Skip navigation

Computer Science with Foundation Year

Course details
  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Course location
City Campus

Course summary

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).

Modules

Course Modules

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
L51

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
CCD

T Level

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 88

Scottish Higher

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy and Science.

GCSE Equivalences accepted for English Language and Mathematics
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

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

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Everyday Life (Core Maths)

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications from a relevant subject.

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and/or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/ English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

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.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

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

Tuition fees for home students in September 2026 will be £9,790 for the 2026/27 academic year, subject to Parliamentary approval. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are set in accordance with the Government’s regulated fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this cap will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28, in both cases subject to Parliamentary approval.

The Government has also indicated that from the 2028/29 academic year onwards, the fee cap may be adjusted annually in line with inflation. As a result, tuition fees in future years may increase annually in line with inflation. We will provide confirmation of any changes as early as possible in advance of each academic year.

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 1

Please see our Bursaries and Scholarships page for more information: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/discover/fees-and-funding/bursaries-and-scholarships

Like this page