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Overview Foundation degrees are new vocationally focused qualifications designed specifically to meet the demand from employers for particular technical skills and associated academic knowledge and transferable skills. Computing and Information Technology play a major role in contemporary business and industry and there is a continuing demand for students with skills in these areas. The Foundation Degree in Digital Media Technologies places emphasis on the practical and vocational aspects of the design and development of digital media systems. The Foundation Degree in Software Development and the Foundation Degree in Network Computing place emphasis on the practical and vocational aspects of computer software and computer networking. These programmes provide a recognised qualification that places an emphasis on the skills valued by employers. The content of our Foundation Degrees has specifically been chosen to meet the needs of local employers.
Advantages of studying a foundation degree at Bromley College
Industrial market surveys indicate that the skills shortages in ICT will increase. This indicates a potentially healthy demand from the commercial sector in the medium term. In addition to this, the need for students to gain experience in the custom and practice of client based environments is increasing, as well as having a clear understanding how they fit into the work place. A survey from the Institute of Economic Affairs, among others, cited this area as one of the greatest weaknesses in new graduate recruits. A national survey carried out by JobStats of IT related job advertisements identified the top 15 most popular IT skills in demand in the UK marketplace. The content of our FdEng Foundation Degrees provides students with a good grounding in 9 of these 15 skill areas and an appreciation of aspects of a further 5 of the these skill areas. Recent surveys all conclude that the demand for experienced professionals far exceeds the current supply. So serious is this shortfall that the future growth of networks may well be limited by the availability of skilled networking professionals. This makes networking skills a highly desirable and sought after commodity in the job market.
Progression from the Foundation Degree to an Honours Degree Programme was an important design element of the programmes. All three Foundation Degrees were designed in conjunction with the University of Greenwich to allow graduates of either foundation degree who meet the required academic standard direct entry onto the final stage of an appropriate BSc Honours degree programmes offered at the University. The following progression routes are available:
a) FdSc Digital Media Technologies (Supersedes FdSc Multimedia Technology) The Foundation Degree in Digital Media Technologies programme seeks to bring together the many areas that affect the design and development of multimedia systems. It is broad based, covering technical, theoretical and design areas. You'll learn how to: Create and handle images (drawing and photographic); Produce computer animation (2D and 3D); Make digital video and sound for the web, CD and DVD; Create and manage websites; Program and design in various commercial software environments; Use principles of design and analysis to ensure you work is of the highest standard; Communicate effectively with business, computing and design professionals; Apply theoretical issues to a practical work environment. Students studying on the FdSc Digital Media Technologies take the following courses:
Students are assessed partly by assignment work undertaken during the courses and partly by a final examination at the end of certain courses.
b) FdEng Network Computing The Foundation Degree in Network Computing addresses not only the momentous growth of networks and connectivity driven by the popularity of the Internet, but also the software systems that run on those networks. There is a need for IT professionals who can not only specify, design and implement network infrastructure but also specify, design and implement the software that operates on that infrastructure. It is anticipated that students will achieve this qualification after 2 years of full-time study. Credits can be awarded for activities carried out at the work place as well as at the College. Students studying on the FdEng Network Computing take the following courses:
Students are assessed partly by assignment work undertaken during the courses and partly by a final examination at the end of certain courses.
c) FdEng Software Development See the general information about the Foundation Degree in Network Computing above for background information about the Foundation Degree in Network Computing programme. Students studying on the FdEng Software Development take the following courses:
Students are assessed partly by assignment work undertaken during the courses and partly by a final examination at the end of certain courses.
Content compared The FdSc Digital Media Technologies incorporates both multimedia digital design and production as well as computer programming, database & web design and development. Much of the content of the FdEng Network Computing and Software Development is common between the two Foundation Degrees. Both degrees include computer programming, database & web design and development, data communications and software engineering. The essential differences in content between the two programmes are summarised below: The FdEng Software Development includes an appreciation of low level programming and digital systems. Database programming including RAD and visual programming The FdEng Network Computing includes LAN and WAN standards, technology, planning, implementation and troubleshooting. System administration and server configuration.
Formal Academic Qualifications Students being recruited onto the programme will normally be expected to have 80 UCAS points in a relevant subject area and GCSE in English and Maths at grade C or better. Non-standard Entry Mature applicants without formal or traditional entry qualifications may be admitted as a result of their life and/or work experience. Applicants over 21 will be regarded as mature students and admission will be based on an interview to determine the candidate's academic potential and motivation for the programme. Overseas Applicants Applicants with EU or overseas qualifications may be admitted according to the current University guidelines. Normally a minimum IELTS score of at least 6.5 will be required for admission for overseas applicants whose first language is not English. Work Experience The work-related and work-based courses are seen as a vital component of the Foundation Degrees, adding the essential work experience component to the programme and at the same time providing integration and coherence to the programme as a whole. It is expected that students undertaking the Foundation Degree will acquire/have already acquired relevant work experience as part of their everyday employment. Action will be taken to ensure work experience is relevant to the aims of the programme and the needs of the students.
As a student on the full-time foundation degree programme the fees you pay will depend on how you are assessed. Students are either assessed as:
The tuition fee for home students starting the full-time foundation degree in 2011/2012 is £3,375 per annum. Home students can get help from the government towards the cost of tuition fees and living expenses. Please visit the Directgov website for more details of what you may be entitled to and how to apply. It is important that you apply as soon as possible for financial support. Overseas students, who have been resident* in the UK for less than 3 years, have to pay the overseas fee (£8,950 per year in 2011/2012, which includes examination fees.) A formal offer of a place on the course will be sent from the University of Greenwich. A deposit is required by the University and fees can be paid to the University in two instalments. For more information on studying as an overseas student in the UK please visit the British Council website. (*To qualify for home student status you have to be normally resident in the UK {working, not studying and not subject to visa restrictions} for three years or more prior to the start of the programme. )
All new students for the Network Computing Foundation Degree, the Software Development Foundation Degree and the Digital Media Technologies Foundation Degree are required to apply via UCAS. If you are applying for entry in September 2011 you will now need to apply via UCAS Clearing The UCAS codes are as follows:
FdSc Digital Media Technologies: G70 G458 B FdSc/DMT If you would like to visit the College, have any enquiries about the application process, or your eligibility for the course, please use the form on our contact page. Please see the What's New page for breaking news regarding vacancies on our HE programmes
i) New Students New students need to enrol on-line with the University and in person with the College. a) University Enrolment Once new students have accepted an offer of a place with the University they will be able to register on-line from early September. Details of University on-line registration arrangements are made available on the following Web site http://www.gre.ac.uk/students/reg b) College Enrolment For details of college enrolment, which takes place in late August please select the following link for the HE Programme Information page on our VLE (Login as a guest) http://vle.bromley.ac.uk/vle/course/view.php?id=25
Each year of the foundation degree is typically timetabled over two and a half days a week, leaving the rest of the week free for study or part-time work. For programme start dates and the latest timetabling information please select the following link for the HE Programme Information page on our VLE (Login as a guest) http://vle.bromley.ac.uk/vle/course/view.php?id=25
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