BSc Creative Computing (BSc, Diploma and Work Entry Route)
Is this programme for me?
This degree is for you if you want to:
- gain skills in designing computer applications as well as using them
- develop your own creativity in the context of technology
- investigate the process of new media development using programming and scripting languages
- become a creative professional in the computing, media and arts industries.
| Key dates | |
| Application deadline | 1 October in the year before you intend to sit your first examinations |
| Registration deadline | 30 November |
| Despatch of study materials | Shortly after your registration form is received |
| Start studying | As soon as you receive your study materials |
| Examinations take place | May/June |
Programme summaries
BSc: The traditional degree in which 12 courses are taken in three stages. You may apply to transfer to Goldsmiths, University of London, to complete your degree study, entering at Level 2 or Level 3. You have between 3-8 years to complete the BSc. You may be eligible for Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL) if you have previously studied suitable material.
Diploma: An award in its own right consisting of five courses. Upon successful completion you may transfer directly to Level 2 of the BSc. The Diploma can only be studied at a recognised centre, which is listed offering this programme on the Directory of Institutions. You have between 2-5 years to complete the Diploma.
Work Experience Entry Route: Consists of 2 courses and provides an entry onto the BSc if you do not have traditional A levels or their equivalent. You have between 1-3 years to complete the Work Experience Entry Route.
Individual Courses:
Some core and optional modules are offered as credit-bearing Individual modules. This is an ideal option if you're keen to update your professional knowledge, enhance your career or sample the programme.
Prestige and career progression
The programme has been developed by academics within the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths, the UK's leading creative university. The Department is a leading centre in the UK for the study of Arts and Music Computing, Cognitive Computing and Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Science. Academic staff are leaders and partners on a variety of research projects including working with the BBC, Yahoo, MIT, Cambridge University and Brown University. Goldsmiths' AIKON project uses computational and robotic technologies to explore the drawing the human face.
This degree will equip you with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to act as a creative autonomous professional in the computing and cultural industries. It prepares you for a variety of careers, including: design (particularly games design), computing in the film, music or tv industry, web development, animation, IT consultancy or systems management or analysis.
Time commitment and cost
Independent study demands that you are motivated, well-organised and focused. We advise that to complete in the minimum study period you will need devote at least 250 hours of study to each full course. For the BSc, the total fee payable to the University is £4,518. For the Diploma, the total fee is £2,354 (you will also need to pay fees to the Diploma-teaching institution). Please note that these figures do not reflect any annual fee increase and assume completion in the minimum study period permitted.
Structure and Syllabus
BSc: 12 courses (11 courses plus the compulsory project)
Diploma: 5 units (the 4 compulsory Level 1 courses, a fifth compulsory course Mathematics for business, plus Study skills in English)
Work Experience Entry Route: 2 courses ('Creative computing 1' and 'Introduction to Java and object-oriented programming')
Level 1
Four compulsory full courses
- Mathematics for computing
Number systems; sets and subsets; set algebra; symbolic logic and logic gates; sequences; summations; elementary counting principles; probability; relations and functions; matrix algebra; systems of linear equations; introduction to the theory of graphs and digraphs.
- Introduction to Java and object-oriented programming
Basic Types and Expressions; Assignment Statements; Loops and Conditionals (Simple and Nested); Handling Simple I/O; Objects and Classes; Methods with and without parameters; Inheritance; Constructor Methods (and the use of 'new'); Method Overloading; Method Overriding; Arrays and simple sorting; Basic File Handling; Try and Catch (Simple Exception Handling); Implementing Simple Graphical User Interfaces; Incorporating Applets in a Web page; Simple builtin Dynamic Structures - Vectors; Types vs. Classes; Scope of Variables; Code Layout and Documentation.
- Introduction to computing and the internet
Basic computing and communication skills. Fundamentals of computing - hardware, software, architecture, operating systems. Data storage, representation and transmission. Fundamentals of networking and the Internet/WWW: technology, protocols, standards and applications. Professional, legal and social issues relating to the Internet and WWW.
- Creative computing 1: image, sound and motion
The Bauhaus; History of mathematics and computing in creativity; Multimedia; Point, Line, Plane; Trigonometry 1; Animation 1; Bits and Pixels; Motion 2; Perspective, Projections and Affine Transformations; Open GL; Genetic programming; Simulation; Filters and Special Effects.
Level 2
Four compulsory full courses
- Database systems
Introduction to Database Systems (motivation for database systems, storage systems, architecture, facilities, applications). Database modelling (basic concepts, E-R modelling, Schema deviation). The relational model and algebra, SQL (definitions, manipulations, access centre, embedding). Physical design (estimation of workload and access time, logical I/Os, distribution). Modern database systems (extended relational, object-oriented). Advanced database systems (active, deductive, parallel, distributed, federated). DB functionality and services (files, structures and access methods, transactions and concurrency control, reliability, query processing).
- Graphical object-oriented and Internet programming in Java
The course aims to give students an insight into the object-oriented approach to the design and implementation of software systems. The course also considers specific features of the programming language Java, in particular, graphical interfaces and event driven applications. The second part of the course is intended to give students the necessary background to understand the technical software aspects of how computers communicate across the internet. Students will be introduced to the underlying principles of client-server computing systems and will gain the required conceptual understanding, knowledge and skills to enable them to produce simple web-based computing systems in Java.
- Software engineering, algorithm design and analysis
This course provides an introduction to software engineering, algorithm design and analysis. The main topics include: Software design in UML: use cases, class modelling, objects and links, aggregations and dependencies, activity diagrams, state-charts; Principles of good software design, software development lifecycle, the role of design and modelling in software development; Software verification and validation; Project management and planning; Case studies and software horror stories. Abstract data types, design patterns, algorithmic issues, complexity theory, the application and implementation of common data structures in Java.
- Creative computing 2: interactive multimedia
The course aims to give students an insight into the object-oriented approach to the design and implementation of software systems. The course also considers specific features of the programming language Java, in particular, graphical interfaces and event driven applications. The second part of the course is intended to give students the necessary background to understand the technical software aspects of how computers communicate across the internet. Students will be introduced to the underlying principles of client-server computing systems and will gain the required conceptual understanding, knowledge and skills to enable them to produce simple web-based computing systems in Java.
Level 3
Three compulsory half courses from
- Computing art and image effects
Discretisation and painting style; aesthetic principles in computing; motion understanding in perception; motion rendering (e.g.in animation), sculpting and 3D layouts; visual, modelling, animation and interaction aspects of game design and implementation.
- Sound and music
Sound synthesis and manipulation; computer systems and models in music; multimedia and music information retrieval; computer music creativity (machine-led, human-led and machine/human interaction).
- Interaction design
This course examines the notion of 'interaction with technology' with a focus on the design concepts of modern user experience design and production. It begins with a grounding in the specification, design, prototyping and evaluation of advanced interactive systems, with an introduction to HCI and a short history of the field. An overview of design approaches follows. Human/user attributes and requirements, and interaction paradigms, looks at the human in HCI and available types of interaction. Usability requirements/usability engineering are discussed in the context of a number of specific design approaches and techniques, requirements and issues. Design guidelines and standards, accessibility requirements, and issues involved in designing for specific populations (globalization and internationalism) follows. Finally, information on current interaction design questions and approaches for new and emerging technologies and paradigms provides an exposition of real-world applications and sectors where Interaction Design is relevant.
Plus three half courses chosen from the following
- Artificial intelligence
Knowledge representation, propositional and predicate calculus; problem solving: state-space search; breadth-first and depth-first search; planning; non-monotonic reasoning; natural language; expert systems; philosophy of AI; Prolog. Additional software requirements: Prolog is needed. Can be SWI-prolog from http://hcs.science.uva.nl/software.html
- Neural networks
The artificial neuron; network architecture; perceptrons. Single layer networks; supervised training in batch and individual mode. Multilayer feedforward networks; backpropogation; momentum. Counterpropogation networks; unsupervised training; initialisation of weights. Statistical methods; Boltzmann training. Feedback networks; Hopfields nets; energy; training. Applications. Additional software requirements: recommended that some neural nets software is obtained (eg MATLAB).
- Software engineering management
This half course aims to develop understanding and skills in identifying the factors influencing software engineering costs and in applying analysis techniques to software engineering decisions. It includes the following topics. Product and process attributes, metrics and measurements. Estimation methods; effort estimation, schedule estimation, effort/staffing/schedule tradeoffs, maintenance effort estimation. Cost models (Putnam, Jensen, COCOMO). Nonparametric methods of estimation. Software sizing, project risk engineering. Software process modelling, process maturity framework. systems safety. Software quality issues.
- Accounting information systems
This half course describes the accounting process and the nature of Accounting Information Systems (AIS). It addresses the following subject areas: the measurement of business reality; the role of AIS in planning and control; product costing, project costing and performance measurement. It covers computer support for all of these areas and also provides an overall conceptional framework for AIS.
- Information systems management
An introduction to the various facets of Information System Management to help students understand the importance of non-technical issues. The importance of close integration between business and IS planning will be stressed. The following topics are included: information security and safety critical systems; data protection legislation; Computer Misuse Act and other relevant legislation. Ethical and professional issues. Strategic planning of IS; evaluation of IS investments.
- Decision support and executive information systems
This half course aims to study the nature of business decision making in the context of the support that can now be provided by information technology. The following topics are included: the nature of decision making, the use of information by the executive decision maker, the concept of decision support, models of Decision Support Systems; review of classes of software: text-orientated (WP, Outlining, Hypertext etc.), data-orientated (spreadsheets, data managers, financial management, quantitative analysis), graphics-orientated (desk-top publishing, business graphics, presentation managers), other products (eg. Expert System Shells, Executive Information Systems (EIS), etc.); study of one product and/or case study from each of the above classes; aims and purposes of EIS, design framework and methodology, case studies of actual systems.
- Electronic commerce
This course is designed to familiarise students with current and emerging electronic commerce, technologies using the internet. Subject areas will include ‘Internet Technology for Business Advantage’, ‘Web-based Tools for Electronic Commerce’, ‘Electronic Payment Systems’, ‘Strategies for Marketing’, ‘Sales and Promotion’, ‘Internet Security’, ‘International, Legal, Ethical and Tax Issues’.
- Data compression
Minimum redundancy coding; data compression and information theory; adaptive Huffman coding; arithmetic coding; statistical modelling; dictionary-based compression; sliding window compression; LZ278 compression; speech compression; graphics compression; fractual image compression.
- Computer security
Passwords; access controls; symmetric and asymmetric encryption; confidentiality; authentication; integrity; nonrepudiation; availability; hash functions. Security for electronic mail, IP, Web, databases, distributed systems. Standards.
- Operations research and combinatorial optimisation
The course offers a modern and computationally-oriented introduction to discrete optimisation. The theory of matroids is covered in detail as providing a deep and coherent approach to the principles of optimisation. The more advanced topic of matroid intersection is given a novel treatment using symbolic computation which focuses on the underlying concepts while maintaining a strong link to computing science. This leads on to a consideration of algorithmic and computational complexity and to the theory of linear and integer linear programming.
Plus a compulsory project
- Project
Each student is required to undertake an individual project. Project work can be expected to take up at least 300 hours of a student’s time. Additional software requirements: Internet access is required to widen the scope of information sources. This will also aid in obtaining some free- and share-ware.
Notes:
This page is intended for use by prospective students as a guide. The structure shown above is subject to confirmation in the 2011-2012 Regulations. Students already registered on the programme should consult the current Regulations.
Please note that the last first attempt of examinations at Software Engineering Management, Accounting information Systems and Decision Support and Executive Information Systems courses will be in May 2013 and then they will be withdrawn. The courses will then be available to be re-sit only until the May 2015 exams. Software Engineering Management will be replaced by Software Engineering Project Management which should be available in autumn 2013.
How you study
Our programmes offer you an alternative way of obtaining a prestigious degree or other qualification at a reasonable cost. You can choose to study independently, working completely on your own, or you may prefer to study in a small group with a tutor or by correspondence. Many students enrol with a local institution either full time or part time, and gain the additional benefits of face-to-face academic support and interaction with fellow students. Please note that tuition support from the University is not available.
Your pack of study materials includes:
- a Handbook, containing academic advice on effective study techniques
- Subject guides for each unit studied
- a Resource guide
- a booklet containing your assignments and instructions on how to submit your coursework
- past examination papers and Examiners’ reports
- a copy of the Regulations.
Studying at an institution
Students taking the Diploma in Creative Computing must attend an institution that has been given ‘Permission to teach’ by the University. We strongly advise BSc students and those on the Work Experience Entry Route to seek tuition from one of the institutions that hold ‘Specified’ status, or from another institution.
Internet access
Every BSc student must have access to the Internet on a weekly basis, for a minimum of 30 minutes. Internet access is required for a number of purposes, including access to a central Computing web page. Institutions with BSc ‘Specified’ or Diploma-teaching status will provide some Internet access for students. Institutions teaching for the degree on an informal basis may provide Internet access as part of their facilities. If you are studying alone or at an institution that does not provide the required level of Internet access, then you will need to ensure you have access to the Internet.
Important note
Diploma-teaching institutions with ‘Advanced’ status
Institutions may apply to be awarded ‘Advanced’ status. This means that, in addition to being granted ‘Permission to teach’ the Diploma, the institution itself administers both the entrance and admission processes, overseen by the Programme Director. Although the admission process is handled entirely by the institution, students are still registered with the University of London International Programmes and are granted a University of London award. Please note that ‘Advanced’ status only applies to admission to the Diploma in Creative Computing, not the BSc.
| Key: |
|---|
| D Has been granted 'Permission to teach' the Diploma |
| S Has been granted 'Specified' status to teach the BSc |
| A Has been granted 'Advanced' status |
| Country/Institution | Diploma | BSc |
|---|---|---|
| Malta | ||
| St Martin's Institute of Information Technology | A | |
Fees
The University reserves the right to amend previously announced fees, if necessary.
The fees shown below for 2012-2013 are applicable from 1 September 2012 and are subject to annual review.
| BSc and Diploma | 2012-2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | £ 70 | |
| Registration fee | £ 648 | |
| Continuing registration fee | £ 316 | |
| Exam fee per course, BSc ( x 12) | £ 264 | |
| Exam fee per course, Diploma ( x 5) | £ 264 | |
| Application for accreditation of prior learning application fee per course (BSc degrees only) | £ 70 | |
| Application for accreditation of prior learning application fee (Diploma students, course CO0001) | £ 35 | |
| TOTAL Diploma over two years | £ 2,354 | |
| TOTAL BSc over three years | £ 4,518 |
| Work Experience Entry Route | 2012-2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | £ 70 | |
| Registration fee | £ 324 | |
| Continuing registration fee | £ 316 | |
| Transfer fee | £ 640 | |
| Examination fee per full course | £ 264 | |
| The above fees are those paid to the University and do not include fees charged by the teaching institution | ||
|
ConvertGBP x 1 | ||
Other costs
Besides the fees payable to the University, you should also budget for:
- textbooks (this may well be in the region of £400 per year)
- tuition costs if studying at a teaching institution
- local examination centre - if you are taking examinations outside London you will have to pay an additional fee to your local examination centre. This fee will vary.
When do I pay?
You pay:
- your application fee by 1 October
- your registration fee by 30 November if you want to take exams in the following year
- your exam fees by 1 February in the year you wish to sit your exams
- your continuing registration fee in the second and subsequent years of registration.
How do I pay?
- Western Union - Quick Pay.
- Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Electron, JCB).
- Sterling banker's draft/cheque.
- International money/postal order.
Further details are given in payment methods.
Assessment
Level 1 and Level 2 courses are assessed by one three-hour unseen written examination and coursework. The Level 1 'Mathematics for computing' course is assessed by a three-hour unseen written paper only.
Level 3 courses are assessed by a two-hour fifteen minute unseen written paper and coursework. The project is assessed by a two-hour unseen written paper, a preliminary report and a final report.
You do not have to come to London to take your examinations. Examinations are held once a year, usually in May/June, in local overseas centres around the world as well as in London. Examinations overseas are arranged mainly through Ministries of Education or the British Council. You will be charged a fee by your local examination centre (this fee will vary). For further information please see the assesment and exams section of our website.
Academic Requirements
BSc Creative Computing
To be eligible for the BSc degree you must:
- normally* be at least 17 years old and either have passes in:
- two subjects at GCE 'A' level plus at least three further subjects at GCSE/GCE 'O' level (at not less than grade C or a 'pass' if taken prior to 1975) or
- three subjects at GCE ‘A’ level (with one ‘A’ level at not less than grade D) or
- three subjects at GCE 'A' level, plus one further subject at GCSE/GCE 'O' level (at not less than grade C) or
- two subjects at GCE 'A' Level and two further subjects at GCE 'AS' Level and
- have a level of competence at least equivalent to a pass at GCE 'AS' level in a mathematical subject. Strong passes at GCSE/GCE 'O' level in mathematics will also be considered for admissions purposes (the University will consider qualifications of a comparable standard to GCE 'AS' and GCSE/GCE 'O' levels - the decision on comparable qualifications is taken at the discretion of the University) and
- have fluent comprehension and writing skills in English.
Diploma in Creative Computing
To be eligible for the Diploma you must:
- normally* be aged 17 years or older before 1 September in the year you first register with the University (there can be no exceptions to this requirement) and
- EITHER have passed a minimum of four separate subjects at GCSE/GCE ‘O’ level (at not less than grade C) including Mathematics or equivalent examination and
-
provide proof of competence in English acceptable to the University (it may be necessary for you to have passed a recognised test of proficiency, at the appropriate level, within
the past three years) and - have been admitted to a full- or part-time course of instruction at an institution which is permitted to teach the Diploma.
- OR must have been admitted to a full- or part-time course of instruction at an institution with 'Advanced' status, having successfully completed the entry test of that institution.
Work Experience Entry Route to BSc Creative Computing
To be eligible for the Work Experience Entry Route you must:
- normally* be aged 21 years or older before 1 September in the year you first register with the University (there can be no exceptions to this requirement) and
- have passed a minimum of four separate subjects at GCSE/GCE ‘O’ level (at not less than Grade C) including Mathematics and
- provide proof of competency in English acceptable to the University (it may be necessary for you to have passed a recognised test of proficiency, at the appropriate level, within the past three years) and
- have at least two years relevant work experience (i.e. with computing or IT elements either from a job in a computing-oriented company or a job in computing or IT).
| *Applications will be considered from applicants who do not meet the normal minimum age requirement for admission. Each application will be considered on an individual basis, and the decision taken at the discretion of the University of London. |
Note: applicants with other qualifications not listed above and/or suitable work experience will be considered by the University on an individual basis. There are many other acceptable entrance qualifications [PDF: 9pgs, 160KB], both from the UK and overseas, which the University accepts instead of British 'O' and 'A' levels.
If you do not satisfy the criteria for automatic acceptance we will still consider your application on an individual basis under our Special Admissions procedures. If we cannot accept you with your current qualifications and experience, we will advise you what qualifications you could take in order to become eligible in the future.
Accreditation of prior learning (APL)
APL means that you are not required to take a particular course as part of your degree. APL may be awarded for up to four full courses at Level 1, or a maximum of two courses at Level 2. APL is not awarded for any course at Level 3.
To be eligible, you must satisfy the University that you have already passed examinations that compare in level, content and standard to the syllabuses from which you want APL. Some APL we award is 'automatic'; all other APL is considered on a 'non-automatic' basis.
To be considered for APL you must satisfy our criteria and make an application. Any APL awarded is only valid for a limited period which will be specified in your decision letter. If you do not attempt an examination during this period, the APL will expire. If you still want the APL to count towards your degree you will need to apply again. All non-automatic APL isconsidered on payment of a fee of £66 per course.
Computer Requirements
Online access and general computer requirements
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet; this may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.
Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+
Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater
Certain programmes may have their own specific requirements, please refer to the relevant Regulations.
Academic direction - Computing - Goldsmiths, University of London
The UK's leading creative university, Goldsmiths is all about the freedom to experiment, to think differently, to be an individual. Goldsmiths brings creative and unconventional approaches to all of its subjects, always based on the highest academic standards of teaching and research. From undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to part-time and professional courses, Goldsmiths has an excellent range of innovative study opportunities, with the visual and performing arts departments being especially renowned. No fewer than five of its graduates, including Damien Hirst, have gone on to win the prestigious Turner Prize.
Goldsmiths' Department of Computing is a leading centre in the UK for the study of Arts and Music Computing, Cognitive Computing and Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Science. Academic staff are leaders and partners on a variety of research projects and have key alliances with other universities (including Cambridge University, MIT, Brown University, Leeds University, and King’s College London), cultural institutions (the Department works with several museums including Tate Modern), creative and telecommunications industries. Further information about the department and teaching staff can be found at the departmental homepage [external link].
Current research within the Department includes Ontology of Digital Culture (developing an application for searching audio and video content online), Intelligent Sound and Music Systems
(understanding how human music cognition functions), Adaptive Technologies (enhancing the functionality of hypermedia systems), and Algorithms and Computer Networks (encompassing algorithm design and analysis, wireless networks, data compression, and combinatorics).
Goldsmiths' responsibilities include writing study materials, giving advice to students and teaching institutions, and ensuring that students are examined to the same standard as at Goldsmiths and the University of London as a whole.
Apply online
Academic Inspiration- BSc Creative Computing: AIKON Project
Frederic Fol Leymarie at the Department of Computing, Goldsmiths, University of London, provides an overview of AIKON: a research project that uses computational and robotic technology to explore the artistic basis of face sketching.
Alumni Inspiration - BSc Creative Computing (Malta)
Joseph Gatt graduated in 2011 with a first class honours BSc Creative computing degree. He speaks about why he decided to study for the degree and his plans for the future.