Computing (Level 6 | Top-up) - BSc (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry.
In an environment where businesses are regularly confronted with the need to evolve, you will develop a strategic mind-set of addressing global challenges, businesses requirements and societal needs via digital infrastructure....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2026
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
In an environment where businesses are regularly confronted with the need to evolve, you will develop a strategic mind-set of addressing global challenges, businesses requirements and societal needs via digital infrastructure. Preparing you for industry, On this one year top-up computing degree course you'll learn a broad range of computing and information technology analytical skills that are needed to design, develop, operate and maintain systems. The innovation-driven curriculum will also ensure you are able to innovate in order deliver business value and sustainable solutions.
This one year top-up computing degree course not only prepares you for the current state of industry, but equips you with the skills adapt, thrive and lead in the future. We provide you with access to a wide range of technologies, media and resources, all of which develop your intellectual, technical, practical and professional skills in information and network security. You’ll also have the fantastic opportunity to gain certifications from Cisco, Juniper and Linux, during the course of your study.
You’ll gain your skills by attending lectures, tutor-led seminars and participating in practical and independent learning activities. To help equip you for the workplace, tutors will help you to develop the ability to direct your own learning. Lectures will introduce you to key themes, theories and concepts, which you’ll explore further in your tutorials. You’ll also have access to online resources, discussion forums, textbooks and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work in the discipline. The module guides direct you to a full range of resources, including books and journals, as well as specialised course-based material. .
Introducing STEAMhouse
STEAMhouse is a centre for technology, innovation, creative thinking, prototyping and business development. Our £70 million pound building is the home for all of our Computing courses.
What's covered in this course?
The computing degree course not only prepares you for the current state of industry, but equips you with the skills adapt, thrive and lead in the future. We provide you with access to a wide range of technologies, media and resources, all of which develop your intellectual, technical, practical and professional skills in information and network security. You’ll also have the fantastic opportunity to gain certifications from Cisco, Juniper and Linux, during the course of your study.
You’ll gain your skills by attending lectures, tutor-led seminars and participating in practical and independent learning activities. To help equip you for the workplace, tutors will help you to develop the ability to direct your own learning.
Lectures will introduce you to key themes, theories and concepts, which you’ll explore further in your tutorials. You’ll also have access to online resources, discussion forums, textbooks and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work in the discipline. The module guides direct you to a full range of resources, including books and journals, as well as specialised course-based material.
Potential future careers
As a graduate you will be versatile, adaptable, technically literate, and well equipped to perform a variety of roles within the computing industry that include: network engineer, system analyst, web developer, IT administrator, application developer, IT solutions analyst, systems analyst, applications support analyst, technical support engineer, business IT consultant, IT security consultant and project architect. The course also provides a foundation for further study at master’s level which is encouraged for a career in a research, innovation and enterprise roles in the industry.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
This course allowed me to strengthen my technical skills in areas like programming, data analysis, and project management. Most importantly, I was able to enhance my interpersonal skills, which will help me in both professional and personal situations.
Danyal Hussain
Why Choose Us?
- Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction for Computer Science (Complete University Guide 2026)
- State-of-the-art facilities -We have recently invested £6.5 million into our IT facilities at Millennium Point within City Centre Campus to give you access to dedicated industry-standard facilities and undertake work such as artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, mobile and web application development and project management
- Home to Cisco Systems and Microsoft Academy Centre - We are one of Microsofts top UK university-based academics and we are a member of the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance. This means we are able to use various Microsoft software products and online resources for research
- Industry connections - We are also a Cisco ASC and one of only ten Cisco Instructor Training Centre’s in the UK
- Gain vendor certificates - Attain LPI Beta certification and Cisco networking certificates, while studying for your degree
- Strong links with industry - Our links with companies such as Apple, Oracle, LPI, Microsoft and AWS, ensures that the course is relevant and recognised by employers
Open Days
Join us for our next Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open for the next event yet. Register your interest, and we'll let you know as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: Friday 26 June
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Applicants should have a good pass in a computer-related discipline, at a level equivalent to UK Level 5, with the equivalent of 240 UK credits (120 ECTS credits). For example a Computing HND with an overall merit profile.
Examples of courses which could be considered include: BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND), SQA Higher National Diploma, Chinese three year Dazhuan Diploma, Malaysian Advanced Diploma, Nigerian Higher National Diploma, United Arab Emirates Higher College of Technology Higher Diploma, Romanian Diplomă de Absolvire (a Colegiului Universitar) (Higher Education Diploma (Short-cycle), NCC Level 5 Diploma.
If you are an EU/international student, please see further information below.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- One Year Top Up
- £9,790 in 2026/27
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- One Year Top Up
- £18,570 in 2026/27
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Course in Depth
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
This module enables you to gain an understanding of the processes, scope and role when providing guidance or advice in a professional consulting capacity. It will also assist you if you join a larger organisation with the aspiration to become a leader and manager. The module provides awareness on the wider consulting profession and practice, the consulting role in computing and the management of client relationships. The focus will be to analyse and evaluate the frameworks, processes and techniques applied by computing consultants, managers and leaders.
This module aims to provide you with a conceptual understanding of Business Systems and the practical experience for the technologies used in developing an integrated business solution. It focuses on information systems that underpin the business context of organisations and the demand for business intelligence.
DevOps and infrastructure as code (IaC) are massive shifts to the way systems have previously been managed and developed. According to a Businesswire study of 2021, there will be annual job growth of 19% in the area between 2020 and 2026.
The rapidly changing nature of business operations and working conditions means that the ability to respond digitally to business needs is vitally important. Every company must deal with necessary, but repetitive business processes that consume time and energy. Automation is a critical factor for successful businesses, but both the time and monetary cost to develop automated solutions can often be too great. Low code/no-code development platforms help developers and businesses move faster when creating custom business applications. As such, it is estimated that, of the number of new enterprise applications developed by 2025, 70% will be developed via ‘low code’ or ‘no code’ technologies (Garner, 2021).
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
Download course specification
Download now
Knowledge and understanding are acquired though a mixture of formal lectures, tutor-led seminars and practical activities, with other independent learning activities at all stages.
Emphasis is placed on guided, self-directed and student-centred learning with increasing independence of approach, thought and process.
The course provides access to effective commercial development environments and ensures students have practical awareness of computer systems requirements. You are required to meet strict deadlines, and to manage and plan your overall workload.
Knowledge is assessed formatively and summatively, by a number of methods, including seminars, course-work, viva, presentation, interactive automated assessment, formal examination and project work.
Assessment criteria are published both at a generic course level and to provide guidance for individual items of assessment. Anonymous marking systems are in place for all formal examinations.
You will undertake a major project involving research and application of that research in the solution of appropriate systems problems.
Attendance requirements
For more information on attendance requirements, course contact time and suggested self-study hours, download the course specification.
Athena Swan Bronze Award
We have successfully secured the Athena SWAN Departmental Bronze Award recognising a commitment to gender equality.
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
Our graduates typically design and implement software across such rewarding areas as web development, interface design, security issues and mobile computing.
We know that employers are looking for graduates who have a good balance between in-depth academic knowledge and technical and practical expertise, which is why our course is geared towards employability.
What you learn on our course will help you to stand out when you look for your first professional role and because you’ll know how to use sophisticated, industry-standard equipment and software, you will be able to demonstrate that you can put into practice your deep theoretical knowledge.
We will also prepare you for a career by equipping you with myriad transferable skills, such as complex problem-solving expertise, the ability to analyse in a careful and considered manner, and working as a team member.
In addition, our specialist industry links with the Linux Professional Institute, the Oracle Academy, Cisco, and Microsoft, Apple, and Oracle, plus our world-class facilities, will mark you out as a highly employable graduate.
It’s why our graduates have gone on to pursue computing and software development and designer careers in a wide range of industries, from SME software companies, to industry, government, banking, and healthcare.
Further study
Successful completion of the course can open up opportunities for employment in IT industry, but you may think to continue your studies at postgraduate level, studying a computer science subject in greater detail by means of MSc or PhD.
Where our students go
- IBM
- Amazon
- Kuehne+Nagel
- Zurich Insurance
- Kagool
- HPE
- SOTI
- CapGemini
- Birmingham City University
And in jobs such as:
- IT Infrastructure Specialist
- Network Administrator
- Cloud Solutions Architect
- ERP Consultant
- Technical Infrastructure Architect
- Storage and Virtualisation Analyst
Placements
We aim to have you employer-ready by the time you graduate and, as part of your Computer Science course, you have the option of undertaking an industrial placement after the second year of study.
If you decide to do this, it will extend the duration of your course to four years.
Thanks to our excellent partnerships and working relationships with some of the UK’s leading companies, you have the chance of undertaking a high-quality industrial placement with leading organisations such as IBM, Dignity Plc, Mortgage Brain, and Griffiths-Waite.
Learn more about some of the prestigious organisations that our students are placed with:
Full details can be found on the placements page.
Facilities & Staff
Computing facilities
Take a look around the facilities available to you as a Computing student at BCU.
Our staff
Nizam Bolia
Senior Lecturer
Nizam Bolia has over 17 years of experience in Higher Education. He is the Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Computing & Information Technology (CIT), BSc (Hons) Computing and the Computing Foundation Year for all degree routes. He is also involved in Transnational Education (TNE) which he leads the CIT course in Nepal.
More about NizamDr Khaled Mahbub
Associate Professor in Software Engineering
Khaled started his academic career, in September 1999, as a Lecturer (US hierarchy) in Computer Science & Engineering at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he worked until March 2001.
More about KhaledRon Austin
Associate Professor
Senior lecturer Ron Austin is the Associate Professor of the MSc Advanced Computer Networks course and teaches all network-related courses. His expertise and areas of interest include: Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), security technologies, and forensic and ethical hacking.
More about RonHarjinder Singh
Senior Lecturer
Harjinder joined Birmingham City University (BCU) in 2000 and has 10 years experience in teaching and consultancy, prior to joining BCU Harjinder worked in Industry as a software developer mainly in C++.
More about Harjinder