I'm enjoying the range of different modules in the first year as it allows me to understand what I enjoy most.
Thomas
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Overview
As the use of the internet, ‘big data’, simulation, and automation continues to grow, so does the need for computing scientists who can provide real solutions to real problems.
This course has been designed so you can meet the demands of high-performance computing in industry. You will learn software development, machine architecture, problem modelling and parallel computing – among other things.
The main emphasis of this degree is on the development of advanced software and the use of cutting-edge ideas to enable you to work with data on a massive scale – something employers are increasingly demanding.
Why study Computer Science with Foundation Year?
Computer Science is an ever expanding field of study with great opportunities for employment, further study and or research in many, potentially inter-disciplinary fields. This course main emphasis is on the development of software using high performance computing and cutting edge concepts to enable an intelligent understanding of data on a massive scale using high performance computing. The foundation year provides fundamental learning to support a degree in computer science.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Health, Medicine
Entry requirements
A typical offer would be a minimum of 32 UCAS Tariff points and a good GCSE in Mathematics or equivalent.
For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated web page.
More entry requirement details.
This degree is also available without a Foundation Year.
32
UCAS Points
All about the course
The foundation year aims to improve your computing knowledge and prepare you for study at undergraduate level.
All through the course, you'll experience through hands-on learning from on and off campus and on-line learning. This will develop your practical agile problem-solving approach to create computing science solutions to problems. You will undertake group projects, typically sourced from industry or akin to problems in industry. Your groupwork will be supported through the use on-line tools and on-line project management solutions. You'll also develop skills enabling you to:
- work effectively and supportively in diverse and inclusive groups
- communicate effectively in groups and one to one
- apply project management to group-work
- apply principles of commercial management and consideration of wider issues.
In Year 1 you will develop programming capability and a deeper understanding of the specialist mathematics used in large-scale parallel systems and Artificial Intelligence. You will also look at some of the ethical issues in computing and the skills sets required in the workplace with a view to developing these.
You will explore areas including: computational mathematics, high performance computing, machine learning and advanced programming. You will develop programming capability and a deeper understanding of the specialist mathematics used in large-scale parallel systems and artificial intelligence. You will also look at some of the ethical issues in computing and the skills sets required in the workplace with a view to developing these.
You will have the opportunity to take a placement in your third year, providing you meet the requirements. If you can identify and secure a placement opportunity, with the support from the computing team. A placement will provide you with the further opportunity to develop your skills as a practicing computing professional, a personal development plan and evidence of your abilities for your future employers.
Module information
Please note that the list of optional modules and their availability may be subject to change. We continually review and where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience. Modules will vary when studied in combination with another subject.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
This degree uses the pioneering CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) education model – developed by the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with business. This will help your natural creativity and thirst for problem-solving flourish as you learn and some of your teaching will be done via real world inspired projects. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical labs. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week and are expected to also spend about 4 hours each week coordinating with team members on group activities. Labs will often emphasise working in small groups to enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and place theory into practice.
All programmes are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
When not attending timetabled sessions it is expected you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves completing computer-based exercises, preparing for workshops and seminars, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, undertaking coursework assignments or preparing for class-tests and examinations and reading journal articles and books. Your module leader will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For your final year individual study (dissertation), you will undertake independent research and will be assigned a supervisor; who will guide you through your first substantial and independent work through regular scheduled meetings
Your overall workload typically consists of 12 contact hours and an additional 25 hours of independent learning. In addition, there may be field trips.
For each 20-credit module, your study time will about 10 hours a week plus work on assessments or preparation for examinations. Assessments would normally be expected to take approximately 50 hours for an assignment worth 50% of a 20 credit module. A similar amount of preparation and revision time would be expected for an examination worth 50% of a 20 credit module.
The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.
All our team members hold Doctoral or professional qualifications (e.g. Member of the British Computer Society or Eur. Ing.). Find out more about the current teaching team. You should note members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students assist in some teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the majority of lectures and seminars.
Our degree includes essential technical skills of intelligent processing of high performance big data and necessary graduate skills so you can serve and lead as a successful computer science professional in the era of connected autonomous digital world.
Dr Hannan AzharProgramme Director
How you’ll be assessed
You will be assessed largely by coursework and project work, though some modules will also have examinations or class tests. Coursework is mainly practically-oriented with appropriate theoretical elements to ensure a well-rounded education. Assessments are generally individual, with group work in some modules where this matches the approaches used in industry.
We use coursework assessment methods based on their suitability for specific modules. Formative feedback is provided formally in year one and during the year three individual study, and informally in workshops and seminars. We use coursework assessment methods based on their suitability for specific modules. Formative feedback is provided formally in year one and during the year three individual study, and informally in workshops and seminars.
Methods of assessment used include production of software artefacts, project plans and diaries, essays, reports, ‘investigation-based’ presentations, oral presentations, individual studies/projects, poster presentations, online assessment, logs, examinations and time constrained assignments.
80% Course work
Your future career
On successful completion of this degree you will be strongly prepared for a role in system support and development. Having learned about development and maintenance of computer equipment and infrastructure, as well as supporting users of systems, you will be able to fit into a commercial IT environment. Our graduates are able to use their analytical and process development skills in other business domains.
You will also have a strong grounding for further study on specialist Masters or Research (MPhil/PhD) programmes. This degree will stand you in good stead to work towards professional qualifications with a number of commercial providers and also those of the British Computer Society.
This degree has a good choice of modules and opens the door for so many jobs, some you wouldn't even think of.
KateComputer Science graduate
Fees
The 2022/23 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK** | Overseas*** | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,250 | £14,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 * | £9,250 | £14,500 |
| Part-time - years 1-3 * | £4,625 | N/A |
| Full-time - placement year * | £1,850 | N/A |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
* The tuition fees of £9,250 / £14,500 / £4,625 / £1,850 relate to 2022/23 only.
Please read the 2022/23 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding 2022/23 tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
**Home (UK) Fees
The fees above are for the 2022/23 academic year but may be subject to change following any announcements by the UK Government (approved by Parliament) regarding maximum Undergraduate tuition fee caps for 2022/23.
In addition, the University reserves the right to increase all full-time and part-time Undergraduate tuition fees mid-course, in line with any further inflationary increase in the Government tuition fee cap which is approved by Parliament. The University will publish information about any changes to tuition fees on its website.
***Overseas Fees (including EU fees):
Undergraduate Overseas tuition fees for International students are not subject to the Government’s regulations on maximum tuition fees.
Students with an Overseas fee status will be eligible for an International student Scholarship fee discount of £1,500, which will be applied to all Full-time Undergraduate courses with a tuition fee of £14,500.
Students with an EU fee status will be eligible for the EEA Transition Scholarship. Further details can be found here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/fees-and-funding/international-student-fees-and-funding
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
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Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
I10FLocation(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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