HND Computer Science Foundation degree at UHI
HND Computer Science at UHI. The award is nationally recognised through the UK degree-awarding body framework. You'll develop practical and theoretical knowledge in computer science, with the option to specialise in areas such as Software Engineering, Data Science, AI…
About this course
HND Computer Science is a Foundation degree (HND) at UHI, based in UHI Argyll,UHI Inverness,UHI Moray,UHI North West Hebrides,UHI Orkney,UHI Perth,UHI Shetland. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Computer science graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 40% in highly skilled roles. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
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.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 80% (2022-23; 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 1 modules
- HNC ComputingCore15 credits
Year 2 15 modules
- HND computing: graded unit 2
- Managing a web server
- Relational database management systems
- Developing websites for multiplatform use
- Computer networks: building local area networksOptional
- Computer forensics fundamentalsOptional
- Data securityOptional
- Configuring a desktop operating systemOptional
- Human computer interactionOptional
- Mathematics for computingOptional
- Software development: developing small scale standalone appsOptional
- Software development: object oriented programmingOptional
- Mobile technologyOptional
- Private cloud virtualisationOptional
- Network security conceptsOptional
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 Computer Science over two years, building from programming foundations to specialist areas. A course like this typically begins with programming fundamentals in languages such as Python and Java, alongside computer systems, architecture and discrete mathematics. Year 2 usually moves into algorithms, data structures, databases and software engineering, then introduces artificial intelligence and machine learning. Throughout, you'll normally move towards specialist options such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems and networks, or human-computer interaction. Most courses include a substantial supervised project in which you design and evaluate a software system, often drawing on the specialisms you've chosen.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking a practical computing qualification with flexibility across multiple locations. Around 30% of recent entrants held another higher-education qualification, so it welcomes both direct school leavers and those returning to study. If you're based in Scotland's Highlands, Islands or central belt, the distributed campus model offers accessible study options without relocation.
Careers & job market
Across Computer Science courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those working, 75% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their education. National earnings data shows starting salaries typically range from £25,000 to £35,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £29,750–£42,000 after five years. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
University & format
This HND Computer Science is delivered full-time over 2 years by the University of the Highlands and Islands, a university with campuses across multiple locations including UHI Argyll, UHI Inverness, UHI Moray, UHI North West Hebrides, UHI Orkney, UHI Perth and UHI Shetland. Taught in English, the qualification is a nationally recognised foundation degree awarded by a recognised UK degree-awarding body. The course qualifies you to progress to further study or enter employment in computing roles.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 57%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| another higher-education qualification | 30% |
| A-levels or equivalent | 20% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 20% |
| Other | 20% |
| a previous degree | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
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.
- 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.
Fees & funding
UHI publishes tuition by domicile, award level, study mode and delivery. Use the individual course page for the exact year-by-year fee.
Published UHI fee framework
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years after | £18,500 | £14,500 – £22,500 | 125 |
| 5 years after | £23,500 | £18,000 – £29,000 | 170 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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
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.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Computer Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,820 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Protective service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 45; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How 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) LimitedIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Fees and funding
UHI publishes tuition by domicile, award level, study mode and delivery. Use the individual course page for the exact year-by-year fee.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 82.3% · in work or study 90% · continued 80%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of the Highlands and Islands
Computing across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
Related courses
More at UHI
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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