BSc Software Development with Foundation Year
Full or part-time distance learning foundation year course.
Wondering how you can become a sought-after software developer? In the UK job market, the need for skilled software developers is always in demand as digital technology continues to transform various industries. Our BSc Software Development with Foundation Year is designed to help you develop critical, technical, and problem-solving skills necessary for a successful career in any industry.
During the Foundation Year, you'll build a solid foundation in study techniques, academic research, and knowledge of key technology concepts, particularly useful if you're switching careers or returning to education. After completing the Foundation Year, you'll delve into topics such as software engineering principles, programming with Python, database modelling, and AI prompting techniques.
With 24/7 access to your learning resources, our online Foundation Year offers the flexibility to study at your own pace. Enjoy a support system of personal tutors, study and career coaches, and even an AI study assistant, making sure that your journey to becoming a software developer is as smooth and enriching as possible.
Please note, this course is subject to validation*.
Location:
Online, distance learning
Start dates and duration:
Apply now for any date from October 2024 onward.
Tuition fees, funding and scholarships:
Total course cost for foundation year course is £26,565 (full and part-time).
You may be eligible for an LIBF Scholarship giving you a £1,200 reduction in tuition fees if you are self-funding your course.
For UK students: if you experience financial difficulty as a student you can apply for support from our Hardship Fund. Applications open twice a year, funds allocated by committee.
Entry requirements:
At least 3 GCSEs (minimum grade 4, maths and English) or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent.
No A-Levels required.
English language: IELTS Level 6 or above with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent).
Get your online degree digital prospectus
You’ll find everything you need to know about studying an online degree with us in our digital prospectus. To receive your personalised prospectus, please fill out the form below with a valid email address.
Once you've submitted the form, keep an eye on your inbox for your prospectus to arrive via email.
Fees for this Software Development Foundation course
Complete your degree at your own pace and fit your studies around your professional and personal life.
For UK students, the total fees for our online courses will be the same – whether you choose to study full or part-time. To explore all funding options for your BSc (Hons) Software Development with Foundation Year degree, check out our UK fees and funding page or international fees and funding page.
Student loans
UK students may be eligible for a student loan for this online distance-learning course.
LIBF Scholarship
If you’re self-funding your course, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for an LIBF Scholarship. The LIBF Scholarship is an award of £1,200 towards your tuition fees, spread over the duration of your course and reducing your total fees. You are eligible to apply if you are funding your course yourself (you are not taking a government undergraduate student loan) and your household income is less than £3,500 per month.
Undergraduate Hardship Fund
If you experience financial difficulty as an undergraduate student, you can apply for support from our Hardship Fund. Hardship funds are made available to UK students twice in the academic year – you’ll be informed when applications are open and allocation of funds will be agreed by the Scholarship, Bursaries and Prizes Committee.
Fee reductions
For UK and international students, you can also get 2% off your total fees if you pay annually in advance or 10% off if you pay upfront in full for an undergraduate course.
The prices shown below are for our online study mode only and do not include any scholarships.
US$8,539
a year
US$6,211
a year
US$4,269
a year
Shape your future with LIBF online courses
Flexible learning: your life, your pace
Choose when and where to study, full or part-time, with your progress fully supported by our tutors. Learning never has to feel rushed or delayed – it's your journey on your schedule.
Over 140 years of expertise
Benefit from our long heritage of education in business, management, and technology combined with the latest digital advancements to equip you with future-oriented skills.
Innovative personalised learning
Learn on your own terms. Gain the skills you need to reach your full potential with support from personal tutors and study coaches, backed up by an always-on AI study assistant: Syntea.
Rewarding your ambition
Distance learning is an affordable, tailored option that fits your lifestyle, with fee reductions available. Fees for online degrees can also be spread over the length of your chosen course.
Entry requirements for Software Development with Foundation Year
Every application is different. If you’re not sure whether you meet the entry requirements, or you have any questions, contact us for advice.
Typical offer
English language requirements
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Free iPad to support your studies
If you’re based in the UK, we’ll provide you with a complimentary iPad for your studies. It will contain everything you need to get started and you can use it throughout your course. When you graduate, it will be our gift to you.
We’re sorry we can’t make this gift available to international students studying online right now.
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Book a webinar: discover the LIBF difference
Curious about what makes LIBF stand out? Our engaging webinars are your gateway to a world of possibilities. Each session is a journey through the unique features of online learning with us, designed to fuel your ambition.
Book a webinarSoftware Development Foundation course details
Designed for aspiring tech innovators, our BSc Software Development with Foundation Year equips you with the knowledge and skills crucial in today’s technology-driven world. During your Foundation Year, you'll focus on building essential academic skills and developing a robust understanding of software engineering fundamentals. By the end of your Foundation Year, you'll be ready to delve into software development principles, programming languages, database modelling, and software quality assurance, setting the stage for a successful career in software development.
Programme specification and academic regulation*Please note, course content is subject to validation*.
This programme includes the following modules:
Core modules
Elective modules
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Contact us about our online degrees
If you have any queries about how to apply for our online degrees, or anything else, please contact our Study Advisors.
Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm UK time.
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Career opportunities: Software Development with Foundation Year
Picture yourself shaping the future of technology with your expertise. The BSc Software Development with Foundation Year lays the groundwork for a career where your innovations drive progress across industries. From tech start-ups to established corporations, discover a wealth of opportunities.
After completing this bachelor's degree with Foundation Year in Software Development, you'll find yourself prepared for careers such as:
![A man sat in a modern office developing software](https://res.cloudinary.com/iugroup/image/upload/q_auto:eco,c_fill,dpr_auto,w_iw,f_auto,ar_16:9,g_face/software-engineer_uptpqg.png)
Software developer
Embark on the creative journey of crafting innovative software solutions as a software developer. This path is ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving and transforming ideas into functional applications. As a software developer, you will be responsible for designing, coding, and deploying software that meets user needs and industry standards.
Your role goes beyond coding – it involves testing, debugging, and improving software performance, all while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality applications.
![A smiling man wearing glasses stood developing IT systems on a computer](https://res.cloudinary.com/iugroup/image/upload/q_auto:eco,c_fill,dpr_auto,w_iw,f_auto,ar_16:9,g_face/pdp-career-data-architect_pnbo3p.png)
System architect
Step into the strategic role of a system architect, where you design the blueprint of IT systems that drive organisational success. This path suits those who can see both the big picture and technical details, ensuring that systems work seamlessly within the broader technological framework. As a system architect, you'll analyse requirements, design system structures, and oversee their implementation.
Your role is not just about designing; it involves ensuring scalability, security, and alignment with business goals, making critical decisions that impact the organisation's technological advancement.
![A young woman in a modern office working on web applications](https://res.cloudinary.com/iugroup/image/upload/q_auto:eco,c_fill,dpr_auto,w_iw,f_auto,ar_16:9,g_face/web-developer_fbeqet.png)
Web developer
Take on the dynamic role of a web developer, where you bring websites and web applications to life. This career is ideal for creative individuals who enjoy combining aesthetics with functionality. As a web developer, you'll be responsible for designing, coding, and maintaining websites that provide seamless user experiences.
Your role extends beyond the creation of visually appealing web pages – it also involves ensuring optimal performance, implementing security measures, and continually updating the site to align with the latest technological trends and user needs.
Advance your career with a Software Development Foundation course
As a graduate of this online Software Development with Foundation Year course, you'll have exciting career opportunities, often working in multidisciplinary teams with professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as from our Artificial Intelligence Foundation course and our Cyber Security Foundation course.
LIBF has been great. Tutor support is amazing and don’t even get me started on the study materials. 11/10, couldn’t have asked for a better experience. You can tell the tutors and student support, etc, really want you to succeed. Really couldn’t have wished for a better experience, I’ve had my expectations blown out of the water. LIBF is the way to go!
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Rachel D
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
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Why study a Software Development Foundation course?
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*New courses which are subject to validation
All courses go through a rigorous approval process known as ‘validation’. When new courses are shown as ‘subject to validation’, they are in the final stages of development, and require approval by LIBF’s Academic Board.
You can apply to study a new course while it is subject to validation. The majority of new courses get approved; however, this is not guaranteed. If the course does not go ahead, or if the course content varies significantly as a result of changes requested by LIBF's Academic Board, we will be in contact with you as soon as possible to discuss your options. Once the course is validated, the 'subject to validation' statement is removed.
Find out more about subject to validation and what it means for your application.