Cloud and Network Computing BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons)

UCAS code I798

Study options Award

Duration

3 Years

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Gain a detailed understanding of network communications specialising fully in physical and Cloud based technologies. You will focus on Cyber Security, Programming, Software Development, Data Applications, Project Management, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (through Amazon AWS, Juniper, and CISCO technologies).

Most companies rely on networking for their day-to-day work. As every second counts, they can’t afford the technology to fail.

That’s where the specialist skills you’ll learn on our BSc (Hons) Cloud and Networking Computing course come into play. We’ll teach you how to create secure, extremely reliable and easily scalable networks, using our own networking equipment.

You’ll be doing things for real, rather than just learning the theory. It will include completing live briefs, taking part in hackathons and setting up your own simulated companies.

Many of our students also opt for a paid placement year, which gives them the chance to work in industry before they graduate. These exciting experiences can be with companies locally, nationally or internationally.

We’ll give you the fundamental skills to become an expert in the configuration, design, implementation and evaluation of networked systems and devices.

The course also has a key focus on cloud technologies. Lots of companies are now using cloud capacity to store vital information and everything has to get to and from the third-party cloud provider.

You’ll delve into databases, serverless technology and how to build cloud infrastructure so you can pursue a career in this rapidly growing field. You can also explore the cloud environment with your own AWS account.

You will cover a range of related disciplines too, including cyber security, programming, software development and artificial intelligence.

This hands-on experience is one of the reasons why we are ranked in the Top 25 for student satisfaction in Computer Science (Guardian University Guide 2023).

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Cloud and Network Computing

Work placements

Each year, around 200 students from across our computing courses are placed with leading names in the industry, both in the UK and abroad.

Firms include Sky, CERN, BAE Systems, BMW and IBM, along with AWS, Cisco and Juniper. Students have also been placed with companies such as Options IT, which keeps the infrastructure running for the London Stock Exchange.

Destinations have included companies in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and the US. Closer to home, we also work with firms such as bet365 and TopCashback.

Placement opportunities will be made available through our Careers team and will range from companies based locally, nationally, and internationally.

Course content

LEVEL 3 - Addresses study skills, data analytics, networks and cyber, artificial intelligence, programming, hardware, and personal computing projects.

LEVEL 4 - Covers computer architecture, operating systems, algorithms, programming, networks and cloud computing, artificial intelligence and software development, data and databases, and cyber security.

LEVEL 5 - Topics include project management, machine learning and AI, cloud infrastructure, data analytics, advanced networks, and automation.

LEVEL 6 - Includes a dissertation, negotiated certification, cloud technologies, hardware, IoT, and security.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Algorithms And Programming Concepts	20 credits
Cloud And Cyber	20 credits
Computer Architecture And Operating Systems Design	20 credits
Data And Distributed Systems	20 credits
Networks And Communications	20 credits
Software Development	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Networking	20 credits
Automation	20 credits
Cloud Infrastructure And Design	20 credits
Data Analytics	20 credits
Machine Learning And Ai	20 credits
Professional Practice And Project Management	20 credits

Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Cloud Architecture	20 credits
Dissertation	40 credits
Low-Level, Hardware, And Iot Security	20 credits
Negotiated Studies	20 credits
Network And Cloud Security	20 credits

Progression routes to masters

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

Facilities

Data Junction

Housing our Computer Science and Cyber Security programmes, this mega laboratory is truly ‘plugged in'.

The Hall

Integrate yourself with the buzz of digital technologies in The Hall, a space dedicated to discussion and meetings. This flexible space can be configured to suit the needs of up to 30 students, with electrical points and multiple seating areas.

Knowledge Exchange 1 & 2

One of the main teaching spaces within the Digital Loft, Knowledge 1 and 2 has banks of dual screen monitors running industry-standard graphics cards.

Careers

Cloud technologies are a major growth area and there is huge demand for skilled networking specialists as well. It means your degree will make you highly employable.

Possible careers include becoming a computer network architect, network administrator, cloud infrastructure analyst or a cloud network engineer.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

This course will predominantly teach you through formal lecture session and practical classes. Lectures will deliver theoretical knowledge to you. Practical sessions will be used to take this theory and put it into practice and may take the form of programming or technology related activity, presentations and seminars, and 'live' brief exercises.

Assessment

This course has a rich diet of assessment methods, of which each is chosen to map to the teaching and expected learning. On this course you will undertake assessments of the following: Class tests (up to 1 hour, Examinations (up to 2 hours), Practical assignment work (individual or group-based), Portfolio of work, Report (individual or group-based, and Presentations (individual or group-based)

Learning support

Tutors will support students throughout their modules in class time. Outside of this there will be support surgery sessions, additional class activities, as well as the option to request individual 1-2-1 sessions

Additional support

On joining students with additional needs will have these assessed prior to starting their modules to determine how additional support can be put in place for them. Where possible staff will always make reasonable adjustments to provide the best learning experience possible.

Feedback

Students will receive provisional feedback on each of their assessments within 20-days. Provisional grades are fed into progress and award boards in order that student achievement can be gauged. After each board students will receive formal notification as to how well they are doing and that they have passed all modules. If they do not pass all modules a retrieve opportunity will be presented to them.

Module descriptors will provide you with a clear breakdown as to time spent inside classes and outside of them. The normal mode of module delivery is to have a lecture followed by a practical session.

Independent learning

For each of your modules you will undertake activities outside of classes to enhance in class learning. This can include programming tasks, design activity, group-work, reading, research, and testing activities.

Staff

The staff within the Department are all specialist in Computer Science and its attendant sub-disciplines. You will be taught by Professors, Doctors, as well as staff that have a wealth of industrial experience. You will find that staff will hold certifications, and are qualified as instructors (e.g. in AWS - Amazon Web Services, Cisco, XRY, Encase or Microsoft).

Dr Vahid Heydari Fami Tafreshi

Course Director - Computer Science

Vahid is a passionate researcher and course director specialising in Computing courses at the London campus. He leads the BSc and MSc Cyber Security courses, focusing on Internet Protocols, Architectures, Cybersecurity, and IoT Security.

Vahid's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£9,250 per year of study	£16,750 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
Students should purchase a standard laptop or desktop PC to help with their studies whilst at the university. It is recommended students purchase a laptop

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by visiting: www.gov.uk

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Staffordshire University London	BSc (Hons)	Full-time	22 September 2025	Apply now

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Staffordshire University London	BSc (Hons)	Full-time, with a placement year	22 September 2025	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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