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 foundation programme does not confer an official award, successful completion of the Programme will enable entry onto one of City's Computer Science courses, including:
- BSc Computer Science
- BSc Computer Science with Games Technology
- MSci Computer Science
- MSci Computer Science with Games Technology
- MSci Computer Science with Cyber Security
- MSci Data Science.
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 Algorithms
- Mathematics for Computing
- Systems Architecture
- Programming in Java
- Databases and Web Development
- Operating Systems.
Download course specifications:
- USCSCF-BSc-Computer-Science-with-Integrated-Foundation-Year.pdf
- MSci-Computer-Science-with-Integrated-Foundation-Year.pdf
- USGTEF-BSc-Computer-Science-with-Games-Technology-with-Integrated-Foundation-Year.pdf
- USCSGF-MSci-Computer-Science-with-Games-Technology-with-Integrated-Foundation-Year.pdf
- USCCSF-MSci-Computer-Science-with-Cyber-Security-with-Integrated-Foundation-Year.pdf
- USDASF-MSci-Data-Science-with-Integrated-Foundation-Year.pdf
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 2021/22
UK
£9,250
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2021/ 22 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.
Funding options
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2021/22 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase which is normally 2%.
- Fee waivers are available for this course.
- Means tested support is available for 2021/22 entry.
Future finance loans
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.
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).
Please note, 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 foundation course providers - INTO City, University of London.
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 £23 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 £12.
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 2021 should arrive at UCAS between September 2020 and 29th January 2021. Applications that arrive after 29th January 2021 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.
