BSc (Honours) Computer Science with Foundation Year

Year of Entry 2024/25
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BSc (Honours)

Computer Science with Foundation Year

Full-time Computing

Gain a degree in computer science, with an initial foundation year to prepare for the course.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £9,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
    International/EU: £16,655 per year (£1,200 for placement year)

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    4/5 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    80 UCAS Points

  • Checkmark

    What is the UCAS code?

    A022

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2024

  • Avatar

    Placement year available?

    Yes


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Course summary

  • Study your foundation year, then progress to a degree with industry accreditation from the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
  • Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.
  • Learn the skills you need to write the software of tomorrow.
  • Develop complex software and systems using analytical and mathematical approaches.
  • Understand the fundamental principles behind the software that powers our world.
  • Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start

Computer science provides a deep understanding of practical applications of computation in areas ranging from programming language design to everyday software systems. This course is aimed at anyone who wants to become a programmer, understands and can build on the fundamental principles behind the software that underpins modern society.


How you learn

The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Computer Science course. You share the first year with other computing foundation year students, then move on to the degree. During the first year of study, you will enhance your skills to maximise your academic potential ready to start your learning against the content of the main degree.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The combination of learning methods across the course allow you to develop a range of skills through problem-solving activities, practical implementations and teamwork, allowing you to take an active approach to learning and encouraging self-development.

In the foundation year, you'll build on your existing knowledge and experience, developing useful academic, computing and IT skills in preparation for undergraduate study. You'll benefit from innovative course content that allows you to access and use cutting-edge technology. Throughout, you'll reflect on your progress, and build valuable communication and interpersonal skills.

You learn through

  • hands-on tutorials
  • workshops
  • discussions
  • self-study

Course leaders and tutors

Matthew Love
Matthew Love
Principal Lecturer & Quality Lead

My own skills have developed in line with the changes in technologies, from microprocessor programming, though team building of software, multimedia technologies, sy … Read more

Applied learning

Work placements

You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your third and fourth years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.

You are supported by placement tutors and a college placement team through the process of successfully getting a placement and then while on placement. Although a placement year is not mandatory, the department has a strong track record in finding placements.

Live projects

The course includes a professional project which challenges you to solve real-world problems, possibly with an external client, while developing team and project management skills.

Networking opportunities

Employers and industry practitioners are an influential part of the design, content and teaching of the course. The employability focus of the course is supported by frequent involvement of employers and IT professionals.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

Previous graduates of BSc (Honours) Computer Science have gone on to work for

  • computer-science related research and development
  • software development and engineering
  • mobile app development
  • web development
  • IBMClock DigitalPlusNetServelec GroupNext

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Learn more about your department

Computing facilities tour

Take a look around the facilities and equipment in the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University.

Computing

Equipment and facilities

You are introduced to the major programming languages, including

  • C/C+/li>
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • C#
  • SQL

In the foundation year, you’ll build on your existing knowledge and experience — developing useful academic, computing and IT skills in preparation for undergraduate study. You’ll benefit from innovative course content that allows you to access and use cutting-edge technology. Throughout, you’ll reflect on your progress, and build valuable communication and interpersonal skills.

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

  • 80

This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:

  • CDD at A Level
  • MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core  
  • A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

  • English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4
  • Maths at grade B or 5

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.

Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.

UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Foundations In Computing 1
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Foundations In Computing 2
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Maths For Foundation Computing
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Study Skills For Computing Students
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Databases And The Web
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Fundamentals Of Mathematics And Computer Architectures
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Programming For Computer Science
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Software Projects
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 3

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Programming
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Algorithms And Data Structures
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Professional Software Projects
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Game Development
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Handling Data In The Cloud
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Mobile Applications Development
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 4

Optional modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Placement Year
Credits -
Assessment
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Development Project
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Practical(60%)
Software Architecture And Design
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 2
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Contemporary Software Engineering
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Functional Programming
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Robotics
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Secure Software Engineering
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

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Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Computing courses (PDF, 197.9KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

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