Year in Computing
Are you keen to learn the tech skills that will make you stand out to a graduate employer and enable new career opportunities? A Year in Computing will give you the skills you need to get into a field that is increasingly underpinning much of modern economy, science and culture.
How does a Year in Computing fit into my degree?
You can take the Year in Computing either between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of your degree or at the end of Stage 3. You’ll develop coding skills, learn how to create user-friendly computer systems and discover how to analyse data.
Students who successfully complete the Computing year and their home degree will graduate ‘with a Year in Computing‘. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Computing, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.
How to apply
To apply, please email progadmin@kent.ac.uk giving your student number.
Application deadlines
- For current stage 3 students - applications close 26 March 2027 (students with a visa should check eligibility)
- For current stage 2 students - applications close 30 July 2027
Please note that if you are in your final year, there is an earlier deadline to enable graduation. It is important to apply as soon as possible.
With changes to student funding, anyone who starts their programme from 2027 will be able to take a Year In after Stage 3 only.
Do you have any questions?
For more information, please see our FAQs or contact:
- Marek Grzes (Course Lead)
- Matteo Migliavacca
- Programme Administration
Am I eligible?
Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:
- is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of their degree
- averaging 50% or above in their current degree programme.
Two groups of students are not eligible:
- students from the School of Computing
- students from the School of Psychology.
If your degree is accredited with a professional body, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Computing.
About the course
This specially designed, one-year programme is accessible to all students with an interest in developing the skills in computing to further your career and passion. A computing background is not necessary. The course is taught on the Canterbury campus.
You will be exposed to a full range of computing technologies, ranging from web programming to artificial intelligence and machine learning. Along the way, you will understand computer operating systems, networks, learn a programming language, master working with data and the development of web servers and web sites. Thanks to the extensive coverage of the web, you will be ready to build your own web services using HTML, CSS and JavaScript that not only look good, but are designed with user needs in mind.
Modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
Transform your outlook
During my time we learnt basic web dev (javascript, HTML, CSS) and PHP backend. It gave me a whole new insight into the fundamentals which make up so much of our modern day to day life and the limitless possibilities that come with it.
Joseph Spratt, Film with a Year In Computing
FAQs
Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:
- is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of their degree
- averaging 50% or above in their current degree programme.
Two groups of students are not eligible:
- students from the School of Computing
- students from the School of Psychology.
If your degree is accredited with a professional body, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Computing.
Students who successfully complete the Computing year and their home degree will graduate ‘with a Year in Computing‘. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Computing, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.
Your degree classification will depend on your main degree subject and not the Year in Computing which is a pass/fail year. If you pass the year, you will get ‘with a Year in Computing‘ added to your degree title. If you fail, you will drop back to your current degree. You do not risk your current degree classification by doing the year.
Please talk to staff in your home School about whether adding a Year in Computing will affect your accreditation or not.
The Year in Computing should be viewed simply as an additional year of study, making a three-year degree into a four-year degree. If you pay your own tuition fees, then you will have to pay for an extra year. For those eligible, student loans should normally be available for all four years. However, it is your responsibility to check with the Loan Authority that they will continue to give you financial support on the new programme.
International students wishing to add the Year in Computing course will be approved on a case by case basis in accordance with UK immigration regulations and the University’s Student (Tier 4) policy on Academic Progression and Change of Course. You also need to be aware that you may need to return home overseas to apply for a new visa to add the year to your degree.
Except for the project, modules on the Year in Computing are assessed by a mixture of coursework and unseen examinations. Coursework is typically practical in nature, with deadlines spaced throughout the module.
You can study for a conversion Master’s in Computer Science if you have a good degree in another subject and neither this Master’s nor the Year in Computing assumes any prior knowledge of computing. However, the content of the two programmes and the way they are funded are quite different. Both of these programmes will equip you for a tech-based career. It is important that you consider which is the most appropriate for you.
Unfortunately not. The programme is only open to current Kent undergraduates, not Master’s or PhD students.