Computer Networking
Award
BSc (Hons)
Duration & study mode
4 years full-time, typically 6 years part-time
Location
Paisley
Additional information
Ucas code
H601
Course starting dates
-
Paisley: September
Whether you are waiting on results or already have them, you can get ahead by registering your interest now. You can also check out our Clearing webpage where you can search our courses in Clearing, hear from our students and get all the University Clearing info you need.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN CLEARING Learn more about Clearing at UWS
The BSc (Hons) Computer Networking is professionally recognised by the British Computer Society.
It will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to work in this exciting and ever-evolving field and help keep all aspects of modern life connected.
You’ll discover how networking hardware and software work together to keep people and organisations connected, and support the wide range of services we expect our networks to provide.
You'll cover the curriculum of the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) professional certification, explore Windows and Unix/Linux system administration, and learn about data security, cloud computing and network management.
Our Programme Leaders have recorded videos to help you discover all there is to know about our courses. From professional accreditation to programme modules and career opportunities, our Programme Leaders will help answer all your questions. You can view the video for this course by clicking the link below.
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) as fully meeting the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. It is also recognised by the BCS, on behalf of the Engineering Council, as fully meeting the academic requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Part-time students must complete their studies within 6 years to gain BCS recognition.*
*subject to re-accreditation approval
Find out more about the BCS
Our labs are equipped with virtualisation technology which provide you with administrative privileges to manage virtual machines connected to secondary physical networking in the room, connected to a range of physical network infrastructure, including routers and switches.
You may undertake full- or part-time placements in a commercial organisation; in recent years students have undertaken placements with Baillie-Gifford, DfID and Peugeot-Citroen.
Computing courses at UWS are designed in collaboration with leading companies to produce work-ready graduates with the skills that industry needs.
We work with major industry leaders to give our students work-based learning opportunities to put their knowledge into practice. Our students graduate ready for career success in this fast-changing, dynamic industry.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. UWS courses available are:
Computing topics include basic web authoring and the operation of computing hardware and software, moving on to studies include exploring the Windows and Unix/Linux system administration, data security and the operation of networks.
Computing topics include basic web authoring and the operation of computing hardware and software.
You will examine networking infrastructure, such as routers and switches and undertake a group project or placement. At the end of second year, you will be ready to sit the industry-recognised CCNA certification.
Studies include exploring the Windows and Unix/Linux system administration, data security and the operation of networks and preparation for your Honours project.
You may take a paid full-time placement over a minimum 36 weeks duration, leading to a sandwich award. This can be taken between years 2 and 3 or years 3 and 4.
You will study more advanced networking topics, including wireless networks, virtualisation, security and network automation, and undertake a network project designed to integrate your knowledge and skills.
This course can also be studied part-time (day release only). Please contact us for more information.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Given the practical nature of this programme, much of the class contact time is spent in the lab, with lectures and tutorials to present and underpin more theoretical areas. A wide range of assessments are used, including practical assessments, technical report writing, individual and group project work, presentations and (in later years) examinations.
Graduates of this degree work in companies including BT, Fanduel, Google, HP, IBM, Iomart and Morgan Stanley in a wide variety of roles mainly relating to network infrastructure management.
UWS is a member of the Cisco Network Academy and AWS Academy programmes.
Lecturers on the BSc Computer Networking and MEng Cyber Security are members of the University’s Audio-Visual Communications and Network Research Group, which is particularly active in the areas of 5G mobile network technologies, cybersecurity, cloud computing and virtualisation and the Internet of Things.
You can be certain that you will benefit from this practical, applied nature of the expertise of the academic staff in Computer Networking.
Remote surgery, driverless cars and smooth mobile HD streaming could all become a reality thanks to pioneering research taking place at UWS.
UWS computing researchers Jose Alcaraz-Calero and Qi Wang are the technical leads on the SELFNET project, which is developing a ‘self-healing’ mobile network.
The new network is 1,000 times faster than 4G, delivering dramatic improvements to quality of user experience, reliability and security – and unlocking a wealth of new online opportunities.
”SELFNET will allow 5G networks to make possible things that would have been considered science fiction just a few years ago.”
As part of this course, you will hear from PhD students who are working on the 5G mobile project, and the course content will be updated to reflect the findings of this work.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£15,500 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,590 per module (20 credits)
£1,590 per module (20 credits)
£2,580 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,790 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,790 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£16,275 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,630 per module (20 credits)
£1,630 per module (20 credits)
£2,710 per module (20 credits)
Estimated cost per year of study.
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS. You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
UK students
Our enquiry team is here to help: ask@uws.ac.uk
International students
Contact our dedicated international team: international@uws.ac.uk
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.