Online BSc in Computing Top-up
12-24 months
Online
Tuition: GBP 6,200
Paid Monthly: GBP 345
Intakes: May 2026
Deadline: 4 May 2026
Course overview
The Online BSc in Computing Top-up Degree constitutes the final year of a Bachelor of Science in Computing.
The heavy reliance on computers, automated processes and systems designed to perform repetitive tasks are now integral components of modern society. As a result, a growing number of organisations require employees with computational technology and computing skills in their day-to-day operations. The Online BSc in Computing Top-up degree teaches student practical skills that apply computing technology across a wide range of industries. It teaches students the ability to use computers to problem-solve, combining design skills and key systems analysis in software engineering to apply programming skills on topics such as Internet Technology or Artificial Intelligence.
This Online BSc in Computing Top-up Degree course enables you to ‘top-up’ your Associate degree, diploma, undergraduate certificate or equivalent in computing or a related field to a full UK Bachelors of Science in Computing degree. Gain an understanding of computing techniques, tools and current practices across a diverse range of application areas. This will allow students to develop a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of a computing system including design, development, analysis, testing and evaluation. Regardless of your industry specialisation, an Online BSc in Computing degree will always be relevant and always in demand.
Online BSc in Computing Top-up
Online BSc in Computing Top-up
Assessment
- A range of topic–appropriate assessment methods will be used across the modules including the following: group project, development tasks, reports, quizzes and exam.
Benefits
This course is taught entirely online, allowing candidates to study the degree while continuing to work. Learn PRINCE2 and other related methodologies required to mange information systems projects, covering resource scheduling, progress estimation and more.
Understand the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence covering heuristics, local search optimisation, problem solving using search functions and solving CSPs.
Career path
Graduates from the Online BSc in Computing Top-up Degree have found employment as Software Engineers, Software Developers, Software Analysts and in IT support functions in private and government organisations. Graduates have also gone on to successfully place in Management trainee programmes with MNC’s.
Academic progression
Eligibility
Candidates wishing to apply for this course must meet the following requirements;
- an HND in Computing or Computer Science (or equivalent)
- have successfully achieved 240 SCQF credits or equivalent of which a minimum of 120 credits are at SCQF level 8 or equivalent
- If English is not your first language, an IELTS of 6.0 may be requested
Recognition of Prior Learning is available for this course and candidates with relevant work experience will be considered on a case by case basis.
Core module
The module is largely based on the first three sections of “Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach” (3rd edition) by Russell and Norvig. The indicative content is as follows:
- Introduction: What is AI? History of AI and the state of the art.
- Agents: An introduction to agents, their behaviours and structure
- Searching: Problem solving by searching, heuristics, local search and optimisation and adversarial search
- Constraint satisfaction problems: defining and solving CSPs
- Logic: Propositional logic, first-order logic
- Planning: Definition and solving of planning problems.
Managing information systems projects using PRINCE2 and related project management methodologies. Applying tools for project design, resource scheduling, team working and progress estimation in a real-world:
- Project scenario
- Project justification
- Examination of the causes of project failures
- Team roles and dynamics
- The role of the project manager
- Professional and legal issues and obligations
The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge, understanding, and practice of modern software delivery. The module focuses on the theory and practice of DevOps – the combination of software development and software operations. This integration focuses on continuous delivery and improvement of the software development process through modern tools and practices, combining agile methods and lean concepts. The module is very process based and although it requires the development and delivery of a software product, it is the process of development and delivery that will be examined.
The module will focus on the methods to support the DevOps pipeline:
- Version control and workflow.
- Continuous integration and delivery.
- Requirements and issue tracking.
- Task management using Kanban and pull-based scheduling.
- UML and Model-Driven Development.
- Unit Testing and Test-Driven Development.
- Deployment.
- Bug reporting and tracking.
- Ethics, professionalism, and security.
Learning Outcomes for module:
Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Demonstrate best practice in modern DevOps scenarios.
LO2: Evaluate DevOps principles to ensure effective software delivery.
LO3: Execute a DevOps process to deliver a software product.
LO4: Simulate modern real-world software delivery using DevOps tools.
LO5: Evaluate security and professional requirements of software development.
Description of module content:
- Overview of technologies involved in the development of web sites
- Basic networking protocols for the Internet
- Web page design and development
- Client & server side programming using PHP & Javascript
The module covers these aspects of databases:
- Database theory: The relational model is a mathematical construct, and some of the basic concepts can be very useful in understanding the way the technology behaves. This is particularly true for the more technical students who go on to study data warehouses and data mining. Basic set theory and the ANSI-SPARC three level architectural model are covered in this part.
- Database design: A key skill for software engineers and for business analysts is to be able to create an efficient relational model of an application context. The design methods specific to relational databases including entity-relationship diagrams and normalisation are covered here.
- Database use: The most fundamental database skill is to be able to retrieve required data using well-designed queries. The main vehicle for this is SQL, and this theme is developed over all teaching weeks. As well as learning SQL in isolation using online teaching materials, you will also have access to a stand-alone database application where you can construct your own schema and design and perform your own SQL queries. As part of this theme, other uses of SQL will be introduced which demonstrate its relationship with programming and Web application design.
- Database administration: The database administrator (DBA) is a vital role in any information technology department. Some of the main DBA responsibilities will be examined as part of this theme, and you will carry out basic administrative tasks such as backing up and restoring databases. The use of scripts to automate database management processes will also be covered.
- Non-relational database systems: While the focus of the module is on relational databases you will learn about some alternatives technologies such as NoSQL.
- Security: You will learn about some of the threats to database security and availability. Access to a fast, secure enterprise-wide database is essential for many organisation. You will learn techniques to protect database resources from accidental or deliberate damage or disclosure; these include password hashing and SQL injection protection.
(note this module is under development and content may change)*
Description of module content:
- This module will comprise a mix of Software Development and Algorithms & Data Structures topics.
Course fee
Global:
- Course Fee: GBP 6,200
- Monthly Fee**: GBP 345
Africa & Emerging Market*:
- Course Fee: GBP 6,200
- Stafford Grant: GBP 600
- Net Course Fee: GBP 5,600
- Monthly Fee**: GBP 315
Canada Currency Options:
- Course Fee: CAD 11,600/ GBP 6,100
- Monthly Fee**: CAD 860/ GBP 450
+VAT if applicable
*Africa & Emerging Market : India, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mauritius, Egypt, Nigeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, South Sudan, Libya, Zambia, Algeria, Tunisia, Angola, Gabon, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Ethiopia, Iraq, Yemen, and other African countries.
**Monthly instalments calculated based on the Course fee minus the Stafford Grant
Fees are determined by where applicants are currently working and residing
GBP is Great British Pounds
Academics
Refaat Kazoun
Philippe Riewer
Ajith Kumar
What our students say
Ali Abdulla Ali
Edinburgh Napier University
BSc Computing (Top-up)
"I am pleased to reconnect regarding my interest in resuming studies for a Bachelor of Science degree in Computing (Computer Science). I have been eager to continue pursuing this programme for some time to build upon my background within the field. I appreciate you taking the time to address my inquiry into returning to complete this specialisation. Thank you all."
