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Grwp NPTC Group · Undergraduate
HND Computing Foundation degree at Grwp NPTC Group
HND Computing at Grwp NPTC Group. The qualification is nationally recognised. You'll study core computing principles alongside practical, industry-focused modules.
HND
Award
2
Years
Full-time
Study mode
75%
continuation
About this course
HND Computing is a Foundation degree (HND) at Grwp NPTC Group, based in Neath College. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Computer Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
7.5
/ 10
1 of 3 official measures
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Strong75
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 75% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 8 modules
- Programming
- Networking
- Database Design and Development
- Security
- Software Development Lifecycles
- Website Design and Development
- Planning a Computing Project
- Professional Practice
Year 2 19 modules
- Computing Research Project
- Business Intelligence
- Database Management Systems
- Application DevelopmentOptional
- Application Program InterfacesOptional
- User Experience & Interface DesignOptional
- Games DevelopmentOptional
- Internet of ThingsOptional
- Virtual & Augmented Reality DevelopmentOptional
- RoboticsOptional
- Cloud ComputingOptional
- Network SecurityOptional
- ForensicsOptional
- Operating SystemsOptional
- Applied Cryptography in the CloudOptional
- Client/Server Computing SystemsOptional
- E-Commerce & StrategyOptional
- Big Data Analytics and VisualisationOptional
- Digital Technologies as a Catalyst for ChangeOptional
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the core principles and practice of computing, moving from foundational programming and systems knowledge to applied specialism. Year 1 typically covers programming fundamentals (usually in Python and Java), computer systems and architecture, and discrete mathematics for computing. Year 2 builds to algorithms and data structures, databases and software engineering, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. You'll usually have the option to specialise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems and networks, or human-computer interaction. In your final year, you'll typically undertake specialist options aligned to your chosen pathway and complete a substantial supervised software project.
Who it's for
This course suits school leavers and career-changers seeking a practical, applied computing qualification. Most entrants hold A-levels or equivalent. You should be comfortable with technical problem-solving and keen to develop hands-on skills in contemporary computing areas. The two-year structure allows you to enter the workforce or progress to top-up degrees relatively quickly.
University & format
This HND Computing is studied full-time over 2 years at Neath College, part of Grwp NPTC Group, a recognised UK degree-awarding body. The course is taught in English and leads to a foundation degree award. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent35% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Grwp NPTC Group's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 35% |
| an Access course | 30% |
| another higher-education qualification | 15% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 10% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Grwp NPTC Group whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Internationalset by the university
Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Grwp NPTC Group →If you normally live in Wales
Living at homeup to £10,685 / yr
Away from home, outside Londonup to £12,590 / yr
Away from home, in Londonup to £15,720 / yr
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All Grwp NPTC Group funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduates with course costs
Check eligibility →undergraduates lacking digital connectivity
Check eligibility →students with disabilities
Check eligibility →undergraduates seeking career development
Check eligibility →students progressing from constituent colleges
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
75%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
- 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
- 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,000 – £35,000
After 3 years LEO
£23,375 – £33,000
After 5 years LEO
£29,750 – £42,000
national rangeaxis £22,000 – £43,500
National figures for Computer Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
75 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Job market & outlook
How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Computer Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Boilerplate and scaffolding code
- First-pass tests and docs
- Routine debugging and refactors
- Standard data wrangling
More human than ever
- System design and architecture trade-offs
- Reviewing and owning correctness & security
- Translating fuzzy problems into software
- Leading delivery and mentoring
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Computer Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Tech companies
- Banks & fintech
- Consultancies
- Government (GDS) & startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Computer Science graduates.
Software Developer Placement Programme No experience neededIT Online LearningSoftware Developer - .NET & Azure for Green Energy ProjectsOfgemSoftware Developer Backend (SFIA5)ZaiziSoftware Developer (Mobile Apps) in Guildford - ECM Selection (Holdings) LimitedJava Script WorksSoftware Developer (Contract) – Higher Education Projects (UK)Burman RecruitmentSoftware Developer – Distributed Scheduling & Workload OrchestrationCGG Services (UK) LimitedLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.5 out of 10: continued 75%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Grŵp NPTC Group
All students110
International0%
Aged 25+45.5%
Computing across the UK
Students205,990
Aged 25+31.2%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Neath College
575 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 214Anti Social Behaviour 84Public Order 83Shoplifting 61Criminal Damage Arson 38
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Grwp NPTC Group from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Grwp NPTC Group; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Grwp NPTC Group’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Grwp NPTC Group and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Grwp NPTC Group
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Grwp NPTC Group. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for Computer Science below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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