Skip navigation
Computing at University of Buckingham - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
Apply

Course summary

The University of Buckingham is:

  • Home of the two-year degree, the University of Buckingham, based in the South East of England, is ranked 6th for Student Satisfaction in the UK (National Student Survey, 2020).
  • We are proudly independent and not-for-profit, and offer courses in Allied Health, Business, Computing, Education, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Psychology and Security and Intelligence. We are one of the few universities in the UK that offer September and January start dates for almost all of our courses.
  • Based in Buckingham on a riverside campus, we are only 20 minutes’ from Milton Keynes central station and a short drive from Bicester, Aylesbury, Banbury and Northampton. There is free parking on-site and we are within easy reach of London and Oxford.
  • Our award-winning small class tutorials ensure every student is known by name and supported throughout their studies, including by dedicated personal tutors.
  • As pioneers of the two-year degree, we offer a condensed version of the traditional three-year degree, meaning you can gain a full honours degree and complete your studies a whole year earlier. Alternatively, you can complete both your undergraduate and master’s degree with us in just three years: saving you time and money.
This programme of study is intended primarily for graduates from any non-computing background to obtain fundamental knowledge and understanding of a range of core subjects in Computing. The overall aim of education is to either equip the graduates who want to develop their careers in their own areas of speciality with additional understanding, awareness and skills of IT and Computing, or help those who want to change their careers into IT and Computing. The programme can also serve as a pre-requisite for advanced master’s programmes in Applied Computing at Buckingham. It is available over 4 terms starting in January or 3 terms starting in April. Graduates who successfully complete the programmes are eligible for entry into the MSc in Innovative Computing degree programme. The Graduate Diploma programme consists of 7 taught modules and an individual project. On completing the programmes, you will be able to understand:
  • the role that computers and networked systems play in the modern world.
  • the essential knowledge and skills in programming together with relevant structures and concepts to create such systems.
  • fundamental concepts and principles of databases, networking, object-oriented programming and human-computer interaction.
  • advanced applications including data mining, multimedia, interactive computer graphics, and security systems.
  • ethical, professional, social and legal issues in exploiting computing technology in practice.
The programme will also help you to develop skills in:
  • Computing and web application
  • Programming and problem-solving for large-scale or mobile applications
  • Database and software development
  • Developing usable GUIs
  • Computer graphics
  • Computer network issues

Modules

Algorithm Design, Implementation and Analysis, Applied Techniques of Data Mining, Embedded Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Security, Internet and World Wide Web, Introduction to Computer Systems, Introduction to Operating Systems, Mathematics for Computing, Mobile Application Development, Object-Oriented Programming, Principles of Computer Networks, Principles of Database Systems, Problem Solving and Programming 1 & 2, Project, Software Engineering, Technologies for Business Intelligence.

Assessment method

Our modules include a mixture of formal lectures, tutorial classes and practical classes. At the start of each module you will be given an up-to-date module outline and reading list. Most modules will provide two or three hours of lectures each week to introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques. These will be supported by lecture notes or handouts. Lectures are supported by weekly tutorial classes, usually one hour in length, which are held in small groups so that all students can benefit from individual attention. You will be expected to prepare for these classes, for example by attempting a set of exercises or by reading a case study. Many of our modules have supervised practical classes in the computer laboratories in which you can apply and practice the techniques you have learnt in the lectures. These practical sessions are usually two or three hours long. You will also be expected to study on your own, using the library for reading research and the computer laboratories to improve your practical skills. Course material is also available on the University’s own Virtual Learning Environment. This allows students to download lecture notes, submit assignments and share resources in an electronic forum both within the University’s computer network and remotely. The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by examination, assessed coursework, or a combination of the two.

How to apply

International applicants

With staff and students from over 90 countries around the world, the University enjoys a wonderful and culturally diverse atmosphere. Voted top for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey since 2006, we provide support for students from outside the UK including: assistance with visa application and renewal; guaranteed accommodation in halls of residence; and a personal tutor to support your academic studies. Academic staff are available to help and advise, and operate an open-door policy. We have the best staff to student ratio of any university in the UK. Our students have formed a number of overseas clubs, and there is a sports and social programme each term to ensure you enjoy your time with us. Our idyllic setting between Oxford and Milton Keynes offers access to a range of cultural and social activities and Bicester Village, the renowned shopping outlet is a short bus ride away. English Language requirements: it is very important that your English level is of a good standard for you to be successful in your studies. All applicants must achieve specific requirements in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing). Please check our website for more details of the undergraduate or postgraduate language requirements for your course. https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a first or second class honours in a non-computing degree.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6500 Whole course
Northern Ireland £6500 Whole course
Scotland £6500 Whole course
Wales £6500 Whole course
Channel Islands £6500 Whole course
EU £11000 Whole course
International £11000 Whole course
Republic of Ireland £11000 Whole course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

The University would like to encourage students – both undergraduates and postgraduates – to come to Buckingham regardless of their financial circumstances. The bursaries and scholarships we offer are awarded on merit and/or on financial need. You may only accept one University award. All awards are subject to your meeting the University’s academic entry requirements and abiding by the University’s rules and regulations. To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you will need to have been offered a place to study at Buckingham. For details of our current range of scholarships and bursaries please see our website: https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/admissions/scholarships

Computing at University of Buckingham - UCAS