Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year, covering mathematics and computation alongside programming fundamentals. Core topics include Programming, Computer Architecture, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, Statistics, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The foundation year normally leads onto the full BSc Computer Science degree, with options to transfer onto a year-in-industry placement or an integrated masters pathway. An individual project culminates in a poster presentation at the end of the foundation year.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: CCC-CCD (Required subjects: Grade C in Mathematics, Computer Science or Physics GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 (B) GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C) T-levels We accept T-levels for admission to our undergraduate courses, with the following grades regarded as equivalent to our standard A-level requirements: AAA* – Distinction (A* on the core and distinction in the occupational specialism) AAA – Distinction BBB – Merit CCC – Pass (C or above on the core) DDD – Pass (D or E on the core) Where a course specifies subject-specific requirements at A-level, T-level applicants are likely to be asked to offer this A-level alongside their T-level studies.) IB: 24 points overall Including 4 HL in Computer Science, Physics or 4 HL Maths: Analysis & Approaches or 5 HL Maths: Applications & Interpretation.
What students say
Based on about 184 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 82%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 425 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 91%
- Left higher education: 9%
What graduates do next
Based on about 74 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 72%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 11%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 61%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 3%
- Teaching Professionals: 3%
- Find their work meaningful: 84%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 76%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 46%
- South East: 29%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 455 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 7%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the award of Euro-Inf Bachelor Quality Label on behalf of EQANIE (European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education e.V.) as satisfying the outcomes of First Cycle Programmes specified by the Euro-Inf Framework Standards and Accreditation Criteria for Informatics Degree Programmes.
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Global perspectives and academic practice 1
- Foundation Mathematics 1
- Foundation Programming
- Global perspectives and academic practice 2
- Foundation Mathematics 2
- Foundation Physical Sciences
- Department specific skills
- Individual project
- Programming laboratory
- Internet Services
- Machine Fundamentals
- Mathematical Structures
- Object-oriented Programming
- Software Design
- Academic Integrity
- Algorithms and Complexity
- Databases
- Introduction to Information Security
- Operating Systems
- Software Engineering
- Team Project
- Symbolic Artificial Intelligence
- Mathematical Methods for Computer Science
- Computer and Network Security
- Human-computer Interaction
- Computational Finance
- Intelligent Agents and Multi-agent Systems
- Machine Learning
- Semantic Web
- Data Visualisation and Exploratory Analysis
- Advanced Data Communications
- Concurrent and Parallel Programming
- Interconnected Devices
- Applications of Cryptography
- Critical Infrastructure Security
- Digital Forensics
- Malicious Software
- Smart Cards, RFIDs and Embedded Systems Security
- IT Project Management
- Software Language Engineering
- Bioinformatics
- Compilers and Code Generation
- Computational Optimisation
- Digital Audio and Applications
- Functional Programming and Applications
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £32,000 after 15 months, £41,000 after 3 years, £48,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,000 and £68,500. The £48,500 median after five years is £12,500 more than the UK median for Computer science.
What do graduates of Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London?
82% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is CCC at A level, or 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 115 UCAS points.
Is Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London accredited?
Yes. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the award of Euro-Inf Bachelor Quality Label on behalf of EQANIE (European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education e.V.) as satisfying the outcomes of First Cycle Programmes specified by the Euro-Inf Framework Standards and Accreditation Criteria for Informatics Degree Programmes. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Does Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 9% left higher education.