If you want work based training, a great CV, and flexibility to stop after two years or progress to a degree programme - then maybe our UEL business information technology foundation degree is for you. FdSc BIT programme is a computing programme from a business prospective.

Mature students (21+ years old) without qualifications may be accepted subject to interview and a CV.
Typically 120 UCAS tariff points
English and Maths at GCSE grade C or similar

If English is not your first language, we require that you demonstrate your English language skills by achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no skill level below 5.0.

Employment either full time (maximum 40 hours a week) or part-time job (maximum 20hours a week) in a business or IT related business environment with support letter from employers. Please email Dr. Fadi Safieddine if you would require any further clarifications on f.safieddine@uel.ac.uk

• be educated in the theory, technology, practice and application of information technology (IT) for business;
• understand and follow the emerging technologies for business development;
• become fully aware of technical and social implications of building computer systems;
• create appropriately designed and implemented IT based systems;
• have a learning experience relevant to the needs of future IT professionals;
• improve employability prospect by having an opportunity to get professional certifications
• gain a proper foundation for the pursuit of professional qualifications and higher degrees;
• work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

(A) Knowledge

1. Software and technologies used to create business information systems;
2. Programming and database technologies;
3. Network technology;
4. Business systems development methodologies;
5. Analytical and modelling techniques;
6. Management of IT resources;
7.  Ethical and professional issues surrounding IT development

(B) Thinking skills

1. Synthesise information from a variety of different sources;
2. Demonstrate a capacity for critical analysis and business awareness;
3. Discuss the issues surrounding the integration of theory and practice;
4. Plan, conduct and write an academic piece of research.

(C) Subject-Based Practical skills

1. Produce and manage data resources in a variety of IT environments ;
2. Analyse, design, build and deploy business IT systems using a variety of current application technologies and architectures;
3. Evaluate and select appropriate technologies and tools for building business IT systems;
4. Contribute/manage IT projects in an individual or development team context.

(D) Skills for life and work (general skills)

1. Abstract essential information from unstructured sources to understand the technology at a sufficient level to be able to keep themselves up to date and be able to converse with Business IT professionals;
2. Demonstrate research skills and make effective use of on-line and written documentation;
3. Communicate effectively (written, oral and visual);
4. Participate constructively in groups;
5. Manage time and work to deadlines.

The expected duration of this programme is 2 years when attended in full-time mode or 3 years in part-time mode.  It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments.  Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year begins in September and ends in June but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. 

A typical student, in full-time attendance mode of study, will register for 120 credits in an academic year. A student in a part-time mode of study may register for up to 80 credits in any academic year.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules (or fewer, if any are 40 credit modules)  per year . 

In order to gain aCertificate of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum of 20 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)

Knowledge is developed through

• Participation in lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars & practical classes
• Directed reading as indicated in module handbooks/assignments
• Research activities to support tutorials & programme work
• Web based activities (WebCT)
• Peer support groups/discussions

Thinking skills are developed through

• Preparing for seminars, tutorials and presentations.
• Analysing requirements for programme work
• Completion of continuous assessment / multiple choice tests

Practical skills are developed through

• Practical sessions based on lectures
• Completing course work (group and individual)
• Preparation for presentation

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• The Personal and Professional Development module, which runs throughout the programme
• Integration of skills in the general course work (assessed)

Each module/assignment will identify the Assessment Criteria associated with it. In this way it can be determined if all Assessment criteria are covered for that module, and the skills coverage for the programme is adequate.
A variety of assessment techniques are used that will enable the student to develop skills and demonstrate understanding:-

• Essays
• Reports
• Employer’s feedback
• Presentations
• Demonstrations
• Case study analysis
• Systems modelling
• In-class tests
• Multiple choice tests
• Practical based, work related, activities
• Project work
• Portfolio building
• Database/web research/design/implementation tasks
• Analysis, design & implementation assignments

Knowledge is assessed by

• Evidence of comprehension reading/research in the module being assessed
• The ability to analyse given case scenarios in tutorial/assignment work/In-class Test work
• The ability to explain, identify, discuss and synthesize ideas related to assessment material in the module being assessed.

Thinking skills are assessed by

• The ability to develop and refine solutions to meet new problem areas
• Evidence of evaluation of materials/solutions produced in the module being assessed
• The ability to transfer ideas to new and changing environment.

Practical skills are assessed by

• The ability to produce and demonstrate working solutions to database, programming networking, and computer systems based assignments.
• The ability to use appropriate case tools to produce models of analytical solutions to analysed type problems in the module being assessed.
• Evidence of logical management, and planning in project based modules.

Skills Key/Common
Are integrated and assessed in the skills module.

• Evidence of time & task management in projects
• Evidence of group activities - meetings, monitoring and other related documents.
• Presentations for communication skills.
• The production of a portfolio.