Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Want to keep the wheels of commerce turning? Our BSc (Hons) Business Information Technology degree with a foundation year will equip you to support the computing needs of commerce and industry
A Business Information Technology degree is your passport to an absorbing career in some of the world's biggest, most exciting companies.
While studying our course, you will use dedicated facilities as well as work with tutors, researchers and business partners to apply information technology to serve business needs. Theory will be combined with practical skills which you can exercise in case studies and live projects, ensuring you graduate with a sound understanding of business and system analysis.
The Foundation Year course option enables you to study for our BSc (Hons) degree over an extended full-time duration of four years by including a Foundation Certificate (year one of four). The Foundation Certificate provides a broad study programme that underpins the follow-on degree. In order to progress to the next year of your degree, it is necessary to achieve a pass in all of the modules of the Foundation Certificate.
The efficient and effective management of information, IT, people and processes is critical in the digital corporate arena.
You will work collaboratively with tutors, researchers and businesses, applying practical skills to real-life case study materials and live project briefs which will develop your problem-solving and analytical skills.
Learn how to think like a coder, to influence the design, development and use of information systems and technology in organisations. You will also gain an in-depth understanding of how organisations can harness the data captured in business systems to improve decision-making and for and IT strategic planning. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to make IT work for businesses.
We will develop your technical, research, design and organisational ability, and leave with the skills employers want. This includes technical, organisational and soft skills including planning and undertaking tasks and projects, and communicating effectively through writing and presentations.
Work in our advanced software development and computer programming labs, using dedicated facilities for systems analysis, networking, process modelling and business intelligence – all of which reflect advanced professional practice.
“When I first joined Birmingham City University, I became a student ambassador. It was a great feeling to show prospective students the fantastic equipment and technology that's on offer at this campus.”
— Jenny Powell
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
And in jobs such as:
Lukmon Adebesin
Business Information Technology student Lukmon Adebesin worked during this placement year as an IT Operation Analyst for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
BB or 80 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels |
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LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATIONS | ||
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GCSE |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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Scottish National 5 |
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Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
A level and Advanced VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | ||
IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). |
1. For students who complete the full IB Diploma: a total of 14 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects. 2. Students who do not complete the IB Diploma will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates. Students must have grade 5 in Maths (Standard Level) |
International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
As part of the application process you will be invited to attend an applicant visit day where you will undertake a short one-to-one interview with an academic member of staff. This is your chance to show us how passionate you are about the subject and it will help us make a decision on your application.
This will provide you with more information about the School and your course. In addition, it will give you a chance to meet and our staff and students to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be a student here.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
There are no compulsory additional costs or charges associated with studying on this course. While you may choose to purchase personal copies of text books, all our key text books are available from our library or online (subject to normal library loan and online access arrangements). If your course includes a residential study session, the accommodation costs for this are already included in your course fee.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
You will experience a wide variety of subjects and methods, all reinforced by practical, hands-on learning activities. You will be encouraged to undertake self-directed study, enhancing your organisational and management skills.
Our teaching philosophy revolves around you both learning by doing and transferring acquired knowledge to others by teaching others. Activities will occur both individually and in teams, with tutors providing leadership and mentoring aimed at supporting your transition into independent learners. In this partnership we will be encouraging you to become proactive, so that you can develop your confidence to undertake a range of progressively complex and challenging tasks.
You will demonstrate acquisition of these work-related skills by using an assessment strategy that is reflective of industry needs. Assessments will be varied and include knowledge and skills tests. However, the focus will predominantly be on the use of coursework. Here you will learn to present your ideas and showcase your work to a variety of audiences, both as members of a team or individually. You will also learn to present your ideas through written pieces of work for example by formulating proposals and reports.
For more information on attendance requirements, course contact time and suggested self-study hours, download the course specification.
Some of the course modules will provide the taught element of professional accreditations like SAS (business intelligence), Oracle, Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA. This preparation will allow you to extend the learning outside the classroom, to a possible qualification.
Our students also use their skills to develop commercial applications. Jaspreet Phagura launched a new application that allowed users to buy tickets to local events via their mobile phone.
The ‘iRaver’ application was designed to save students time when searching for upcoming events in their local area. Once registered, users can book tickets for events in a few simple steps, use the ‘call a taxi’ function, which instantly identifies local taxi companies in the surrounding area, and identify public houses, bars and nightclubs in a specified area via its ‘near me’ function.
Dedicated student Jenny Powell has surprised herself with her own success. She didn’t expect to find herself at university – now she’s planning her postgraduate studies! Jenny’s “thoroughly enjoying” her time here, making use of the great support on offer to give her studies everything she’s got.
Jenny’s aiming high – and putting in the hard work to achieve her goals, alongside 21 hours a week of part-time work. "I am shocked, as I wouldn't have expected to get here when I was at school, “ she admits. Now, she’s aiming for a first. “I love learning and studying,” she says. “I would like to get a job at the end as a business analyst or web development.”
We continually organise student trips to various external events and organisations. In the past, trips have been organised for our students to careers events, to help engage our students with their future employers and increase their employability.
Trips have included a visit to ‘The Gadget Show’, a television series which focuses on consumer technology which is broadcast on Channel 5, and Bletchley Park, the home of British code breaking and the birthplace of modern IT.
Our Erasmus scheme will allow you to undertake part of your studies abroad, allowing you to experience life and studying in another EU country.
It is open to undergraduates in their second year (or above) and offers a unique opportunity to enhance a student’s CV and experience new cultures.
Award for ICT Web Design
I chose to study at the University because it was the course which interested me most out of all the others I considered. I also thought Birmingham would be a great city for studying and exploring.
I’ve always had a passion for learning more about computers and how they work. What started out as a hobby, surfing the internet after school, soon became a real interest in how the internet worked and how websites were created. As a result, I ended up studying both business and ICT at college.
I wanted to continue to learn more about ICT while keeping my options open by also studying business, so the course at Birmingham City University was a natural choice.
You will be given the practical, technical and academic skills that will help you to stand out when you step onto the job ladder.
When you study with us you’ll learn all the key aspects of business information technology that will help you to get a job, from underlying concepts and principles to the relationship between theory and practice.
You’ll use advanced software development and computer programming labs, as well as dedicated facilities for systems analysis, database design and development, e-commerce, and business intelligence.
You will also benefit from our strong links with companies such as SAS, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Samsung and IBM, which keep your course relevant, real-life, and respected by employers.
We ensure that you’ll graduate with the skills, creativity and experience needed to succeed in employment.
We aim to have you employer-ready by the time you graduate and as part of this commitment we encourage you to further enhance your career prospects by including an industrial placement in your course.
You will do your placement after the second year of study, which will extend the duration of your course to four years.
Thanks to our excellent partnerships and strong relationships with industry, you could join the ranks of our students who have gained exceptionally high quality work experience at companies including Cisco Systems, IBM, 3M, and Airbus.
Placements provide the workplace experience that many employers look for and give you an invaluable opportunity to develop your practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path.
The Faculty's placements team will give you every support throughout the placement process.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Graduates have gone on to work at companies and organisations such as:
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities. This course will be taught at Millennium Point at the City Centre Campus.
As a student at the School of Computing and Digital Technology, you have access to networked laboratories equipped to industry standards and running the latest software, giving you the best possible introduction to the technologies you will encounter in the world of work.
Dedicated facilities are provided for systems analysis, computer networks, programming in a wide range of languages, artificial intelligence, modelling and visual programming, e-commerce and .net environments, and business intelligence, as well as supporting the application areas of mechatronics, games technology, electronics and computer forensics.
The laboratories are well-equipped for all our computer networking courses, as well as specialist areas for practical work such as voice-over internet protocol (VoIP), forensic and ethical hacking technologies, wireless and mobile technologies and radio frequency identification technologies to name but a few.
There are a number of open access, software development and computer programming
laboratories that can be used to develop systems and programmes, including database management systems such as MySQL, to name but a few.
Our embedded systems laboratories are used to develop real-time systems, such as specialist hardware training and development resources, and industrial-standard software development and simulation tools. These include microcontroller software and robotics design and development, to name but a few.
Our successful development of forensic computing has led to a specialist forensics laboratory that is fully equipped with essential hardware and software for this sensitive area of study. The laboratory includes high-spec PC’s with built-in multi interface Tableau write blockers, EnCase and FTK computer forensic software and steganography detection and analysis software, to name but a few.
Professor Sharon Cox’s research in information systems and information management is based on her industrial experience. While developing the corporate data model at Jaguar Cars, Sharon was offered a fully funded studentship from Aston University to embark on doctoral research. Her research focused on developing models to explore the information and information systems needed by organisations to achieve their strategic objectives. With an established industry background, Sharon was committed to engaging in research that had direct practical benefits to industry. She therefore undertook action research with a number of organizations in the manufacturing, construction and motorsport industries. This resulted in the development of the Information Systems Development Aligned with Business Strategy (ISDABS) methodology.
Sharon joined the University in 1995 and was keen to maintain links with industry. She therefore completed a four year part-time secondment to Britvic Soft Drinks in the role of Corporate Data Manager. In this role she developed and implemented strategies, policies and processes to improve management of the organisation’s data resource. This included addressing the data management challenges of collaborative e-business systems in the supply chain. Sharon has continued to work with industry through research, consultancy and knowledge transfer partnership projects.
Prior to receiving a research Professorship, Sharon was awarded a University Teaching Fellowship for her innovations in the learning and teaching of postgraduate research methods. In her current role of Associate Head (Research) for the School of Computing, Telecommunications and Networks Sharon supports the development of research in the School as a means to enhance the design and delivery of the curriculum. The School focuses on applied research that has direct benefits to industry and ensures graduates are aware of the latest techniques in their specialist areas.
Deb Evans is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Digital Transformation at Birmingham City University. She is the Academic Lead for the Digital Systems and Change Team within the Centre for Digital Transformation. She teaches Strategic Information Systems Planning, Enterprise Systems, IT Innovation, Business intelligence and Technology Entrepreneurship, and Digital Change Management at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
She has worked extensively with senior management of businesses throughout the UK on a range of innovation projects, including academic supervision of KTPs focussing on the creation, development, and implementation of transformative change in traditional artisan SME companies.
George is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing and Digital Technology.
From 2009 until 2015, George was the Associate Head of the School of Digital Media Technology (DMT), responsible for academic matters.
His responsibilities included managing the student experience for the School and new curriculum development. In collaboration with the BBC, he helped to develop new undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Digital Broadcast Technology.
From 1998 until 2009, he was the manager of the eBusiness Centre in the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), responsible for the University’s Microsoft IT Academy, developing training courses and embedding Microsoft Operating Systems technologies including Microsoft Groove Virtual Office in the Faculty's undergraduate curriculum. He also set up a Pearson Vue testing centre to provide a complete training and certification service.
He has extensive experience of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships as lead academic, supervisor and consultant. He has been involved in projects to do with the implementation of IT systems to improve business processes. Examples include forecasting software, eCommerce capability, Customer Relationship Management, design and manufacturing capability, river water monitoring, and integrating stock control and order processing.
George was a member of the Accredit UK Advisory Board from 2005-2009, which develops standards for suppliers and purchasers of IT products and services.
Prior to joining Birmingham City University, George was a Training Manager for British Telecom, responsible for a team designing, developing and delivering training courses in IT and business management related subjects.
Ash Mahmood has been the Programme Leader for a group of postgraduate courses in the School of Computing and Digital Technology.
He has also been involved with the delivery and project management of industry based projects through the whole lifecycle from initiation to closure. He works with web technologies which include web standards and protocols, security, databases and management, client /server side technologies, personalisation architectures and management.
Chris’s previous experience includes extensive work in web development as well working as a trainer in Microsoft technologies, carrying out professional training for many years across a multitude of programs as part of the Microsoft Academy.
Kathleen has worked for Birmingham City University since 2001, when she completed her doctorate in Information Systems Evolution, and during that time has developed many courses and held many course directorships.
Kathleen developed the SAS Student Academy for UK and Ireland at Birmingham City University, which she now runs. Initially, Kathy took the SAS technical lead role, where she installed as well as taught SAS as part of the Master's curriculum before extending this role to academic lead.
Dr Evans is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science. He has been working in higher education since 1999 and at Birmingham City University since 2001. He has published articles on E-business, mobile computing and smart-care-space and been published in journals, conferences and edited books. More recently, he has been focusing on Open Big Data and Smart City.
Jagdev is an experienced lecturer whose main teaching area is Database Systems. She is the Course Leader for MSc Business Intelligence and the MSc Big Data Analytics courses. Jagdev has published conference and journal papers on relational/object/nosql database systems, ontologies, text mining and cloud computing.
Karim initially worked as a trainee analyst and programmer for The Wellcome Foundation (now part of GlaxoSmithKline). He then worked as an analyst/programmer and also a development engineer for Midlands Electricity PLC (this is now part of Western Power Distribution) for fourteen years.
Karim was a (part-time) Visiting Lecturer in Computing Science at the University of Birmingham for five years. He is now currently a (full-time) Senior Lecturer in Computing at Birmingham City University. He is also a (part-time) Associate Lecturer for The Open University.