Information Technology BSc(Hons)

This course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to help organisations identify their IT needs, and then design, produce, and operate computer-based information systems.

You could embark on a career in computer-based technologies, integrating communications with computer networks to benefit organisations in the public or private sector.

Throughout this IT degree, you’ll be supported by our team to develop your creativity and imagination, with our aim being to help you pursue a career within IT. Studying IT doesn't just lead to a career, it's a gateway to improved prospects, increased earning potential, and the ability to shape your own path in the ever-evolving landscape of information technology. The top five job titles advertised in the UK for graduate roles associated with Information Technology courses are Project Coordinators, Systems Engineers, IT support Engineers, Infrastructure Engineers and Network Engineers.

Why study Information Technology BSc(Hons) at Huddersfield?

• During your studies you’ll gain a thorough grounding in the principles of IT. You’ll also work with sophisticated software, becoming equipped with the knowledge and skills required to help organisations specify, design, and implement information systems.
• On the course, you’ll explore topics including storing, manipulating, and analysing data, developing web and database-enabled applications, and focus on contemporary theory in modelling and interface design.
• We work closely with the IT industry, helping you jumpstart your career via a placement year, developing your experience and building your contacts, so you’ll have lots of opportunities to put what you have learned to the test. Undertaking a placement in industry in your third year can help you stand out to graduate employers and give you experience and confidence when applying for future roles.
• Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), completion of the course means you’ll have also fulfilled the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
• If you’re interested in information technology – and potentially exploring topics such as computing, computer science, software development, programming, databases – this course could help you step confidently into a rewarding post-university IT career. Previous graduates in this subject area have gone on to work in organisations including BBC, West Yorkshire Police, Hermes, Microsoft,

BT, and Amazon UK.

Reasons to study

• Future proof - expand your network of contacts, who knows who you might meet that could impact your future career path.
• This course will prepare you for a potentially rewarding IT career, with previous graduates in this subject area going on to work in organisations including BBC, West Yorkshire Police, Evri, Microsoft, BT, and Amazon UK. 
• Enhance your employability - the course allows you to gain vital industry experience, via a work placement in the UK or abroad. 

Course detail
Year 1
Core modules:

• Introduction to Procedural Programming
• Project 1
• Computer Network Fundamentals
• Introduction to Web Programming
• Requirements Engineering
• Introduction to Databases 

Year 2
Core modules:

• Management within an I.T. Environment
• Applied Data Science
• Team Project
• Cyber Security
• Web Development
• User Experience Design

Year 3 – optional placement year

• This course offers an optional one-year work placement after Year 2.

Final year
Core modules:

• Systems Strategy
• Information Architecture
• Individual Project

Option modules:

Choose two from a list which may include-

• Software Architecture
• Advanced Web Programming
• Digital Campaigns and Communications
• Advanced Front-End Web Development
• Advanced Analytics

Teaching and Assessment

• You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and practical sessions and an average of 20%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online). The course emphasis is on the development of sound practical skills, alongside an understanding of theory.
• Assessment is varied and includes primarily coursework, quizzes, in-class tests, presentations and demonstrations. There are opportunities for group working, in addition to individual assessments.
• Your module specification documents will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to the modules in your course.
• Written feedback is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the academic year in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results.

Further information

• The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing around May/June.
• Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.
• Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.
• If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

Teaching excellence

• The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.
• Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
• We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
• We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Placements

• This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.
• The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.
• The Placement team support you in finding suitable placement opportunities, through timetabled and drop-in sessions as well as by appointment. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly. They are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previous students have spent their placement year at companies including Boohoo, Kirklees Council and Thornton and Ross, as well as smaller companies from the local economy and further afield.

Your career

• Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as software engineer, server and storage analyst, senior developer, research software development engineer, systems security engineer, IT Analyst and business analyst in organisations including BBC, West Yorkshire Police, Hermes, Microsoft, LLoyds, BT and Amazon UK.**
• Additionally, you may gain skills that are transferable to other industries and may be able to pursue any career that requires a good honours degree. You could go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate study (including postgraduate teacher training) and research which may interest you.
• Of graduates from this course who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22, UK Domiciled).

Career support

• We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also work with you to focus on life after you have graduated to help you towards achieving your ambitions.
• So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions.

Further study

• Progression to a postgraduate course is dependent on successful completion of your undergraduate studies; there may also be minimum qualification requirements such as a first-class, Upper second-class Honours (2.1) or a Lower second-class Honours (2:2) degree.
• Many of the taught Master’s degrees in the School of Computing and Engineering require a (2:2) degree for entry. Please check the entry requirements of the postgraduate course you are interested in to confirm.

Inspiring Graduate

• An undergraduate degree from the University of Huddersfield could be the start of an exciting career in your chosen field. Our graduates go on to succeed in a whole range of exciting careers.
• As a graduate of the University of Huddersfield you'll become a member of our alumni community, allowing you to stay in touch and continue to access university services.