Computing & Web

Information technology is key to the success of any business and IT graduates with skills in both business and IT are very much in demand – we give you these skills.

This course brings together the fields of a computer specialist and a business professional. Core topics include developing online multimedia systems, consultancy and project management.

We help you understand the role of the consultant and how to advise, influence or help clients to do things differently. We give you the skills to diagnose a problem and present a solution.

If you want to be up to date with the ever-changing world of IT and design and implement a range of IT applications in a professional business environment then this final year top-up is the course for you.

How you learn

You are taught through a combination of lectures and practical sessions. Lectures concentrate on teaching the principles required while practical sessions allow you to put these principles into practice. Your learning is supported via a virtual learning environment providing comprehensive course materials, background reading and a lively discussion forum.

How you are assessed

Assessment is through a mixture of examinations and in-course assessments, using case studies and technical exercises based on real world scenarios and live project briefs, providing you with the skills to be successful in the workplace.

Professional placement

You may apply to take a one-year, supervised work placement (as a second year) in a UK-based company or abroad. Placements provide relevant work experience and the opportunity to develop new skills and deepen your understanding of the subject. They can also help you understand the range of career opportunities available. Many students find that a year's work experience can give them a head start when they come to apply for a job after they graduate.

The placement year is assessed and contributes to your final degree award. Students are selected by employers and are normally paid by the host organisation during the placement. We currently have students on placement at Philips Electronics in The Netherlands, BM Services in France and Siemens AG in Germany.

Career opportunities

You could choose to focus on a career using your business skills, IT skills - or both.

There are many opportunities to join commercial companies in a development role. A typical career path might begin as a software developer, but a graduate with a stronger IT background would expect to move on quite quickly into a job as a systems analyst or business analyst. From there, many career paths into management are open.

There are also many opportunities as an entrepreneur, which could take many forms. It could mean working for a company to develop and support their online business or it could mean starting your own company to develop a business idea, for instance.

Entry requirements

You can only do this degree if you've a suitable qualification in business and/or computing, equivalent to the first two years of a relevant British undergraduate degree.

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