BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Embarking on your academic journey with Arden means laying a solid foundation for your future in computing. AU BSc Computing with Foundation Year is tailored to equip you with essential academic study skills, preparing you for success at the university level. As you progress, you’ll delve into 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 you with ample opportunities to fill industry gaps, specialise, and progress your career. That’s why Arden have structured your learning to give you a foundation for ongoing skills development.

What you’ll learn

AU BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year offers in-demand skills sought after in today’s tech industry. Arden University modules cover areas of computing 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.

You can tailor the skills you learn by choosing between two curated pathways depending on your aspirations: a technical pathway and an information systems pathway.

Learn by doing

Many of AU modules are ‘hands-on’ and designed to equip you with the practical skills you need for your career. Unlike many computing courses that lack real-world preparation, AU programme focuses on practical, authentic assessments. As such, you’ll engage in coding, database creation, web document development, data analysis, and working with cloud services before engaging in assessments that allow you to demonstrate these skills.

Course details and modules

AU 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.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

Foundation year

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Business Environment
Advancing your Academic Skills
Becoming an Effective Leader
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation 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)

Please note that if you study via Arden’s 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

AU 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

AU align 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 AU don’t cover certification costs, Arden’s programme prepares you for these exams, allowing you to pay for them when you are ready.

Study options

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

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

Blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose AU 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, Arden 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 AU 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 AU UK campuses. Students who study this course at AU 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 AU 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 AU 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 AU 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.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider 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 – AU team is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, AU 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 AU 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.
AU also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here.

Candidates for AU 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

Course fee

Blended	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 9,250

Distance Learning	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

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

AU also offer an internal English test for applicants. More information on this can be found here.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Enquire Now

Apply for the Course

Career prospects

The ever-evolving nature of technology ensures a continuous demand for skilled computing professionals, offering Arden’s 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)

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

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 AU 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 AU carefully selected modules.

Industry Skills

Career development resources

Once you’ve enrolled with Arden, then university careers centre is easily accessible directly from inside AU online platform, ilearn. The careers centre is here to help you discover the areas of your academic and professional life that you find most meaningful and rewarding, and then apply this to your career pathway.

Just a few of the career tools you’ll find in the careers centre include:

CV360, which analyses your CV and provides instant feedback for improvement
Interview360, helping you practise your interview technique in a stress-free environment and tackle some of the most common interview questions – as many times as you need to
Aptitude tests to help your improve your critical thinking, numeric, and logical reasoning skills
100s of interactive courses focused on giving you the skills and confidence you need to excel in your professional life.
My Jobs, where you can search employment vacancies, browse employer profiles by location and, or connect with other employees on LinkedIn.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

To help support your academic journey, Arden University pays for your student membership in the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The IET is recognised globally as a hallmark of quality and professionalism and can help boost your prospects with tips, tools and techniques you’ll use for life. It is home to more than 154,000 engineering and technology professionals in 148 countries.

As a student member of the IET, you’ll have access to the student hub, which includes a digital library (IET’s research and intelligence resources), virtual library (thousands of online eBooks, eJournals, magazines, and reports), IET.tv, and valuable mentoring opportunities.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with AU curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.