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This course is for 2024/25 entry.

Key information

This computer science foundation year is a perfect gateway to studying on one of City’s Computer Science degrees and will suit you if you have an interest in how software technologies are built and work.

Start date

September 2024

UCAS codes

  • G40F
  • G41F
  • G49F, G4MF
  • G4GF, G1DF

Duration

1 year full-time

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

A Level:
CCC
Tariff:
96 UCAS tariff points
International Baccalaureate:
a minimum of 27 points total, including level 4 in Higher Level maths and a science subject OR 6 in Standard Level maths and 4 in Higher Level science
GCSE:
Minimum of grade 5 (B) Mathematics and grade 4 (C) English Language.

In addition to our other entry requirements, City also accepts T-levels with the following grades:

  • T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development – C in the core and Merit in the project, as well as Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.

Contextual offers

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care, attend a low performing school, live in an area where few students go to university, or are the first generation of their family to enter Higher Education.

Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically up to two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

Mixed qualifications

Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A-levels and a BTEC qualification.

In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A-level Mathematics at grade B.'

Subject exclusions

We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

AS levels

We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

Please note that the Foundation route is only open to UK students.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

The minimum GCSE English Language is 4.

Register interest

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Prospectus

Why choose this course?

  •  

    Study

    Develop your study skills and ability in core computer science subjects.

  •  

    Star

    Progress to an undergraduate degree programme on successful completion.

  •  

    Graduation cap

    Switch to a different computer science course after the foundation year if your interests change.

Computer Science Foundation degree Course overview

The Foundation route will allow you to improve your computing skills and acclimatise to University teaching and assessment styles, with a view to joining one of our Computer Science, Games Technology, Cyber Security and Data Science degrees the following year.

Although the computer science foundation year does not confer an official award, successful completion will enable entry onto one of City's Computer Science courses, including:

A range of Computer Science modules will develop your understanding of the fundamentals, your programming skills and building web applications. Mathematics modules will ensure you have the logical and analytic skills for more advanced theoretical Computer Science topics.

Finally, you will receive training on basic employability and transferable skills.

Elective modules in your third year let you tailor your degree to your developing interests, such as computer vision, AI and advanced game technology.

  • Develop systematic knowledge of computer science, with a focus on how software and programming can be used to solve real-world problems
  • Learn to evaluate solutions to computer science problems
  • Develop commercially valuable skills for your future career
  • Work with City’s internationally renowned research groups to develop knowledge at the forefront of computing science
  • Acquire state-of-the-art approaches to a wide variety of technologies
  • Learn to code creatively and use programming languages accurately
  • Study in City’s computing labs, which include the latest hardware and software, such as state-of-art NVidia GPUs
  • Boost your expertise and employability with an optional one-year work placement
  • Gain three years of professional experience with our innovative Professional Pathway Scheme, combining paid employment and study.

Structure

Course content

In your foundation year you will develop your understanding for the fundamentals of Computer Science with six core modules introducing you to the basics.

Introduction to Programming with Python

The aim of this module is to provide you with familiarity of the principles of procedural computer programming.  You will learn programming concepts, structures, and methods and be able to design and code simple programs and debug (error correct) them using Python; a high-level computer programming language.

Web Development

The aim of this module is to teach you the basic principles that underlie internet applications, as well as techniques and technology used in the design and construction of web sites.  You will learn how to construct interactive websites using industry standard technologies such as HTML and CSS, and be able to design and build websites that provide a good user experience.

Computer Fundamentals

The aim of this module is to provide you with an introduction to the principles and technologies that underlie computers and computer systems.  You will learn how computer hardware and software operates, how information is represented digitally, how to use operating systems and how to use computer systems safely and securely.

Discrete Mathematics

The aim of this module is to consolidate your knowledge of the mathematics of objects that are not continuous but can be counted. Topics include the integers (whole numbers), set theory, graph theory and the study and proof of logical statements.

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

The aim of this module is to provide you with familiarity of fundamental statistical techniques and an understanding of their application in practice, along with the theory of probability which underlies them.

Employability and Transferable Skills

The aim of this module is to help you gain a better understanding of your future career options as a Computer Science student, and to provide you with a toolbox of useful transferable kills, both for choosing and entering a suitable future career and for succeeding in your University studies.

Download course specifications:

Teaching and assessment

The Foundation Programme employs continuous assessment based around frequent class tests and group work.

Students can also expect a higher number of contact hours per week (around 14 hours) in the form of teaching and tutorials, than in the subsequent years of our Computer Science degrees where self-study plays a larger part.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including examinations, coursework and practical skills.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:

Foundation year

50% written, 50% coursework.

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2024/25

UK

£9,250

The tuition fees indicated are for the 2024/25 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

  • Fee waivers are available for this course.
  • Means tested support is available for 2024/25 entry.

Additional expenses

Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit our finance pages.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

Software and programming are growth areas where qualified graduates are in demand. This broad-ranging degree keeps your career options open and could lead to roles such as:

  • Software Engineer
  • Mobile Application Developer
  • Systems Architect.

Our recent Computer Science graduates have joined employers such as:

  • Visa
  • IBM
  • Apple
  • Metro Bank
  • TATA Consultancy
  • Avast
  • Expedia Group.

City's Computer Science degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS), exempting you from their professional examinations and offering a pathway to chartered status.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Register interest

Please note that, at present, this course is only available to those who we would classify as Home students. Please contact us if you are unclear about your fee status. For overseas students who do not meet the entry requirements for year 1 entry, we recommend our affiliated international foundation course providers.

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £26.50 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £22.

Admission enquiries

For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

Telephone lines are currently open between 10am - 3pm.

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2024 should arrive at UCAS between September 2023 and the UCAS deadline in January 2024. Applications that arrive after the January deadline will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

  • from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
  • from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

  • from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
  • from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Our students

Your introduction to coding at City

City's first-year Computer Science students were introduced to coding during a two-week long coding bootcamp.

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Unibuddy Foundation course

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Academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Dr Jacob Howe

Dr Jacob Howe

Senior Lecturer

Department of Computer Science

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