BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year

This BSc (Hons) Computing Degree course will take four years to complete with an Integrated Foundation Year. In your first year, also known as your foundation year, you’ll learn the basic skills needed to succeed at Undergraduate level, including relevant numeracy, research and academic skills, as well as an introduction to the world of Computing.

This four-year route at Arden University is perfect for those who need a little extra support when entering the world of higher education. Whether it’s been a while since you last studied, or you feel you didn’t achieve what you wanted in previous academic study, the foundation year gives you the basics needed to go on to graduate with a full degree.

You’ll only need to commit to 2 days of face-to-face classroom sessions at one of our Arden study centres in Manchester, Birmingham or London.

Modules

Foundation Year

• Skills for Academic Study
• The Digital Age
• Using Numeracy, Data & IT
• Computers in Society
• Computing Fundamentals
• Research Skills

Year 2

• Professional Development
• Computer Technology
• Website Design
• Information Systems in Organisations
• Database Design
• Software Engineering

Year 3

• Programming
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Database Implementation
• Data Communications
• Quality Systems in IT
• Dynamic Website Development

Year 4

• Current Trends in Networking
• Management in IT
• Computer Systems Security
• E-Commerce Systems
• Computing Project

Assessments

Assessments provide an opportunity to demonstrate your strengths in a number of ways and so a variety of methods are used, these could include:

• Reports
• Case studies
• Design specification tasks
• Presentations
• Exams
• Dissertation

To support your development and ensure you are on the right track with your Blended Learning studies we will provide you with tutor feedback on every assessment you submit.

If required, your tutor may be able to give you suggestions for improvement and help you understand how to apply your newly acquired skills into real life settings.

Your Arden module tutors were selected for their teaching and industry experience. Identified as experts in the subject they teach, you can expect indepth topic discussions and explanations that you can apply to a work-life setting in your Computing Degree with Foundation Year.

Watch the short video  below to meet Steve Presland, Course Leader for BSc Computing at Arden University.

You can get more detailed course information by viewing the relevant Programme Specification, which you can download from our Policies, Standards and Procedures Page, or you can apply for this course online here.

Want to go straight onto a full Degree?

For our 3 year route, please find course details and modules for our Blended Learning BSc (Hons) Computing

The 4 year route with Integrated Foundation Year in this Computing degree at Arden University is perfect for those with a desire to return to education or seeking to develop key study skills in their first year.

To be eligible for this course you must meet the following entry requirements:

• Level 2 qualifications (GCSE's or equivalent), studied within the last three years; OR:
• At least 1 year's full-time work experience

Candidates who do not have GCSE English at grade C or 5 will be required to undertake a literacy assessment for entry. Students must still have an English qualification to support previous study in English – the Arden English Assessment does not exempt you from this.

Candidates are also required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) or interview demonstrating an ability to study the programme, taking into account:

• Their motivation for undertaking the programme
• Relevant work experience
• Prior qualifications
• References

If your previous learning was not in English, you will also need to have IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (no less than 5.5 in any element).

Upon successful completion of this Arden University course, you’ll graduate with a full UK BSc honours degree in Computing. You’ll be equipped with valuable transferable skills and knowledge that can be immediately applied in roles within the Computing sector. You’ll have a specialist understanding in system design, development and web-based solutions.

Studying for four years will stand you in good stead for demonstrating your commitment and hard-work - skills that all employers value in the workplace.

Roles that you could consider working as might include:

• Software Engineer
• Application Programmer
• Systems Analysts & Designers
• IT Solutions Specialist
• Web Developer

Alternatively, you may wish to continue with your academic development and decide to take on further study. You could continue your studies with Arden and enrol onto one of our Postgraduate programmes, such as:

• MBA - available via Distance and Blended Learning
• MBA (Data Analytics)
• MSc Strategic IT Management
• MSc IT Security Management - available via Distance and Blended Learning
• MSc Telecommunications Management
• MSc Enterprise Architecture Management
• MSc Project Management (APM) - available via Distance and Blended Learning
• MSc Data Analytics and Project Management
• MSc Data Analytics and IT Security Management
• MSc Data Analytics and Information Systems Management
• MSc Data Analytics and Enterprise Architecture

What study centres are available at Arden University?

Blended Learning courses are available at study centres throughout the UK and include:

• Tower Hill, London
• Ealing, London
• Holborn, London
• City Centre, Birmingham 
• City Centre, Manchester

Or you can discover all Arden study centres

Studying via Blended Learning with Arden

When you sign up for one of our Blended Degrees and become a student at an Arden University study centre, you get the best of both worlds. All the structure and personal tuition of a full-time Degree, coupled with the rich online resources and materials that our online students benefit from. This option is ideal for students who want the routine and support of lectures, without the full-time commitment.

What can I expect from Blended Learning?

• You will spend 2 days a week at your chosen study centre
• These classes will be led by your module tutor
• During these sessions you will be encouraged to debate, discuss and ask questions to develop your understanding and acquire key skills
• Because it combines online learning you can access materials and resources online 24/7
• The online content includes tutorials, lessons, exercises, study support and chat forums
• All your coursework and assignments are uploaded to a secure online zone for marking
• You can contact your tutor via email or the support team via email, Livechat or phone

What facilities are available at Arden study centres?

In addition to all the technology and services you need to support your studies during lectures, our modern study centres are buzzing with students, tutors and staff and you'll have access to:

• Computers and IT equipment
• Internet
• Printing facilities
• Individual and group Study space

Our great city-centre locations also mean plenty of local restaurants, leisure facilities and culture around you as you study.

Next steps

Applying for this course takes just a few minutes and is the first step towards gaining your qualification. You can begin your online application now and one of our friendly Admissions Advisors will be in touch to discuss your study options.

Enhance your career prospects with Salesforce, Cisco Networking Academy and Amazon

Arden are pleased to offer students studying this degree course the opportunity to develop additional skills. You have the chance to develop your own learning journey towards Salesforce accreditation via the 'Salesforce Trailhead' programme. Salesforce have been an industry leader in customer relationship management (CRM) for more than 20 years, so this gives you the opportunity to gain an extra self-managed certification while studying your Arden degree.

Similarly, Cisco Networking Academy is a platform providing Business and IT professionals with a space to develop their careers in the industry, with study-at-home courses helping them acquire new skills at a pace that suits them.

You'll also have access to Amazon’s highly respected cloud-related learning platform AWS Educate. 

With Arden you have the opportunity to study any of these courses FREE alongside your degree.

About Salesforce certification

By studying a Salesforce-certified course, you’ll have access to professional-level materials, ensuring your industry knowledge remains current.

There are 140 Trails and 520 badges to choose from, covering many aspects of business, computing and using Salesforce as a management tool.

About Cisco Networking Academy

Take a look at the video below to learn all about Cisco Networking Academy, how it works and how it can benefit you.

About AWS Educate (Amazon)

With the increasing demand for cloud employees, AWS Educate provides an academic gateway for the next generation of IT and cloud professionals. AWS Educate is Amazon’s global initiative to provide students and educators with the resources needed to accelerate cloud-related learning. AWS Educate provides tools for students around the world dreaming of a technology career. 

Students receive credits for hands-on experience with AWS technology, training, content, career pathways and the AWS Educate Job Board. You can study courses in cloud computing, data science, web development and more!

Key Benefits

Gain industry-relevant skills:
Develop additional skills relevant to roles in marketing, business, sales and technology, allowing you to stand out in crowded jobs markets.

Add value to your CV 
Gain a competitive advantage in the jobs market, as well as proving your enthusiasm for your industry, dedication to self-development and eagerness to learn to potential employees.

Access professional-level content and a student community (Salesforce only)
Access materials used by industry professionals, and join the Salesforce student community, interacting with others and sharing your experiences

Get your LinkedIn badge (Cisco only)
For each course you complete, you can acquire a badge for your LinkedIn profile, highlighting your skills to potential employers, and proving that you’re highly engaged and proactive in enhancing your self-development.

How does it work?

Once you enrol with Arden, you will receive access to Salesforce, Cisco and Amazon’s online, self-paced courses through your learning platform, iLearn. Here, you’ll be able to pick and choose which courses you’d like to study.

You’ll study the course content as and when it suits you. The hours required to complete a course vary; for example, the amount of time needed to complete a Salesforce course ranges from 35 minutes to 21 hours, while the majority of Cisco courses take between 30 and 70 hours.

These courses are an added extra – it’s entirely up to you whether you complete one, 10 or none at all! Your participation (or decision not to study these additional extras) won’t have any effect on your degree or the grades you receive.

Fees

The Salesforce Trailhead, Cisco and Amazon courses are completely free to study, but there is a fee of £150-£200 per badge for LinkedIn badge certifications from Cisco.