CLOUD COMPUTING,ANALYTICS AND SECURITY FOR INDUSTRY Level 5 Foundation Degree

Level 5
Higher Education
Newry Campus
Portadown Campus
The Open University

Overview

This Level 5 Foundation Degree aims to produce graduates who can apply their understanding, experience and specialist skills to the modern computing industry to be economically valuable within the Northern Ireland and UK economy and beyond.

This programme will produce graduates of the highest academic quality with the knowledge and skills required to work in the rapidly evolving field of cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. This foundation degree prepares students for careers in industries that rely heavily on cloud-based technologies and data-driven decision-making. Graduates will gain computing and transferrable skills which will enable them to develop new concepts, ideas and solutions that will add value and inform the strategic direction of an organisation. The proposed modules provide a perfect balance between required core skills and new and emerging skills required for industry.

Ongoing consultation with employers ensures industrial relevance of the programme and provides preparation for a range of diverse career paths. An integral part of the programme is work-based learning and in year 3, students will undertake a supervised work placement over approximately 12 weeks.

The taught modules are delivered by experienced lecturing staff. Students will have classes for 10 hours per week, comprising of lectures, practical sessions and some blended learning. In addition, students will also be expected to undertake independent study of approximately 12 hours per week.

Further information on Open University regulations can be found at this link or below.

Cloud Computing, Analytics & Security for Industry Programme Specification

SRC HE Attendance Guidelines

SRC OU Admissions Guidelines

SRC OU Assessment Handbook

SRC OU Extenuating Circumstances Procedures

SRC OU RPL Guidelines

SRC Student Protection Plan

SRC Regulations for Validated Awards

The over-riding consideration in admitting applicants to the course, is evidence that the learner or apprentice is likely to be able to complete the course satisfactorily.

Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft Teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course.

Applicants should normally have obtained a minimum of 48 UCAS points achieved through the completion of A-Levels, National Awards, Access or other alternative approved level 3 qualifications.
Applicants must have attained at least 15 points at Level 2 or above (e.g. GCSE) or have alternative approved qualifications. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English Language.

The College’s Admissions Policy reflects the expectations of the UK Quality Code May 2023. Please note that applicants progressing to higher education courses at Level 4 and above in the College or UK Universities may require a specific GCSE/A-Level profile. In some cases, the Essential Skills in Literacy and Numeracy may not be a suitable alternative to a GCSE. The list of acceptable qualifications for equivalency to English and mathematics for Ulster University is available from the following link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/entrance-requirements#eng. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.

The entrance criteria above may change subject to awarding body regulations. The College reserves the right to enhance the entrance requirements where demand exceeds the number of available places. In addition, where places remain available the College reserves the right to offer places to candidates with a profile less than that listed above.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria outlined above but have evidence of substantial knowledge or relevant industrial experience and skills, which has not been formally assessed, should refer to the College’s Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) Procedure.

For further detail on our entry requirements please review our Admissions Policy & Criteria.

Modules of study will include the following:

Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals
Introduction to Networking
Database Design and Development for Cloud
IoT Development
Introduction to Virtualisation Technologies
Mobile Development
Cloud Computing
Cyber Security
Data Analytics
AI Fundamentals
Work Based Learning

Students will be assessed by a combination of exams, practical assessments and coursework.

Where the exam/awarding body fee is listed as TBC in the full fee breakdown, the information has not yet been released by our partner awarding bodies for 25/26. This fee will be updated as soon as it becomes available.

Fees displayed for each course represent fees to be charged for year 1 of each programme. Please note that fees may increase in year 2 or 3 of the course. Read more in our Fees Policy at https://www.src.ac.uk/about-us...

Students may wish to progress onto the Level 6 BSc (Hons) Degree in Computing for Industry offered at SRC (in collaboration with Open University). Students may also progress to other degree programmes, dependent on the entry requirements. This may include areas such as cloud computing, data analytics and cybersecurity or professional and specialised programmes in solutions architecture, cloud architecture, CompTIA or analytics professional.

On completion of this foundation degree, students will have gained a strong foundation in cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. This qualification opens up various career opportunities in industries that heavily rely on cloud technologies, data-driven decision-making, and robust security measures. Potential roles may include:

Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Security Specialist
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Data Engineer

Faculty of Computing, Design & Academic Studies

FacultyCDAC@src.ac.uk 028 3025 9686

Portadown Campus

Apply

P2946PD
Code

Part Time
Mode of Study

Day
Class Type

3 Years
Duration

10.00
Hours Per Week

08/09/2025 09:00
Start Date & Time

Mon
Day/s

TBC
Total Full Fee Per Year

Full Fee Breakdown

Course Fee

£800

Exam/Awarding Body Fee

TBC

Total Fee

TBC

Fees Payable Each Year

Newry Campus

Apply

P4084ND
Code

Part Time
Mode of Study

Day
Class Type

3 Years
Duration

10.00
Hours Per Week

09/09/2025 09:00
Start Date & Time

Mon
Day/s

TBC
Total Full Fee Per Year

Full Fee Breakdown

Course Fee

£800

Exam/Awarding Body Fee

TBC

Total Fee

TBC

Fees Payable Each Year

2 Available Sessions

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