Data Science MSci/BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
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Data scientists and analysts are in demand across a large range of sectors, from healthcare to finance, from marketing to transport. This course aims to provide the essential training you will need to be successful in this fast-moving, dynamic field.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

25DF

Start date

September 2025
November 2025

Available through Clearing

Not sure if you meet the entry requirements? Use our Eligibility Checker to see if you could receive a provisional Clearing offer. Or call us to talk through your options.

Eligibility checker

Eligibility checker 

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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 BSc (Hons) option.

Foundation year

The course aims to provide you with a solid grounding in mathematical principles and an understanding of the core technology associated with the use and application of computer systems. Professional and academic skills are integrated across all modules, including information finding and handling, problem-solving and the communication of outcomes.

Degree

The degree brings together a range of techniques that the modern data scientist needs. You will study modules in mathematics, data analysis and computing and tackle a variety of interesting and engaging problems from the latest research studies, business and industry.

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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 2026

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 computing and mathematics.

Degree

  • You will have the chance to equip yourself with transferable and professional skills which prepare you for employment in industry, business, or education.
  • You will be provided with the opportunity to develop critical and reflective skills required for problem-solving in a variety of contexts.
  • The course has a particular emphasis on modern applications and the use of appropriate computational methods, software and technology.
  • You can expect to improve your knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of the latest data science, as well as the use of computational methods.
  • You will have the chance to gain industry-relevant experience2 as you apply real-world, commercial software development practices within teams of your peers, preparing you for your career after graduation.

What you'll study

Coventry University is committed to continually enhancing its curriculum. As part of this, the degree years of this course will transition to a block teaching format from September 2026. This approach supports deeper subject learning and greater opportunities for collaboration. The updated curriculum may include revised module content, updated module titles and new assessment methods. Please revisit this page for the most up-to-date course information as it becomes available over the summer.

In your first year, you will be taught the fundamental skills and concepts needed to begin your journey as a data scientist. You’ll be familiarised with the mathematical, statistical and computational foundations, and you will apply those principles in laboratory sessions4 which help solidify your understanding. You will also begin developing the professional skills you will need in your day-to-day career on graduation, e.g. working as part of a team and the ethical and legal issues around data structure and models.

Modules

In your second year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with data science, linear statistical models and artificial intelligence (AI), amongst others.

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.

Modules

The final stage of your Data Science BSc (Hons) course, you'll cover advanced topics in data science including big data management and visualisation methods, machine learning algorithms, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and advanced statistical methods. 

Modules

If you meet the progression requirements, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

This year provides insight into more advanced topics in data science and can act as a stepping stone to postgraduate research or further study.

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

Learning will be facilitated through a variety of methods which may include lectures, seminars, lab, workshops, online activities and group work.

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through 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 are more reflective of a working environment.

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.

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.


Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

The foundation year will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module and may include a portfolio artefact with supportive report, or a time-constrained phase test.

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.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

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

  • formal examinations
  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

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.


Entry requirements

Apply now

You could receive a provisional offer for your chosen course.

Choose your course of interest, fill in a short form and we will send you an offer to your inbox if you are eligible.

Typical entry requirements:

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


Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,535 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,535 per year Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

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.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

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.

Applies to degree only:

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 Pathway courses 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.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

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 usually open 24/7 in term-time, 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.

 

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

  • The sigma centre provides a wide range of learning resources dedicated to mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments.
  • Informal Study Areas: 
    Informal computer access to all the specialist software required for your studies. There are bookable spaces where you can meet with academics or work in small groups (subject to availability). 

Careers and opportunities

This data science course is focused on preparing you to work in one of the most dynamic fields in the digital age, with a focus on transferrable and work-ready skills.

As a data analyst, you may often find yourself working in a multi-disciplinary environment, as you bring your technical skills and knowledge to bear upon a specific business issue. This is precisely the type of situation upon which Coventry University built this course, aiming to equip you for the world of work. 

Data analysts have job prospects in areas such as business analysis, risk analysis, energy demand forecasting, health analytics, sports analytics, web analytics, games data analytics, social media analytics and more. 

Where our graduates work

Previous students have found employment as Financial Analysts at IBM, Gaming Financial Analysts for Warner Bros, Finance Assistants at Scottish Power, Business Performance Process Analysts at National Grid, Power Analysts at E.ON and Customer Service Analysts for Cummins.

Recent graduates have embarked on Finance Graduate Schemes, as Customer Services Analysts, Graduate Actuary, Information Analysts and a Trainee Accountants for companies like E.ON, National Grid, Thames Water, NHS, Hodge Lifetime Solutions and Prime Accountants. Others have also used their qualifications to progress into teaching careers, as well as postgraduate study to obtain MSc, MPhil and PhD qualifications. 

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Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

This course with foundation year is not available to international students.

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