Web and Mobile Development with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

This is a four-year version of our popular BSc (Hons) Web and Mobile Development course, with an integrated foundation year. Study the fundamentals of computer science and systems administration. Design and develop for web, multimedia and mobile platforms. Challenge your creativity and technical skills with a series of challenging, hands-on practical projects.

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Learning and teaching in 2021

Overview

You will have full access to the University’s outstanding IT facilities, which include specialist networking laboratories. We provide professional-level developer software and advanced hardware through accreditations with Cisco and other major companies. Topics include web applications, software development, design and development for iOs and advanced cybersecurity.

Why us?

Member of the PlayStation®4 Academic Development Programme, which grants us the licence to Sony games console devkit hardware and software
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional
Accredited by BCS on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer
We are a University that is nationally recognised for supporting learners particularly from non-traditional backgrounds and many students come to us with no formal qualifications but with valuable work experience

We have an integrative and holistic approach to our integrated computing courses. You’ll be taught the fundamentals of computing alongside students from other courses in the School of Computer Science. This course structure allows you to easily change courses at the end of the second year, should a different computer science route appeal to you. For example, you may begin studying BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Integrated Foundation Year, but then show a greater aptitude for cybersecurity and decide to change to BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics with Integrated Foundation Year
Sunderland was named Smart City of the Year 2020 (Digital Leaders UK). Boasting the second-fastest growth in digital turnover outside of London, Sunderland is the ideal city to study computing and set up a business

Learning and teaching in 2021

Our hybrid model of learning means many of your class materials will be online but will be enhanced with on-campus sessions; meeting you in person is important to us and enables tutors to work more closely with you to aid understanding of your subject. There will be a mix of materials online, including some lectures and directed exercises, with a series of weekly tasks. You'll be taught some really interesting topics such as computer programming techniques, as well as other technical concepts such as computer virtualisation and cloud computing. You'll also cover Essential Study Skills and Practical Maths, to help you succeed in your chosen undergraduate degree.

There will be lots of opportunities for both face-to-face and online contact, and you'll be assigned a personal tutor, as well as having your pathway leader and module leaders for support and guidance. Regular contact between your tutors and other students will be encouraged via the use of technologies including Canvas, email, Skype and Microsoft Teams.

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects. As well as assessments (i.e. coursework) that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning.

Foundation Year

The Computing Integrated Foundation Year includes five modules:

Essential Study Skills (20 credits)
Maths (20 credits)
Foundation module (40 credits)
Project (20 credits)
Subject Specialism (20 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Fundamentals of Computing (100 credits)

Software Development and Theory: Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Formal Methods

Programming: Microsoft C# .NET and programming for Robots

Web and Multimedia Applications: Markup Languages (HTML 5, CSS 3), Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Javascript, Web APIs (such as Google Maps and Yahoo APIs)

Database Systems: Database Design, Relational Databases and SQL, Database Integrity and Security, PHP and MySQL

Computer Systems and Networking: Operating Systems, Networks and Computer Architectures

Specialist Mini Project: Showcase your talents through a project in your chosen area of computing. Past projects have included a Facebook app, a hack challenge and the creation of a retro arcade game.

Digital Media Design and Development (20 credits)

Get a taste of the development of the web and mobile discipline with an introduction to modern tooling, UI design and rapid prototyping, ideation and the development of rich multimedia assets including audio and video components.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Personalised Skills Development (20 credits)

Learn key skills such as self-determination, planning and actioning of goals, time management, independent learning and team working.

Software Enterprise Project (20 credits)

This module has been developed with the support of the Institute of Coding, a network of employers, universities, training providers and professional bodies working together to create the skills needed for the digital economy. The module has been modified as a result of collaboration with a number of industry partners including SAGE and Adlink, to enhance industry relevant employability skills.

Intermediate Software Development (20 credits)

This module will move beyond the basic object oriented concepts associated with simple classes and objects to cover a series of more sophisticated object-oriented ideas, including ‘inheritance’ and ‘polymorphism’.

Advanced Software Development (20 credits)

The module provides you with in-depth knowledge of issues associated with the modern software development life cycle, including the application of standard industrial methods to the design, development and testing of complex OO systems, including those with multi-threaded and distributed components.

Web Application Development (20 credits)

Create interactive and data driven web applications, using a tiered approach that explores the backend, middleware and front-end components of a modern web application. Utilising a web framework, you will develop systems using a range of languages including HTML, CSS, Javascript and a system language such as C# or Python.

Progressive Web App Design and Development (20 credits)

Learn how to design and develop progressive applications using a range of web technologies, libraries and frameworks. Learn how to create intuitive and responsive mobile interfaces, that work well across a range of devices and implement functionality with JavaScript. Examine the importance of source code management (SCM), testing and deployment. Use various industry tools to facilitate continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). Develop evaluation skills in User Experience Design (UXD) and undertake a number of participatory design and early stage techniques including rapid prototyping, wireframing and screen-flow design.

Year 3:

Industrial placement (optional)

Final Year (national level 6)

Core modules

Computing Project (40 credits)

Undertake advanced study, including a literature review, in order to research and develop to completion a substantial piece of work that demonstrates the range of skills you have acquired. You will also submit a dissertation that describes and evaluates the problem and solution. Past examples include an Android audio application, a Trojan detector and a network monitoring tool.

Android Mobile Development (20 credits)

Analyse, design, develop, test and deploy native mobile applications using Java and Android Studio. You will be introduced to native programming, application build and deployment, the Android ecosystem, security and software engineering in a student led and practical manner.

Advanced Cyber Security (20 credits)

Learn how to analyse the range of tradeoffs in balancing the security properties of confidentiality, integrity and availability. You will also learn how to select the appropriate tools and techniques to address and manage concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and potential attacks. All topics in cybersecurity will be considered taking into account ethical, social and legal constructs.

Mobile App Development Technologies (20 credits)

Learn how to build native mobile applications using a range of tools and technologies. Gain an understanding of the systems involved, from device hardware and software on which information is stored, including the platform storage technologies used to structure and access data, to the media rich interface features needed to create good user experiences which leverage the native mobile platform. Examine a range of development tools, frameworks and languages that will enable development of a modern smartphone application that uses local SDK and cloud-based infrastructure.

Optional modules (choose one)

Software Enterprise (20 credits)

Gain the knowledge and skills that will enable you to explore and exploit business opportunities for software enterprises.

Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)

Develop your knowledge of current AI principles and your skills in this fast-moving area, which is a particular focus of Sunderland’s research.

Students into Schools (20 credits) (This is an Institute of Coding supported module)

Undertake a work-based placement to support computing in a school or equivalent learning environment.

Advanced Data Technologies (20 credits)

Explore solutions related to complex database systems such as: enhanced data models, query optimisation, clustering, scalability, security, forensic investigation, data warehousing, data analysis tools and more.

Informatics Centre 360
This space is used for problem-based learning seminars and workshops across a range of computing and engineering courses. It is open-plan which allows for engaging group discussion and the space includes several smart screens which can be connected so the whole class can view the same presentation, or can work individually for separate group projects.
Learning Lab
The David Goldman Informatics Centre has a variety of open plan spaces, and the Level 2 Gallery is a communal space for students to relax and study.
Audio Visual Technology is available for students to use whenever, for example, using smart screens to view presentations for further study.
Level 2 Gallery
We’ve got thousands of books and e-books on computing topics, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. We also subscribe to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals so you can access the most reliable and up-to-date academic and industry articles.

Some of the most important sources for computing students include:
- British Standards Online which offers more than 35,000 documents covering specifications for products, dimensions, performance and codes of practice
- Association of Computing Machinery digital library, which includes full-text articles from journals as well as conference proceedings
- Science Direct, which offers more than 18,000 full-text journals published by Elsevier
- Archives of publications from Emerald, including over 35,000 full-text articles dating back to 1994 on a range of subjects including technology
- Business Source Elite from EBSCO Publishing that covers hundreds of journals that include coverage of e-commerce and information management
Library Services - IT
Study physical networking and virtual networking in this space, as well as how to secure networks.
Facilities include switches and routers, picocell mobile technology and an eye-tracker which can be used in research projects.
There is even the opportunity to program sensors used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and healthcare, for example heart monitors used in the healthcare industry.
Networks and Cybersecurity Lab
The Project Lab is used by final year Computing students to enable them to work on their final year project in their individual study time. Specific software can be added to the computer stations, if necessary for the students’ projects. Presentations and vivas (an oral exam whereby students present their thesis) are carried out in this space too.
Project Lab
Map and directions

Facilities

This course is based at the David Goldman Informatics Centre, a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

The Integrated Foundation Year is specially designed to support you where you have just missed the grades required for direct entry onto a three-year degree, or if you have relevant work experience and are now looking to broaden your subject knowledge but want more time to develop study skills before starting your degree.

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible entry qualifications:

1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)
OR
2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.

If you are unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us!

** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Maths and English we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

For more information about our Integrated Foundation Year courses please see our Help and Advice articles.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is £9,250.

If you are a full-time UK student you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fee and maintenance loan for the full four years.

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.

Scholarships calculator

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace.

Graduate success

Sunderland has a good reputation with employers. 93.4% of our graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers).

The top type of job gained by our graduates is ‘information and communication technology professional’.

In your final year of the course, you will undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.

Career options

Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Technology.

Page last updated: 15 December 2020

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Overview

Why us?

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

Foundation Year

Year 1 (national level 4):

Year 2 (national level 5):

Year 3:

Final Year (national level 6)

Core modules

Optional modules (choose one)

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Graduate success

Career options

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Sign up to receive more information