Computer Science with Foundation Year BSc
University of Derby
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.2) View reviews

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science - BSc

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science - BSc

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Computer Science
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A level
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Access to HE Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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England
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Course info

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change.KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSERANKINGS: Our Computer Science and Information Systems subject area is ranked Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction with ...Read more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE

RANKINGS: Our Computer Science and Information Systems subject area is ranked Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching (The Guardian University Guide 2022).

WORKING WITH INDUSTRY: In year two, you’ll work on a real problem set by an employer. You’ll also get the chance to take a year in industry as well as to study and work abroad for a semester, which will broaden your experience and boost your employment prospects.

VIBRANT COMMUNITY: You’ll join a friendly community including our enthusiastic Computing Society and research-active lecturers. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved with research projects which our teaching team are working on.

PRACTICAL SKILLS: You will build vital transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication, digital skills, teamwork and networking.

OPTIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR: Gain valuable experience in industry by taking an optional placement year between years two and three.

WHAT YOU’LL COVER: On the Software Development pathway we will help you become a skilled computer programmer, adept at developing software and fully aware of the tools and methodologies that underpin software. You will study applied computer science with a strong emphasis on practical programming skills using cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-standard laboratories. We'll explore core topics such as computer graphics, application development, systems programming, data mining and language design. The Networks and Security pathway will help you develop these sought-after skills in designing, maintaining and securing wired and wireless networks. You will develop the technical skills to specify and build the physical infrastructure, and the software development skills to make sure that solutions are robust and secure.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN: You will learn through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, and e-learning. For the Software Development pathway there is a strong emphasis on practical programming skills and you will use cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-quality labs. For the Networks and Security pathway, you'll work in our Network Development Suite with its full range of routers, switches, wireless and conventional equipment from manufacturers like CISCO, D-Link, Linksys and Netgear.

YOUR CAREER: Whichever pathway you choose, you'll find that your advanced skills in software development or networks and security are in high demand. The majority of computing jobs require software development abilities and experience. So whether you want to be a software engineer, project manager, technical architect or chief technology officer, the Software Development pathway will help you get there. If you graduate from the Networks and Security pathway, you will be suited to roles that involve developing, maintaining, securing and managing computer networks, as well as jobs that involve the engineering side of network protocol development and research. Careers include Network Specialist, Network Administrator, Network Technician, Network Analyst and Network Engineer.

STUDY OPTIONS: This course is also available without a Foundation Year option and with a Placement Year option.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
30/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
89th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
95th
Computer Science
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 81 = 19% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
19%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
85%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Computer Science graduate salary at this uni
£24,000
UK Computer Science graduate salary
£22,000
What students say
S
Sanduni
22 Dec 24

Best Aspects The university offers excellent lecturers who are always approachable, helpful, and attentive to individual student needs. Their readiness to provide guidance and..Read more

O
Oghene-Ruona
16 Dec 24

Amazing facilities and nice student support..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Module Options
Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

DDD Grades / Points required

UCAS Tariff:

72 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:0,M:24,P:21 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

MMP Grades / Points required

T Level:

P Grades / Points required

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

We encourage you to outline all your qualifications and achievements in your application to provide us a full picture. Your offer will typically be based on your predicted and/or achieved grades from full level 3 qualifications or above e.g. A levels, BTEC Ext Diploma, Access to HE, etc. Any subject specifics are outlined below in the Further Information section, and these specifics are applicable across all equivalent qualifications. A strong application/performance and appropriate experience will be taken into account where typical criteria is not met.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Popular A-level subjects

Computer Science

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Mathematics
37%
Information & Communication technology
35%
Computing
31%
Physics
14%
Psychology
14%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£14,900 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£14,900 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£14900 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Computer Science reviews

Computer Science
Computer Science
S
Sanduni
22 Dec 24
Big Data Analytics MSc
Best Aspects The university offers excellent lecturers who are always approachable, helpful, and attentive to individual student needs. Their readiness to provide guidance and...
Read more
O
Oghene-Ruona
16 Dec 24
Cyber Security MSc
Amazing facilities and nice student support...
Read more
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How Computer Science students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 60 reviews
5 star
44%
4 stars
36%
3 stars
15%
2 stars
5%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 1,579 reviews
5 star
37%
4 stars
48%
3 stars
14%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Derby
Kedleston Road Derby DE22 1GB United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Peartree  1.8 miles away

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