Applied Computing (Top Up)
This one year course allows you to “top-up” your existing qualification in computing to a BSc (Hons) degree. The course is designed to give you the practical and professional skills demanded by employers in today’s fast moving and dynamic computing industry.
How to apply Apply through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to us/filters:format(webp)/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/computing/bsc-applied-computing-top-up.png)
UCAS Code
I105
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
International students: £17,600*
Course Overview
During the course you will have the opportunity to develop your existing knowledge and skills to an advanced level and to explore specialist topics.
If you’ve enjoyed studying a computing-related subject at HND or Foundation Degree level and now want to take it to the next level, then this is the course for you. Whilst the course covers the necessary theoretical aspects and professional skills, it has a strong practical emphasis.
Why study this course?
What you'll study
This one-year course includes core modules on databases, professionalism and a major individual project.
You will also choose two specialist option modules, allowing you to focus on the topics that particularly interest you.
This year-long individual project gives you the opportunity to explore a topic in real depth. Your project supervisor will support you as you progress from research, through design and implementation and finally to evaluation.
Databases are a critical component in many modern IT systems. This module teaches you how to design database solutions to complex and realistic problems.
Modern web applications need to be interactive and they also need to be accessible using mobile devices. In this module you will develop the skills to design and create these types of applications.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are based on maps and location data. In this module you will learn how to apply a variety of GIS techniques and see how GIS can solve real world problems.
In this module you will use Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to design and create solutions to practical problems in homes, workplaces and public spaces.
You’ve got the skills to work in the computing industry, but how do you apply these as a professional in the workplace? This module ensures you are ready to embark on your professional career.
We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.
Teaching and Assessment
This hands-on course gives you the chance to build practical IT skills by learning through real projects and activities. You’ll spend lots of time in our computer labs using industry-standard hardware and software to create websites, develop software, design databases and solve real-world problems. Most of your assessment will be coursework, so you can show what you can do through practical tasks rather than exams. You’ll learn from experienced and supportive staff who will know you by name and help you build the skills and confidence you need for your future career.
The course is delivered in a practical, hands-on style as designed in collaboration with our students. You’ll spend a lot of time in our computer labs, learning by doing and using our cutting-edge equipment to be creative and innovative.
Your assessments are designed to reflect the practical skills you’ll use in the workplace. Instead of relying only on exams, you’ll complete a range of coursework projects that show how you apply your knowledge to real-world challenges.
Depending on your modules, you could be assessed by creating a website, developing software, building a database, or designing an IT solution to solve a practical problem. These project-based assessments help you build a portfolio of work while developing the technical and problem-solving skills employers are looking for.
You can look forward to work placements and live industry projects, giving you the opportunity to collaborate with employers and gain valuable hands-on experience in professional environments before you graduate.
You will use modern computer labs equipped with the latest hardware and software throughout your course, supporting both practical classes and independent study. Alongside lecture theatres and classrooms, you’ll have access to a dedicated Internet of Things teaching space and a robotics lab, giving you hands-on experience with emerging technologies. You can also use the labs outside of taught sessions to practise your skills, complete assignments, and build confidence with industry-standard equipment.
From September 2026, our Computing, Engineering, Technology and Built Environment courses will move into their brand-new home: the Calon building.
This £60m investment will feature more than 40 new innovative teaching, learning and research spaces, including electronics and hydraulics labs, a flight simulator, a robotics lab, clean and industrial research spaces, collaborative teaching spaces, as well as virtual reality capability, and a range of exhibition spaces.
Calon will give you access to the technology, facilities and opportunities needed to shape the future.
Course Leader
Daniel Cunliffe
The Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) Applied Computing (Top Up) is Dr Daniel Cunliffe. Daniel’s teaching focusses on User Interface/User Experience design and interactive web applications. His research investigates the linguistic habitability of digital spaces with regards to minority languages, such as Cymraeg (Welsh). His most recent work has examined the use of Cymraeg on TikTok and in podcasts.
If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to contact Daniel via email.
Entry Requirements
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
How to applyContextual admissions policyAsk us a questionTypical qualification requirements
HND or Foundation Degree in Computing or ICT
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
International studentsPre-Sessional EnglishEnglish language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Fees and Funding
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
per year
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
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Explore our facilities
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How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS
You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time).
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Apply direct
Applied Computing (Top Up)
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Full-time, 1 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
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