This degree is designed for those wishing to become IT practitioners in a business environment. It is a practical degree covering both technical and theoretical issues relating to the development, management and maintenance of information systems and applications. If you have the ability but not the qualifications, an extended degree is the first step to graduation. This four-year programme is identical to the three-year degree, but includes a foundation year, and has a lower entry tariff. Foundation year The foundation year is designed to give you: Essential and practical computing skills Strengthened numeracy Improved communication Academic writing skills An understanding of ethics, enterprise and leadership The ability to manage your studies independently. Degree structure As part of the degree you will gain experience of project management of IT development, appreciate security issues in IT, understand management and planning of IT within an organisation, and develop skills in software and database development. Course content includes understanding of business organisations, structures and business functions and how IT is used in such environments, learning how to design and build IT systems including database design and software development techniques, and understanding the legal and social impact of using IT. You will learn how to put personal and professional skills and ideas into practice, working both individually and in teams, in preparation for careers in industry and the commercial world. Outcomes The aims of the programme are: To educate in the theory, technology, practice and application of computing and the development of information systems To give a coherent and integrated learning experience relevant to the needs of future computing professionals To provide awareness of social, legal, ethical and political implications of information technology within a computing environment.

Graduates from this programme can pursue careers as business analysts, systems designers, database developers, database administrators and website developers. You may also find opportunities in information systems security, IT management or network service administration.