Curious about studying Computer Science (with a Foundation Year) - BSc (Hons)at University of Staffordshire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Stoke-on-Trent Campus
Full Time
Jan 2027
4 Year
You’ll gain far more than just a Computer Science degree with us. We equip students with the skills and practical experience to become highly employable. \ From the industry-standard facilities you’ll use, through to opportunities to gain Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Cisco certifications, we know what makes the difference. \ And as most of our Computer Science students opt for a paid placement year, you’ll have the chance to work in industry before you graduate. These exciting placements can be with companies locally, nationally or as far afield as the US and Singapore. \ It’s just one element of the amazing industry links you’ll encounter. We also have guest lectures and academics who are AWS-certified educators. GradEX, our Final Year Graduate Show, is also where students ‘sell’ their projects to a panel of industry judges. The course will give you a solid foundation in all major aspects of computing. It includes digital technologies, networks, cyber security, artificial intelligence, programming, software development, and cloud computing. From user experience through to mastering programming languages, such as JavaScript and Python, you’ll see how everything knits together. \ You can then tailor the degree to your interests in your second and final years. We offer several specialist pathways or a broader route that allows you to choose modules from different areas. \ You’ll do everything from a real-world perspective, with opportunities to complete live briefs and set up your own simulated companies. It means you’ll become agile and flexible – qualities valued by graduate recruiters. \ Our facilities also include the latest equipment you’ll find in industry. Use our learner labs to experiment and create networks. Or explore the cloud environment with your own AWS account. And in our Collision Space, we have a video wall and group project desks to give you the feel of a real workplace. \ This hands-on experience is one of the reasons why we’re ranked in the Top 25 for student satisfaction in Computer Science (2023 Guardian League Tables). On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: *BSc (Hons) Computer Science*
This module will prepare students to understand communications principles and implement a small network using industry grade equipment. Once this is completed you will be able to define the term Cybersecurity, identify attacks and threat attackers allowing you to understand data privacy and how to protect the user and organisation. This module will contain Theory and Practical implementations ensuring you have a well-rounded knowledge.
This module will prepare students to create a solution using computer systems and basic data required to enable a start-up business to research and access its computing needs, which will provide a service to a local community. The business can be any reasonable enterprise that a high street shop would have. The module develops and uses problem solving throughout so that students explore problems and create sound solutions to them.
Working in Teams on Projects is what so much of computing is about, this module given you the opportunity to develop your team working skills. You will explore some of the theories about teams and group work and importantly use them to inform your behaviour whilst working on a group project. You will identify an organisation or opportunity to base your work around and produce a prototype application to support their activity. Groups will be made up of students with interests in many areas of computing so the chance to draw on each others interests will enhance the potential solutions to the organisations you work with. Finally you will reflect on the successes and challenges of working in groups with an increased toolset for future collaborative activity.
You will learn about problem-solving in the context of programming on this module, and how to analyse a problem and produce a basic application. The module will introduce programming to help you implement a solution with different interfaces. You will also be introduced to areas of artificial intelligence (AI), using voice assistants as an example.
This module is designed to help you to develop study and research skills. You will learn about research which will lead you to creating a Literature Review. You will find out about different approaches to research and develop the skills so you can analyse and select from these to apply in your own studies. The module will look to develop your knowledge of referencing and aid you in building sound academic writing skills. Part of the assessment will get you to write a report where you will put your research and analysis skills in practice in relation to gathering data and representing this in the best way for others such as businesses to use.
This module is designed to help you to develop both academically and as a professional practitioner using digital technologies. You will be encouraged and supported in the creation of a portfolio of tasks to facilitate the development of key academic and professional skills alongside the development of digital skills at the levels required for your course. The module also identifies and explores ethical, legal, communication, and other non-technical factors that contribute to the success (or failure) of the development of digital systems in a professional environment. As part of the module you will consider your future career and perform a skills audit in order to produce a detailed personal development plan.
In this module, you will begin an exciting journey of discovery that will lay the programming foundation for both your academic and professional career. You will focus on designing and developing programs in Python. On the way, you will also learn about algorithms, data structures, analysing problems, modeling solutions, and testing programs.
Computing infrastructure and the data which is stored upon this is essential to businesses from the smallest through to global enterprises. In this module we will be looking at how corporations have adapted to this changing landscape with the increased reliance on the data which is stored. As data is becoming more important, we need to ensure that everything is stored in a manner which makes it accessible within the timeframe defined by the company and to ensure that it remains secure from people both outside and inside of a company.
This module explores the different areas of technology within computing and identifies core elements within the field to make an informed choice for purchasing, designing, and developing systems. In addition to these core skills you will consolidate your understanding of an operating system and will be able to commission and program typically Windows and Unix derivative OS as used within your chosen field. Considering Operating Systems outside of traditional x86 computing is also a key skill for fundamental computing decision making.
Relational databases are extremely common in the IT industry. This module will teach students how to manage a relational database and will provide and discuss issues relating to the management and control of replicated and distributed databases. This module will take both a theoretical and practical focus with assessment requiring you to work on two case studies to explore problems and identify solutions.
In studying this module, you will learn about the fundamental concepts e.g. OSI/TCP suit, TCP and UDP communications, IP addressing, Ethernet, wireless networks, switching, routing, network design, documentation, management and troubleshooting. Upon successful completion of the module, you should become a skilled user who is able to design a network efficiently, can configure network devices e.g. switches, routers etc., can manage and troubleshoot network issues.
In this module, you will continue your journey to build your software development skills by learning more about programming in languages such as Java, as well as designing and developing web applications with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. You will also look at how APIs are created and how they can be consumed by web applications. As part of the whole process, you will create and follow a test-and-deploy strategy to ensure the quality of your application.
The world of computer operations and networking is an ever-evolving field with new technology being developed and rapidly introduced into corporations. One of the disruptor technologies is the introduction of Cloud computing into the cooperate environment. Initially we will teach concepts of on-site infrastructure using VMWare and Open-Source Software, grounding your knowledge in infrastructure before introducing Amazon Web Services (AWS) as an environment to further your understanding.
This module will enable students to apply their knowledge in small close-to-real world projects emulating real work scenarios which require using domain-specific techniques for applying Data Science to different domains. The module will also focus on why Big Data cannot be simply processed by using standard database management systems.
This module enables you to apply your skills in programming of micro-controllers as used in IOT systems to a typical industrial graduate project scenario. You will use turn-key products to rapidly produce a professional solution. The module takes both a theoretical and practical focus with industry always taking the predominant focus. You will study the subject from many angles through practical case studies and scenarios.
Within this module you will explore what makes a good user experience, and how that experience differs depending on the device and the user. Furthermore, you will discover usability testing methods and design guidelines used within the creation and design of applications, as well as any ethical, legal and social impacts of ubiquitous applications. You will use current technologies to design and create interface prototypes for mobile phones, smart watches, and smart home devices.
This module provides an opportunity for students to take part in a collaborative project during which you will be expected to work professionally and develop your professional practice. You will learn to use project management tools and techniques as well as developing other transferable skills. You will also gain an appreciation of legislation and standards applicable to ICT projects. The module also takes an extensive focus on careers and career pathway planning.
The focus of this module is to provide students with a solid understanding of the principles of how objects are created and manipulated in multi-dimensional space using computer graphics. You will gain exposure to modern libraries and tools used for rendering and transforming simple and complex objects to both enhance applications and enable state-of-the-art technologies such as virtual and augmented realities.
This module covers databases and data science, and the intersection that exists for commercial advantage. The module will examine core elements of data science, practical case studies, before moving into advanced databases. Related to databases the module will address architectures, design, security, design models, and implementation approaches. In terms of assessment students will create an advanced database solution to a problem, and also investigate future database technologies.
This is your opportunity to create something totally unique as the culmination of your course. It is your chance to define your difference, no two projects are ever the same. You will begin by developing an idea into a proposal, outlining the intention of the work. You will then develop this into an artefact suitable for your course, such as a piece of software, a specification or a code of practice by undertaking rigorous, professional academic research techniques and applying the summation of your knowledge and skills from your course, work experience, if possible, and personal development. All of this work will be presented in a professionally produced, academic report detailing your finding and reflections on your achievement. Ultimately, it will give you the opportunity to participate in our end of course Graduate Exhibition where you can showcase your work to industry leaders, offering tremendous career opportunities and maximising your exit velocity as well as being your opportunity to join in a fabulous celebration and maybe join our honour roll of prize winners.
This module provides an opportunity for you to extend your studies in a direction chosen by you. You will identify whether to study some skills based training, another Level 6 module, or undertake some teaching support of a relevant Level 4 module. You will negotiate a learning contract with a designated supervisor which will then be formally ratified by a panel before you start your study.
Accommodation - Swan Classic (Standard Ensuite room) - £175/week, including bills
4.2
