Computing
Our BCS-accredited computing degree is ranked top in Wales and top 10 in the UK for Information Technology and Systems in the Complete University Guide 2023. You’ll develop essential skills and gain a deep understanding of the technologies you’ll need for a long and varied career in the fast-moving IT industry.
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Key Course Details
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UCAS Code
G401
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Start Date
September
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Location
Pontypridd
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Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
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UCAS Code
I103
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Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
Computing skills are desirable and transferrable; create a bright future career with this practical course.
DESIGNED FOR
If you’ve enjoyed studying a computer-based subject at A-Level or BTEC, or even if you’ve just had fun playing around with your own computer or using technology for solving problems, this is the course for you. The course is both hands-on and provides theoretical learning that is tied closely to practice.
Accredited by
- BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT
Career paths
- Programmer
- Applications developer
- Database administrator
- IT project manager
- Web developer
- Network engineer
Skills taught
- Software development
- Web development
- Database development
- Professionalism
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Course highlights
Module Overview
Build your skills and knowledge from the ground up, at a pace that develops deep understanding and competence. You’ll graduate equipped with project management skills and will be using industry-approved approaches, so you fit right in when you move into your dream job.
In your first year, you’ll learn web design, how to access and store data, and how to customise and build simple applications. You’ll gain first-hand experience of how theories are applied to real-world problems and how to solve them.
Designing and Implementing Interactive Systems
Learn web design and development using HTML and CSS, understanding what makes a good website and how to create one from scratch.
Computer Systems and Network Technologies
Gain first-hand experience of how computers are connected in a network, applying your skills to real-world problems and scenarios.
Professionalism and Employability*
Delve into the legal, social, ethical, and professional issues that prepare you for a career in computing and IT.
*Part of this module can be studied through the medium of Welsh
Information Engineering
Get to grips with how information systems allow us to store and access data, as you’re introduced to the methods used to securely create databases.
Computer Programming
Customise and build simple applications after being introduced to the fundamentals of procedural programming using the C# language.
Mathematics and Statistics for Computing
Learn to apply and interpret various problem-solving techniques that will help you throughout the course
Build on your skills by implementing systems and databases, and gain practical experience in installing, configuring, and managing an operating system. Take advantage of a work placement in the computing industry to gain relevant experience and boost your CV.
Project Management and Professional Practice
Explore different best-practice approaches to organising a project from the planning stage to completion.
Dynamic Website Development
Building on your web skills from year one, gain experience in finding and using appropriate web and scripting tools.
Web Content Management Technologies
Implement a working Content Management System (CMS) and learn how to make your content accessible using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) practices.
Database Development
Take your database skills further as you use appropriate techniques to design and implement relational and spatial databases.
Team Application Project and PPE
The Professional Practice and Employability module gives you real-world work experience which we help provide. You’ll also work as part of a team to create a piece of software.
Operating System Theory and Implementation
Gain practical experience installing, configuring, and managing an operating system. Then learn how to manage a network of connected computers.
Choose your favourite topic and bring it to life. Get hands-on with the Internet of Things and work with Geographical Information Systems, operating systems, and network technologies.
Individual Project - Informatics
Time to get creative with your favourite topic from the course. Explore the subject in depth and create something special.
Advanced Integrated Computing Devices
Design and create solutions to practical problems in homes, workplaces, and public spaces by getting your hands on Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
Advanced Databases and Modelling
You’ve already learned about databases, now you can become an expert. Take things further as you design solutions to complex and realistic problems.
Advanced Internet and Mobile Computing
Building on previous modules, you’ll design and create modern web applications that will be interactive, and accessible using mobile devices.
GIS and the Spatial Web
You’ll use a variety of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques to see how maps and location data can be used to solve real-world problems.
The Computing Professional in Practice
Get ready to apply your skills as a professional in the workplace as this module works with you on applying yourself in the computing industry.
Course Highlights
How you'll Learn
We’ve worked with employers and students to create an accredited course that reflects current industry practice and delivered in a hands-on style. 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.
For assessments, you’ll complete a variety of coursework tasks, individually and as part of a group, that focus on your practical skills. You might make a website, or a piece of software, create a database, or design a solution for a real-world problem using IT.
We draw heavily on real-world problems, presenting you with realistic working challenges to build your skills.
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Teaching staff
We’re an enthusiastic team with a wide range of expertise in the industry and academia, from Artificial Intelligence to advanced internet and mobile computing. We’re keen to keep up with this fast-moving industry, so we make sure our modules are modified to reflect any change in code or software, so they’re always relevant.
We pride ourselves on providing you with a friendly team who will know you by your name and not your student ID number. Through your years studying with us, we’ll offer any individual support you may need. This doesn’t stop once you graduate, either – we’re problem solvers by nature – we’ll be on hand to help you.
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Placements and work experience
You can choose to study full-time across three years, or as a sandwich degree, where you can spend an entire year working in the industry in the UK or abroad. There is also the option to study the course part-time through the Network75 scheme, where you will work with one of our partner employers, earning money whilst you study. It usually takes five years to complete your degree this way.
In your second year, you’ll complete a 70-hour work placement as part of your studies, which will help you further understand the world of work in IT through first-hand experience.
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Facilities
Our computer labs are stocked with the latest equipment for you to use throughout your degree. We use labs for practical classes, alongside our lecture theatres and classrooms.
One of the most impressive things we have is a dedicated Internet of Things teaching space and a robotics lab, which are available for you to use anytime.
In 2026, the course will have a new building, containing more than 40 teaching, learning and research spaces. The building will include electronics and hydraulics labs, a flight simulator, virtual reality capabilities, and exhibition spaces.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS points: 104 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: BCC
- Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC at A Level
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit
- Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points
Additional requirements include:
The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances
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.
English 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 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing 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.
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.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£9,535
per year*£16,200
per year*£16,200
per year*Additional Costs
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.
Investing in your future
We are investing in the future of STEM at USW with an exciting new Computing, Engineering and Technology building at our Pontypridd Campus.
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.)
Advanced entry
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.
International admissions
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.
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
Work, earn and learn!
This course is also available through Network75, a combined work and study route.
Learn more