Computing for Business

Description

Long gone are the days when computing professionals were solely writing programs to satisfy their appreciative business users. Clients now have higher expectations and rightly want a greater degree of involvement throughout the development process. This partnership approach has been found to substantially increase the chances of creating successful systems. Nowadays developers must be able to communicate with users at all levels of an organisation and to do that they need to know something about the businesses in which they work. The Computing for Business degree is specifically designed to integrate both the exciting subject areas of Business and Computing. It provides a thorough understanding of systems development while at the same time providing a sound knowledge of modern business operations. Studying on the Computing for Business degree will also develop important transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication, organisation and time keeping.

The Computing for Business degree is excellent for students wanting to pursue a career in a commercial computing environment. Students will acquire a wide range of techniques and tools for use in the construction of sophisticated information systems with particular emphasis on software within business. You can also apply to a 4 year course, Computing for Business with a Year in Industry (G511), in which the third year is spent on a relevant work placement.

The degree is delivered using modules from both the School of Computing Sciences and the Norwich Business School. Both of these Schools have close contacts with industry, for example, through research funding, knowledge transfer programmes, external advisory panels, and consultancy. The School of Computing Sciences also has its own consulting company called SYSCO. Guest professionals are frequently invited to give talks and meet with students. These links with business and industry are exploited in the degree by setting real world problems and using real data in practical projects and coursework. A significant proportion of the assessment is made up of such projects - both individually and in groups.

The course has a compulsory first year that develops your skills in computing and introduces you to business. In the second and third years you study further commercially oriented computing modules and learn about the workings of organisations. You are free to choose further computing and business modules that suit your interests and your career aspirations. You will complete a substantial individually supervised project in your final year.

The majority of our graduates gain related employment in software engineering, systems analysis, IT consultancy, or business analysis. The degree is accredited by the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT), meaning that you will have fulfilled the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and partially fulfilled those for becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) . This external validation ensures that the content of the degree is up to date and that high quality teaching and learning standards are maintained.

Career Opportunities

Computing graduates who also have some understanding of business, its organisation, its motivations and its priorities, are highly sought after. The majority of our students gain employment in UK industry. Frequently occurring job titles are software developer, systems analyst, software engineer, database designer, programmer, web developer, IT consultant, management consultant, and usability consultant. Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate studies and a few move into the teaching profession.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10560 Year (EEA)
• EUR 17480 Year (Non-EEA)

Home/EU £9,000; International £14,900

• English

Course Content

Year 1

The first year comprises a set of six compulsory modules; five provide a solid grounding in computing before moving into later years where more choice and flexibility is available. The sixth unit gives an introduction to the business side of the course. One module is devoted to programming which is taught through a combination of lectures and laboratory classes that involve practical exercises. The Computing Systems modules are also very practical and cover introductory analysis, design, development and evaluation of web based systems. Students experience working in pairs for one project on the Computing Systems 1 module. The Computing Revolution module looks at the past, present and future of computing through the eyes of guest industrial speakers and leading researchers. At the same time it focuses on valuable study skills in preparation for years two and three.
All modules are taught through lectures and a combination of seminars and/or laboratory sessions as appropriate. The Computer Revolution and Computing Systems 1 modules are assessed by coursework alone; all other modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and end of year examination.
Many of our computing degrees follow a similar first year. Should your interests and career aspirations evolve, it is usually possible to change to a different computing degree at the end of your first year. It may also be possible to transfer to the Business Information Systems degree.

Year 2

The second year has four compulsory modules, Software Engineering 1, Systems Analysis, Database Systems and Introduction to Organisational Behaviour. These explore topics central to the development of computing systems for business. Students are able to customise their degree programme by selecting two further modules, one from Business and one from Computing. Computing options include topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Graphics, Architectures and Operating Systems, Statistics, and Sound and Image. Business options include Introduction to Financial and Management Accounting, Principles of Marketing, and Operations Strategy and Management. The majority of these modules are assessed by coursework and examination. The aim of year two is to cover knowledge and skills appropriate for professionals in the area.

Year 3

The third year has a compulsory individual project and two compulsory modules covering Systems Engineering and Software Engineering 2. The year long project draws on knowledge and skills gained throughout the degree programme and often involves local businesses. Its focus is decided by the student in liaison with their chosen supervisor. The project also provides an opportunity to gain research oriented skills and to practise valuable transferable skills, such as report writing and oral presentation. Assessment for the project includes a variety of oral and written reporting methods but no examination. Optional modules for year three include Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Behavioural Aspects of Marketing, Management Consulting, Informational Retrieval, and Networks. The free choice option permits students to choose a subject from any School in the University, for example psychology, film studies, or a language. You may, of course decide to use your free choice to cover additional business or computing topics.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL iBT® test : 78

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

Requirements

• Qualification: BTEC National Diploma: DDM
• A Level: ABB
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall inc. 3 HL subjects at Grade 6
• Scottish Highers: AABBB
• Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB
• Irish Leaving Certificate: AABBBB
• Access Course: See below
• European Baccalaureate: 75% overall

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6. overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 78 overall (minimum 20 in Speaking component, 17 in Writing and Listening components and 18 in Reading components.
• PTE: 55 overall (minimum 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

We ask our applicants to have at least one of the following A Levels (or equivalent): Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computing, Electronics, Economics or a Business related subject.
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

We encourage you to apply if you have alternative qualifications equivalent to our stated entry requirement. Please contact us for further information.
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 Level 3 credits, including 12 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Science Business or Economics related subjects.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have Mathematics and English Language at minimum of Grade C or above at GCSE Level.

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 University of East Anglia.

Funding

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study.