Course Summary

If you are looking to apply IT skills to your current area of expertise, or require a solid grounding in applied computing and information systems technologies, then this is the course for you.

Subject areas include data modelling and management, applied programming, emerging technologies, information security management and professional project management. There is also a focus on research methodologies including ethics, legal aspects and professional applications of computing systems development, secure data communications, multimedia and internet development. You will also develop skills in communication, problem solving and teamwork.

There is a strong focus on practical experience and on the design and development of databases and software systems. You will have access to our state-of-the-art laboratories, with more than 450 workstations, five servers, dedicated network, Linux and robotics laboratories, as well as an overall ratio of computers to students nearly twice the number recommended by the British Computer Society.

Research underpins all aspects of this Masters course. By 2009 the department had attracted more than ¬5m of funding from UK and European funding bodies, and the research in the department is going from strength to strength.

The course has a strong appreciation of industrial and real-life needs. The department has won a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) placements with local companies and, in 2006, we launched the Academic into Business Computing centre

(ABC) to provide computing students with work experience in a professional work environment.

Why choose this course?

The course equips you with a broad range of knowledge and skills. Employers value our graduates because they have relevant practical experience and a sound theoretical understanding of the most up-to-date applied computing and information systems technologies.

You will be able to conceptualise, plan and design applications using industy-standard software tools. Graduates may also go on to become teachers, IT consultants, managers, systems developers and/or programming supervisors within commerce and industries which make substantial use of computer and information technology.

During this course you will:

• Gain an understanding of how information technology can be applied to your own subject discipline
• Gain valuable experience by working with our Academic into Business Computing (ABC) centre
• Open up your career opportunities by utilising the tools of computing and information technology to lead to innovation within your area of expertise

Areas of study you may cover in this course include:

• Data modelling and management
• Applied programming
• Computer security
• Professional project management
• Information security management
• Data governance and compliance
• Network systems
• Emerging technologies

MSXAC

Assessment

Your assessment will be varied and wide ranging including worksheets, practical problem solving tasks, case studies, presentations, written reports and viva voce (voice) examinations. The exact assessment undertaken varies with each component (unit) of the course a breakdown of which is available on the next page.

You will also undertake formative (non credit bearing) assessments prior to the final assessments. This is designed to allow you to develop your skills and to take account of the feedback provided, and will help you to better understand the material delivered during the course.

You must have passed 105 credits before undertaking the MSc project.

Educational Aims

The main educational aims of this course are:

• To provide you with a critical understanding of Information Technology (e.g. programming, networking and databases) and how it can be applied to practical situations


• To develop you analytical and evaluative skills with respect to information technology problems


• To develop your problem solving skills with respect to IT-based solutions


• To develop you understanding of the social and legal aspects of the Information Technology field (e.g. British Computer Society Code of Conduct and Data Protection)

Student support

You will have access to both departmental and University wide support during your studies. From a departmental perspective, you will have access to a personal tutor and you may book informal appointments at any point during the year. You will be obliged to liaise with your personal tutor at least twice a year.

From a University standpoint, you will have access to the Student Union, Student Services and the Counselling Service.

For learning related support, you will have access to the Disability Advice Service as well as being able to undertake various courses within the Learning Resources Centre.

Students may be required, at the discretion of the Course Leader, to undergo diagnostic testing for academic English language abilities, and may further be required, at the Course Leaders discretion, to participate in academic English support workshops or classes laid on by the University.

Team working

Various units incorporate group/team work into their assessment strategy. You will be required to work effectively as part of a group (especially as part of the Professional Project Management unit). Such skills are an important part of any graduate / postgraduate and as such we will aim to provide you with opportunities to develop your teamwork skills.

Career Management Skills

Throughout the course we develop your ability to reflect on your performance, and to develop teamwork, written and oral communication.

Career/Further study opportunities

On completing this course students are likely to progress into the following areas:

Career:

• IT opportunities within your own area of specialism (which may lay outside of the IT domain)


• Managers or practitioners within commerce


• Database & IT Developers


• System Designer / Analyst

Further study:

• MSc by Research

Entry

Standard:

A good UK honours degree or equivalent in a non-computing subject.

Additional:

Applicants who do not possess a degree may be granted entry on the basis of their previous industrial work experience. Such work experience should be of 5 or more years in duration.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

There do not appear to by any educational barriers to students with disabilities.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Be given access to a variety of tasks that will develop your oral and written communication skills. Throughout the course you will be asked to perform a variety of written (essay, formal report) and oral (presentations) tasks. Formative feedback as well as summative feedback will be used throughout.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn to enhance your understanding and skills with respect to standard desktop applications (MS Excel and Word) as well as developing new skills with respect to specialist software related to the course. You will also receive an induction at the beginning of your course that introduces you to the Learning Resource Centres electronic databases. This will allow you to search and find relevant information quickly and easily.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Develop your ability to work independently as well as enhancing your reflective skills. You will be set tasks that require you to undertake background research, and at times to evaluate what you have undertaken.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Undertake a significant piece of work (usually the MSc dissertation) which requires you to use your (analytical) problem solving and creative skills in order to develop a solution, and to be able to critically evaluate the work that you have performed.

Improving learning and performance

You will, at various points be provided with feedback. This feedback is an important part of the learning process and will allow you to find out strengths, as well as areas for development. Such feedback will allow you to see where you need to focus and will allow you to improve your performance.

Progress files

You will be required to keep an e-portfolio that shows your development (both academic and personal) that can be used to show employers how your studies have allowed you to develop your personal and professional skills, as well as the knowledge that you have gained.

Professional standards

You will be expected to develop not only your academic skills, but also your soft skills (teamwork, oral and written communication, inter personal skills etc.). As such we expect you to adhere to the British Computer Society's Code of Conduct and Code of Practice which details what is expected (from a professional perspective) of an IT professional.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Throughout the course we will embed aspects of professionalism (ethics, professional conduct etc.) into the different units. The two most telling examples are the Professional Project Management unit (CIS011-6) and the MSc dissertation. These two units provide an excellent opportunity for you to develop your professional skills by engaging in professional tasks (e.g. managing your own projects, and working as part of a team).