University of Wales Trinity Saint David
UCAS Code: ACO9 | Higher National Certificate - HNC
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
The IT sector is full of exciting job opportunities in areas like software engineering, data management, artificial intelligence, networking, cyber security, user experience, and web technologies. By studying the HNC Applied Computing course, you will learn many important technical skills needed for these careers.
In this course, you will focus on managing data and creating applications to handle information. This includes learning about database systems and web applications. You will also gain skills to lead teams and manage projects, preparing you for leadership roles in the future.
We understand that you might still be figuring out which area of computing you are most interested in. That’s why our course offers a wide range of subjects to choose from. With help from experienced tutors, you can pick modules that match your interests and career goals.
Our Swansea campus provides a great place to learn, with lots of optional subjects supported by core modules. Whether you are interested in the technical side of computing or how it is used in the real world, this programme has something for you.
If you need a different way to enter our degree programmes, we offer a Foundation Year as part of our Widening Access initiative. This is perfect for those looking to change careers or update their skills to meet entry requirements.
In short, the HNC in Applied Computing at our Swansea campus is designed to give you a strong foundation in computing. It offers flexible learning options and support from experienced tutors, making it a great choice for anyone looking to start a career in IT.
Modules
You will study a broad range of subjects common to several courses within the Computing Portfolio, such as software development, cybersecurity and operating systems. These provide the underpinning required for later years and allow flexibility in choosing modules that meet student’s own personal goals. This approach gives a greater opportunity to develop skills most closely aligned to the student’s own industrial experience and needs. In the final year, you will undertake a major project which provides a focus for your studies.
Compulsory
Software Development (20 credits)
Computer Architecture and Operating Systems (20 credits)
Introduction to Web and Database Concepts (20 credits)
Network and Cybersecurity Essentials (20 credits)
Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits)
Optional
Data Analysis & Visualisation (20 credits)
Mathematics (20 credits)
Assessment methods
The School of Applied Computing aims to produce graduates that help shape the future of computing and information systems development. The course content is contemporary and shaped for employability through close links with local and national employers.
Students are assessed through a combination of worksheets, practicals, presentations, projects and examinations. Module assessment is often by assignment, or assignment and examination. The final mark for some modules may include one or more pieces of coursework set and completed during the module. Project work is assessed by written report and presentation.
Students are encouraged to use our links with Software Alliance Wales and Go Wales to work on commercial schemes for their Major Project module. Go Wales provides the opportunity of paid work placements with local businesses.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
SA1 Waterfront Campus, Swansea
Computing
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
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.
Computer science
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
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.
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.
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.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£23k
£28k
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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Course location and department:
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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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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