Degree Pathway for Computer Science

One-year Pathway to Computer Science

Our Degree Pathway Programme for Computer Science is designed for international students who want a specialised pathway to university in the UK.

It leads directly to leading UK universities with very strong reputations for degree courses in subjects such as Computer Science, Information Systems, Consumer Technology and App Development and Computer Engineering.

Is this Degree Pathway Programme for me?

If you answer yes to one or more of the statements below, this is the perfect programme for you:

1. You are an international student looking for a fast, direct preparation programme for university entry.
2. The education system in your home country is shorter than in the UK, so you need an additional year of study before you can study at a UK university.
3. You need additional English language development before you reach the required level for undergraduate study in the UK.
4. You may not have the grades you need for direct entry to a UK university.
5. You are looking for the support of a “bridge” programme between finishing you high school at home and joining a UK university.

The programme

The Degree Pathway Programme comprises four components:

A. English language development (including specialist IELTS preparation)

B. Core skills modules

C. Subject-focused modules

D. Academic enhancement activities

Together, they provide a complete learning experience that expertly prepares international students for the rigours of university study in the UK.

A. English language development

UK universities will usually require an English language level of minimum IELTS 6.5.

The fully integrated tuition system develops your learning and study skills as well as language skills. You will:

• become familiar with the conventions and expectations of the UK education system
• become familiar with the style of language used in academic texts
• increase your speed in reading and writing
• enlarge your vocabulary, especially in relation to academic subjects
• learn to identify key facts and information from a wide range of texts
• learn to organise and set out factual information clearly and coherently, orally and in writing
• learn to identify and analyse the main argument in a text or presentation
• learn to express ideas and opinions logically and confidently using appropriate language
• learn to challenge the ideas of others and present contrasting views

B. Core skills

These form the basis of all one-year university Degree Pathway Programmes at Kings.

They give you the vital platform you need to acquire subject specific knowledge.

• Communications and Study Skills
• Data Handling and Information Technology (slightly different for Humanities modules and for Maths and Science modules)

C. Subject-focused modules

1. Mathematics

At the end of this module students will:

• have a general understanding of maths and mathematical processes ƒƒ
• be able to reason logically and to generalise ƒƒ
• have developed mathematical skills and techniques, and be able to use them in increasingly difficult or unstructured problems ƒƒ
• recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically ƒƒ
• know how to use mathematics as an effective means of communication ƒƒ
• be able to read and comprehend mathematical arguments and narrative concerning applications of mathematics ƒƒ
• be able to use calculating aids effectively and be aware of their limitations.

2. Further Mathematics

At the end of this module students will:

• have a deeper understanding of the application of calculus methods to the solution of mechanical and other real-world problems
• have acquired knowledge of and skills in a wider range of analytical techniques
• have an understanding of mathematical methods relating to vectors and matrices, and their applications
• be able to work confidently with complex numbers and be aware of their application to various systems
• be able to use approximation and power series methods in the solution of suitable problems

3. Third elective module

Students will take a third module, choosing Business Studies, Economics or Government and Politics.

D. Academic Enhancement

A fundamental part of the programme, enhancement takes students outside of the classroom and makes them live the subject as well as providing them with useful life skills.

Students on our Computer Science Degree Pathway Programme may:

• visit Bletchley Park
• take part in the UKMT Maths Team Challenge
• be visited by University academics and get cutting edge lectures on Science and Technology topics

They might be encouraged to take challenge themselves to do the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and take part in clubs and societies run locally.

In each of our four locations we run clubs and societies like the Maths Club, the Astronomy Society and many more. More detail about the specific clubs offered can be found on our location pages.