FdSc Computing Technologies (Networks and Cybersecurity) (West Herts College)

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: I120
Institute code: H36

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

UCAS points A Level BTEC Accepted T Levels Access Course Tariff IB Requirement
48 DD PPP 48 UCAS points

Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects Overall pass 48 UCAS points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Accepted T Levels: Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB Requirement
48	DD	PPP	48 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects	Overall pass	48 UCAS points

Why choose this course?

Develop a broad knowledge of computing relevant to the needs of a wide range of organisations
Benefit from a varied programme of work-based learning and vocational study
Gain a nationally recognised qualification in two years of full-time study
progression routes to appropriate degree programmes at the University of Hertfordshire

What's the course about?

The foundation degree in Computing technologies (Networks and Cybersecurity) will give you an excellent grounding in computing while allowing you to specialise in aspects relating specifically to software development.

In your first year, you will develop your knowledge of programming, computer systems architecture, databases and data analysis, networks, wireless and systems analysis.

In your second year, you will continue to study a mixture of modules focusing on aspects of computing as well as modules specialising in software development.

Once you have completed your foundation degree you may be eligible to progress on to a BA (Hons) top-up year at the University of Hertfordshire, subject to obtaining appropriate grades in your foundation studies.

Progression to the University’s Degree Programmes:

There is a formal articulation arrangement in place for this programme, such that students are given progression to the second (level 5) or final year (level 6) of an appropriate BSc Honours programme, normally the BSc in IT or BSc in Computer Science, depending on the overall marks obtained following the second year of study. A 50% overall mark will allow a progression onto the third year of the BSc Honours programme.

Students expressing the preference early in level 5 of the foundation degree are also able to enter the sandwich placement year or year abroad, of the BSc Honours programme. This is subject to successfully obtaining an approved placement of the appropriate duration.

Students who enter level 5 of the BSc programme are able to progress onto any of the awards as described below:

BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Information Technology
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Networks)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)

All of the above listed awards are available as a sandwich award or a year abroad award.

Students who enter level 6 of the BSc programme are able to progress onto the awards listed below:

BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Information Technology
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Networks)

Students entering at level 6 also have the option of joining the sandwich placement year or year abroad elements of the BSc Computer Science (and all the awards listed above, subject to successfully obtaining an approved placement or year abroad of the appropriate duration.

In addition, all students can progress onto the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (delivered online).

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Developing the Computing Professional - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to prepare students for the programme and future employment Emphasis will be on academic practices and analysis of existing skills, enabling professional development planning. Commercial awareness will be introduced for students to gain knowledge of employers' business environment and how graduates can add value to business.
Programming concepts- WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will explore programming and its role in problem solving. The core of the unit will focus on understanding programming constructs to solve problems. Students will learn the role of specifications, to work to a specification, and the role of testing, to verify the correctness of a solution.
Topics in Computer Systems - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to understand the architecture of computer systems and to specify a computer system according to client requirements. Complete computer system specifications will be documented to include hardware components and operating systems chosen for and on behalf of clients, following a set of requirements. Students will also be introduced to low-level machine language and data representation.
Designing for User Experience - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will gain the underpinning knowledge and skills required to design user centric applications combined with the experience of examining issues associates with UX and its impact on interface. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles for effective design and develop simple responsive usable interface using front end technologies and frameworks.
Applied Programming - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will expand on topics learned from the module Programming Concepts by considering how to solve more complex problems. To do this, they will investigate more advanced concepts such as modular and functional programming. Students will also begin to investigate the role of decomposition in building reusable components for programs.
Networking Fundamentals - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will gain knowledge and skills to be able describe and explain the benefits of computer networks to an organisation. They will identify network types, topologies, protocols and the major security threats and impacts of these on an organisation.
Project Management - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to project management principles, methodologies, and techniques that may be used in planning and managing a successful computing project to fulfil client needs. Students will develop project planning documents using techniques such as work breakdown structure, precedence tables, and activity network diagrams. Risk analysis and management will also be considered as these are key considerations of project management.
Applied Networking	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will gain knowledge and skills to be able to explain the benefits of computer networks to an organisation. They will be able to apply network protocols and IP addressing and identify network requirements, topologies, and the major security threats and impacts of these on an organisation.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
WBL Project - Networks and Cybersecurity - WHC	30 Credits	Compulsory
The Work Based Learning Project will give students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learnt in the course, with a live organisation, to propose an IT/Computing solution. Students will develop research, problem-solving, and professional skills. Students will be encouraged to build employer links and develop valuable commercial awareness.
Data Analysis and Database Design - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
To investigate the data requirements of a business problem, using data modelling techniques. A complete database design and implementation of a database solution, using database management systems along with perform basic database administration tasks and some complex query solutions using SQL for analysis on relational databases.
Computing in Organisations - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to provide a vital link between computing technologies and their practical use in businesses. Students will gain an understanding about needs and considerations of businesses, development of computing technologies and the wider environment.
Network Protocols and Cybersecurity - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explain the networking concepts and technologies that make the basis of the enterprise networks, and it will introduce the students to the characteristics of cybercrime, security principles, technologies, and procedures to defend networks. The focus of this module is on the architecture, components, and secure operations of routers and switches in a large and complex network. Students will be able to plan and configure single-area and multi-area OSPF, advanced features of EIGRP, Layer 2 and first-hop redundancy and Wireless LAN Security STP and RSTP operations in a switched network, VTP, link aggregation, EtherChannel, HSRP, wireless operations in an enterprise LAN and common attacks to wireless networks. Through interactive, multimedia content, lab activities, and multi-industry case studies, students will also be introduced to the cybersecurity world, including cybersecurity criminals, cybersecurity attacks, the cybersecurity profession, and the cybersecurity safeguards, technologies, policies and procedures.
WAN Protocols and Cybersecurity - WHC	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explain WAN networking concepts and WAN technologies that make the basis of the Internet and are used to connect WAN network segments. The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to use WAN technologies and protocols in given scenarios and apply basic WAN security concepts. A WAN network will be designed and built according to a set of instructions and requirements. Students will be introduced to WAN-based services, network management and network troubleshooting methodologies. They will be able to troubleshoot network implementation issues. Students will also be introduced to WAN security concepts, security best practices and will apply methods for threat mitigation. Students will also be introduced to types of cybersecurity threats to wide area networks and the defence techniques to ensure high system and network availability. Additionally, students will be introduced to automation for daily tasks in network management operations.
Web Technologies	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module focuses on the fundamentals of web technology and IoT, covering data formats, web and IoT architecture components, and web security for API data. Students will also explore the importance of using scripting languages for creating programmable web application and utilising simulated environment for creating smart network using IoT.

Course fact sheets
FdSc Computing Technologies (Networks and Cybersecurity)	Download

Programme specifications
FdSc Computing Technologies (Networks and Cybersecurity)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	West Herts College

How to apply?

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
23/09/2025 31/05/2026 1 West Herts College Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2025 31/05/2026 2 West Herts College Apply online (Full Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
23/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 West Herts College Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2026 31/05/2027 2 West Herts College Apply online (Full Time)
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £6165 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £6165 for the 2025/2026 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2025	31/05/2026	2	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2026	31/05/2027	1	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2026	31/05/2027	2	West Herts College	Apply online (Full Time)

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FdSc Computing Technologies (Networks and Cybersecurity) (West Herts College)

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: I120

Institute code: H36

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

What's the course about?

Progression to the University’s Degree Programmes:

2025

2026

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation