Expand+What Do I Need?
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
•A minimum of 64 UCAS points (2017 tariff) achieved through the completion of A Levels, National Awards, Access or other alternative approved qualifications.
•A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Gr...

Hide-What Do I Need?
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
•A minimum of 64 UCAS points (2017 tariff) achieved through the completion of A Levels, National Awards, Access or other alternative approved qualifications.
•A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above. This must include a minimum of Grade C in GCSE Maths, or Merit in Mathematics for IT Practitioners unit on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (or equivalent)
•A minimum of Grade C in GCSE English or approved equivalent.

OR

•Provide evidence of ability to undertake the course through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). APEL is a process by which you may be awarded credits for learning that you have gained in the past, and which is relevant to the course to which you have applied. It may also help you gain entry to a programme if you do not have the required entry qualifications. This may be certificated or experiential learning.

Please note that admissions criteria may be enhanced by the College if this course is oversubscribed.

Applicants must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements and specific requirements. Each applicant is entitled to the appropriate information, advice and counselling to assess their entrance level and vocational choice. All applicants will be interviewed to establish their suitability for the course.

Expand+Course Outline
The Foundation Degree in Computing aims to develop industry current skills to ensure that the future needs of the IT sector are fully met.

Typically, weekly contact hours are scheduled for a minimum of 17 hours per week per semeste...

Hide-Course Outline
The Foundation Degree in Computing aims to develop industry current skills to ensure that the future needs of the IT sector are fully met.

Typically, weekly contact hours are scheduled for a minimum of 17 hours per week per semester. Student workload usually includes 2 to 5 assessments (which may contain a combination of coursework, class tests, practical assessments and/or examination) per module. The Foundation Degree also provides students with an opportunity to undertake a structured work-based learning placement within the computing industry during the final year of the programme.

The teaching team consists of highly qualified staff with valuable industrial experience. Our staff are regularly trained to keep up-to-date with the changing needs of industry.

Expand+MANDATORY MODULES
Students are required to undertake mandatory modules equating to 180 credits.

Mandatory modules may include:
•Introduction to Programming 1 (10 Credits)
•Computer Systems (20 credits)
•Effective Learning in Computing (10 ...

Hide-MANDATORY MODULES
Students are required to undertake mandatory modules equating to 180 credits.

Mandatory modules may include:
•Introduction to Programming 1 (10 Credits)
•Computer Systems (20 credits)
•Effective Learning in Computing (10 credits)
•Introduction to Databases with SQL (20 credits)
•Introduction to Programming 2 (10 credits)
•Network Technology (20 credits)
•Computational Mathematics (20 credits)
•Professional Practice in an ICT Context (10 credits)
•Object-oriented Programming (20 credits)
•Work-based learning (40 credits)

OPTIONAL MODULES
Students must also undertake a further 60 credits worth of optional modules (listed below). Currently, the optional modules are structured into two distinction pathways; however, it may be possible to study modules from both paths depending on timetable constraints.

Optional modules will be a choice of:
Pathway 1 – Programming
•Programming in .NET (20 credits)
•Software testing Methods (10 credits)
•Web Application Development (10 credits)
•Games Development (10 credits)
•Mobile Application Development (10 credits)

Pathway 2- Infrastructure Support
•Wide Area Networking (20 credits)
•Internet Server Management (20 credits)
•Networking Infrastructure (10 credits)
•Network Security (10 credits)

*Optional modules are subject to minimal student number requirements and therefore module availability may vary.

This course will grant you privileges as an Associate student of the Ulster University and you will have access to a number of University services and facilities, including membership to the Ulster University sports centre and access to physical and online library materials. To find out more visit UU Associate Student.

Expand+Where Will It Take Me?
On successful completion of this course you may progress to the BSc (Hons) Computer Science at Ulster University. Alternatively, you can apply to other Colleges/Universities to complete your undergraduate degree or go straigh...

Hide-Where Will It Take Me?
On successful completion of this course you may progress to the BSc (Hons) Computer Science at Ulster University. Alternatively, you can apply to other Colleges/Universities to complete your undergraduate degree or go straight into employment.

How Will The Course Make Me More Employable?
The course provides the opportunity to undertake a 12 week placement within the computing industry to assist you in developing real-life experience and practical skills that employers want.

You will learn transferrable skills such as communication, organisational skills, problem solving and critical thinking which will help you to apply to relevant jobs within the computing industry. The programme is designed to facilitate your development of a range of graduate qualities that are highly valued in the workplace. Throughout the course, industry standard software and equipment is utilised, with a focus on the core industrial skills required for the computing industry.