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Computing

BSc (Hons) & Foundation Year

Summary

Study level

Undergraduate

Award

Foundation Year Entry Degrees

Full time

4 years

Location

Berlin, Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham

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Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

What makes Arden University special?

Education for everyone, everywhere

Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.

You decide how and where to study

We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.

Full support both online and on-site

We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.

Strong focus on employability

You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

Starting your academic journey with Arden means setting the stage for a successful future in computing. Our BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year equips you with the essential technical skills and academic tools to excel in your computing degree and beyond. As you progress, you will explore advanced computing concepts, mastering the practical skills needed to meet the demands of today’s ever-evolving computing landscape.

Advanced computing skills are in high demand in today’s global job market, providing ample opportunities to fill industry gaps, specialise, and progress your career. That’s why we’ve structured your learning to give you a foundation for ongoing skills development.

Prepare for your computing degree with core STEM skills

If you're studying in the UK, our Foundation Year provides a solid base in programming, computer systems, and databases, while also focusing on core STEM skills to ensure you're ready for the more advanced areas of computing. You will also enhance your academic skills, receiving the support necessary for university-level study.

What you’ll learn

This course covers highly sought-after skills in the tech industry. You will explore key topics such as programming (Java, Python, PHP), web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), databases (MySQL), cloud computing, cyber security, data analysis, human-computer interaction, and computing ethics.

To ensure you’re on the path that best aligns with your goals, you can specialise by choosing between two tailored pathways: a technical pathway or an information systems pathway.

Learn by doing

Our hands-on modules are designed to provide practical experience and prepare you for real-world challenges. Unlike many computing courses that lack real-world preparation, our programme focuses on authentic assessments where you can demonstrate your skills.

You will engage in coding, database creation, web development, data analysis, and cloud services, building a portfolio of work that proves your capabilities in the tech field.

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Added industry skills

Add to your skills with access to certified courses from Salesforce, Cisco, and Amazon.

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Course details and modules

Our award-winning curriculum has been designed to give you the modern skill set needed to start your career on the right footing.

Your modules take a hands-on approach to provide you with transferable real-world skills for your future. After reviewing key academic study skills, you’ll have the opportunity to master coding, database and web document creation, data analysis, cloud computing, IT project management, systems analysis soft skills, and more.

Just some of the fascinating modules available on this course include:

Data Mining

In the modern workplace and wider society, data reigns supreme. Learn how to manipulate and visualise data to make informed business decisions across various sectors. Develop skills in Python, one of the most popular programming languages in data science.

Web Application Development

Today, applications are as likely to run in a web browser as on a desktop. Showcase your ability to create interactive web-based systems by combining the diverse skills you've acquired in databases, programming, web design, and user experience.

Ethics, Quality and Sustainability in Technological Environments

Examine the dilemmas that IT practitioners face and explore the potential impacts of their decisions using current examples. Utilise ethical frameworks and professional codes of conduct relevant to IT professionals. Recent news events highlighting the impact of faulty computer systems underscore the importance of embedding ethical practices and behaviours throughout an organisation.

I have learned a lot from the course program and it has given me a good foundation for me to expand my knowledge. The module structure is designed according to my knowledge requirements of my personal IT goals.

Janka Krsteva

BSc Computing Online

Modules

Foundation Year

Preparing for Success as a STEM Student
Fundamentals of STEM
Advancing Your Academic Skills in STEM
Problem Solving and Programming
Planning for Success as a STEM Student and Graduate
STEM Project

Level 4

Introduction to Academic Skills and Professional Development (Core)
Introduction to Computer Systems and Security (Core)
Introduction to Databases (Core)
Introduction to Programming (Core)
Introduction to Web Authoring (Core)
Productivity and Collaboration Tools for Learning and Work (Core)

Level 5

Human Computer Interaction (Core)
Data Analytics and Visualisation (Core)
IT Project Management (Core)
Systems Analysis and Design (Core)
Then choose either
- Technical route
- Advanced Databases (Elective) and
- Object Oriented Programming (Elective)
  or
- Information Systems
- Digital Business (Elective) and
- Ethics, Quality and Sustainability in Technological Environments (Elective)

Level 6

Data Mining (Core)
Managing Innovation and Change (Core)
Computing Project (Core)
Then choose either
- Technical route
- Distributed and Cloud Computing (Elective)
- Web Application Development (Elective)
  or
- Information Systems
- Information Security Management (Elective)
- Technology Entrepreneurship (Elective)

If you're studying in Berlin, your Foundation Year modules will differ slightly. See our Berlin course details here.

Please note that if you study via our blended learning study mode, not all modules may be available at every Arden study centre. However, timetables will be coordinated to accommodate students who need to travel to other study centres or participate in live online classes.

Pathways that align with your career ambitions

We offer two pathways starting from Level 5, allowing you to tailor your degree to your career goals – giving you the choice to build your skills on the technical side or develop the strategic skills needed to help companies grow:

Technical Pathway:

Build on your programming, database, and web development skills on this path. If your ambition is to excel in software development, database design, or web development, the technical pathway is the ideal choice for you.

Information Systems Pathway:

This pathway focuses on digital transformation, ethical considerations, and strategic approaches to system security. If you aim to pursue leadership roles in IT management or seek strategic positions, the information systems pathway equips you with the necessary insights into contemporary workplace challenges.

Free vendor courses

We align our resources with industry leaders like Oracle, Cisco, and Amazon, offering you the chance to pursue certifications and badges that enhance your employability. You will have access to a variety of free courses offered by these vendors. While we don’t cover certification costs, our programme prepares you for these exams, allowing you to pay for them when you are ready.

How do we assess you?

Real-world alignment: Our assessments mirror professional scenarios

Only one exam (Level 4, Introduction to Computer Systems and Security), through a time-controlled assessment. The rest of your modules involve hands-on activities directly relevant to computing roles.

You'll engage in creating databases, coding websites and web applications, writing programs, crafting project documents, analysing case studies and scenarios, and using spreadsheets for data visualisation and analysis, including working with large datasets. All of this will allow you to start building a professional portfolio of work to show to future employers.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode (daytime classes) at our campuses in London Ealing, London Stratford, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Berlin, Germany.

If you prefer to attend your classes during the evening, this option is available at our London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester and Birmingham campuses.

Blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses. Students who study this course at our London Tower Hill, London Holborn, or Birmingham locations now have the option to attend evening classes or daytime sessions, giving you more opportunity to fit your degree around life and work.

If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at our campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities.

Learn more about blended learning

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Find out more

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:

Passes at grade C (grade 4) or above in three subjects at GCSE level OR 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent – if your qualifications are older than 3 years we would also ask to see a professional CV.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference.
We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here.

Candidates for our computing with foundation year undergraduate degree are required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) which tells us about your motivation for studying this course. You may also be invited to attend an interview to demonstrate your ability to study the course successfully.

This statement should include:

Your motivation for undertaking the programme
Why you’ve chosen your particular course
Any long-term goals or career aspirations

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent

Course fees and funding

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I am a student from

Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Dr. Rehman began his career in media, graphic design, and desktop publishing before moving into IT administration and support in the publishing and education sectors. He then made the transition into academia, starting out in multimedia and computing and business before moving onto computing programme leadership. During his 20 years in Higher Education, Mohammed has developed and delivered courses across all study levels and worked on a variety of initiatives and projects related to technology and enhanced learning.

Dr. Mohammed Rehman

Head of School – STEM

Career prospects

The ever-evolving nature of technology ensures a continuous demand for skilled computing professionals, offering our graduates a wide range of fulfilling and lucrative career paths to choose from.

Average Salary for a Web Developer in the UK is £42,666
Average Salary for a Data Analyst in the UK is £43,569
Average Salary for a Cloud Engineer in the UK is £65,603

(sourced from Reed Salary Tracker on 3rd April 2024)

Related courses

What will I gain from this degree?

IT, data mining, cloud computing, and programming skills are in high demand all over the world. CompTIA’s “State of the Tech Workforce U.K.” reports that organisations are projected to employ approximately 2.06 million tech workers in 2023.

Through our programme, you'll gain:

In-demand skills that enhance your employability and readiness for the workforce.
A variety of soft skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and presentation abilities, which are invaluable for your future career.
A portfolio to showcase your projects and accomplishments to potential employers.
Hands-on experience across various modern computing areas, curated from our carefully selected modules.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your computing degree with Arden University sets you up for any number of possible career paths after graduation. Here are just some of the professions you could go on to explore:

Technical roles:

Programming/Coding
Software Development/Engineering
Web Design
Data Analysis
Database Administration
Cybersecurity and Risk Management

Information Systems roles:

Product Management
Web Analytics
Consultancy
Technical Recruitment
IT Support Specialisms

Industry skills

Study an industry-relevant course alongside your degree. Employers highly value graduates who have their degree plus an industry recognized certification. During the course you’ll acquire some of the most in-demand skills used in computing currently, allowing you to independently acquire certification in Azure Data Fundamentals and Security Fundamentals from Microsoft to add to your degree qualification.