BSc in Computing (Level 6 | Top-up)

In an environment where businesses are regularly confronted with the need to evolve, you will develop a strategic mindset of addressing global challenges, business requirements and societal needs via digital infrastructure. Preparing you for industry, On this one-year top-up computing degree course you'll learn a broad range of computing and information technology analytical skills that are needed to design, develop, operate and maintain systems. The innovation-driven curriculum will also ensure you are able to innovate in order to deliver business value and sustainable solutions.

This one-year top-up computing degree course not only prepares you for the current state of the industry but equips you with the skills to adapt, thrive and lead in the future. We provide you with access to a wide range of technologies, media and resources, all of which develop your intellectual, technical, practical and professional skills in information and network security. You’ll also have the fantastic opportunity to gain certifications from Cisco, Juniper and Linux, during the course of your study.

You’ll gain your skills by attending lectures, tutor-led seminars and participating in practical and independent learning activities. To help equip you for the workplace, tutors will help you to develop the ability to direct your own learning. Lectures will introduce you to key themes, theories and concepts, which you’ll explore further in your tutorials. You’ll also have access to online resources, discussion forums, textbooks and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work in the discipline. The module guides direct you to a full range of resources, including books and journals, as well as specialised course-based material.

What's covered in this course?

The computing degree course not only prepares you for the current state of the industry but equips you with the skills to adapt, thrive and lead in the future. We provide you with access to a wide range of technologies, media and resources, all of which develop your intellectual, technical, practical and professional skills in information and network security. You’ll also have the fantastic opportunity to gain certifications from Cisco, Juniper and Linux, during the course of your study.

You’ll gain your skills by attending lectures, tutor-led seminars and participating in practical and independent learning activities. To help equip you for the workplace, tutors will help you to develop the ability to direct your own learning.

Lectures will introduce you to key themes, theories and concepts, which you’ll explore further in your tutorials. You’ll also have access to online resources, discussion forums, textbooks and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work in the discipline. The module guides direct you to a full range of resources, including books and journals, as well as specialised course-based material.

Potential future careers

As a graduate, you will be versatile, adaptable, technically literate, and well-equipped to perform a variety of roles within the computing industry that include: network engineer, system analyst, web developer, IT administrator, application developer, IT solutions analyst, systems analyst, applications support analyst, technical support engineer, business IT consultant, IT security consultant and project architect. The course also provides a foundation for further study at the master’s level which is encouraged for a career in research, innovation and enterprise roles in the industry.

Why choose us?

1. Brand new facilities at STEAMhouse - This state-of-the-art building will become the new home for its School of Computing and Digital Technology from the start of the 2022 academic year. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this unique centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and teaching spaces, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects
2. State-of-the-art facilities - We have recently invested £6.5 million into our IT facilities at Millennium Point within City Centre Campus to give you access to dedicated industry-standard facilities and undertake work such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, mobile and web application development and project management
3. Home to Cisco Systems and Microsoft Academy Centre - We are one of Microsoft’s top UK university-based academics and we are a member of the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance. This means we are able to use various Microsoft software products and online resources for research
4. Industry connections - We are also a Cisco ASC and one of only ten Cisco Instructor Training Centres in the UK
5. Gain vendor certificates - Attain LPI Beta certification and Cisco networking certificates, while studying for your degree
6. Strong links with industry - Our links with companies such as Apple, Oracle, LPI, Microsoft and AWS, ensures that the course is relevant and recognised by employers

Year Three

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits).

• Consultancy and IT Management
• Business Systems Solutions
• Dev Ops & Enterprise Automation
• Application Solutions Development
• Individual Honours Project

Enhancing your employability skills

Our graduates typically design and implement software across such rewarding areas as web development, interface design, security issues and mobile computing.

We know that employers are looking for graduates who have a good balance between in-depth academic knowledge and technical and practical expertise, which is why our course is geared towards employability.

What you learn in our course will help you to stand out when you look for your first professional role and because you’ll know how to use sophisticated, industry-standard equipment and software, you will be able to demonstrate that you can put into practice your deep theoretical knowledge.

We will also prepare you for a career by equipping you with myriad transferable skills, such as complex problem-solving expertise, the ability to analyse in a careful and considered manner, and working as a team member.

In addition, our specialist industry links with the Linux Professional Institute, the Oracle Academy, Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, and Oracle, plus our world-class facilities, will mark you out as a highly employable graduate.

It’s why our graduates have gone on to pursue computing and software development and designer careers in a wide range of industries, from SME software companies to industry, government, banking, and healthcare.

Further study

Successful completion of the course can open up opportunities for employment in the IT industry, but you may think to continue your studies at the postgraduate level, studying a computer science subject in greater detail by means of an MSc or PhD.

Where our students go

• Google
• IBM
• Amazon
• Kuehne+Nagel
• Zurich Insurance
• Kagool
• HPE
• SOTI
• CapGemini
• Birmingham City University

And in jobs such as:

• IT Infrastructure Specialist
• Network Administrator
• Cloud Solutions Architect
• ERP Consultant
• Technical Infrastructure Architect
• Storage and Virtualisation Analyst