You will learn how to program in a variety of commercial languages, analyse user requirements, and design systems using the latest techniques. Through hands-on experience, you'll learn how to build, repair and troubleshoot a PC, and become an expert in a wide range of commercial software from leading companies such as Microsoft and Oracle, as well as the latest state-of-the-art Open Source software. This course includes a one-year paid work placement between your second and final years of study. Undertaking a one-year work placement as part of your degree can significantly enhance your university experience, aiding you in becoming an expert in software design, hardware and communications, and understanding how IT supports business activities and establishes competitive advantage. This degree is accredited by the British Computer Society.

Reading is at the heart of the Thames Valley IT industry, which is known as the UK's Silicon Valley. As such, within a 10 mile radius of the University, we have companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Fujitsu-Siemens, Ericsson, Cisco, IBM and many more, all of which are eager to recruit our graduates. Many of these companies also visit the University in order to directly recruit our best graduates. Companies such as IBM and EY even provide a mock assessment centre, in which they put you through the paces of their recruitment process and give you invaluable feedback before you actually apply for their jobs.