How To Apply
UCP FD Computer Science

FD Computer Science

GG40
P56
48
The Open University
course overview

This course is based at out Stamford campus and suitable for those who wish to further develop their careers in the IT industry. Work based learning elements are key throughout your studies on the FdSc and, therefore, it is ideal for either full-time or part-time study alongside an existing IT position.

The foundation degree was created by consulting with local employers such as BGL Group (Compare the Market) to ensure the course meets their needs and ensures graduates have the skills required for industry.

Computing is changing our world by the way we work and the way we live. To study computer science is to put you at the forefront not just of technological change, but of social change too. This course studies the principles and technologies underpinning the systems that are driving this change.

You will study a number of modules designed to promote your professional growth and personal development whilst providing an opportunity to build upon these directly through a combination of work- based learning projects and traditional classroom based study. During your studies you will be encouraged to acquire key practical skills to help you build specialist knowledge within computing.

The field of computing offers a wealth of opportunities across a range of specialist fields and the variety of course options on offer means that you can fine-tune your degree to focus on particular areas of interest or to meet the requirements of a favoured career.

Employability is a key focus with guest speakers from industry, real case studies, vocational assignment scenarios and modules that have been developed alongside employers. Work-based learning modules will encourage you to reflect on and further develop the professional skills gained in the work place. Students also take part the Global Day of Code and Agile Peterborough events, along with regular sessions for meeting professionals and build working relationships.

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

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

Stamford

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Full-time: 3 years (2 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 starting in 2023/24 will be £8,000 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
  • 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 2
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)
Choose 15 Credits
Optional Modules
  • Object-Oriented Programming (15 credits)
  • Advanced Network Switching and Routing (15 credits)
  • Emerging Technology (15 credits)
See What our Students Have to say
University Centre Peterborough Case Studies
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HND Animal Management

I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in conservation and joined Stamford College to study Level 3 Animal Studies and then progressed to the HND Animal Management course at UCP.

Nathan Scott, Former student
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BSc Crime Scene and Investigative Studies

I couldn’t have picked a better degree to prepare me for the role! University Centre Peterborough provided me with support during the application process, plus, the class sizes were small, so I got plenty of one-to-one support.

Bethany Reynolds, Former Student
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BA (Hons) English Literature (Creative Writing)

Being Poet Laureate, for me, means a bigger platform and a louder voice to do the things I am passionate about.

Kat Beeton, Poet Laureate 2022
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BA (Hons) Performing Arts

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.

Emily Stack-Humphrey, Former student
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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 around 700 students on over 30 different degree level programmes.

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