Computing and Information Systems (CIS):
BSc, Diploma and Work Experience Entry Route
Entrance requirements
BSc Computing and Information Systems
To be eligible for the BSc degree you must:
- normally* be at least 17 years old and either have passes in:
- two subjects at GCE 'A' level plus at least three further subjects at GCSE/GCE 'O' level (at not less than grade C or a 'pass' if taken prior to 1975) or
- three subjects at GCE ‘A’ level (with one ‘A’ level at not less than grade D) or
- three subjects at GCE 'A' level, plus one further subject at GCSE/GCE 'O' level (at not less than grade C) or
- two subjects at GCE 'A' Level and two further subjects at GCE 'AS' Level and
- have a level of competence in Mathematics at least equivalent to a pass at GCE 'AS' level in a mathematical subject and
- have fluent comprehension and writing skills in English.
Diploma in Computing and
Information Systems
To be eligible for the Diploma you must:
- normally* be aged 17 years or older before 1 September in the year you
first register with the University (there can be no exceptions to
this requirement) and
- EITHER have passed a minimum of four separate subjects at
GCSE/GCE ‘O’ level (at not less than grade C) including
Mathematics or equivalent examination and
- provide proof of competence in English acceptable to the
University (it may be necessary for you to have passed a
recognised test of proficiency, at the appropriate level, within
the past three years) and
- have been admitted to a full- or part-time course of instruction
at a recognised centre, which is listed offering this programme on the Directory of Institutions.
- OR must have been admitted to a full- or part-time course of
instruction at an institution with 'Advanced' status, having
successfully completed the entry test of that institution.
Work Experience Entry Route to BSc Computing and Information Systems
To be eligible for the Work Experience Entry Route you must:
- normally* be aged 21 years or older before 1 September in the year you first register with the University (there can be no exceptions to this requirement) and
- have passed a minimum of four separate subjects at GCSE/GCE ‘O’ level (at not less than Grade C) including Mathematics and
- provide proof of competency in English acceptable to the University (it may be necessary for you to have passed a recognised test of proficiency, at the appropriate level, within the past three years) and
- have at least two years relevant work experience (i.e. with computing or IT elements either from a job in a computing-oriented company or a job in computing or IT).
| *Applications will be considered from applicants who do not meet the normal minimum age requirement for admission. Each application will be considered on an individual basis, and the decision taken at the discretion of the University of London. |
Note: applicants with other qualifications
not listed above and/or suitable work experience will be considered by the
University on an individual basis. There are many other
acceptable qualifications [PDF: 9pgs, 160KB], both from the UK and overseas,
which the University accepts instead of British 'O' and 'A' levels.
If you do not satisfy the criteria for automatic acceptance we will still consider your application on an individual basis under our Special Admissions procedures. If we cannot accept you with your current qualifications and experience, we will advise you what qualifications you could take in order to become eligible in the future.
IT requirements (BSc only)
The recommended minimum configuration is as follows:
- IBM-compatible PCs; Pentium 133; 32Mb RAM; 3Gb IDE Hard Drive; CD-ROM; 3.5" floppy, 16
Bit Colour (32 recommended), 800 x 600 resolution (1024 x 768 recommended), sound card and speakers
(recommended for CD).
- At Level 2, access to a suitable network is very important for full learning benefit. If you
do not have such access, it will not be impossible for you to complete the degree, but you would
not have the same study experience as a student with this access. The highest level of access
you will require for effective study will be as a (temporary) network manager so that you can
experiment with configuration. In particular, lack of appropriate network access will affect
your ability to study for the unit ‘Data communications and enterprise networking’ in
the most effective way possible.
Note: Other machines, apart from those that are PC-compatible, are acceptable provided they run equivalent software.
Software
You are advised to make use of common operating systems, as follows:
- Windows™ (e.g. 95, 2000 or NT), with UNIX (e.g. Linux on PCs) as a useful addition. No systems are recommended specifically, but under Windows™, an integrated package such as Microsoft Office is sufficient.
- Netscape Navigator 4.5 and above, or Internet Explorer 5 and above (Note: Netscape version 6 browsers are not recommended as they are currently incapable of running some of the interactive elements of the CD).
- Word processor, spreadsheet and database.
- A Java resource, for example Java Development Kit (free from http://java.sun.com/).
- To enable viewing of the CD-ROM exercise files and other site functionality, Acrobat Reader 5, Flash MX plug-in, Shockwave 8 plug-in, JavaScript-enabled, Java-enabled.
- For Level 2, an implementation of PROLOG conforming to the Edinburgh syntax (such as LPA PROLOG, BIN PROLOG or Quintus PROLOG). ML. Linux recommended (e.g. Redhat Linux, on CD for about £20, or free from www.redhat.com).
- For Level 3, additional software is required for some units. Please see Level 3 unit outlines on pages 13 and 14 of the prospectus for details.
Exemptions
Although we use the word 'exemption', other institutions often use the term
'credit transfer'. An exemption means that you are not required to take a particular
unit as part of your degree. Students may apply for exemption from Level 1
of the degree or from any of its constituent units or half units.
To be eligible you must satisfy the University that you have already passed
examinations that compare in level, content and standard to the syllabuses
from which you want to be exempted. Some exemptions we award are automatically granted;
all others are considered on a non-automatic basis.
To be considered for exemption you must satisfy our criteria and make
an application. Any exemption awarded is only valid for a limited
period which will be specified in your decision letter. If you do not attempt
an examination during this period, the exemption will expire. If you still
want the exemption to count towards your degree you will need to apply again.
All non-automatic exemptions are considered on payment of a fee of £54 per unit (£27 per half unit).
Note: for further details about Exemptions
- highlighted above - please see the Exemptions section of our website