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Computing and Systems Development

University Centre Farnborough

UCAS Code: II10 | Higher National Diploma - HND

University Centre Farnborough

UCAS Code: II10 | Higher National Diploma - HND

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

48

About this course

Course option

1year

Full-time | 2025

Subject

Computer science

Progress your skills, knowledge and ability for further study or to prepare for employment in the computing industry, with our HND in Computing. This course starts each September and is awarded by Pearson.

**COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:**
- It provides a route into careers related to computing including software design, computer networking and more

- You will have the opportunity to gain qualifications in CISCO Introduction to Networks and CISCO Switching, Routing and Wireless Essentials during your course

- One-year qualification to be followed up with a top-up degree

- Taught at University Centre Farnborough, with modern facilities including our high-quality computing suite with access to the latest software

**WHY STUDY THIS COURSE WITH US?**
Information technology is the glue that connects millions of people, aiding businesses and communities all around the world, every day. According to Prospects, there are currently one million people employed in the UK's IT industry, making it a thriving sector to work in.

At Farnborough, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in an IT working environment. Not only will you develop skills specific to IT but our course provides opportunities for you to develop behaviours for work. For example by undertaking a group project, or responding to a client brief. As part of the course you will also earn vendor qualifications including CISCO CCNA part 1, which is recognised by employers.

An HND in Computing will allow you to study key areas of computing before moving onto a top-up degree to gain a full honours degree.

**WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR?**
This computing programme is perfect if you have an interest in the world of information technology. You might currently be studying an HNC in Computing, already working in the sector, be returning to education after a break, or wish to transfer from another college or university.

**WHAT MODUES ARE COVERED?**
During your course, you will develop the necessary skills to progress onto a top-up degree through a combination of core and specialist units. Examples include:

- Computing Research Project

- Operating Systems

- Business Process Support

- Application Development

- Network Management

- Application Program Interfaces

- Risk Analysis and Systems Testing

**HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?**
A wide range of assessment methods are used in this programme, which have been chosen to suit the subject material being taught. The range of assessment methods used in this programme includes in-class tests, assessed practical work, assessed coursework/assignments, and formative assessment through assignment work feedback, practical demonstrations, project report, project presentation and examination.

**PROGRAMME STRUCTURE**
The structure of our programmes follows educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the Programme Specification documents found under our Quality Assurance page, including further details such as the learning outcomes.

**WHAT'S NEXT?**
On successful completion of this course, you could go on to study a BSc (Hons) Computing Top Up. 

**PREVIOUS QUALIFICATIONS**
48 UCAS points from relevant subject(s)
Foundation Degree, HNC or equivalent. HE Level 4 in a relevant subject, Pass 50% average where classified.
If English is not your first language, evidence of your ability will need to be supplied with your applications. IELTS 6.5 is required. 

Modules

During your course you will develop the necessary skills to progress onto a top-up degree through a combination of core and specialist units. Examples include:
• Project design, implementation and evaluation
• Knowledge-based systems
• Data analysis and design
• Data structures and algorithms
• Web applications development
• Computer games design and development
• Distributed software applications
• Programming

Assessment methods

A wide range of assessment methods are used in this programme, which have been chosen to suit the subject material being taught. The range of assessment methods used in this programme includes in-class tests, assessed practical work, assessed coursework/assignments, and formative assessment through assignment work feedback, practical demonstrations, project report, project presentation and examination.

HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT?
You will be taught in a variety of ways. This includes lectures, individual presentations, practical’s, independent and group exercise instructions. You will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and are expected to undertake at least 14–16 further hours of independent study and assignments as required.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£5,500
per year
England
£5,500
per year
EU
£5,500
per year
International
£7,500
per year
Northern Ireland
£5,500
per year
Scotland
£5,500
per year
Wales
£5,500
per year

The Uni

Course location:

University Centre Farnborough

Department:

Computing and IT

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What students say

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After graduation

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Computer science

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.

85%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

This is a newly-classified subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. The subject is linked to important and growing computing industries, and over time we can expect more students to study them — there could be opportunities that open up for graduates in these subjects as the economy develops over the next few years.

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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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:

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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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