Business Information Technology

Description

The School has a world class reputation for research and provides excellent facilities, including access to major new research centres in Secure Information Technologies, Electronics, Communications and Information Technology and Sonic Arts. A number of modules on the course are closely linked to the research expertise of these centres and evolve and change rapidly to reflect some of the current, emerging and exciting developments in the field.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

The BSc in Business Information Technology including Professional Experience provides a range of learning experiences which enable students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals: where you will have significant opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. Comprehensive demonstrator support is provided – typically one demonstrator per 8-10 students. You will be expected to attend a number of practicals each week.
• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials: A number of modules will make use of seminars/tutorials (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements: A student taking this programme is required to spend a year gaining professional experience in industry in a paid full-time post. Students are helped to obtain suitable places and the School has excellent links with over 500 local, national and international employers such as Microsoft, Liberty IT, Kainos, IBM,Deloitte, BT, Citi Group, SAP and Dell. It is expected that students will gain a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds from this period of work experience.

• Projects and teamwork: A number of modules throughout the degree will use supervised projects as a means of enabling you to put your technical understanding into practice. The extensive use of team based projects from first year will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills widely used by employers. In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you.
• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

Careers

Overview: More than ever, there is a real need for skilled managers in the contemporary, technology driven environment. Those managers will be required to have an understanding of the fundamental principles of Computer Science, Information Technology and Management with an emphasis on application of advanced information technology in a business environment. Employers, from large multinational firms to small local organisations, actively target our students, recognising that Queen's Business Information Technology graduates are equipped with the skills they need. Even with the recession, current industry analysis indicates that there is a shortage of IT graduates and this trend is forecast to continue.
On graduating with an Honours degree and a year's experience, graduates are able to choose from a host of rewarding and challenging careers in industry, commerce, education and research. Many graduates take up posts associated with management and finance working in contemporary, technology driven environments, while others undertakeresearch.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

The degree programme is organised around the following themes:

• Business Practice, Software Development
• Computer Architecture (including Computer Networks)
• Management IT (including Electronic Commerce)
• Management Principles and Information Technology (including Multimedia)
• Entrepreneurship within an IT environment

Professional Experience

A range of modules builds progressively on each of these themes throughout the first two years. Students then undertake a full year's paid placement, which is an opportunity both to put into practice the principles learned to date and to gain practical experience of the business world. It is expected that students will gain a Licentiateship of the City & Guilds from this period of work experience.

Students then take their final year modules, including a major individual innovation and entrepreneurship project, which pulls together many of the individual themes of the degree.

The four-year degree programme (three years plus a placement year) will involve development of the technical skills necessary to design and construct advanced IT systems for business applications. It is expected that graduates will be able to:

• Assume the role of manager in the contemporary, technology-driven business environment
• Exploit advanced IT to build and develop globally competitive businesses
• Develop and implement IT-enabled business systems for effective business operation
• Manage the introduction and use of IT in business, including the human factors
• Keep abreast of emerging technologies and their potential for business innovation
• Redesign existing business processes and implement new business initiatives

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-level ABB + GCSE Mathematics.
• BTEC Extended Diploma Any BTEC Extended Diploma with 12 Distinctions and 6 Merits + GCSE Mathematics.
• BTEC Higher National Diploma Those with good grades in a relevant Higher National Diploma will be considered individually on their own merits for entry to Stage 2.
• Irish Leaving Certificate B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Queen's University Belfast.