How To Apply
UCP BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Networking)

BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Networking)

COMN
P56
64
The Open University

course overview

This new degree has been developed with advice from local employers to ensure you are gaining the skills and knowledge that they look for in graduates starting a career in the various fields within the Network Engineering industry.

We have built upon a strong foundation, influenced by the Networking modules of our previous Computing & Information Systems degree, by enhancing these and complimenting them with a range of new modules that ensure you will develop knowledge and experience in several of the latest technologies.

This includes introducing a new Cloud Computing module at level 4 where students will learn how to set up and manage Amazon AWS Cloud services, and students will be provided with free access to NetAcad, which is Cisco’s VLE for studying the latest Cisco CCNA networking qualifications, which are highly sought after by employers. Students on the course will be eligible to receive 50% discount vouchers to optionally undertake the official Cisco examinations.

This course follows a pre-determined pathway of modules, that ensure you initially gain a strong foundation in core computer science subjects, including an introduction to programming and the essentials of networking, before moving on to more complex topics.

It is ideal if you are looking to develop a strong set of network engineering skills, including knowledge of the role and function of network components, network topology architectures, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and routing, virtualisation, wireless networking and network security fundamentals.

You will also develop skills in subjects that compliment network engineering development, such as CyberSecurity, IOT, and Management of IT. We will help you develop a systematic, creative and flexible approach to problem solving that computing professionals rely on.

The courses at University Centre Peterborough are studied in smaller class sizes compared with other universities, a typical class size is under 30 students.

This qualification is awarded by The Open University and delivered by University Centre Peterborough.

Download Course Specification

5 GCSE grades C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science and 64 UCAS points, which should be from a related subject in one of the following:

  • A Levels
  • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
  • Cambridge Technicals
  • Access to HE (45 credits)
  • Related work experience
  • Overseas qualifications are judged to be equivalent to the above

Students who do not qualify by any of these qualifications may be offered an interview to discuss equivelant qualifications and previous experience.
We accept A Level General Studies and AS levels when combined with other full qualifications.
If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS score of 6.0 or above or an equivalent English Language qualification.

If you have completed the FdSc Computer Science at UCP or HND Computing at Stamford you can start Level 6 of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree to obtain a full honours degree.

HNC Computing can start Level 5 of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science to obtain a full honours degree.

Mature students or students who do not have the above qualifications can contact our admissions team on 01733 214466 or admissions@ucp.ac.uk to discuss equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

EU STUDENTS AND OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS

We can accept a wide range of overseas qualifications and use UK NARIC to compare qualifications. For advice about overseas qualification conversion call the Admissions Office on 01733 214466 or email admissions@ucp.ac.uk.

UCAS TARIFF

To find out more about UCAS tariff points and how they work, visit ucas.com/tariff-calculator.

We accept a wide range of qualifications such as A-levels (you must have grades for at least two A-levels), BTEC, Cambridge Technicals, International Baccalaureate (IB), NVQ Level 3, Access to Higher Education and Scottish Advanced Highers.

The tariff points for qualifications can be added and combined together (e.g. A-levels plus BTECs).

The UCAS points for A-level General Studies, AS-levels and the EQP (Extended Project Qualification) are accepted when combined with other full qualifications.

ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APCL) FOR ENTRY

APCL relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study. If you have previously completed a course which is relevant to your proposed course you should make this clear when you apply. For this to be eligible for consideration you must be able to provide certification, which shows your success in a final assessment for that course. Learning must be completed in the last five years or further evidence of updating will be required. Simple participation in a course or an attendance certificate is not sufficient.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)

We offer students flexibility in their studies, by recognising learning they may have completed elsewhere before they apply. The Accreditation of Prior Learning process ensures that we can take this into account when determining the modules you must study. It is important that you identify any relevant prior learning when you apply. If your previous study specifically relates to modules on the course you wish to undertake we may approve a reduced programme of study, thus shortening the time it takes to obtain your award. Where this relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study, this is called Prior Certificated Learning, and where learning has been achieved through relevant work or experience, this is referred to as Prior Experiential Learning. Claims must be approved before you commence a course.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APEL)

It is important to understand that the APEL process does not award academic credit for experience alone, but for learning which can be shown to have been achieved through that experience. Students are required to prepare an individual case for the credit arising from their learning experiences. This normally means that a student receives support in the preparation of a portfolio, which evidences their claimed exemptions for entry. This portfolio of evidence is then submitted for assessment and the possible award of academic credit. Alternative methods of assessment of evidence may be available but needs to be discussed with the Admissions team or Course Leader.

You must take modules worth 120 credits at each level of the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits.

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

  • Systems Design and Development (30 credits)
  • Programming Concepts (15 credits)
  • Networking Essentials (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Cloud Computing (15 credits)
  • Web Design & Development (15 credits)
  • Developing Professional Skills (15 credits)
  • User Experience and Interaction Design (15 credits)

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

  • Advanced Database Design (15 credits)
  • Developing Interactive Web Solutions (15 credits)
  • Computing Research Project (30 credits)
  • Principles of Digital Security (15 credits)
  • Advanced Network Switching and Routing (15 credits)
  • Wireless Networking and IOT (15 credits)
  • Management of Information Technology (15 credits)

Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

  • Enterprise Networking (30 credits)
  • Big Data & Data Mining (15 credits)
  • Agile Team Development (15 credits)
  • Ethical Hacking (15 credits)
  • Developing Ethical and Professional Skills (15 credits)
  • Undergraduate Project (30 credits)

A Student Handbook will be provided during enrolment and available on the student VLE.

If it is unviable to run an optional module due to student demand, an alternative module will be offered.

A typical 15 credit module is 150 hours which includes 36 hours of tutor led delivery and 114 hours of recommended independent study. A typical 30 credit module is 300 hours which includes 72 hours of tutor led delivery and 228 hours of recommended independent study. A full-time student should expect to undertake 30 additional hours per week during term-time.

When studying this course at University Centre Peterborough, we will timetable your lectures as two full days a week over two semesters per year (part-time will be one to two full days a week over two semesters per year).

We are able to offer this convenient timetabling to our students as we are a smaller institution so we can timetable our staff and resources more efficiently.

Over the duration of your course, teaching will be delivered by the following methods:

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

35% Lectures
20% Seminars
45% Workshops
Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

35% Lectures
30% Seminars
35% Workshops
Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

20% Lectures
40% Seminars
40% Workshops
There are two semesters per year and each semester is up to 15 weeks which includes up to 12 teaching weeks and 3 assessment weeks.

If studying full-time you will be in classes, seminars and tutorials for approximately 15 hours per week and will spend the rest of your time in independent study and extra-curricular activities including work placement if not embedded in your course. We recommend that full-time students allow an additional 30 hours per week for additional study.

The campus is open Monday to Friday throughout the year and you will also have 24/7 access to a virtual learning environment (VLE) with e-books, journals and abstracts plus teaching resources and interactive tools.

Timetables are available at least 6 weeks before registration and you can refer to the academic calendar for examination weeks and resit periods.

The days of the week you study may change each year and in some circumstances one of the full days might have to be split into two half days, but we aim to keep these as full days where possible.

Throughout the duration of your course you will be assessed by the following methods:

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

  • 90% Coursework and Demonstrations
  • 10% Online Exams

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

  • 85% Coursework, Portfolios, Group work and Demonstrations
  • 15% Online Exams

Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

  • 85% Coursework, Portfolios, Seminars and Demonstrations
  • 15% Online Exams

We will provide, by the beginning of the first week of each semester, a current module guide with all the information you need for each module, including details of assessment tasks, the deadlines for these tasks, the required format and any relevant guidance.

Formative assessment opportunities are written into all module plans to provide students with on-going feedback. End of semester assessments will have formative opportunities in weeks 9 or 10 of the semester. In addition revision sessions will be held in week 12.

Your final degree classification is calculated as an average of your highest 60 credits at Level 5 and all credits at Level 6.

70%+ First
60-69% 2:1
50-59% 2:2
40-49% Third

Visit our published documents and policies page for The Open University regulations.

As the course is timetabled as full days during the week when studied full-time, this also gives you the flexibility to find a work placement, internship or volunteering opportunity which will improve your employability after you graduate. All students are encouraged to identify work experience to aid their career development.

Coming soon

Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

Software Engineer
Network Engineer
Web Developer
Cyber Security Specialist
IT Project Manager
Test Engineer
Service Desk Analyst
DevOps Engineer
Database Administrator
Data Analyst

Peterborough

Full-time: 3 years (2-3 full days a week over two semesters per year)

Part-time: 4 years (1-2 full days a week over two semesters per year)

The tuition fees for full-time undergraduate students will be £8,250 per year, which is lower compared with many other universities.

Fees for part-time study are pro-rata depending on the number of credits you are studying (i.e. 90 credits per year will be 75% of the tuition fee).

There may be additional costs for this course which are not covered by the tuition fee.

In this prospectus we will give you clear and accurate information so you can make the best choice for a successful future

Download Prospectus

Course Modules

You must take modules worth 120 credits at each level of the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits.

Year 1
Level 4
  • Systems Design and Development (30 credits )
  • Programming Concepts (15 credits)
  • Networking Essentials (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Cloud Computing (15 credits)
  • Web Design & Development (15 credits)
  • Developing Professional Skills (15 credits)
  • User Experience and Interaction Design (15 credits)
Year 2
Level 5
  • Advanced Database Design (15 credits)
  • Developing Interactive Web Solutions (15 credits)
  • Computing Research Project (30 credits)
  • Principles of Digital Security (15 credits)
  • Advanced Network Switching and Routing (15 credits)
  • Wireless Networking and IOT (15 credits)
  • Management of Information Technology (15 credits)
Year 3
Level 6
  • Enterprise Networking (30 credits)
  • Big Data & Data Mining (15 credits)
  • Agile Team Development (15 credits)
  • Ethical Hacking (15 credits)
  • Developing Ethical and Professional Skills (15 credits)
  • Undergraduate Project (30 credits)
See What our Students Have to say
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Being Poet Laureate, for me, means a bigger platform and a louder voice to do the things I am passionate about.

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From the very beginning to the end of my degree I have learnt, experienced and gained so much knowledge, skill and passion for my subject.

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BSc (Hons) Computing and Information Systems

After I presented my final year project at the UCP Computing Conference, which is attended by employers from the IT industry, I was invited to an interview at HIVE Learning who were impressed with my work. That has now led to me getting my dream job in London working on the development of learning technologies.

Maciej Kazimierek, Former Student

University Centre Peterborough currently has 700+ students on over 30 different degree level programmes.

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