BSc (Hons) Computing and Web Development with Foundation Year

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

We are a student focused and employer-led university which means that you are at the forefront of all that we do. We provide you with a thorough understanding in computing and systems, web development and programming to ensure you graduate ready for employment or further postgraduate study. Graduates will be qualified to go into sectors like, retail, media, Government, education, healthcare, finance and commerce.

If you are looking for a career in cloud, web or mobile development, IT support, software development and network industries then computing and web development is an ideal option for you as our expert academics are on hand to support you with developing the technical skills needed to work on web-based applications and services.

You will also get opportunities to expand your knowledge both inside and outside of the lecture theatre. Students have previously attended Amazon AWS Forums and visited sites of historical importance, including Bletchley Park, to learn more about the history of computing and how it impacted the world.

If coding is more of your language, then you’ll have plenty of opportunities to extend your knowledge in programming and database management. You will also develop technical competency in user-interface and location-sensitive frameworks, industry-standards for secure and robust software engineering, database development, network operation, mobile systems, and Information and Network Security.

You’ll learn alternative architectures for emerging cloud-based technologies. You will also study modules on developing and deploying secure and mobile-ready web applications with backend databases. This will help prepare you for both generic ‘computing’ job markets and more specialised areas that require mobile web-based services. Both these aspects are much sought after by UK and international employers.

The course addresses the professional and customer-facing skills that are essential for employment in computing industries. Modules also provide opportunities to prepare for the professional certification programmes of global industries such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and Cisco.

As part of our Cloud Computing module, we are proud to run Amazon AWS Academy, allowing you full access to all Amazon web services resources, materials, labs, online assessments and exams preparations.

You will be able to practice the technology provided by the world cloud leader and gain a 50% discount on Amazon AWS (Cloud Architecture) official certification exam (optional for students). For further information, please contact Dr Rafid Al-Khannak.

What will I study?

During your foundation year you will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of computing and study topic areas like, computing essentials (covering Networking, programming, game development, and web development), self-development, responsibility, digital media and inquiry-based learning to provide you with a solid basis for your study of computing and web development.

In year one you will work on developing a range of knowledge and skills to provide you with a solid foundation of the fundamentals of computing. You will look at a range of topics from computer architectures to networking (Cisco), application programming to web development, and user experience to digital technologies.

Your second year provides the chance to evolve the abilities you started building in your first year and start applying your critical thinking and research skills to your learning. You will focus on subjects including network systems (Cisco), database design, web applications, open source systems, mobile systems and software engineering.

Year three will give you the opportunity to put all you have learned into action with more independent based learning and research projects. You will study areas such as cloud computing, enterprise systems development, artificial intelligence, network security, advanced mobile systems,  and advanced programming.

Not only will you be learning vital information, you will be learning from innovative, forward-thinking and highly motivated expert lecturers. Our lecturers have close industrial links and all work together to ensure that you have the best possible enriched and stimulating learning environment. To further enhance your education, we invite in guest lectures to share their experience and expertise and host day-long interactive events run by leaders in their field giving you the chance to put your knowledge into action.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto the first year (Level 4) in the undergraduate degree.

At BNU we like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we have a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions, seminars and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

Our lecturers work closely with industry through partnerships or by helping web development and related industries with research, consultancy, technical and managerial inputs. These relationships provide a professional edge to our teaching. They are also a useful source of internship and industry-brief opportunities for our students.

You are more than a number at BNU, and we are here to support you through your education journey. We have in place regular contact hours with our tutors and provide you with informal feedback throughout the programme of study.

The wider Computing Department and our Careers service also offer development opportunities that may involve placements, internships or employment in local companies. Many students benefit from industry placement opportunities in their final year.

Over the years of your course you will be assessed and graded in a multitude of ways to allow you to develop and expand on your abilities and skills. Assessments for the various modules will mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab test (TCA – Time Constrained Assessment), group assignments and written exams. However, the main focus will be on testing the practical application of the various concepts and techniques being conveyed.