In an environment where businesses are regularly confronted with the need to evolve, you will develop a strategic mind-set of addressing global challenges, businesses requirements and societal needs via digital infrastructure. Preparing you for industry, On this one year top-up computing degree course you'll learn a broad range of computing and information technology analytical skills that are needed to design, develop, operate and maintain systems. The innovation-driven curriculum will also ensure you are able to innovate in order deliver business value and sustainable solutions.

This one year top-up computing degree course not only prepares you for the current state of industry, but equips you with the skills adapt, thrive and lead in the future. We provide you with access to a wide range of technologies, media and resources, all of which develop your intellectual, technical, practical and professional skills in information and network security. You’ll also have the fantastic opportunity to gain certifications from Cisco, Juniper and Linux, during the course of your study.

You’ll gain your skills by attending lectures, tutor-led seminars and participating in practical and independent learning activities. To help equip you for the workplace, tutors will help you to develop the ability to direct your own learning. Lectures will introduce you to key themes, theories and concepts, which you’ll explore further in your tutorials. You’ll also have access to online resources, discussion forums, textbooks and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work in the discipline. The module guides direct you to a full range of resources, including books and journals, as well as specialised course-based material. .

• Brand new facilities at STEAMhouse - This state-of-the-art building, launching in January 2022, will become the new home for computing and digital technology students. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this unique centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.
• State-of-the-art facilities - We have recently invested £6.5 million into our IT facilities at Millennium Point within City Centre Campus to give you access to dedicated industry-standard facilities and undertake work such as artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, mobile and web application development and project management.
• Home to  Cisco Systems and Microsoft Academy Centre  - We are one of Microsoft’s top UK university-based academics and we are a member of the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance. This means we are able to use various Microsoft software products and online resources for research.
• Industry connections - We are also a Cisco ASC and one of only ten Cisco Instructor Training Centre’s in the UK.
• Gain vendor certificates - Attain LPI Beta certification and Cisco networking certificates, while studying for your degree.  
• Strong links with industry - Our links with companies such as Apple, Oracle, LPI, Microsoft and AWS, ensures that the course is relevant and recognised by employers.  
• Preparation for employment - You will have the option to join our Curzon Software House and take part in industry projects to build up skills for your CV.

Knowledge and understanding are acquired though a mixture of formal lectures, tutor-led seminars and practical activities, with other independent learning activities at all stages.

Emphasis is placed on guided, self-directed and student-centred learning with increasing independence of approach, thought and process.

The course provides access to effective commercial development environments and ensures students have practical awareness of computer systems requirements. You are required to meet strict deadlines, and to manage and plan your overall workload.

Knowledge is assessed formatively and summatively, by a number of methods, including seminars, course-work, viva, presentation, interactive automated assessment, formal examination and project work.

Assessment criteria are published both at a generic course level and to provide guidance for individual items of assessment. Anonymous marking systems are in place for all formal examinations.

You will undertake a major project involving research and application of that research in the solution of appropriate systems problems.

Attendance requirements

For more information on attendance requirements, course contact time and suggested self-study hours, download the course specification.

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.

The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations

The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.

The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.

Our Facilities

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.

Computer networking

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.

Software development and computer programming

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.

Systems laboratories

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.

Electronic systems

To underpin the basic principles of electronic systems, we have a well-equipped laboratory of general and specialist test and measurement kits, including powered prototyping development boards, dual power supplies, frequency generators and counters and digital multi-meters to name but a few.

Forensic computing

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.

More on our facilities