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FdSc Computing Technologies (Software Development)

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Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees:
Full details
UCAS code: I310
Institute code: H36

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirements

UCAS points A Level BTEC
48 DD PPP

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

UCAS points A Level BTEC IB
48 DD PPP 48

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
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UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
48	DD	PPP

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	IB
48	DD	PPP	48

Why choose this course?

Develop a broad knowledge of computing relevant to the needs of a wide range of organisations
Benefit from a varied programme of work based learning and vocational study
Gain a nationally recognised qualification in two years of full-time study
progression routes to appropriate degree programmes at the University of Hertfordshire

What's the course about?

The Foundation degree in Computing Technologies (Software Development) will give you an excellent grounding in computing while allowing you to specialise in aspects relating specifically to software development.

In year one you will develop your knowledge of programming, computer systems architecture, databases and data analysis, networks, wireless and systems analysis.

In your second year, you will continue to study a mixture of modules focusing on aspects of computing as well as modules specialising in software development.

Once you have completed your foundation degree you may be eligible to progress on to a BA (Hons) top-up year at the University of Hertfordshire, subject to obtaining appropriate grades in your foundation studies.

Progression to the University’s Degree Programmes:

There is a formal articulation arrangement in place for this programme, such that students are given progression to the second (level 5) or final year (level 6) of an appropriate BSc Honours programme, normally the BSc in IT or BSc in Computer Science, depending on the overall marks obtained following the second year of study. A 50% overall mark will allow a progression onto the third year of the BSc Honours programme.

Students expressing the preference early in level 5 of the foundation degree are also able to enter the sandwich placement year or Year Abroad, of the BSc Honours programme. This is subject to successfully obtaining an approved placement of the appropriate duration.

Students who enter level 5 of the BSc programme are able to progress onto any of the awards as described below:

BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Information Technology
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Networks)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)

All of the above listed awards are available as a sandwich award or a year abroad award

Students who enter level 6 of the BSc programme are able to progress onto the awards listed below:

BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Information Technology
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)

Students entering at level 6 also have the option of joining the sandwich placement year or Year Abroad elements of the BSc Computer Science (and all the awards listed above, subject to successfully obtaining an approved placement or year abroad of the appropriate duration

In addition, all students can progress onto the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (delivered online).

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Developing the Computing Professional - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to prepare students for the programme and for the workplace they will eventually enter. It will identify their skills and assist in the development of strategies for building on areas of strength and for identifying and addressing areas for improvement. There will be appropriate emphasis on standard academic practices including note-taking, writing, presentation skills, critical thinking, formulation of an argument, finding and using sources of information, referencing and avoiding plagiarism. The transferability of these skills to the workplace will be discussed as will the expectations of employers with regards to these skills. To aid career planning, the module will introduce processes and modules by which career decisions are made and influenced. Topics will be introduced such as career identification, planning for progression, looking at job hunting techniques and self-promotion including Personal Development Planning (PDP).
Programming concepts- WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will begin exploring programming and the role it plays in problem solving. The core of the unit will focus on understanding core programming constructs and their use in problem solving. As well as this, students will learn the role of specifications and the steps needed in working to a specification. Finally, students will investigate the role of testing in verifying the correctness of a solution.
Topics in Computer Systems - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to understand the architecture of computer systems and to specify a computer system according to client requirements. Complete computer system specifications will be documented to include hardware components and operating systems chosen for and on behalf of clients, following a set of requirements. Students will also be introduced to low-level machine language and data representation.
Systems Analysis - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to investigate a business related problem and identify system requirements for the development of a computerised system. A complete systems specification will be documented to include data flow diagrams, process specifications as well as input and output designs. Through the use of process modelling tools, students will firstly understand and document the current system identifying problems and requirements and then develop the designs of the required system.
Designing for User Experience - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory

Applied Programming - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will expand on topics learned from the module Programming Concepts by considering how to solve more complex problems. To do this, they will investigate more advanced concepts such as modular and functional programming. Students will also begin to investigate the role of decomposition in building reusable components for programs
Networking Fundamentals - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to describe and explain the benefits of computer networks to a business organisation and design a network according to a predefined set of requirements. Network types, topologies, protocols and models will be covered.
Project Management - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to project management principles, methodologies and techniques that may be used in a successful computing project to fulfil client needs. Students will develop a project initiation document using techniques such as work breakdown structure, precedence tables and activity network diagrams. Stakeholder and risk analysis will also be considered as these are key considerations as part of project management.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Internet Technologies - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to analyse and evaluate the technologies at the basis of the internet infrastructure and the protocols and standards for securing internet communication. Students will also be able to investigate network monitoring tools and evaluate web systems vulnerabilities and the threats related to them.
Software Development 1 - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to industry standard and current best practice tools and techniques used in the development of software systems. The Unified Modelling Language (UML) is used to produce models of the system at various stages in a software project, and to illustrate how these models can be elaborated from analysis through to design, implementation and deployment. Patterns and frameworks that occur across a range of problems and applications are explored. Alternative models of the process of software development are introduced. This is a practical module with an emphasis on the use of suitable software tools.
WBL Project - Software Development - WHC	30 Credits	Compulsory
The Work Based Learning Project will give students an opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt on the course, with a local employer in a work based situation. Students will be encouraged to develop the necessary employer links for their project with the help of the college. Part-time students may choose to dovetail the project into their work. The amount of time spent in the workplace will be negotiated between the student, the employer and the college. For part-time students, the project will usually be hosted by their employers. Local employers will usually be SME (small to medium sized enterprises) and may include charitable and voluntary organisations. It may also be possible to carry out a project within the colleges or university (as an employer).
Data Analysis and Database Design - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to investigate the data requirements of a business problem and establish, through the use of data modelling tools, the structure of the database. A complete database design and development process will be undertaken and documented to include entity relationship diagrams, data dictionary, designs of forms and reports, testing and evidence of SQL code being used to create the tables and queries. Furthermore database modelling techniques such as normalisation will be used to understand optimal database design.
Computing in Organisations - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explain the range of activities which constitute e-business and provide a detailed insight into why organisations need to adopt e-business practises as an alternative or sole channel for their operations. Students will be able to reflect on the impact of e-business in organisations and on society. Areas covered will include: links with the BIS systems and databases in an organisation; investigation of the information needs within an organisation and how this information can impact on business performance; CRM, SCM and sales as a means of extending marketing; markets and the overall success or failure of a business; and web design criteria. Additionally the role of the internet in marketing and the prolific growth of social media will be evaluated as well as the impact of data analytics and big data.
Software Development 2 - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The Software Development 2 Module will give students an opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt on the programming and software development part of the course. Students will be provided with a project specification which will enable them both to use know ledge gained, but will also give scope for some creativity and require students to extend their programming know ledge. Students will be expected to demonstrate "good practice" in managing the project. The design and quality of their project should show a practical implementation of the principles and characteristics of good software design.
Object Oriented Programming - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Student will further develop their programming skills by investigating the Object Orientated Paradigm. They will investigate how classes and objects are used to create programs and how the paradigm can aid in software design. Students will use this to create programs to solve problems or to meet the requirements of a specification.

What's next for my career?

When you have completed your Foundation degree you may want to progress your studies and take a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. Alternatively, you will be prepared for a career developing, engineering and producing software. This could be within a software specialist or within any organisation that develops and maintains in-house software.

Course fact sheets
FdSc Computing Technologies (Software Development)	Download

Programme specifications
Foundation Degree in Computing Technologies	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years Part Time, 2 Years
Location	West Herts College

2023

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
15/09/2023	23/05/2024	1	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)
15/09/2023	23/05/2024	2	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)
15/09/2023	30/09/2024	1	West Herts College	Apply online (Part Time)

2024

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
15/09/2024	23/05/2025	1	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)
15/09/2024	23/05/2025	2	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)
15/09/2024	30/09/2025	1	West Herts College	Apply online (Part Time)

Fees and funding
Fees 2023
UK Students

Full time
- £6165 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £770 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

FdSc Computing Technologies (Software Development)

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees:

UCAS code: I310

Institute code: H36

Standard entry requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

What's the course about?

Progression to the University’s Degree Programmes:

2023

2024

Fees 2023

UK Students

Full time

Part time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation