Computer Systems Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
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Computer System Engineering is a contemporary course that has been developed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to design and build hardware and software for computer systems.

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BEng
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

GGDF

Start date

November 2024


Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. The degree with foundation year is only available for the BEng option.

Foundation year 

This foundation year aims to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed in mathematics, as well as the theories and concepts of electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering.

Degree

This course focuses on the engineering and integration of hardware and software systems. The course encourages you to think creatively and independently and aims to prepare you to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing technological environment.

  • This course is specially designed to bridge the gap between electronics/hardware engineering and computer science/software engineering.
  • The course covers many aspects of software while focusing on the advanced hardware design based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and system design based on microcontroller.
  • This course aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle challenges involved in the development of future technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, autonomous cars and green technologies.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

  • Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
  • Provides a grounding in key areas of engineering and mathematics.

Degree

  • Well-equipped electronics laboratory to build electronic prototype4.
  • Explore latest networking and security protocols in a modern CISCO laboratory4.
  • Placement opportunities within a range of UK industries2.
  • Opportunities to gain international experience through field trips and the Collaborative International Online Learning (COIL) program2.

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses:

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

In your second year, more advanced electronics and system design topics will be covered in the electronic modules. This will include electronic system design, manufacturing, and testing. Computer operating system and advanced programming topics will be taught where security issues will also be introduced. Communication and networking module will introduce the technologies and protocols used in modern communication system.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In the final year, you will continue your studies in advanced hardware and software design, but with a focus on individual/group projects in which you will perform a detailed research or design study into a technical aspect from the course with the help of an experienced supervisor. In the hardware design areas topics such as FPGA based system design and system on Chip design will be covered whereas in the software area advanced security and machine learning topics will be the key focus.

Modules

Following on from successful completion of the BEng (Hons) study you can opt to proceed to the MEng Computer Systems Engineering degree. In this additional year, more advanced topics related to computer engineering will be investigated which is beyond the scope of undergraduate study. More advanced design techniques including embedded system and digital system design approaches will be examined. You will also undertake a group-based industrial project relevant to the modern engineering problems.

Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

The foundation year programme is focused on applied learning geared to high-intensity teaching and study throughout the programme, requiring full commitment from students. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning.

There are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model. The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.


Teaching contact hours

You can expect up 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.


Assessment

Assessment methods vary and may include practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which generally take place at the end of each six-week block.

Learning will be facilitated through a variety of methods which may include lectures, seminars, lab, workshops, online activities and group work. Students are expected to engage in both class and online activities and discussions. The course also requires students to participate in additional guided reading and self-directed study to reinforce the learning gained from timetabled sessions.

A portion of contact time will be dedicated to course support sessions. The course support sessions are weekly, timetabled sessions where you can explore areas of the course you find challenging, or get support with personal projects and employability efforts.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments
  • Laboratories
  • Posters

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Computer Systems Engineering is an international business, so we encourage a global perspective throughout our teaching.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

80 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

A student working in a booth in The Hub.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

External view of the Lanchester Library.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

 

The School of Future Transport Engineering is based in the Engineering and Computing Building, and the attached Beatrice Shilling Building. Both buildings are high-specification learning environments, which benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses4.

Electronics lab
Four industry-standard electronic labs are equipped with modern facilities for electronic design, prototyping, test and measurements.

Cisco lab
The Cisco lab is used for working with general networking and towards accreditation by Cisco. Optional modules allow students to work in the lab to develop skills in preparation for the Cisco certification exam.

Manufacturing facility
This facility is equipped with 3-D printers and PCB manufacturing machines. This also has a separate area for soldering training.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of computer systems and computer networking; digital electronics, microcomputers, computer systems hardware; operating systems, network security and software; mathematical principles necessary to underpin the discipline; management of engineering including social, environmental, economic, legal and ethical topics.
  • Solve engineering problems employing a system approach.
  • Design software and hardware for application-specific purposes.
  • Design computer systems and networks.
  • Search and evaluate information sources.
  • Adopt a holistic approach to using computer hardware and software technology in a commercial context.
  • Use electrical and electronic test equipment in experimental work.
  • Implement and test software solution.
  • Simulate computer systems and protocols.
  • Apply computer technology, software tools and quantitative methods.
  • Configure and connect electronic and computer systems.
  • System on Chip (SoC) design.
  • Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit (VLSI) design.

Opportunities exist throughout the world for highly trained professionals who combine computing and engineering skills.

The course focuses on computer hardware-software design and integration, giving you the opportunity to gain substantial practical experience, which aims to support you in demonstrating your capabilities to potential future employers upon successful completion.

Course content is regularly reviewed to reflect what is relevant and in demand in the industry. We seek external feedback from the External Examiner and a current group of professionals and subject experts from industry, universities and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates from similar courses have gone into roles in a diverse range of industries, for example, JLR, GE and National Grid, Jaguar Land Rover, Blackberry, IBM, DSTL – Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Advanced Electronics Company, Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems, PX Group and more. Some choose to progress to further study of an MSc or PhD.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Embedded System Engineering MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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