Cloud Computing BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
A student and tutor in the IT suite

Cloud Computing is a model for enabling flexible on-demand access to a pool of scalable computing resources that users and businesses can provision rapidly and easily to meet needs.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

162I

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026


Course overview

Foundation year

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 option.

This foundation course is perfect if you are shifting academic focus, wishing to reskill in a modern and fluid environment, or perhaps just missed out on UCAS requirements for your chosen degree-level course.

The course provides a solid grounding in several areas such as:

  • Problem-based learning to a set of requirements.
  • Mathematics for STEM.
  • Software and databases.

Degree

Our Cloud Computing BSc (Hons) incorporates contemporary issues and approaches in computing, underpinned by fundamental skills in networking, software design, data science, coding, computer hardware and physical infrastructure.

Course content is maintained through working closely with large cloud service providers, with the aim of ensuring graduates are well placed for employability on completion in a competitive and rapidly developing field.

Why you should study this course

The course is designed to provide successful graduates with the breadth of skills to be effective in the varied digital workplace, developing self-management and self-development capabilities to keep pace with change and adapt to new technologies, software languages and cloud management systems.

Through the course programme you should develop your skills and knowledge in many areas, including:

  • Problem-based learning using authentic assessment methods.
  • Critical self-development and professional presentation in a technical field.
  • Techniques and technologies to leverage cloud provisions to meet business requirements.

What you'll study

In your first year of the degree course, we aim to teach you the foundations and key concepts needed to solve industry-focused problems using cloud computing concepts.

Modules

The second year aims to build on the knowledge developed in your first year.

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 year will provide you with opportunities to further engage with formal business practices, international standards, and legislation to hone workplace acumen.

You should be able to formulate your strategy for cloud project development and service management that meets a business, social or ethical need. Your final project places you in an innovative real-world environment where you will propose, design, develop, test, and deliver a cloud based solution based upon your business need. Your final year project will span all four modules in which you will supplement your development by engaging with pivotal skills of a graduate practitioner.

Modules

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.

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 course is designed to support your development of essential skills needed to get you employment-ready and into industry quicker.

Our teaching methods are varied to suit the needs of all our students. In addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work.

Progression through the modules aims to develop knowledge and skills including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development.

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits (180 credits for accelerated route) 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 depending on 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 learned 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 include:

  • coursework
  • presentations
  • project work
  • quizzes
  • artefact submission and demonstrations
  • reflective reports or business documents.

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.

Our teaching methods are varied to suit the needs of all our students. In addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work.

Progression through the modules aims to develop knowledge and skills including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year (180 credits for accelerated route). 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 learned 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:

  • coursework
  • presentations
  • project work
  • quizzes
  • artefact submission and demonstrations
  • reflective reports or business documents.

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

Typical entry requirements:

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards 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.


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 2026/27 fees TBC:
2025/26 fees £11,440 (two-year accelerated study route) | £9,535 (three-year study route) 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.

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 Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

You will learn in our on-site computer laboratories that are home to industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

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.


Careers and opportunities

On completion, you should be able to:

  • adapt and gain additional specific competencies
  • apply contemporary knowledge and practical skills in Cloud Computing
  • develop the combination of skills and knowledge required to undertake research and development work involving technically advanced computer applications
  • deploy a range of skills into a global cloud computing market
  • develop cognitive, practical and employability skills needed to play a critical role for societal and economic development.

Graduates could move into a variety of jobs in the computing industry such as:

  • Cloud Support Associate/Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Specialist
  • Data Integration Specialist
  • Data Scientist
  • DevOps Engineer
  • Machine Learning
  • Web/Software Development Engineer
  • Solutions Architect
  • Application Developer

Where our graduates work

Graduates of this course have gone on to work at BT, National Rail, AWS, McKesson UK and the NHS.


How to apply

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