Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Course summary
- Study your foundation year, then progress to a degree with industry accreditation from the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
- Develop technical literacy and confidence to configure industry-strength software applications to construct robust information systems.
- Gain a critical awareness of current and future technical environments and learn how to manage IT systems within them.
- Be equipped with a strong understanding of the context of organisations.
The course has more than just a technical focus. There is a strong thread of helping you understand why businesses want information systems, and how to translate user requirements into working systems. You learn how to apply classic and agile project management methods, and implement practical methods to make systems secure and recoverable.
How you learn
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 course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Computing course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other computing foundation year students, then move on to the degree.
This course is focused on helping you to develop strong practical skills to develop and run data-oriented IT applications, together with having a good judgement as to how and when to use appropriate tools.
You will learn through
- lectures
- lab sessions
- tutorials
- individual guided studies
- teamwork and group-based learning
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.
Course leaders and tutors
Matthew Love
Principal Lecturer & Quality LeadMy 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.
A specialist college placement team helps you through the process of getting a placement, and tutors visit you while on placement. Although a placement year is not mandatory, the department has a strong track record in finding placements for the majority of our students.
Live projects
In year three, you have the opportunity to work in teams on live projects for local businesses. For example, this may involve installing, configuring and operating a content management system to help run their website.
These projects allow you to practise more than just your technical computing skills. By working with real companies you can apply the project management techniques and technical skills you have learned, and test your interpersonal and time management skills.
In the final year, you undertake an individual project on an IT topic of your choice. Under the guidance of a supervisor, you will demonstrate the technical skills and professional competencies developed throughout the course, culminating in an academic dissertation.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career as a
- website developer
- database designer/administrator
- application developer
- IT solutions analyst
- applications support analyst
- technical support engineer
- business consultant
- project architect
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of online lessons and face-to-face teaching with 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 | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you will work with
- Arduino computers
- web and database servers
- virtual machines
- data visualisation software
- industry standard database systems and software
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.
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.
- 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 at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
• 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 computing.
We treat the foundation year as part of the computing degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our computing degrees.
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.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.
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. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
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
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Computing Projects | Credits: 120 |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Computer Technology For Business | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Databases And Web | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Information Systems | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam Practical |
| Module: Integrated Computing Projects | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Programming For Computing | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Database Admin And Data Sources | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Professional Computing Project | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Project Planning And Service Support | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam |
| Module: System Architectures | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Smart Technologies | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Web Analytics And Search Engine Optimisation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Web Application Design And Implementation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Data Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Devops Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam |
| Module: Management Of Information Systems Projects | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Project (Computing) | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Systems Architecture | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Advanced Web Applications | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Cloud Computing | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: New Technologies | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Service Design | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. 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 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
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, 244.5KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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