FdSc Business Computing

Standard entry criteria:

• Ideally, you will hold four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and English (or Level 2 equivalent). If you do not hold these qualifications, you will be required to commit to study GCSE maths and English alongside the programme.
• International applicants require a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band.
• You will be interviewed by the curriculum team (international applicants via Skype).
• You will hold 48 UCAS points or a combination of qualifications that show you can be successful on this programme.
• You must provide a personal statement.
• Your standard of academic writing will be assessed at induction.

Non-standard entry criteria:

• Evidence of relevant experience which demonstrates you can be successful on this programme.
• A personal statement.
• You will be required to attend an interview with two members of the curriculum team.
• You will participate in induction activities to assess your standard of academic writing in English.
• You will complete basic and key skills builder (BKSB) assessments to establish your level of maths, English and ICT skills (applicable where no formal qualifications in computing and/or IT related subjects and/or work experience in a computing or IT related job role can be evidenced).
• If you do not hold the required qualifications in maths and English, you must commit to studying GCSE maths and English alongside the programme (or a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band for international applicants).

Part-time entry criteria: In addition to being required to satisfy the standard or non-standard entry requirements of the course, as a part-time student, you must be employed in a relevant computing related post which provides you with the opportunity to develop and complete the requirements of the following:

• Personal Professional Development 1
• Innovation, Idea Generation and Enterprise
• Work Related Learning; modules 1 and 2.

You will be required to contribute to trips and visits. We also recommend that students buy texts to support learning, a reading list will be provided at interview.International opportunities may be offered as part of your course, including opportunities to engage in a BusIT Week. This involves working with a small group of peers on a project over the course of a week, a number of projects are available throughout Europe, China, India and South Africa. There are opportunities to complete a work placement in Malta during the summer between year 1 and year 2.

You will meet with a course tutor who will ask a set of standard questions. This is also an opportunity for the curriculum team to learn about your motivation for the course and career aspirations and an opportunity for you to ask questions. A tour of the facilities will be available. Please bring your relevant qualifications.

The programme aims to meet the complex and organic needs of the computing and IT sector by providing appropriately trained, qualified and skilled staff with the requisite knowledge, competence and understanding of business organisation, database design & development, digital marketing and solution development.Upon completion, you will be able to demonstrate innovative thinking coupled with cognitive and intellectual competencies specific to business computing roles; digital communications, security case development and design good practice, relational database design and development, web development, digital marketing, employment; risk assessment and Governance.

You will study the following:

• Personal Professional Development 1 – you will develop your skills to become successful in higher education and effective at work.
• Work Related Learning 1 - become confident in your understanding of current legal standards, regulations and ethical standards relevant to the computing and IT sector.
• Business Information Systems - investigate the different business types and the range of systems employed to manage the functions at strategic, tactical and operational levels and explore how organisational structure can influence business operations within a variety of environments.
• UX Design & Development - introduces the (UX) User Experience design process.
• Digital Marketing - develop a digital marketing strategy for a given business case.
• Database Design & Development - you will design, build and use a relational database for storing data and retrieving information.
• Innovation, Idea Generation & Enterprise - develop your innovation, idea generation and enterprise skills and knowledge to enable you to become an innovative thinker and achiever.
• Work Related Learning 2 - investigate risk assessment methodologies, looking at vulnerabilities in organisation’s security management systems.
• Advanced Web Development - implement both client-side and server-side technologies to produce more technically advanced web-based solutions.
• Advanced Database Concepts - introduces security strategies and advanced coding.
• Mobile Application Development - develop your skills and knowledge of programming and the complete process of developing software, from the initial gathering of requirements, through the design and development of the application, documentation, testing and creation of the finished product.
• Software Development Methods - introduces a range of SDLC methods.

We are fully committed to making sure you get the very best out of your time with us. You will engage in the following:

• Lectures - for the introduction of relevant theories/knowledge of the individual topic areas within a subject.
• Workshops/seminars - for developing an understanding of the theories from the lectures through the use of case studies, role-plays and exercises. Please note that each of the Cisco (CCNA) modules have online exams.
• Academic tutorials - to develop study/academic skills, for example, research/information gathering. The development of these study/academic skills will assist in your learning throughout the programme.
• Course assessment is comprised of 10% exams and 90% coursework.

The department’s key industrial link is with Karbon Housing (part of the Isos Group). We have worked closely with them on many projects over the years, including student placements and technical support events for people in the local community. Students have partnered with Karbon Housing whilst completing their Online Owls and Techy Tea Party projects. Others links include:

• Amplience
• British Telecom
• Durham County Council
• Hewlett Packard
• HMRC
• NVIDIA
• Business Durham
• Geek Talent
• Leighton Group
• British Airways
• Sage
• Sagazza
• ZPG.

A work placement is a fundamental expectation of this foundation degree programme. You will be expected to source work experience which provides you with an opportunity to stretch your knowledge, understanding and practical skills beyond what you have learned in your modules. This will be a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your positive attitude, ability to use initiative and independent learning skills to future employers.

You will have the opportunity to gain professional advanced qualifications from the British Computer Society.

You could progress to the one year BSc (Hons) Business Computing programme at New College Durham to top-up this qualification to a degree.