Computer Science with Foundation Year

Why study Computer Science with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• Strong links with over 450 local and national organisations including Merseyside Police, Cheshire Police, Xyone Security, Fujitsu, IBM, Eutechnyx and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

• 98% of students surveyed on this course said staff supported their learning well (National Student Survey 2025)

• Opportunity to undertake a year's paid industrial placement

• Practical, hands-on experience incorporated into modules wherever possible

• State-of-the-art computing facilities, including dedicated labs, available to students on site

• Excellent career prospects

About your course
The BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University is informed by industry requirements and internationally important research. There are many exciting paid placement opportunities thanks to our extensive links with employers.

You will gain the required academic and theoretical skills to pursue a career in computer science plus advanced practical skills relating to the theory, practice, tools and applications of contemporary software technologies. You will also secure an understanding of architectures, frameworks and strategies for building software computer systems, should you wish to seek a career in software development, for example.

You will have access to industry-standard facilities, including nine specialist teaching laboratories, with over 400 workstations, featuring high specifications and the latest software and specialist applications. Our state-of-the-art facilities in Computer Science, with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) commended teaching and staff support, will allow you to gain the necessary practical, technical and analytical skills required of a Computer Science professional.

Why study computing at LJMU?
The School of Computer Science and Mathematics is highly rated for its research in computing and the science behind the systems. This research directly informs what you will study on the degree. In addition, the Department has extensive links with industry, and regularly hosts guest speakers from industry and an invited industry advisory panel.

Our graduates enjoy excellent career prospects thanks to our extensive links with hundreds of international, national and local organisations, from industries such as tech companies, financial services, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defence, healthcare, retail, government and local government agencies and telecommunications. Such links also help ensure that students enjoy excellent work-related learning and paid placement opportunities throughout their degrees.

Work-related learning
There are many paid work placement options for you to choose from in your third year and extensive support is provided to enable you to apply for and gain a relevant placement in the computing industry. The department maintains wide-ranging links with industry, promoting successful placements, with global companies such as Microsoft, Barclays, Experian, GlaxoSmithKline, Sony, IBM, etc. as well as many local software and IT businesses. These placements facilitate the practical application of the skills learnt on the course and provide invaluable industry experience. The vast majority, if not all, students completing this Computer Science sandwich degree go on to obtain full-time employment in the computing industry.

About the Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Computer Science honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).