Looking for a career in computing?

This New Year, students looking to enter the fast-paced world of computers and IT are now able to apply for the new online BSc Computer Science degrees, delivered by the University of London and Coursera.

Goldsmiths, University of London, which is recognised for its excellent research and its creative approaches to computer science, is responsible for developing the programmes. Applications for these open today (Monday 7 January 2019), and are offered with differential pricing for students in different parts of the world to make them more accessible.

These new BSc degree programmes have been designed to meet the needs of career changers in industry, as well as those taking their first steps into the field of computer science. Those who take the degree programmes will be able to study the fundamentals of computing, as well as machine learning, data science, virtual reality, game development and web programming.

Goldsmiths’ innovative approach to computing will make the subject accessible and engaging for students with all levels of experience. For example, the Introduction to Programming 1 module uses an online “workspace”, where students will be able to participate in a special detective game called “Sleuth”.

Through the puzzle-solving activities in completing this game, students can learn the fundamentals of coding in a practical and engaging manner, at the same time as working towards passing their module and contributing to their final grade. This module also helps students to develop the mind-set to carry on growing in their programming skills throughout the programme course and in their future careers.

Dr Mary Stiasny OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), University of London, said:

This programme benefits from Goldsmiths’ unique approach to teaching, which combines the arts and computer science, developed through world leading research. It is this combination that makes the BSc Computer Science degree programmes accessible for anyone, regardless of their previous experience with the world of technology.

Mark d’Inverno, Pro-Warden (International) at Goldsmiths said:

The content and teaching methods for these programmes have been developed to attract people across a number of disciplinary interests, including those with backgrounds in computer science, as well as those with a grounding in music, art, journalism, business and games.

The programmes will emphasise the development of creative applications. These programmes are also designed to provide access to computer science for all, which is why the differential pricing has been introduced to make these degree programmes accessible to students living in different parts of the world, with different means of financial support.

Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO at Coursera explained: "Computer science, a lucrative and fast-growing career field, represents a huge opportunity for global learners, especially those based in developing countries." He added:

We're thrilled to offer our first-ever undergraduate degree on Coursera and, with University of London's innovative cost-adjustment model, the program opens up access to research and cutting-edge computer science skills to a greater diversity of learners around the world.

The flexible BSc Computer Science online degree programmes can fit around work, family, and other commitments. Students can study online, at their own pace and in their own time, anywhere in the world. Further flexibility is offered through two entry points to the degree programmes per year.

Applications for the BSc Computer Science programmes can be made here: https://london.ac.uk/courses/computer-science. The final deadline for applications is Monday 11 March 2019, with the first cohort of students beginning their studies on Monday 8 April 2019.

For students wishing to get a head-start, they can complete the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which is recognised by the University of London as prior learning for a compulsory module on the BSc programmes: How Computers Work.

Notes to editors:

For further information contact:

Binda Rai: Head of External Relations, Media and PR (Worldwide)
University of London
Email: Binda.rai@london.ac.uk
Mobile: 07920 476 483
Landline: 0207 862 8545

Photos are available on request.

About the BSc Computer Science Programmes:

• The BSc Computer Science programmes offer students the choice of eight specialist awards:

1. BSc Computer Science
2. BSc Computer Science (Data Science)
3. BSc Computer Science (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence)
4. BSc Computer Science (Web and Mobile Development)
5. BSc Computer Science (UX)
6. BSc Computer Science (Physical Computing and Internet of Things)
7. BSc Computer Science (Games Development)
8. BSc Computer Science (Virtual Reality).

• Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma awards are available for the specialist areas listed above. (To be released in 2020.)
• Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma awards are available for the specialist areas listed above. (To be released in 2020.)
• The University of London recognises the following five courses of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate as constituting prior learning for its How Computers Work module:

1. Technical Support Fundamentals
2. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
3. Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
4. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
5. IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts.

About the University of London

• The University of London is the world’s oldest provider of academic awards through distance and flexible learning, dating back to 1858, when the University of London was awarded a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria.
• In 1858 Charles Dickens described the University of London as ‘The People’s University’ when its 1858 Royal Charter extended access to degrees to those who could not come to London to study.
• Today, students of the University of London’s distance and flexible learning programmes study from a suite of 100+ academic programmes, with some taking the award through self-study or through support from Recognised Teaching Centres across the world.
  https://london.ac.uk/courses
• The University of London’s distance and flexible learning provider has come to be known as the world’s largest classroom, with 50,000 students worldwide, and over 1.4 million learners on the Coursera online platform for MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), bringing this global reach to more than 1.5 million people around the world in more than 190 countries.
• Further information about the University of London is available at: https://london.ac.uk/

About Goldsmiths, University of London

• The online BSc Computer Science programmes are being delivered with academic direction from Goldsmiths, University of London.
• Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths is an institution with a rich academic history, known for its creative approach. Its 9,000 students are based on campus in the heart of south east London's New Cross community, studying undergraduate, postgraduate, teacher training and return-to-study courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, computing, and entrepreneurial business and management.
• Goldsmiths research shapes the future, changes lives and is at the forefront of creative practice, with almost three-quarters of research rated internationally excellent or world-leading by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.
• The QS World Rankings place Goldsmiths, University of London in the top five UK Universities for Art & Design and Communication & Media Studies. Goldsmiths is also in the UK’s top 25 for the quality of our research, according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (based on research quality scores in the Times Higher Education subject rankings).