Computing

Overview

Extensive industry contacts provide engaging guest lecturers and class discussions – our Computing Department has strong links with local, national and international organisations including Microsoft, Google, Hewlett Packard and IBM.
The programme is taught in dedicated labs with industry-specific software by a highly competent team of experts from a variety of IT-related backgrounds.
All graduates can gain student membership of the Institute for the Management of Information Systems and the British Computer Society.

How does Amazon know what you want in your shopping basket even before you do? How does Facebook know who your best friends are? From online shopping to the virtual world of Second Life, technology continues to develop at an unstoppable pace. Follow an exciting programme of study centred on the information and communications technologies that have driven the phenomenal growth of the internet.

Exit pathways

After gaining a solid base in computing in your first year you can either specialise in one of three subject areas: Database Systems, Web and Multimedia, or Information Management, or take elements of all three and continue a broader programme of Computing Studies. If you wish to combine Computing with another programme at Roehampton you can do so by taking elements from all three Computing specialisms to form a Combined Honours programme of your choice.

Single Honours:

Combined Honours:

Computing Studies

In detail

For a complete description of this programme's aims, learning outcomes and the programme outline, see the full programme details.

For a complete list of this programme's modules and a detailed description of each of them, see the full module details.

Entry requirements

Offers are typically based in the range of 160–240 points from A-levels, vocational A-levels, or equivalent, including the 14–19 Diploma.
GCSE English and Maths at grade C, or equivalent.

Our offers are not solely based on academic results: we also take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration.

For further information refer to our general entrance requirements page, which includes a tariff table. If you need advice on entry requirements or applications, please contact our Enquiries Office on 020 8392 3232.

Year-by-year summary

First year

The first year is common across all four Computing pathways and will provide you with a solid basis in a variety of areas such as:

the role of information systems in business and society
different methods used in the development of information systems
ways to collect and manage data
the legal and ethical aspects of being a computing professional
computer programming; computer hardware, networks and graphic design.

You will be debating with your fellow students on topical issues such as the dilemmas of music downloading and hacking. You will create your own computer programs, design your own databases and learn how to use industry-specific software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create computer graphics for a variety of purposes.

Second and third year

Depending on the pathway you choose, the second and third years will provide you with opportunities to:

design and build professional websites that cater to clients' needs
design and build robust and secure databases with web connectivity
design and create original interactive animated graphics and multimedia projects
gain in-depth understanding of the role of IT in industry and the importance of strategic planning and analysis of information systems.

All pathways are designed to provide expertise in the key skill areas of:

analysing and designing systems for specific industries
managing projects to ensure quality and efficient time management
writing concise and relevant reports and communicating effectively with clients and customers to present findings and
IT solutions.

Examples of student work

Students undertake a variety of projects as part of the Computing programme. These projects require the analysis and design of a system to meet specific requirements (typically business).

Animation by Steven Lucas on YouTube.

To view other students' work, search for "Roehampton animation" on YouTube.

Facilities

The programme is taught in dedicated labs with industry-specific software.

Our Computing Department has strong links with local, national and international organisations including Microsoft, Google, Hewlett Packard and IBM.

The University Library has excellent resources for the study of Computing.

Career prospects

The programme has been designed to equip you with valuable skills for employment – not only technically but also in the area of honing your communication and problem-solving skills to enable you to meet the demands of the workplace. Our graduates gain jobs in many fields such as system analysis, web design and development, marketing and retail management.

Quotes from former students

"I found the variety of skills sets learned at the University a great help in securing myself a career in project management in the IT industry."
Ella Horswell, former Computing student from Wimbledon, London, now works as a Project Manager at World Archipelago in Fulham, London

"I chose BSc in Computing as it gave me the opportunity to select modules that I found interesting such as programming and also the artistic side of computing: Graphics and 3D animation (see my work on YouTube). The course I completed was both intellectually stimulating and challenging. My third-year project improved my techniques in Java programming and software engineering, which will be beneficial in developing Java-based enterprise applications. Roehampton University has helped shape my future."
Alvin, former Computing student

"I'm working as a Media Insight Analyst at TMP Worldwide, a recruitment advertising and communications company. My responsibilities include analysing statistics from Google and other media to see how well our campaigns for clients are progressing. I'm really enjoying it and I'm working with a really nice group of people."
Chris, former Computing student

"My degree gave me such a good foundation and has helped me to get where I am today. Also, Roehampton's reputation made a difference. I found a job within three months of graduating.
Having a strong foundation from my degree and the ability to work under pressure enabled me to develop my skillset on the job. I worked as a web designer initially and then I got into front-end development because I wanted to build what I designed."
Meera Tank, former Computing student, now works as a Digital Experience Architect at ID Media, London