About this course
Programming, science and maths – the building blocks you’ll focus during your foundation year, preparing you to move onto BSc (Hons) Data Science in your second year.
You’ll take part in a series of individual and group projects alongside your modules. It’s a hands-on way of learning that will develop your problem solving and creative thinking skills and helps to build other transferable skills such as team-working.
At NTU, we understand that big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are transforming industries. That's why our goal is to equip you with the skills and knowledge to become an expert in data science.
Through our comprehensive program, you will develop a strong foundation in computer science, enabling you to extract valuable insights from data. Using a diverse set of statistical, algorithmic, and predictive tools, you will gain the ability to transform raw data into practical and actionable information, capable of predicting trends and driving outcomes.
Are you ready to take on the challenges presented by big data and artificial intelligence? Our curriculum will empower you to develop data-driven solutions that optimize business processes, as well as harness the power of data to support human decision-making.
But our approach goes beyond theory. You will have hands-on experience, applying your knowledge in real-world scenarios with a focus on the industrial application of computational intelligence. This practical experience, combined with the technical nature of our course, will prepare you to actively engage in industrial, commercial, scientific, and technological research and development of intelligent systems.
If you find data science isn’t for you, we can support you to move into one of our other computer science courses at the end of your foundation year.
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97% of our mathematics students were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21). -
Join our Mathematics Society, and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in regular events hosted on campus by the local branch of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. -
We offer a number of short placements in one of our research teams. It's a great opportunity to further your research interests and contribute to the activities of the mathematics department.
What you’ll study
From natural science, through the business, finance and retail sectors to social networking and mobile devices, computer-based systems now generate huge volumes of data almost continuously. The rapid emergence of ‘Big Data’ brings challenges: there is now an urgent need for graduates skilled in the sophisticated mathematical and computational techniques required for large-scale data analysis.
This bespoke course has been developed in conjunction with specialists in Data Science and sits at the interface of mathematics, statistics and computer science. You'll develop key computer science skills, becoming proficient in several programming languages as well as database design. You will also learn extensive mathematical and statistical theories and techniques, applying this knowledge to a range of problems linked to processing data.
An optional placement year is available, this will typically take place after Year Three, and you will return to campus for your final year in Year Five.
Study abroad opportunities
Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.
Introductory Mathematics (20 Credit Points)
This module underpins everything you’ll learn on this course. You’ll study important mathematical ideas, including Algebraic rearrangement, Trigonometry, Vectors, Descriptive Statistics, Integration and Differentiation. Taking an applied approach, you’ll be using modern software (principally Excel) and by the end of the module you will be able to solve simple, but realistic, Mathematical problems.
Computational Mathematics (20 CP)
Introducing ideas and skills which cross Mathematics, Physics and Computing, you’ll be applying concepts using software such as Excel and Matlab. You’ll learn how to write simple code and develop computational language skills which are needed to understand more complex topics and solutions.
Introduction to Programming (20 CP)
Learning how to program using Python will be split into two parts. Firstly, you’ll study core Python such as text strings, functions, objects and classes etc. In the second part you’ll look at maths-related Python libraries such as matplotlib (for creating visualisations) and statistics and scipy.stats (for statistical analysis).
Foundation Engineering (20 CP)
You’ll be introduced to basic electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering. Mechanics looks at the consequences of forces; the electrical and electronics part focuses on scientific principles of circuit theory, analogue electronics and components. Laboratory-based sessions will allow you to gain practical knowledge and experience.
Practical and Professional Skills (40 CP)
A series of small projects, each focusing on a different stage of the project lifecycle (research, design, development, testing, evaluation) will draw on the mathematical and scientific skills learned in other modules. You’ll develop professional skills from working on these projects such as time management, referencing, report writing and data protection. These skills prepare you for the rest of your course and your future career.
Foundations of Computer Programming
You will be introduced to the approaches for planning and developing programmes using modern high-level language. Working on developing solutions through programming that tackle real-world problems, you’ll develop the key fundamentals you’ll build on throughout your course.
Foundations of Computer Technology and Mathematics
This module builds essential knowledge for your course, covering computer system fundamentals and mathematical reasoning. You'll develop an understanding of how computers work at a fundamental level while enhancing problem-solving skills through mathematics.
Computer Science Programming
Learn about programming languages relevant to software with industrial scale, reliability and performance characteristics.
Computer Technology and Mathematics
Understand how a computer works, look at issues arising from the hardware architecture and extend your mathematical knowledge and ability.
Systems Analysis and Design (SAD)
Introducing you to the fundamental principles of SAD, this module gives you a working knowledge of key systems development methodologies, techniques and tools.
Academic and Professional Development
This module will enable you to learn about the professional bodies and standards relating to the computing profession, and enhance your employability potential by increasing your awareness of the technological, social and economic factors driving the IT industry.
Practical Project Management and Professional Development (20 credit points)
Continued professional development and lifelong learning are important to your future career. Through this module you’ll improve your time and project management skills, presentations and report writing. This module also includes detailed guidance about the development of your CV and provides experience of selection assessments for industrial placement/graduate employment positions.
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (20 credit points)
The rate at which data is being stored is growing at a phenomenal rate and many businesses are struggling to analyse and make sense of this vast collection of data. This module will introduce you to a number of ‘machine learning’ techniques to process and discover patterns in data.
Data Analytics Techniques and Programming (20 credit points)
The rate at which data is being stored is growing at a phenomenal rate and many businesses are struggling to analyse and make sense of this vast collection of data. This module will introduce you to a number of techniques to process and discover patterns in data.
Information and Database Engineering (20 credit points)
Understand the nature and application of database management systems and acquire skills for database administration and management.
Probability and Statistical Inference (20 credit points)
Refine your knowledge of statistical inference and statistical modelling and further develop essential computational and IT skills.
Data and Information Security (20 credit points)
Gain an awareness of the regulations and responsibilities that organisations must uphold during processing and capturing data. You’ll study potential security risks associated with data storage and learn the skills to mitigate these risks.
Project (40 credit points)
Investigate problems in computing, implement solutions, critically evaluate and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage.
Distributed Database Engineering (20 credit points)
Study the processes, techniques and technologies that data scientists use to support the challenging workloads for data science.
Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (20 credit points)
Consider how organisations manage the integration of key operational decisions such as improving client services, optimising internal business operations, and introducing new services based on insights from analytics. You’ll cover data visualisation and the importance of user experience when designing interfaces and learn how to use appropriate tools to display information efficiently.
Artificial Intelligence (20 credit points)
Learn about the theoretical foundations of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the main methods and techniques and current areas of AI research and development.
Optional modules
Information Systems Management (20 credit points)
Learn how to manage the build and deployment of enterprise and Internet information systems in small to medium organisations.
Applied Statistics (20 credit points)
Extends your experience of statistical techniques and methodologies, applying them in various industrial and commercial contexts.
Communicating Science and Technology (20 credit points)
An opportunity for you to gain valuable transferable skills working as a ‘student-tutor’ with teachers in local schools or to work on a community-based project.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- workshops - this includes surgery sessions where you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.
The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study, you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods including coursework, which will reflect methods industry requirements and practical and written assessments.
An assessment and feedback schedule will be provided at the start of each year to allow you to plan your time. Timely and constructive feedback will be given and you’ll be encouraged to understand and act on it, and to set targets for future learning and assessment.
Coursework assessments will provide work-like experience in software development projects, including the use of industry-standard integrated development environment and testing packages, and the application of project management methodologies. Employers supply real-world projects and are invited as guest speakers to give technical or professional development presentations.
Careers and employability
Your career development
You’ll graduate from this course with a broad range of skills and knowledge that are applicable to many computing-related fields. In particular, you’ll be prepared with the key skills and knowledge essential to design data driven solutions and face the challenges of the emerging smart technologies and machine.
This course is also provides an ideal foundation for postgraduate study.
Excellent placement opportunities
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including L’Oreal, IBM and Mercedes. They secured varied roles such as Business Analyst, Demand and Forecasting Assistant and IT Intern.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Centre (ISTeC) with access to facilities including a Games Development Lab Robotics lab and a High Performance Computing Suite.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 72 UCAS Tariff points from up to three A-levels or equivalent qualifications
- Other requirements: GCSE Maths grade B / 6 and English grade C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 72 UCAS Tariff points from up to three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- Other requirements: GCSE Maths grade B / 6 and English grade C / 4
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
