Computing Online Degree Pathway

Computing Online Degree Pathway

This Course at a Glance

• Globally recognised online alternative to Year 1 and Year 2 of university
• Get on the pathway to obtaining a BSc (Hons) Computer Networks and Security
• In partnership with international awarding organisation ATHE
• Complete Year 3 with the prestigious University of Bolton
• Flexible online study in Year 1 and 2 rather than on-campus lectures
• Get on the fast track to your university qualification
• Avoid rising loan repayment fees
• Save on expensive living costs associated with on-campus study

Achieving a degree in computing or a relevant subject can propel you towards a range of careers in the ever-evolving digital industry, such as cyber security, data science and more. With our Computing Online Degree Pathway, which consists of the first and second years of a degree, removing in-person lectures and restrictive timetables, you have the option to complete Year 1 and Year 2 within a year.

About Your Online Degree Pathway

This undergraduate online degree pathway in computing is made up of 240 credits and is designed as an online alternative to completing Year 1 and Year 2 at university. Studying with us will fast-track you to the final year of an associated Honours degree, which can be completed at our partnered university.

This has been made possible through our partnership with ATHE, an Ofqual-regulated global awarding organisation that spans more than 55 countries worldwide. ATHE partners with 25 UK and international universities, providing top-up degrees to learners seeking an alternative to traditional university learning.

The course is delivered online, through an engaging array of online learning materials. So, you will find your education both interesting and rewarding. As a self-paced online course, you can also work towards your qualification without pressure, around your existing commitments.

What Will You Learn?

The course will give you a comprehensive foundation of knowledge and skills, preparing you for diverse roles in the IT industry, such as programming and scripting, system analysis, design and problem-solving, and much more. Upon completion, you will possess a profound understanding of IT principles, applicable across various business environments.

As the online degree pathway progresses, you will cultivate skills relating to data, data structure, and databases. Additionally, you will delve into the realm of legislation, regulation, ethics and codes of practice, gaining insights into a vast scope of areas that are essential for a successful career in the IT space.

University Progression

Upon successful completion of Year 1 and Year 2 with us, you will be guaranteed admission to complete Year 3 of your undergraduate degree at the University of Bolton, named in the top 30 best UK universities in The Guardian guide (2024).

For example, you could study:

BSc (Hons) Computer Networks and Security – HE6 top-up 

Year 3 will be studied through blended learning with the University of Bolton. The fees for your third year are an additional cost and are paid separately to the university.

Study for a Degree Without Expensive Fees

If you want to get a head-start on your degree without having to commit to loan fees, then our Computing Online Degree Pathway is for you, as it covers Year 1 and Year 2. This programme is ideal for those of you who can’t commit to full-time study on a university campus, and you’d rather not pay nearly £30,000 in tuition fees! This programme offers a convenient home-based alternative to the initial two years of university study.

With the flexibility of online learning, you can bypass the constraints of fixed classes and timetables, enabling you to progress rapidly through the course materials. This newfound freedom empowers learners to reach their final year of university faster compared to traditional campus-based study.

A More Affordable Alternative

The latest change in student finance rules will see university graduates doubling their student loan repayments. This is in addition to repaying their student loans when they earn an annual salary of £25,000, instead of the £27,660 it was before.

With inflation and interest rates rising in the UK due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, university graduates are affected. For the 2022/23 academic year, there was a risk of student loan interest rates reaching 12%, further hitting the pockets of students.

Due to the current economic uncertainty, a university graduate could end up with an average of £42,900 of student loan debt, with tuition fees costing an average of £9,250 per year.

According to YouGov, 37% of people feel that current tuition fees are unfair, so it’s no surprise that many are looking for alternative options. Here at learndirect, we can offer you an affordable alternative that covers the first and second year of a degree for a fraction of the cost of the traditional route.

Please note, once you complete our online degree pathway, you will need to pay your select university to study the third year of your course.

Avoid Rise in Daily Living Costs

Our online degree pathway also helps you skip the other associated costs of a full-time university. By completing Year 1 and Year 2 online at home, there will be no student housing costs or travel expenses. You will also have the flexibility to integrate studying into your lifestyle without rearranging your existing commitments. So, if you’re currently working, you won’t have to give that up to get your degree.

Modules

Year 1 consists of ten units

Unit 1: Systems Development: Preparation, Analysis, Design and Problem-Solving

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the stages and purpose of the lifecycle and lifecycle models in development activities
• Understand the key behaviours needed to develop achievable requirements
• Can use analysis techniques to investigate and document an existing system
• Can identify, design, and document a possible solution
• Can present a solution proposal to a client

Unit 2: Programming and Scripting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand principles of computer programming
• Can design a computer program to a client brief with a consideration of the user interface
• Can develop a computer program to a client brief
• Can test and evaluate a computer program

Unit 3: Data and Database Systems

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand what is meant by data
• Understand database design
• Design a database system

Unit 4: Computer Systems, Networks and Security

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand enabling principles
• Understand hardware and software
• Understand the risks to computer systems and data

Unit 5: Legislation, Regulation, Ethics and Codes of Practice

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand current legal and regulatory issues in IT
• Understand current ethical issues in IT
• Understand the need to create organisational policies and procedures
• Understand the role of professional bodies and industry certification in maintaining professional standards in industry

Unit 6: Data Preparation and Quality

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Can undertake basic data extraction and manipulation with SQL queries
• Understand common approaches to combining data 
• Understand quality risks inherent in data and how to mitigate or resolve these

Unit 7: Organisational Data Architecture

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the principles of organisational data architecture
• Understand a common data analysis lifecycle of their choice
• Understand a simple entity-relationship model

Unit 8: Web Design and Programming

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand principal technologies and components used to build, host and access web sites
• Can apply the principles of client-side development

Unit 9: Mobile Applications Development

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the user experience
• Can design and develop mobile apps to meet a client brief
• Can test and publish mobile apps

Unit 10: Cyber Security Concepts

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand cyber security concepts
• Understand risks and how to respond to cyber incidents
• Understand client security requirements to derive security objectives

Year 2 consists of ten units.

Unit 1: Cyber Security

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the impact of cyber security threats on organisations
• Understand industry standards of cyber security
• Be able to recommend improvements to secure a network for a client against cyber attacks

Unit 2: Database Design and Development

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand database management systems
• Be able to design a relational database in line with a client brief
• Be able to implement a database design
• Be able to review the process of design and implementation of a database

Unit 3: Web-Based Development

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand client-side and server-side technologies
• Understand e-marketing techniques to promote business online
• Be able to create a web-based solution to a business problem
• Be able to review a web-based solution

Unit 4: Network Design

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand networking fundamentals
• Be able to design an IT network in accordance with a design brief
• Be able to build a network to meet a client brief

Unit 5: Ethical, Legal and Regulatory Issues and Professional Responsibilities in IT

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand ethical issues in IT
• Understand legal and regulatory issues relating to the use of IT in organisations
• Understand professional responsibilities relating to working in IT

Unit 6: Strategic Management Information Systems

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand links between information systems and organisational strategy
• Be able to analyse the links between strategy and information systems within an organisation
• Be able to formulate an information systems strategy for an organisation
• Understand the implementation process of an information systems strategy

Unit 7: Innovative Technologies in Computing

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand innovative developments in technology
• Understand the impacts of technological innovations on the computer industry

Unit 8: Computing Research Methods

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand computer-based research techniques
• Be able to plan a computer-based research project on a topic within computer science
• Be able to carry out research on a topic within computer science

Unit 9: Managing a Computing Project

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how to manage a computing project
• Be able to manage a computing project
• Be able to review a computing project

Unit 10: Software Development Methodologies

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the role of methodologies in software development
• Be able to design an information system using a software development methodology

Entry Requirements

You’ll need to possess an appropriate level of English and have prior qualifications, which can include:

• A GCE Advanced level profile with achievement in 2 or more subjects supported by 5 or more GCSEs at grades 4/C and above
• Other related level 3 subjects such as ATHE level 3 Diplomas
• An Access to Higher Education Certificate delivered by an approved further education institute and validated by an Access Validating Agency
• Other equivalent international qualifications

For individuals whose first language is not English, we recommend the following English language proficiency standards or an approved equivalent for this qualification:

IELTS: A score of 5.5 or higher

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): Achieving at least B2 level
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): Scoring 162 or above
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Achieving a score between 42-49

Minimum Age Restriction

These qualifications are designed for learners aged 18 and older.

Average Completion Timeframe

ATHE qualifications typically take learners an average of 18 months to complete.

Assessment Requirements

There are no exams included in this study programme, instead, you will complete several written assignments.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

You will complete a series of assignments to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved the learning outcomes of each unit. 

ATHE

Upon successful completion of this online course, you will achieve two globally recognised ATHE qualifications:

• ATHE Level 4 Diploma in Computing – Qualification Number (601/4740/4)
• ATHE Level 5 Diploma in Computing – Qualification Number (601/4880/9)

Awards for Training and Higher Education (ATHE) is a global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and other United Kingdom and international regulators.

ATHE is a global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and other UK and international regulators since 2011. They work with more than 280 recognised centres in over 55 countries to complement our strong brand presence in the UK.

Once you have successfully achieved this Computing Online Degree Pathway, you can progress to the final year of an undergraduate degree in computing, information technology, computer science, or a related subject, at an array of UK universities.  

This includes:

University of Bolton – BSc (Hons) Computer Networks and Security – HE6 top-up – Please note this is delivered through blended learning.

After finishing a degree programme at an accredited UK university, you will be qualified to pursue a career in IT within the public or private sector.

The primary areas of employment include:

• IT Consultant
• Software Engineer
• Web Developer
• IT Technician
• Cloud Architect
• Systems Analyst
• Network Engineer

For more insight on what your degree could lead to, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions