FD Computer Science

If you are applying to start in September 2023, you must meet the following entry requirements:

5 GCSE grades C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science and 88 UCAS points, which should be from a related subject in one of the following:

• A Levels
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
• IB Diploma
• Access to HE
• Related work experience
• Overseas qualifications are judged to be equivalent to the above

Students who do not qualify by any o 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.

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)

• Programming Concepts (15 credits)
• System Design & Development (30 credits)
• Developing Professional Skills (15 credits)
• Network Essentials (15 credits)
• Web Design & Development (15 credits)
• Work Based Learning (15 credits)
• Understanding the Work Sector (15 credits)

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

• Developing Interactive Web (15 credits)
• Computing Research Project (30 credits)
• Advanced Database Design (15 credits)
• Principles of Digital Security (15 credits)
• Work-based Project (30 credits)

PLUS CHOOSE 15 CREDITS OF OPTIONAL MODULES:

• Object-Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• Advanced Network Switching and Routing (15 credits)
• Emerging Technology (15 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.

For details of classification of awards please refer to page 19 of OU Regulations for Validated Awards.
For details of progression and module scenarios please refer to section 17 of OU Regulations for Validated Awards.
For details of compensation scenarios please refer to section 17.4 of OU Regulations for Validated Awards.
For details of assessment offences please refer to section 23 of OU Regulations for Validated Awards.
For details of how we will inform you of changes to modules please refer to page 2 of the terms and conditions.

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
25% Seminars
40% Workshops

Final year for full-time students (Level 5)

30% Lectures
40% Seminars
30% 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 whole year and open until 9pm from Monday to Thursday during term time. 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 one month 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
• 10% Online Tests

Final year for full-time students (Level 5)

• 85% Coursework
• 15% Online Tests

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.

When a student has achieved 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5 they become eligible for a foundation. The award classification is determined by calculating the credit weighted arithmetic mean of the module results for all modules at level 5. The following classifications are determined by the above calculation:

70%+ Distinction
60-69% Merit
40-59% Pass
0-39% Fail

A FdSc Computer Science student who has achieved 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5 has three options.

They may choose to accept their foundation degree, with the classification calculated as described above, and cease their studies.

Alternatively they may choose to apply for the level 6 BSc (Hons) Computer Science course as a new student in order to achieve a second qualification based solely on their level 6 credits.

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

Applicants must already be working in a computing environment to study the FdSc course. In level 4 and level 5 there will be Workplace Practice modules which are part of the degree programme.

Jamie Myland

“I am the Course Leader for the FdSc and BSc (Hons) Computer Science degrees at University Centre Peterborough. I have been teaching computing related subjects since January 2007 and have been teaching at University Centre Peterborough since September 2009 on modules including Programming Concepts, Digital Asset Development and Developing Interactive Web Solutions.

I have held industry positions as a Software Developer producing bespoke systems for the supply chain industry, working to develop custom solutions for various departments. From 2003 to 2007, I worked as a Database Administrator which involved migrating legacy systems from Microsoft Access to an SQL Server platform and further developing the system as business needs changed.

I have also worked in the Canadian media industry as an Animator and Film Editor on various projects for television and independent films. During this period, I worked with NISH media to animate and combine live action footage with computer animations for children’s television shows. I also produced animated 3D models for complex movie previsualisations.

I am interested in Video Game Design and Development, having produced a number of independent games over that last 15 years and winning an award for Educational Video Game Design in 2010. More recently my focus has been on developing the Computing and Information Systems degree, working with the local computing industry to meet their needs and to modernise delivery with wider industry practices, ensuring graduates have the skills that are widely sought after.”

Qualifications

MSc Computer Science (currently studying)
BSc (Hons) Computing and Information Systems, Anglia Ruskin University
Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTTLS), City & Guilds

After successful completion of the FdSc Levels 4 and 5, you have the opportunity to complete the Level 6 of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science course to obtain a full honours degree with a further year of study.

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

Software Engineer
Data Analyst
Web Developer
Networking Engineer
Research and Development Engineer
Test Engineer
IT Support Officer
Graphics Designer