Business Computing (Entrepreneurship) with Foundation Year (Integrated Degree)

Learn how to design, develop, and deploy software systems for business, while also honing skills in enterprise computing, business modelling, and digital entrepreneurship.

This degree which includes a Foundation Year in Computing is an alternative entry route for students without the formal academic profile to enter into degree level study. We will help you develop your undergraduate academic skills, whilst also teaching you foundations of programming, problem solving and maths.

Why study the Business Computing (Entrepreneurship) with Foundation Year (Integrated Degree) degree at Goldsmiths

• Teaching on this programme is strongly focused on practical work in real world situations, so you'll develop excellent technical and interpersonal skills that will enhance your employability.

• You don’t need to know how to code before you start. You'll begin by creating simple software programs, before gradually building expertise.

• Your practical work will be underpinned by theory ranging from problem-solving strategies to professional software development models.

• You’ll benefit from Goldsmiths’ unique interdisciplinary approach to teaching Computing and explore how computing interacts with the arts, humanities and social sciences.

• When you successfully complete the Foundation Year, you’ll be eligible to progress onto Year 1 of the BSc degree.

• This degree will provide you with hands-on experience of digital businesses, innovative technologies and entrepreneurship. You'll gain a detailed understanding of the major concepts and technologies underpinning entrepreneurship and their application to designing exciting new products, services and processes.

• You'll explore how both new and established organisations can respond to the opportunities and threats associated with disruptive innovation, and how entrepreneurs can secure and manage financial resources.

• You'll develop practical computing skills and an understanding of the processes involved in creating digital start-up businesses from inception to launch.

• The degree includes the opportunity for you to undertake a year-long placement in industry, enabling you to gain work experience, build confidence and contacts, develop your skills and industry insight, and enhance your career prospects.

• You'll engage in critical thinking by analysing entrepreneurial situations and constructing and selecting viable solutions to solve problems.

• You'll gain knowledge of current theories, models, techniques and practices in all major business disciplines including accounting and finance, information technologies, management and marketing.

• You'll explore technological and innovation trends and their impact on organisations, considering the economics of digital business and the characteristics of businesses that succeed in a turbulent environment.

Course Modules

The Foundation year (Year 0) is designed to prepare you for undergraduate study in computing. During the year you’ll learn the foundations of how to program a computer. You’ll work on practical examples of computing applications and learn to develop simple software programs which gradually increase in complexity. You’ll also develop your mathematical and problem-solving skills, as well as more general study skills.

Year 0 (Foundation Year)
Includes four integrated units of study:

• Studying Computers

• Foundations of Problem Solving

• Foundations of Programming

Foundations of Mathematics for Computing

Year 1
In your first year, you'll take the following compulsory modules:

• Identity, Agency & Environment 1

• Introduction to Programming

• Front End Web

• Understanding Entrepreneurship

• Identity, Agency & Environment 2

• Computing Project 1

• Business Enterprise in the Digital Era

• Introduction to Statistics for Business and User Experience

Year 2
In your second year, you'll take the following compulsory modules:

• Dynamic Web Applications

• Consumer Behaviour

• Pitching Creative Businesses

• Computing Project 2

• Brand Management

• Entrepreneurial Behaviour

• The Goldsmiths Elective

• The Goldsmiths Project

Optional placement year
The degree includes an optional industrial placement year between the second and final year of study. You will be responsible for securing a placement, but we can support you through this process.

The industrial placement year is a great opportunity for you to gain work experience, build confidence and contacts, develop your skills and industry insight, and enhance your career prospects.

You'll be supported throughout your placement year by a placement tutor, who will provide you with guidance and liaison between you and your employer.

Although we encourage you to take the opportunity of a placement year, it isn't compulsory and you can complete your degree in three years.

Year 3 (or Year 4 with work placement)
You'll take the following compulsory modules:

• Final Project in Business Computing

• Digital Venture Creation

• Social Responsibilities of Management

You will also select option modules to the value of 45 credits from a list provided by the department.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These may include coursework, examinations, group work and projects. If you successfully progress and opt for an industrial placement year, your placement tutor will assess your work. If you complete the placement year successfully, you earn the endorsement 'with work experience' on your degree certificate.