Course Summary

This modern and dynamic course focuses on information systems engineering and application development for the modern business environment. The degree places an emphasis on developing business intelligence skills for a variety of situations and organisations ranging from large, established corporates, to starting up and running your own small business.

You will learn how to use IT to support the tactical, operational and strategic needs of a business. You will receive a solid grounding in modern business information systems tools, methodologies and industrial contexts.

In addition to benefiting from the strong links we enjoy with industry, you will be able to attend a series of talks and enjoy the guidance offered by a range of speakers and experts in business.

Why choose this course?

We have recently invested £1m in high-tech computing facilities and have more than 450 computers and state-of-the-art labs. Computers are replaced every three years and provide up-to-date software for our students. In addition to strong links with industry, you may gain valuable experience through our pioneering Academic into Business Computing Centre (ABC).

During the course you will:

• Learn from industry experts in business and computing technologies
• Experience a virtually programming-free course, while enjoying a practical focus on areas such as systems analysis and design
• Enjoy the best of two courses in one: business and IT

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• System analysis and design
• Modern database practices
• Business analysis
• Decision support systems
• Data mining techniques
• Project management
• Virtual management
• Finance for business

BSBIS-S

Assessment

The types of assessment used ranges from laboratory practical work that assesses the practical application of knowledge and concepts gained in lectures and seminars, and also from learning acquired during self-study to computer based assessments and formal written examinations.

Educational Aims

The composition of the Business Information Systems (BIS) programme is based upon the attributes that an effective employee or a graduate, should ideally have. The specific qualities built into the curriculum ensure that students will gain a systemic understanding of BIS development and deployment and the capacity to analyse, assess and recommend high-level strategies for the organisational adoption of BIS. The programme is, therefore, to provide students with the skills and knowledge of key subject areas that relate to BIS at operational, tactical and strategic levels within any organisation.

The programme aims:

• To develop personal skills so that students have both the confidence and ability to express their creativity both individually and as part of a team


• To promote a responsible, professional attitude towards the selection and use of computing hardware and software tools within team-based software production contexts


• To facilitate students understanding of emerging developments in computing technologies and to develop their critical awareness of new emerging solutions and technologies


• To equip students with a range of knowledge and skills in relevant areas of business operations such business analysis, marketing, finance and organisation behaviours


• To gain an in-depth understanding of how information systems solutions can affect and contribute to the successful running of modern businesses


• The aptitude to think and plan strategically


• To build students competence in developing and deploying BIS in pragmatic ways


• To promote students awareness of the wider cultural, social, political, economic and ethical implications in the computing industries

Student support

All students are supported by induction sessions at the start of each year, by personal and project tutors, by academic advice sessions and by dedicated technical support staff.

Student support is provided on a formal basis by the personal tutor system and in practical sessions, as well as informal support in the use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VEL) / Blackboard. The University provides general help for learning skills through a centralised support tutor system, as well as academic English units mainly for International students.

All students undertake a Computer Assisted Diagnostic assessment. The results of such diagnostics enable a personalised programme to address individual learning requirements in basic mathematical or language skills. Academic advice is provided both at a Field level and also at a Corporate level.

Team working

Group work will be encouraged in assignments through out the course. Each team will consist of 2 - 4 students. To ensure individual participation in each group, peer assessment will be used to mark the final artefact.

Career Management Skills

This forms a consistent thread progressing through each year with opportunities of engaging with industrial and business projects through the ABC (Academic into Business Computing) Centre at the Department or through engagement with an employer during a sandwich year placement. Students will also be encouraged to engage with the Careers Development Unit (Job Shop) in order to assess the skills that they possess against positions within the current market. Any skills deficiencies can then be identified and students can begin to address these in order to progress to their chosen career.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

• Business Analyst


• Business Application Developer


• Information Systems Manager


• IT Project Manager


• IT Consultant


• IT / Business Lecturer

Further study:

MSc / MPhil / PhD in Business, Computing and Information Systems related studies.

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs

Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides

International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply

Additional:

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

Physical impairment in the form of depreciated visual, audio, mobility and neurological cognitive faculties will, where identified and practicable, be ameliorated by the deployment of appropriate hardware, software and individual support. The department disability tutor is tasked with providing assistance for such students.

Skills Development

Communication:

Communication skills are assessed at the start of each course and individualised help is provided as required. In addition, many assessments address the need for the development of both written abilities, especially with regard to technical subjects, and spoken and visual communication in presentations.

Information Literacy:

You will be expected to create presentations and written reports for your assignments (using, for example, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Visio). Students will also gain experience with a wide range of system-specific tools and environments, which will enhance their experience throughout the course. Students will receive inductions from the University of Bedfordshire Learning Resources Team. To enhance their information literacy they will also have access to a wide range of Learning Resources courses (e.g. referencing) and their Professional Personal and Academic Development unit will develop their skills.

Research and Evaluation:

You will be taught the basics of problem solving and lateral thinking during your course. Students will be expected to work independently, and to produce assignments that show their ability to synthesise and evaluate disparate sources in order to come to a successful conclusion.

Creativity and Critical Thinking:

You will be taught how to problem solve, be given general scenarios from which you need to devise solutions and generally be able to develop critical arguments to support your hypotheses.

Improving learning and performance

First year students undertake a personal development unit that looks at the learning styles of each participant and seeks to enhance these. In addition, students will receive formative feedback on tasks that they undertake. Any assessed piece of work will always receive written comments and students should use these in order to improve their performance (if necessary) at the next available opportunity.

Progress files

Please see http://bridgescetl.beds.ac.uk/curriculum/curriculum_guides for details.

Professional standards

The Department adheres to the professional standards and codes of conduct and code of practice of the British Computer Society. Students are expected to adhere to these standards at all times particularly when undertaking their final year project.

Common sense professional standards are introduced in lecture rooms and labs, such as food and drinks and use of mobile phones policies. Students are also expected to follow other professional standards such as attendance requirements and punctuality. Plagiarism is explicitly addressed to students and ethics are taken into account during the course.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

To ensure that standards are adhered to, the course has been designed so that students will be educated about the professional standards of their field (e.g. Fundamentals of Computing in Year 1 and Social and Professional Project Management in Year 3). Ethical issues are addressed in the Honours Project.