Our BSc (Hons) Information Technology will appeal to highly motivated students who have a strong interest in designing IT products and services that solve real problems and are used by real people to do real work. A foundation year will put your study success on a firm footing too.
- Start your studies at foundation year stage to build your confidence and skills if you feel you are not quite ready to join our honours degree directly
- 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 – from Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT) to User Experience (UX) and User Centred Design
- Gain valuable experience on an optional year in industry, supported by our dedicated and highly experienced placement staff
- Work in design and development teams to deliver an IT product or service that addresses a business problem for a real client, often a local charity
- Study in our state-of-the-art facilities including our dedicated computing labs
- Build your skills using specialist tools which are harnessed by industry worldwide, such as SAS, R, SAS JMP, Watson Analytics, Python and Tableau for data analysis
- Take the chance to obtain SAS certification to strengthen your CV and improve your future prospects
- Prepare for careers in fields such as data analysis, business intelligence, web and mobile design – or even starting your own IT business venture
- Become a highly employable graduate – we are ranked 15th highest among all UK universities and 12th for English institutions, with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their degree (HESA 2016)
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.
A strong foundation for an honours degree
The BSc (Hons) Information Technology with Foundation Year is ideal if youhave the ability and ambition to study with us but lack the entry requirements to join the full honours degree right now. It is also a great option if you have changed your mind about your career since you chose your A-levels or BTECs and need to improve your skills in a different subject area.
By starting your journey at foundation level, you will gain a solid introduction to the subject of information technology, including computational mathematics and programming fundamentals. You will also develop key scholarship skills for technologists to help you succeed in your honours degree studies. From day one you will enjoy all the benefits of being a University of Derby student, plus extra support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence.
Meeting employers’ needs – for today and tomorrow
The BSc (Hons) Information Technology covers two key themes:
- Data Analysis, Big Data and Internet of Things (IoT)
- UX (User Experience) and User Centred Design
These themes are supported and enhanced as you study a range of closely related computing and business topics.
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 by the use of such products can be exploited to help make sound business decisions and to contribute to wider public benefit.
Build your skills and knowledge
The first stage of the BSc (Hons) Information Technology is very much about learning the key tools, techniques and methods as a foundation for your studies in later years. You will be introduced to data analysis tools such as SAS as well as to the principles of User Centred Systems Design, designing for the mobile web and using UX design tools such as Balsamiq and Axur. In addition, you will learn the fundamentals of computer science and gain a sound understanding of the building blocks of modern IT products and services such as HTML, CSS and programming principles.
A key aim of the second stage is to equip you with skills and expertise valued by employers so that you are well prepared if you choose to undertake an optional placement year. Building on what you have learned in the first year, you will gain more advanced business intelligence and database skills using SAS and UX Design which you will then hone on more substantial IT projects.
A particularly important module here is the IT Team Project, where you will be working in design and development teams to deliver an IT product or service that addresses a real problem for a real client. Typically, these clients are local charities who need your IT skills to help them tackle a key business challenge.
You can then spend an optional year in industry on placement or progress to the final stage of the course. In your final year, you will develop your skills further so that you can critically evaluate and challenge concepts and ideas. You will also extend your expertise with modern leading analysis tools such as R, Python, Watson Analytics, SAS JMP and Tableau. In addition, you will conduct a major piece of research on a theme of your own choosing for your Independent Study.
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.
Check out one of our success stories: Georgia Vicars talks about her placement experience at a creative agency based in Derby.
O'Reilly Prize
Supported by the O'Reilly publishing company, we offer a prize for the best articles written by students taking the Enterprise Systems and Information Security and Assurance modules in the final year of the BSc (Hons) Information Technology and the BSc (Hons) Computer Forensic Investigation.
For 2017 the winners were Mark E George and Mathew Wilkin, both studying the BSc (Hons) Information Technology, who wrote respectively on the themes of Potential Social and Economic Benefits of IoT to Improve Transport and Smart Homes: The Key to Our Lives.
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.
You will study in our state-of-the-art facilities including our dedicated computing labs. In addition, you will develop expertise in tools that are widely used in industry, such as SAS, R, SAS JMP, Watson Analytics, Python and Tableau for data analysis.
If you choose to take an industrial placement year, you will work as a full-time employee on live projects alongside more experienced employees. Working with industry professionals will enhance your career prospects and give you a distinct advantage in the job market. Most of our students who take advantage of a placement opportunity go on to secure jobs with that employer after graduating.
How you are assessed
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.
As a BSc (Hons) Information Technology graduate, you will find career opportunities in virtually any area of computing and information technology, particularly data analysis, business intelligence or web and mobile design. 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.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
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Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
- Access to free software from major software vendors such as SAS, Microsoft , Adobe, Matlab and VMWare - some are available for student download
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Some assignments are required to be submitted on CDROM/DVDROM £1 - £2 Independent Study dissertations are normally submitted electronically, but individual supervisors have the right to request bound copies. In that case, printing and binding expenses are covered by the student approx. £6 per copy
Optional costs not included in your fees
- External hard drive and memory card approx. £50 -£100
- Text books from approx. £20
- Personal computer and or tablet computer. From £100 upwards depending on specification
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
