Computer and Data Science (with Foundation Year)

UCAS code: G50F

Here's what Cardiff Metropolitan University says about its Computer and Data Science (with Foundation Year) course.

This is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the degree course. Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence, before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

If you have an analytical mindset, like to think outside the box and enjoy solving problems, a career in Computer and Data Science might be for you. Data generated by humans and machines are transforming our society, economics and politics. The ability to recognise patterns and extract insights from complex data gives organisations the power to forecast the future and make intelligent decisions that quickly address and solve problems. It’s no wonder Data Science is such a growing and lucrative field.

Our professionally accredited Computer and Data Science degree will teach you how to make sense of these large sets of data – identifying what’s required, analysing and processing the data, and making it easy to read and understand. Informed by industry needs, the degree will equip you with the in-demand skills to design and utilise data science systems and use industry-standard tools and techniques to address real-world problems. This covers a variety of sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail & e-commerce, transportation & logistics, energy & utilities, social media marketing and environmental sciences.

A wide range of industry and government organisations such as the Office for National Statistics have worked closely in developing the degree, creating challenging scenarios and assessments based on real-life cases for your learning environment. Preparing you to meet industry needs, the curriculum covers Blockchain technology – a first of its kind in Wales, and you will work with both structured and unstructured data. You will have the option to explore work experience opportunities and widen your international perspective through student exchanges and internships with several European and international partners.

This degree has been accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by BCS. An accredited degree entitles you to professional membership of BCS, which is an important part of the criteria for achieving Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status through the Institute. Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

We offer this programme with two study options. You can choose four years full-time or five years full-time which would include a one-year professional placement before your final year that will give you hands-on experience in a real-life working environment. This year in industry would give you the practical skills that many employers seek, giving you a competitive edge upon graduation.