Data Science with Foundation Year
Buckinghamshire New University
UCAS Code: DSC4 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Buckinghamshire New University
UCAS Code: DSC4 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
UCAS Tariff
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
About this course
Do you want to learn how to work with data and use it to make decisions? Looking for a degree with opportunities to work on real-life scenarios, business challenges and career-relevant problems?
BSc (Hons) Data Science teaches you the skills and knowledge to collect, store, analyse, and present data for different purposes and industries. It gives you the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable academics and industry experts.
In the Foundation Year of this four-year course, you’ll build essential academic study skills. This year will help you gain confidence in your abilities. You’ll also identify your strengths and areas for development. Together, these will prepare you for progression to the undergraduate degree.
**Why study data science at BNU?**
**Professional standard software and tools**
Our computing facilities are regularly upgraded, ensuring you have access to the best hardware, software, and technology. This means you'll be well-versed in the technologies used by professionals, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. From Python and R to advanced data visualisation tools, you'll become proficient in the essential software. This practical knowledge will make you a valuable asset to any data-driven organisation.
**Learn from experts**
Learn from knowledgeable academics and industry experts who bring their real-world experience into the classroom. Their insights and guidance will help you understand the current trends and demands in the data science field. You'll benefit from their mentorship and networking connections, opening doors to internships and job opportunities.
**Focus on employability**
We put a strong emphasis on employability, aiming to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in your career. You'll benefit from career services, networking opportunities, and support to help you land your dream job. Our dedicated career advisors will help you craft a standout CV and prepare for interviews.
**Industry links**
Throughout your course, you'll have opportunities to collaborate and network with industry professionals. These connections could lead to mentoring, internships and potential job prospects after graduation. Industry partnerships and our alumni network will help you build a strong professional network. You'll also have the chance to attend conferences and workshops, staying connected with the latest industry trends.
**Committed to student success**
BNU is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals, offering personalized support and resources to ensure you thrive both academically and professionally in the cyber security realm. Whether you need study support, career advice, or mental health services, we’re here for you every step of the way. Your success is our priority, and we’re committed to helping you build a bright future.
**What will I study?**
The BSc(Hons) Data Science course teaches you how to work with data in a variety of different ways. You will learn how to collect, store, analyse, and present data for different purposes and industries. You will also learn how to use different tools and software to handle data.
This degree will help you acquire a range of transferable skills that are essential for academic and professional success, such as curiosity, critical thinking, adaptability, and research skills. You will also learn how to solve problems and find insights from data. You will learn elements of data visualisation, storytelling and its ethical use, as well as data automation with AI. This will help you understand the role that data-based computing can have in a range of business and industry contexts.
The course gives a balance of theory and practice, with opportunities to apply your knowledge to real or simulated projects and scenarios. You will focus on technical data analysis applications and services for industries that require expertise in data-focused computing sectors, using database development technologies.
Modules
**Year one**
Preparing for Success: Knowledge and Creativity
Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility
Inquiry Based Learning
Digital Media
Computing Essentials
**Year two**
Computer Architectures
Programming Concepts
Database Design
Web Development
Networking
Application Programming
Data Warehousing
Digital Technologies and Professional Practice
**Year three**
Web Applications
Big Data
Information Security
Business Intelligence
Data Presentation and Visualisation
Statistical Methods
Software Engineering
Intro to Intelligent Systems (Team Project)
**Year four**
Project
Data Science (optional)
Database Development
Knowledge-Based Systems in A.I.
Cloud Computing (optional)
Legal Aspects of IT
Database Technologies (optional)
Learning Machines and Intelligent Agents (optional)
Network Security (optional)
Assessment methods
A variety of approaches, and good use of the latest technology, will be blended together to engage students in learning in class and beyond, and to encourage full student participation.
Lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical sessions will all be appropriately utilised, with a gradual progression from formal teaching towards more student-centred and independent learning, through the levels of the programme. Your course will be fully supported by the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), a digitally based platform that offers many features and resources to support and enhance your learning experience.
Different strategies will be adopted to provide real-world contextualisation and engagement, for example, guest lecturers, live briefs, work-related projects and external visits.
Work and activities within the modules, including the formal assessments, will have a strong focus on real world scenarios.
There'll be a variety of assessments across your course, in part to give you exposure to the variety of situations you'll face in your professional life, but also to direct and focus your learning of many interesting, and career-relevant, topics.
Assessments are then designed to help you learn and apply relevant knowledge, concepts and skills whilst developing those competencies and characteristics needed to be successful in education and employment.
You'll complete different types of coursework like written assignments, practical exercises, presentations and other individual or group tasks alongside some tests or exams.
The Project in your final year represents a major piece of independent research focused on some significant problem, which can be linked to some current business challenge or an idea that will support your own career aspirations. Formal and informal feedback on your work will be regularly provided to support and direct your learning and development..
Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun!
We also encourage you to gain work experience whilst studying and actively look for clients for your project work, which provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills in a work-base setting.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
The Uni
High Wycombe Campus
School of Creative and Digital Industries
What students say
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Information systems
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Information systems
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Information systems courses cover a range of areas, including information design, modelling and the finance industry. How well graduates did made a particular difference in 2015 — computing graduates with good grades were much less likely to be out of work after six months. Most students do get jobs, though, and starting salaries are good — particularly in London, and that’s where over a quarter of graduates started work last year. This is also a good degree to take if you want to follow a technical role in the finance or advertising industry. Many jobs for this degree were found in the larger cities last year and opportunities may be more limited outside those areas.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Information systems
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£18k
£23k
£35k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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