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Introduction

This programme is designed for students interested in becoming software engineers with a specific focus on applications running in the Cloud Computing infrastructure.

Students on this programme would be interested in developing reliable and scalable application for enterprises. Core concepts include virtualisation and containerisation.

Please note:

All courses in the field of Cloud Software Development have been suspended between 2023 and 2024. However, Cloud Computing with Foundation Year (BSc) is still open to new students.



PATHWAY OPTIONS

STEM Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (Computing Stream)
1 Year Foundation Programme (Level 3 to 4)
UCAS Code: SCT1

Location

Swansea

Course Length

BSc - Full-time 3 years; Part-Time up to 6 years/ HND - Full-time 2 years; Part-Time up to 4 years/ HNC - Full-time 1 year; Part-Time up to 3 years
Start Date: September

Why choose this course?

• Provides experience of technologies developed by large organisations such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook
• Developed in conjunction with industry leaders in cloud computing
• Equips you with job ready skills to work as a software engineer in the rapidly-growing sector
• Top ranked job skill since 2014 (LinkedIn)
• 80% of Enterprise IT will move to the Cloud by 2025
• 94% of computing workloads will be processed in the Cloud by 2021

Overview

Cloud Software Development is a specialisation of software engineering that is concerned with the management of large data in data centres, virtualisation and the provision of cloud services.

Applicants to this programme would typically be technically minded, and they may have previously studied engineering, computing or the sciences.

This programme is designed for students interested in software engineering but specialising in areas such as virtualisation and the computer systems used in data centres that support cloud based services.

They would also be interested in databases and developing an understanding of managing and analysing big data, and implementing cloud services.

Applicants for this programme will be interested in software engineering and networked application development and are likely to have some web programming experience.

Students will study a balance of modules around the themes of data storage technologies and cloud based services including both the provision and consumption of those services.

Large scale data is stored in data centres and with networked services provided using virtualisation technologies, while “big data” requires a number of different application specific approaches for storage and analysis.

Graduates will also be able to implement services to provide this data for manipulation and analysis by a variety of applications they will also be able to develop.

Graduates of this programme would be expected to seek employment as application developers, data centre engineers, software engineers etc.

Modules

Foundation Year (Cert HE STEM)

• Academic Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Analysing and Solving Problems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Integrating Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Computer Programming (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Computer Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Mathematics and Science (20 credits; compulsory).

Year One – Level 4 (HNC, HND & BSc)

• Computer Architecture and Operating Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Data Analysis and Visualisation (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Web and Database Concepts (20 credits; compulsory)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Networks and Cyber Security Essentials (20 credits; compulsory)
• Software Development (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Two – Level 5 (HND & BSc)

• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Cloud Computing Architecture (20 credits; compulsory)
• Data Security and Compliance (20 credits; compulsory)
• Databases and Application Development (20 credits; compulsory)
• Network Operating Systems and Services (20 credits; compulsory)
• Object Oriented Programming and Algorithms (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Three – Level 6 (BSc)

• Cloud-Based Web Services (20 credits; compulsory)
• Emerging Trends (20 credits; compulsory / optional (DDA) / optional (PT))
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Industrial Based Research (20 credits; optional (DDA) / optional (PT))
• Socket Programming and Concurrency (20 credits; compulsory)
• Software Engineering Principles and Practice (20 credits; compulsory).

Entry Criteria

BSc (Hons) Computing - 3 Years Full-Time - UCAS CODE: CSD1

104 UCAS tariff points to include:

• Two C grades at A-Level/AVCE; or
• BTEC National Diploma grades Pass, Pass, Pass; or
• BTEC National Certificate grades Merit, Pass; or
• NVQ Level 3 – Pass

Please note that subjects at Advanced Level should/may include ICT, Computing, Maths, Physics or similar.

GCSE Maths grade C or above is preferred.

HND Computing - 2 Years Full-Time - UCAS CODE: CSD5
48 UCAS tariff points

HNC Computing - UCAS CODE: CSD6
40 UCAS tariff points

Foundation Year entry - UCAS CODE: CSD8
BSc (Hons) | 4 Year Programme with Foundation Entry (Levels 3 to 6)
UCAS Code: CSD8

STEM Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (Computing Stream)
1 Year Foundation Programme (Level 3 to 4)
UCAS Code: SCT1

Grades are important. However, our offers are not solely based on academic results.

We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

To assess student suitability for their chosen course we normally arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your qualifications.

Assessment

The School of Applied Computing aims to produce graduates that help shape the future of computing and information systems development. The course content is contemporary and shaped for employability through close links with local and national employers.

Students are assessed through a combination of worksheets, practicals, presentations, projects and examinations.

Module assessment is often by assignment, or assignment and examination.

The final mark for some modules may include one or more pieces of coursework set and completed during the module. Project work is assessed by written report and presentation.

Students are encouraged to use our links with Software Alliance Wales and Go Wales to work on commercial schemes for their Major Project module. Go Wales provides the opportunity of paid work placements with local businesses. Year In Industry option is also available.




Career Opportunities

Our graduates have excellent employment prospects in the computing, teaching, lecturing and ICT industry, as well as in other areas of the economy.

Recent statistics show that the vast majority are following their chosen career paths within six months of graduating.

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