Computing and Information Systems (CIS):
BSc, Diploma and Work Experience Entry Route
Is this programme for me?
This degree is for you if you want to learn how to develop systems that can grow to meet new and changing needs in modern business environments and in arts, media and cultural applications. It also provides a route to a variety of higher degrees in the computing and information systems sector.
Programme aims
The programme aims to give you a wide appreciation of the subject, rather than just an understanding of existing commercial approaches, so that your knowledge can evolve and adapt to meet contemporary needs. You will develop skills in:
- various aspects of programming
- computer systems development and project management
- design of database management systems, e-commerce, computer security and information systems management.
Programme summaries
Student Profile
Chow Kin Keong , BSc in Computing and Information Systems, studied in Singapore. Undertaking this degree sharpened my analytical mindset and also widened my problem-solving perspective. It took less than three months after graduating to land a job at a major US multinational technology and business services company. read more »
BSc: The traditional degree in which 12 units 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 exemptions if you have previously studied suitable material.
Diploma: Consists of 5 units and is an award in its own right. Upon successful completion you may transfer directly to Level 2 of the BSc. The Diploma must 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 units 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.
Occasional student: If you meet the entrance requirements you may apply to regsiter as an Occasional student and study one or more units. Please note that you will not be able to transfer to the degree or diploma or accumulate passes and then apply to be awarded the degree.
Prestige and career progression
The programme has been developed by academics within the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths. 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.
This degree will prepare you for a variety of careers, including Systems Analyst, Systems Designer, Application Programmer and IT Consultant.
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 unit.
For the BSc, the total fee payable to the University is £4,126. For the Diploma, the total fee is £2,151 (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.
Diploma in CIS
The Diploma in Computing and Information Systems is a qualification in its own right; successful completion gains credit for Level 1 of the BSc degree. You can only study the Diploma in CIS at an institution which has been given 'Permission to teach' by Goldsmiths, University of London. At present there are Diploma-teaching institutions in Greece, Iraq, Malta, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and the UK.
Study materials
The study materials that we send you include:
- Studying for a Degree in the Humanities and Social Sciences
- Student handbook
- Subject guides (offering advice on how to use textbooks)
- CD-ROMs
- Past exam papers and Examiners' reports
- Regulations
You need to provide your own textbooks - they provide the main focus of your studies - so before you register for the programme we do advise you to consider the facilities available to you locally, and how accessible books are likely to be.
Study support and online resources
For the BSc you can either study independently at a pace that suits you, or enrol for additional classes at a local institution (either full time or part time) and benefit from the more formalized support this provides.
- Online resources including news items, Examiners' reports and past exam papers, the Student handbook, Regulations and reading lists. To facilitate your study, copies of the first three or four chapters of many of the CIS subject guides.
- Online Library providing links to websites, ejournals, information security and information systems resources, and databases including: Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier and Science Direct.
Summary of key dates
| Application deadline | 17 September (non-EU) 17 October (EU) 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 |