing action-packed games; improving web usability and user experience or developing next generation apps, AI, cloud computing, big data and lots, lots more.
If you’re a digital native who lives and breathes computing, but you don’t yet meet the academic requirements of our degree programmes, this course is the right one for you. This Computing Science with a Foundation Year course is specifically designed to help you build your academic confidence. On your Foundation Year, you’ll gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for undergraduate level study, all within a nurturing, supportive environment.
Once you’ve successfully completed your Foundation Year, you’ll be able to progress to the BSc Computing Science. Depending on your grades, you may also be able to switch to one of our other computing degrees.
If you’re passionate about a computing degree, but don’t have the academic qualifications to start immediately, this course is designed for you. We welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds. You might have A levels, Access, BTEC, or professional qualifications – or a variety of equivalent alternatives. Maybe you’ve got the right subjects, but didn’t get the grades – or perhaps you’ve got work experience rather than formal qualifications. It all counts.
On the BSc Computing Science with a Foundation Year, you’ll follow the same programme as Computer Science, but you’ll do a foundation year first to equip you with the computing and maths expertise you’ll need to succeed in subsequent years.
Once you’ve completed your foundation year, depending on your grades, you can progress to any of the undergraduate degree courses within UEA’s School of Computing Sciences.
Studying with us means that you’ll benefit from our research-led approach to teaching and our fantastic facilities, ensuring that you will learn in the most up-to-date environment.
During your foundation year, you will have an average of 15 hours of contact time per week with teaching staff through lectures, laboratory sessions and seminars – though this may vary depending on your module choices. Additionally, you’ll spend around 25 hours a week studying independently and working on coursework assignments and projects.
Depending on the course you choose to progress onto after your Foundation Year, the School of Computing Sciences has a number of Year in Industry study and integrated Master options.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your foundation year will give you an important grounding in computing, programming and essential mathematics before you move on to the rest of your degree. By the end of this year, you will:
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Understand the fundamentals of computing
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Be able to program in a high-level language
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Feel confident in mathematics for computing science
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Understand the essentials of computing for business
You can then more on to the three-year BSc in Computing Science course, where you’ll start by mastering the core material underpinning computer science.
All of our computer science courses follow an identical structure in the first two years. This means that you can easily transfer onto the year abroad, year in industry, or with education programmes.
Alternatively, you could choose to follow your Foundation Year with one of the School of Computing’s other degrees.
For the years of study beyond the Foundation Year, please see the full BSc Computing Science course.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and lab classes – where the lab and seminar classes reinforce and expand on the lecture material.
We use a variety of programming languages depending on the devices and application areas we’re focusing on. Importantly, you’ll be working with the software development tools and practices used in the industry right now, building your experience in each year. Upon graduation, you’ll have the technical ability to develop high quality software for a range of platforms.
Independent study
Alongside your formal learning, you’ll study independently to gain a deeper appreciation of specialist topics. In your final year project, you will explore a topic or work on a problem in depth, under the supervision of a member of the faculty.
Assessment
We have a mixture of individual and group assessments. These include written work, presentations or demonstrations, and exams (closed and/or time-limited assessment). They combine theoretical understanding with practical application and are designed to test the range of skills and competencies required for the learning outcomes of each module.
You’ll be assessed by a combination of:
- Examination (approximately 30%)
- Demonstrations and Presentations (approximately 40%)
- Written assignments (approximately 30%)
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism.
- BTEC
- MMM
- Contextual Offer
A Level - CDD
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma - MMP
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Interviews
- Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
- We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Once you successfully finish your Foundation Year, you’ll go straight onto one of the main degree programmes within the School of Computing Sciences.
The experience you gain from this course will be valuable for many roles with a wide range of employers – particularly in the technology, finance and creative sectors, which demand technical expertise, adaptability and broad perspectives.
As a professional in this rapidly evolving sector, the ability to learn new skills is as important as what you know already. After successfully completing your degree, you’ll have the knowledge to forge an exciting career, continually learning and extending yourself.
You could go on to work as a software engineer, web or app developer, programmer, systems analyst, data scientist, artificial intelligence developer, academic/industrial researcher, entrepreneur, teacher or even researcher.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Software engineer
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Programmer
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Systems analyst
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Data scientist
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Academic/industrial researcher
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Web/App/Artificial intelligence developer
Discover more at Career Services.