Computing and Information Technology - BSc (Hons)
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The multidisciplinary BSc(hons) Computing and Information Technology degree will equip you with the technical and managerial skills you will need to embark on a successful IT career....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2022
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Computing and Digital Technology
- Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment
Overview
The multidisciplinary BSc(hons) Computing and Information Technology degree will equip you with the technical and managerial skills you will need to embark on a successful IT career. You will use industry-standard equipment and labs and have the chance to put your academic learning into practice during an optional placement year, all of which will prepare you for a computing career with a range of companies. We are also an academy with leading industry names such as Microsoft, Cisco and the Linux Professional Institute providing access to additional industry certifications during your course. Your curriculum is supported by a range of leading industry partners to ensure it continues to be relevant and employment focused.
Throughout your computing degree, you will be supported by expert teaching staff, many of whom have worked in the field of computing, are active in transformational research and are continually innovating with industry partners to achieve success.
Introducing STEAMhouse
STEAMhouse is a centre for technology, innovation, creative thinking
Our brand new £70 million pound building, STEAMhouse, will become the new home for the School of Computing and Digital Technology from the start of the 2022 academic year.
Professional Placement Year
This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year – please see fees and how to apply for more information.
What's covered in this course?
This course is for you if you want to combine a highly rigorous academic qualification with real-life practical work experiences, enabling you to put your learning into innovative practice.
You'll be based at our City Centre Campus, where you'll use dedicated, industry-standard facilities to research and work on enterprise software and virtual environments to develop business solutions and real-time systems.
You will develop the strategic mindset to address global challenges; the kind that that businesses and communities face on a day-to-day basis to maintain their digital infrastructure. You'll have access to virtual learning environments, as well as networking, electronic, enterprise systems and business intelligence laboratories.
We are preparing you for the workplace. You'll learn computing and information technology skills that are needed to design, develop, operate and maintain effective systems. Your knowledge of the application of computing to provide IT solutions will evolve on a daily basis, and we will ensure you are able to innovate in order to deliver business value and sustainable solutions.
Studying computing with us puts you at the heart of an exciting, innovative community. Part of your first-year assessment will involve taking part in our annual Innovation Fest, where students get together to solve society’s problems with creative technology. Previous projects have included medical assistance drones, accessible gaming controllers, and smart housing solutions. The event brings together students, academics and industry guests, so it’s a great way to have fun, build experience and network, and win prizes!
It's not just about academic and technical knowledge – we'll also help to develop your personal skills so that you can work effectively as a team member and problem solve at the highest level. This will not only enhance your employability levels, it will make you stand out from the crowd.
Throughout your computing degree you'll be supported by expert teaching staff, many of whom have worked in the field, are active in research and are continually innovating with industry.
Within the course there were excellent opportunities to develop myself both professionally and personally. You get a great deal of support outside of lectures – I really enjoyed the campus environment, which is a modern building and just a short walk from the city centre. It has a wide range of resources, which includes hundreds of computers and also a large networking area with both physical and virtualised networking environments.
Scott Brant, infrastructure and enablement consultant at Britvic
Why Choose Us?
- Brand new facilities at STEAMhouse - This £70 million state-of-the-art building will become the new home for the School of Computing and Digital Technology in 2022. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this unique centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and teaching spaces, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects
- 94% of students are satisfied with this course (NSS 2022)
- Accredited course - This course is accredited with Partial CEng by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- Top 5 for Information Technology and Systems student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2023)
- Gain professional body qualifications - Work towards Microsoft, Cisco, Linux and Oracle certificates
- Strong partnerships with industry - Including Microsoft, DELL-EMC, IBM, Co-Op, Santander UK, Conway Packaging Services (CPS)
- International opportunities - Participate in renowned international programmes and competitions. You will have the opportunity to create a start-up business using ideas spawned during your course
- Optional placement year - You will have the option to take a professional placement year in between your second and final year to gain experience before you graduate
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities in person. You'll be able to hear more about your chosen subject area in our course talks.
Next Open Day: Saturday 1 October 2022
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
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112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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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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| T- Levels |
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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. |
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Additional information for EU/International students
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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) |
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International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
Additional Requirements
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.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2022
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2022/23
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- Study Year (2022/23) £9,250
- Placement Year £1,850
Professional Placement Fees
Full-Time courses with a Professional Placement incur a fee during the placement year. The costs for those years when you attend the university for study, and the cost for the placement year are shown here.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2022
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £13,500 in 2022/23
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.
Guidance for UK students
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.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In this module, you learn how modern operating systems are the glue that bind computer hardware and networks together and how they manage the user experience for individual computers and wider networks. We will focus on the function and purpose of operating systems, with a focus on hands-on practical skills. We will build on learning from your networking, programming and computer systems modules, enhancing and extending skills in all these areas. You will make heavy use of Open Source Software, demonstrating what can be achieved with this huge publicly shareable resource on a very limited budget.
Within the Computer Systems Module, you will gain knowledge and experience of computers and computer hardware.
This module presents a holistic view of how computer systems work and it also provides the underpinning knowledge required:
- for the design of computer architecture
- to show how software interacts with hardware
- to apply electronics principles
- to use number systems for computer technology
The module provides the opportunity to learn and critically reflect the skills required in building and designing basic networks and their requirements within a network infrastructure. This module builds on the underpinning knowledge and theory of networking systems.
The module consists of:
- Subject specific lectures/laboratory sessions to introduce knowledge and skills relevant to network and information systems, along with communication architecture
- Lectures/laboratory sessions to introduce principles and techniques for information communication within a network and ensuring effective communication
- Global view on information system communication.
This first-year project allows you to develop and cultivate a creative mind-set through collaborative innovative practice, allowing you to bring together knowledge and imagination to construct a viable product. It is an opportunity to express your ideas, skills and talent to the wider community of innovative practice.
The project provides you with an opportunity to be part of a thriving community of innovators that practices connected learning. This is facilitated by putting you into inter-disciplinary project teams supported by innovation mentors, advisors and academics; culminating in you exhibiting your work to an international panel of experts.
Computational Thinking & Professional Development 20 credits
Introduction to Programming 20 credits
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In this module you will have the opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills required for Network Technologies. This module builds your knowledge and underpinning theory for the networking modules and you will review the requirements from a small to medium scale network deployment engineering context.
This module forms part of the Research and Enterprise strand that runs through each programme curriculum from level 4 to 7. It builds on the core concepts, which were introduced to you at level 4 in the practice based computing related modules and the underpinning role innovation plays in this.
As you have chosen to major in developing your technical capability, knowledge and skills required for you chosen career path, this module is designed to draw upon your technical learning framework through Reflection, Evaluation, Entrepreneurialism and Management (REEM). REEM forms the principles of this module allowing you to explore and to further build on your strengths and achievements to pursue excellence in a professional context.
In this module will you will focus on combining theoretical concepts around user experience design with practical “hands-on” approaches widely used in industry and academia to create effective interactive experiences.
Current technology developments involve humans using information centred applications, both physically and cognitively. With the advent of ubiquitous computing and connected products, digitalisation has enabled information architectures that are not solely focused in software based applications, but also in tangible computing devices. In this context, you will learn about the user-centred design process that places a core emphasis on designing products and applications for “people”.
Within the module Server Systems, you will learn that servers are the engines that deliver the data of the worldwide Internet and cloud revolution. In this module you will learn how to design, configure and troubleshoot servers to provide both the data and network services required in modern networks. You will spend a lot of time actually configuring and troubleshooting servers in this module to give you the hands-on skills required by industry. This will be backed up by theory delivered via videos and reading and short lectures.
Database Systems Development 20 credits
Applied Programming 20 credits
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
This module enables you to gain an understanding of the processes, scope and role when providing guidance or advice in a professional consulting capacity. It will also assist you if you join a larger organisation with the aspiration to become a leader and manager.
The module provides awareness on the wider consulting profession and practice, the consulting role in computing and the management of client relationships. The focus will be to analyse and evaluate the frameworks, processes and techniques applied by computing consultants, managers and leaders.
This module aims to provide you with a conceptual understanding of Business Systems and the practical experience for the technologies used in developing an integrated business solution. It focuses on information systems that underpin the business context of organisations and the demand for business intelligence.
The module draws on transactional value of real-time data through mobile/IOT devices. Intelligence has become a key aspect of most organisations competitiveness, be it customer or resource informed.
Application Solutions Development 20 credits
DevOps and Enterprise Automation 20 credits
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
Download course specification
Download nowYou'll be assessed in a number of different ways during your course. These will include continuous assessment, in-class tests, examinations, laboratory exercises, group and project work. This will enable us to appraise your all-round ability and it also gives you the best opportunity to excel.
Your final assessment is based on 24 per cent written exam, 68 per cent course work and 8 per cent practical exam.
Attendance requirements
There are 30 attendance weeks in each academic year.
A typical week on this course will include 12 hours of contact time over three or four days, plus self study time.
Student stories
Pioneering facial recognition cane
The ‘XploR’ mobility cane – developed by ICT students Steve Adigbo, Waheed Rafiq and Richard Howlett – uses smartphone technology to recognise familiar faces from up to 10 metres away. The cane also features GPS functionality to aid navigation.
The device will guide users towards friends and family members using an ear piece and audio guidance, with the information being relayed through Bluetooth technology.
Student stories Sadia Ali
Graduate Application Support Analyst
Graduate Sadia worked part-time for the University as a Laboratory Demonstrator during her final year. Currently she is working full-time as a Graduate Application Support Analyst and has big plans for the future.
Trips and visits
All new students have an industrial visit as part of their induction programme; last year students visited Bletchley Park, the home of Alan Turing, the famous wartime code breaker.
Where opportunities exist, students are encouraged to participate in projects that involve visits abroad as part of our Erasmus scheme. In the past, students have participated in European projects in Finland and the Netherlands.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
Our course is designed to equip you with in-depth, first-hand practical expertise as well as providing a rigorous academic understanding of your subject.
It is this combination that will help you to stand out when you look to enter the workplace and why our graduates are very highly sought-after.
We maintain very close links with business and industry to ensure that your studies are always relevant, up-to-date and meet the exact needs of the current marketplace.
You'll develop key academic and technical skills that will demonstrate your ability to understand concepts, principles and theories of complex network technologies, and that will show your understanding of how ICT infrastructure systems for business are designed and implemented.
Recent graduates have gone on to work with first-class organisations such as Hewlett Packard, Bell Microsystems, BT, Cisco, Deloitte, Ericsson, Philips, IBM, Intel, Siemens, Nokia and Capgemini.
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
- IBM
- Amazon
- Kagool
- SOTI
- Birmingham City University
- Kuehne+Nagel
- Zurich Insurance
And in jobs such as:
- IT Consultant
- ERP Consultant
- Technical Support Specialist
- Storage and Virtualisation Analyst
- IT Configuration Specialist
- Cloud Specialist
- IT Infrastructure Analyst
Placements
You will have the opportunity for work-based learning, either in the form of a professional or innovation project. This is a negotiated competitive placement pathway in the second year where you will be able complete 60 credit modules whilst employed or starting-up a business.
We aim to have you employer-ready by the time you graduate, and as part of your course you have the option of undertaking an industrial placement after the second year of study.
If you decide to do this, it will extend the duration of your BSc (Hons) course to four years.
Thanks to our excellent partnerships and working relationships with some of the UK's leading companies, you have the chance of undertaking a high quality industrial placement with leading organisations such as the Bank of England, Cisco Systems, IBM, 3M, Airbus or CapGemini.
Placements will also provide you with an opportunity to develop your practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path.
International
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:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Our international students
Our School is particularly popular with students from China. Students are attracted by our strong industry links and our relationships with Chinese universities where we regularly visit and provide induction and preparation activities.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
As a student in the School of Computing and Digital Technology, you will have access to our labs, software, professional sound studios, computer games labs and industry-standard facilities to develop your practical skills in audio, video and multimedia application development, content creation and more.
We are currently undertaking a £340 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. This includes our brand new £70 million development, STEAMhouse, which will be the new home to Computing and Digital Technology students. This state-of-the-art centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to collaborate with businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.
Our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5million investment with a new maker area, engineering labs/equipment and IT equipment.
Thanks to our partnerships with Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, Juniper, SAS and LPI you will have access to the latest technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. Our students also have access to software such as the Adobe Suite including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.