Cloud Computing with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
A cloud computing student with a laptop leaning against a glass wall that she is reflected in.

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 2023
November 2023
January 2024
March 2024
April 2024
June 2024

How to apply
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Available through Clearing

Clearing applications for September 2023 are now closed to international students due to visa and immigration requirements. Check out our January 2024 entry courses.

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Course overview

Foundation year

The foundation year aims to provide you with the knowledge and experience valuable on a degree-level course. Successful completion of this foundation year guarantees progression onto the Cloud Computing BSc (Hons) course and a range of other, discipline-relevant courses provided by the wider Coventry University Group, Subject to meeting progression requirements.

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

This Cloud Computing BSc (Hons) course incorporates contemporary issues and approaches in computing, underpinned by fundamental skills in networking, software design, data science, coding, computer hardware and physical infrastructure. Content is maintained through working closely with large cloud service providers, 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.
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What you'll study

The foundation year aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge relevant for successful progression onto a degree in Cloud Computing. It also aims to introduce you to the fundamentals of hardware, workshop, software and the internet. You will also be supported in developing a range of transferable skills in areas including research, project and laboratory skills, academic writing and communication.

Modules

  • This module aims to provide you with the fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments. Concepts covered include basic algebraic properties, trigonometry, computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, an introduction to Calculus including computation of limits derivatives and integrals. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with an understanding of fundamental software engineering and data storage concepts. Upon successful completion of the module you will leave with experience of working with interconnected software systems and sufficient knowledge of databases and a programming language. During the module assessment you will be required to create an application to meet a specified brief, as a result you will develop skills in requirements elicitation, documentation, and software and database design. You will also be assessed on your ability to read and understand code and recall programming principles from their body of knowledge.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the theory behind how networks operate and devices communicate across a range of media and how such networks should be designed. Upon successful completion, you should have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of the complexities of one of the most ubiquitous systems in the modern connected world. Teaching and learning is structured around industry-standard qualifications such as CompTIA Network+ and entry-level networking certification such as those offered by Cisco Systems Inc.

    Compulsory

  • This module seeks to provide you with an introduction to business needs and how these are supported by information technologies. You will explore how businesses can embark on transformation projects to leverage supporting technologies and services to provide better value to customers and a greater return on investment. In doing so you will perform objective analysis using recognised techniques to support a proposed transformation project while respecting relevant legislation and regulation, presenting research and conclusions in a variety of academic manners.

    Compulsory

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

Modules

  • This module seeks to provide you with an introduction to the fundamentals of software and database design, including the mathematical principles underpinning computer systems such as Boolean algebra & logic, as well as the principles of database design covering database modelling through the entity-relational model, database normalisation and SQL.

    A fundamental understanding of Object Oriented Programming Principles will be explored through practical programming workshops, the design being supported through the usage of Unified Modelling Language (UML). You will be encouraged to document the process of design, development and testing using industry-standard techniques (UML and ER Diagrams). You will also be introduced to on-demand cloud computing platforms to host and manage your databases.

    Compulsory

  • This module seeks to provide you with an introduction to the fundamentals of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), web applications and Serverless Computing, covering User Experience and human factors that are fundamental to the web design process and how to apply programming techniques in the creation of web applications.

    A principle understanding of Serverless Computing will be explored through practical workshops enabling you the opportunity to deploy web applications utilising industry-standard cloud platforms. You should also be able to apply programming and database coding constructs and should develop a web application documenting the process of design, development and testing using UX and Agile Development techniques.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with knowledge of computer networking essentials, protocols, standards, security considerations. We will explore these principles through the design and implementation of a network using a range of hardware and software, which is designed to help you develop core knowledge of Local Area Networking, Wide Area Networking and the protocols related to IP networks.

    You will be exposed to the usage of various network topologies in software-defined networks (SDN) hosted within a virtual private cloud, providing the opportunity to develop skills through a practical networking project supported by workshops. After successful completion of this module, you should be able to design and install networks, and demonstrate the operation of IP data networks, router and switching technologies and basic troubleshooting. You will also be exposed to IaaS principles in linking physical systems to a virtual private cloud subnet.

    Compulsory

  • During this module we aim to teach you the concepts, architecture, and services of Cloud Computing and you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of configuring cloud infrastructure and also explore how to integrate physical infrastructure into a hybrid solution. You will be given the opportunity to develop a core understanding of concepts surrounding cloud computing, covering deployment models and types of cloud solutions and technology underpinning the usage of cloud solutions (virtualisation and networking).

    You will be encouraged to implement a simple hybrid infrastructure to meet the needs of a business whereby the services are hosted within the cloud with physical computers linked to the cloud VPC through a VPN. Through this process, you should gain a fundamental understanding of both Linux and Windows-based server operating systems and the installation of services on these systems; which aims to further develop your networking knowledge through the application of skills that you should have gained during the programme.

    Compulsory

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

Modules

  • Software-Defined Networking (SDN) represents an approach to computer networking that attempts to address weaknesses in current networking design and operation. SDN’s move to a highly scalable and centralised network control architecture better suited to large-scale networks prevalent in today’s mega-scale data centres.

    Content Delivery Networks (CDN’s) can improve the user experience by delivering a cached copy of the content from a nearby edge. In this module, you will be encouraged to critically appraise the usage of SDN in the development of a SDN linked mini-project and have the opportunity to critically determine whether traditional network designs achieve the same objectives. You should also develop a scalable CDN to be able to serve content to multiple simultaneous users globally.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces the fundamentals of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms and practical implementation of these algorithms supported by the opportunity of hands-on experience using industry-leading cloud platforms. Machine learning can enable systems to learn from data or to solve problems without being explicitly programmed and can be used in several areas such as predictive modelling, speech recognition, object recognition, computer vision, anomaly detection, medical diagnosis and prognosis, robotic control, time series forecasting and much more. We aim to teach core concepts in artificial intelligence from a theoretical, practical and cognitive point of view, designed to develop innovative thought processes to build intelligent systems for future needs. At this stage you are not expected to design and develop bespoke machine learning algorithms but rather understand their function and integration into intelligent systems and how cloud systems can be used to accelerate data training.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces the fundamentals of cyber security and its implications within the cloud. Organisations expect their workforce to take their asset security seriously. The loss of data by an organisation can have severe consequences, including prosecution and loss of customers.

    You should benefit from contemporary case studies, including examples of corporate theft, regulatory approaches to IT security and international cooperation between agencies and nation-states. As system administration and management are essential tasks in the day-to-day functioning and security of Information Systems, inadequate or improper practices can lead to loss of data, its integrity, performance reductions, security breaches or total system failure. Individual planning and provisions need to be made for the ongoing support of systems and networks, which account for a significant proportion of the IT budget.

    On successfully completing the module you should be able to discuss, apply and analyse network and infrastructure security measures that can be adopted if working within cloud environments. You should also have a clear, practical understanding of the associated protocols, cryptographic types and configuration settings of network security environments.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to allow you to propose, implement and suggest a management strategy to fulfil enterprise business requirements, and the need and purpose of systems integration to support organisational goals.

    You are expected to gather and review business objectives so that you should be able to develop a systems specification document, with the opportunity to evaluate factors and issues affecting the successful completion of the integration and describe and document the functional architecture and design of a system. Exploration of cloud technologies to establish an integration methodology to design and implement cloud-based solutions should be considered.

    In addition, you will have the opportunity to investigate and compare different cloud service models and evaluate different deployment methods considering their effect on systems integration. An introduction to service management frameworks will be provided in preparation for final year projects.

    Compulsory

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 participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year.

Modules

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

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 creation, service management and deliver solutions to meet a business, social or ethical need. You will engage in learning pivotal skills to becoming a graduate practitioner. Your final project places you in an innovative real-world environment where you will propose, design, develop, test, deliver and maintain across your entire stage.

Modules

  • This module applies the knowledge gathered during the first two years of the programme to propose an integrated cloud project covering both a cloud architecture solution and a cloud software solution to solve a social, ethical or business need.

    This project will be proposed under a PRINCE2 Agile framework, enabling you the chance to gain experience in using and operating in an industry-standard project management environment. You should also, during the development of your Project Initiation Documentation (PID), consider ITIL practices so that you should be able to effectively service manage the resulting solution in a later module as part of implementation and maintenance planning in the PID. Following the successful completion of this module you should be able to propose a cloud project under the PRINCE2 lifecycle, critically demonstrating an applied understanding of PRINCE2 Agile.

    Compulsory

  • This module enables you the chance to demonstrate the capacity and ability to conduct academic and technical research towards the research objectives proposed at the start of the project year and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The module also encourages critical evaluation of engagement in the research process during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points completed during the viva-voce.

    You should be able to demonstrate advanced technical ability, and will have the chance to develop a cloud software solution to support the projects research goals and detail this application in the form of a detailed executive summary and analysis, operating under the PRINCE2 lifecycle keeping all documentation up to date.

    You should be able to prove advanced knowledge of some of the following; database, programming and web applications and have applied them to a range of context, e.g. artificial intelligence/machine learning, web services and Information Systems in support of the project goals.

    Compulsory

  • This module enables you the chance to demonstrate the capacity and ability to conduct academic and technical research towards the research objectives proposed at the start of the project year and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The module also encourages critical evaluation of engagement in the research process during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points completed during the viva-voce.

    You should be able to demonstrate advanced technical ability, and will have the chance to develop a cloud software solution to support the projects research goals and detail this application in the form of a detailed executive summary and analysis, operating under the PRINCE2 lifecycle keeping all documentation up to date.

    You should be able to prove advanced knowledge of some of the following; database, programming and web applications and have applied them to a range of context, e.g. artificial intelligence/machine learning, web services and Information Systems in support of the project goals.

    Compulsory

  • This module covers how services are managed, delivered and supported by organisations and are structured around the ITIL framework. The module will cover a range of areas relating to IT organisations involved in service and support and will provide the opportunity for you to understand how related small-medium enterprises operate and are managed.

    The module continues the final project; in this final module, you will have the opportunity to apply ITIL and service manage your cloud solutions and complete your project closure documentation for PRINCE2 Agile.

    Compulsory

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 the 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.

Teaching contact hours

You can expect up to 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 up to 30 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

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

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. 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:

  • 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

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2023)

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Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £7,950 per year Not available
EU Not available Not available

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.

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 fees3 and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees3 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.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees3:

  • 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).

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

All our facilities4 are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

  • Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
  • A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
  • Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
  • Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
  • Student support and careers advice teams

Careers and opportunities

On completion you should be able to:

  • Understand the fundamentals of biological and chemical sciences, including cell biology, chemistry and physiology. You will develop a core understanding within the sciences, with applications to industry and the health sector.
  • 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.
  • Potentially complement the degree with additional certifications and relevant memberships responsive to local and international employer needs (such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Technology Associate, ITIL, PRINCE2). Subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements. You will need to refer to the relevant authority’s website for further information on requirements.
  • Develop cognitive, practical and employability skills needed to play a critical role for societal and economic development.

Graduates of the Cloud Computing BA (Hons) 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, Infosys Ltd and McKesson UK.

Further study

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    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 Home Students, if Parliament permit 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.

    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.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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