BSc (Hons) Information Technology

As organisations become ever more dependent on information technology to operate efficiently and effectively, our BSc (Hons) Information Technology primes you for exciting career opportunities in any sector, anywhere in the world. 

The course captures how our modern global society, and the developing world are increasingly reliant on IT products and services. Mass-market consumer products, such as smart and mobile devices, are harnessing the almost seamless integration of small, portable, easy-to-use IoT devices with access to the World Wide Web and wireless communication technology. This ensures access to vast quantities of information almost anywhere – and the ‘Big Data’ generated using such products can be exploited to help make sound business decisions and to contribute to wider public benefit. 

The best bits

• Choose a degree designed in conjunction with industry and the business world to ensure that you develop the skills employers are seeking
• Cover the major developments in IT today
• Gain valuable experience on an optional year in industry, supported by our dedicated and highly experienced placement staff
• Study in our state-of-the-art facilities including our dedicated computing labs and Data Visualisation lab
• Benefit from the flexibility of having the option to transfer to another course in our Computing portfolio after your first year
• You won’t have any written exams as all assessment is through coursework

Extend your expertise 
This course covers two key themes: 

• Data analysis and the use of big data 
• Management of computer systems in business 
• These themes are supported and enhanced as you study a range of closely related computing and business topics. 
• You’ll also use modern leading analysis tools to extend your expertise, such as R, Python, Watson Analytics, SAS JMP and Tableau.

Huge benefits of a placement year

• Our students often say that the industrial placement is the most rewarding part of their course. During your placement, you will apply everything that you have learned so far to a business environment and will see how the wider social environment affects the way an organisation uses information technology.  
• More and more employers now expect their new recruits to have some work experience – so a placement on your CV will help you stand out when you are applying for your first job after graduating.  

What you will study
Year 1
Core modules

• Logic and Discrete Mathematics
• Foundations of Computer and IT Systems
• Fundamentals of Networks and Security
• Computer Systems, Data Structures, and Data Management
• Scripting and web technologies
• Programming

Year 2
Core modules

• Software engineering
• Data driven systems
• IT product design
• IT services and applications
• Legal, Ethical and Sustainability Issues
• Team Project

Optional Placement Year 
Core modules

• Professional Practice

Year 3
Core modules

• Advanced analytics
• Sustainable information and corporate governance
• Modelling and evaluating emerging technologies
• Individual Project

Optional modules

• Abstract interaction methodologies
• Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
• Security management

How you will learn

• Modules are delivered through a mixture of debates, group and individual work, guided reading, lectures, practical sessions in computer labs, tutorials, seminars and presentations by lecturers and guest lecturers. 
• A key feature of the course is that you will gain valuable experience of designing IT products and services that address ‘real world’ business problems. For example, many in-class exercises and more formal assessments are based around real world case studies and projects. 

How you are assessed

• Instead of exams, a wide range of feedback and assessment methods is used throughout this course, from short exercises in computer labs to writing a dissertation for your Final Year Independent Studies project. 
• You will also submit short research papers, take computer-based tests, produce presentations of your work and provide portfolios documenting the design and implementation of IT products and services, such as web design projects. 

Careers

• As a BSc (Hons) Information Technology graduate, you will find career opportunities in virtually any area of computing and information technology, particularly data analysis and business intelligence. You could progress to become a data analyst, an IT trainer, a reporting specialist, a project manager or even advance to IT director roles.
• Alternatively, you could start a business venture developing and managing your own IT products and services, or you could go on to study at postgraduate level with our MSc Big Data Analytics or MSc Information Technology.