Overview

This foundation-level pathway introduces the fundamentals of computing to students who want to progress into the BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree at Goldsmiths, University of London but do not yet hold the formal academic background typically required. It builds programming, mathematical, and problem-solving ability from the ground up, with no prior coding experience assumed. The year matters because it turns genuine interest in the subject into the skills needed to succeed at degree level.

What You'll Learn

• Core principles of how computers and software systems work

• Programming fundamentals, starting from simple exercises and building toward more complex software

• Mathematical reasoning and structured problem-solving techniques relevant to computing

• Practical, real-world computing applications through hands-on tasks

• Broader academic study skills to support the transition into undergraduate work

• Theoretical grounding drawn from problem-solving strategies and software development approaches

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the year, students will be able to write and develop simple software programs of increasing complexity, and will have a working grasp of core computing concepts such as hardware, software, and basic system architecture. They will be equipped to apply mathematical and analytical thinking to computing problems, and will have developed the independent study habits and academic confidence needed to move into full undergraduate study in Computer Science. Students will also understand how practical coding work connects to broader software development processes.