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Computer Science with a Foundation Year

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time including foundation year
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Cardiff
Awarded by:
Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)
More about Cardiff University

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Future-proof your career by developing skills in areas like AI, Robotics and Cyber Security, while building the confidence to succeed on an undergraduate Computer Science degree.

This flagship, four-year programme is informed by industry needs and provides a supportive route into university study enabling you to progress into any of our Computer Science degrees after the initial Foundation Year.

The Foundation Year leads to an exciting choice of challenging degrees in Computer Science, Computer Science with Cyber Security or Applied Software Engineering. The flexibility we offer means you have the option to extend your degree by an additional year by switching to an MSci (subject to academic achievement) or choosing a degree with a professional placement or a year of study abroad.

You’ll gain a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of Computer Science or Software Engineering, as well as professional skills in problem-solving and project work. Our undergraduate programmes will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical approaches needed to pursue a career in the exciting and dynamic world of computing or software engineering. You will learn to think and act like a professional, with an awareness of ethics, security and sustainability.

Our undergraduate Software Engineering programme is based in the National Software Academy here on campus. If you choose this programme, you will be creating software-based solutions to real problems in a dynamic, tech start-up atmosphere.

Whether you choose Computer Science or Software Engineering, you will be able to adapt to rapidly evolving technology and create bespoke solutions to real-world problems, using the right tools, in the right way.  Our graduates are highly employable, and our programmes equip you to meet the high demand for technical skills in the workplace of the future.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Cardiff

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time including foundation year • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
G441
Institution code:
C15
Campus name:
Main Site - Cardiff
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

How to apply

This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
G441
Institution code:
C15
Campus name:
Main Site - Cardiff
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
CCD - CDD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
MMM - MMP

in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Computing, Engineering, ICT, or IT.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
27 - 26 points

27-26 overall or 554-544 in 3 HL subjects.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales will be accepted in lieu of one A level at the A level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade B/6 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.

We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.

We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.

English language requirements

All applicants are expected to have demonstrable English language skills. Most courses ask for GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent, but some courses ask for GCSE English grade B/6 or equivalent.

To find out more, please go to:https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Cardiff we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, as part of this our contextual admissions policy aims to widen participation and improve access to Higher Education (HE).

For more information on Cardiff University contextual admissions, including how applications are scored and how we use that score, please see our website.

Learn more on the Cardiff University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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

Fees stated are for the 2026/27 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.

Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete to the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.

Sponsorship information

Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.

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