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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
The advent of the knowledge economy offers enormous opportunities to enrich peoples lives and enhance the national prosperity. If these opportunities are to be seized, an increase in the number of highly skilled IT technicians in the workforce is required. People working at this level make an important contribution to the economy, and it is vital they receive the appropriate education and training. This course aims to provide you with the means to pursue an interesting and rewarding career.
This two year full-time Foundation Degree will provide you with the technical skills and knowledge to administer and set up scalable networks and enjoy a rewarding and worthwhile career in IT. However, the units and work related elements within the course also open up opportunities and progression routes for careers and further study in computing areas which are not specifically related to networking.
The course offers opportunities to gain professional qualifications which are sought after by employers in addition to gaining the degree. Foundation degree students can progress to `top-up their qualification to a BSc Hons degree. This entails a further year of study.
During the course you will:
Assessment of the modules is normally undertaken by coursework and/or computer based examinations. Coursework may use a combination of practical work and written assessment, all normally entailing some element of research. Some assessments involve group work with an individual element.
The programme is designed to make the assessment as realistic to the workplace as possible so portfolios, case studies and presentations are widely when appropriate.
The students will be asked to participate in formative assessment procedures which require them to consider and grade their own work, against the agreed assessment criteria. This allows them to reflect upon their own practice, with tutors, and to take responsibility for acknowledging areas of strengths and weaknesses in their work.
The students will receive appropriate formative feedback on their work, both informally (verbal) and formally in the form of written comments. These comments should be read carefully and, if necessary, discussed with the tutor. It is the students responsibility to follow up on any recommendations.
All assessments will be marked with appropriate feedback related to the grading criteria. Assessments are subject to both internal and external moderation. Opportunities are freely available to discuss the grades with the tutor and, if necessary, a second marker. Amendments can be made if a legitimate case is made and the markers agree. An appeals procedure exists if, for any reason, you feel your grade is still incorrect after any amendments resulting from moderation have been made.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Maintain and upgrade professionally a personal computer following industry relevant practice.
2. Design, implement and administer secure, scalable networks in accordance with current industry standards.
3. Design and implement a workable, professional database addressing typical commercial customer requirements.
4. Develop a bespoke website based on typical workplace customer requirements.
5. Successfully evaluate an appropriate and relevant programming language that allows the professional customization of a software system.
6. Communicate your ideas both in writing and orally according to appropriate academic or professional standards.
7. Identify when and why you need information, where to find it and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.
8. Research and evaluate information from key sources relevant to IT networking.
9. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the ethical contextual impact of professional and academic practice in the field of IT networking.
10. Demonstrate the ability to employ creative and critical thinking within developmental and problem solving activities in accordance with appropriate professional and academic practice in the field of IT networking.
11. Deploy industry level skills and relevant professional and academic practice in the area of team management and teamwork.
12. Demonstrate and deploy a detailed, professional and industry-relevant knowledge and understanding of current and emerging technologies in the field of IT networking.
This course has been endorsed by the Sector Skills Council for IT - `e-skills uk website: www.e-skills.com
Benchmarks for foundation degree qualifications can be found at:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/foundationDegree/benchmark/FDQB.asp
These benchmarks may be used as an external reference point as well as the Universitys own expectations.
The advent of the knowledge economy offers enormous opportunities to enrich peoples lives and enhance the national prosperity. If these opportunities are to be seized, an increase in the number of highly skilled IT technicians in the workforce is required. People working at this level make an important contribution to the economy and it is vital they receive the appropriate education and training. Skills at higher technician and associate professional level are always in short supply and this course aims to help redress the balance, whilst providing students with the means to pursue an interesting and rewarding career.
This two year full time Foundation Degree aims to provide students with the technical skills and knowledge to administer and set up scalable networks. However, the units and work related elements within the programme also open up opportunities and progression routes for careers and further study in computing areas which are not specifically related to networking (see career/further study opportunities above).
The major aim of the Foundation Degree, then, is to prepare students for a rewarding and worthwhile career in IT by providing them with the knowledge, skills and experience which will enable them to take advantage of available opportunities and make a full contribution to the workplace.
Group work tasks are used regularly as teaching methods in most of the units. Team working theory is taught in both the PPAD and WRL Group Project units and forms a major part of the assessment of these modules. Team working is an essential part of the course.
On completing the course students are likely to progress to the following areas:
Career:
The Foundation degree delivers the knowledge and skills to allow students to take up a career as a computer or network technician.
Further study:
Foundation degree students can progress to `top-up their qualification to a BSc Hons degree. This entails a further year of study. The following named degrees are currently being delivered at the University of Bedfordshire and are suitable progression pathways:
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.
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.
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:
Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.
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.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your 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
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.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
Most modules within the programme use a range of teaching methods including whole class lectures, case study, group work, practical workshops, tutorials, research based activities, role play, presentations and computer based leaning. All module learning is supplemented by student access to a Virtual Learning Environment.
The practical work makes use of the departments own well equipped laboratories containing highly specialised hardware and software enabling the student to experience realistic, work related scenarios.
Bedford College welcomes students with disabilities and is committed to ensuring the college is accessible and welcoming to all. During the application process disabled students are able to discuss their needs with the course manager/tutor as well as staff from Student Services. It has normally been the case that the disability has not presented an obstacle to students participating fully in all aspects of the course.
Student Services at Bedford College and the Disability Advice Team at the University of Bedfordshire are available to discuss any issues students may have and can provide services such as sign language interpreters, note takers, dyslexia screening/tuition and support with mobility on campus. They offer confidential advice and information about academic and personal issues, adjustments in examinations, applying for the Disables Students Allowances (DSA) and buying suitable equipment.
Communication:
To help with the development of this, you will undertake tasks in all units designed to improve your written communication skills. All assessments contain a written element and you will become competent in preparing a range of documents including reports (formal and informal), logs, CVs and reporting on the results of research. Furthermore you will be required to give talks (both group and individual) to your peers in order to gain confidence in presenting information professionally to develop non-verbal communication skills. The PPAD (Personal Professional and Academic Development) and WRL Group Project units concentrate on fully developing students ability to communicate with colleagues and/or an audience.
Information Literacy:
The information literate student:
All of these elements are covered in the PPAD (Personal Professional and Academic Development) module and subsequently form an essential part of the course.
Research and Evaluation:
At Level 1 you will be introduced to the library resources at both Bedford and UOB. A series of tasks will ensure you feel confident using the library catalogue, BREO, databases, search engines and reference resources available through the Internet. You will also be introduced to the assessment of source material as integral component of your research.
At Level 2 you will be expected to work more independently as a researcher, and will begin to formulate questions and fields of enquiry in relation to the evaluation of your work as a practitioner. You will have more choice in the nature of your research and you will take more responsibility for the application of the research to practical processes. The research you undertake will begin to impact upon client groups outside the university and will form the basis of planning for the unit `Implementing Secure Networks and the `WRL Group project
Creativity and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking skills are addressed early in the course in the Level 1 PPAD unit where students are required to produce a reflective log, identifying their own strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore evaluation of your own work and the work of your peers is a normal formative method of feedback for many units.
You will be consistently encouraged to develop critical thinking skills since locating problems and troubleshooting are integral to the Computer Maintenance and Administration, Introduction to Networking and Advanced Networking units. In addition creativity and design skills are developed in `Introduction to Programming and Web Development.
Personalised learner development is a key feature of the curriculum, the purpose of which is to develop your identity of the learner, your self awareness and your preparedness for future opportunities.
You will be encouraged throughout the course of the degree to take more and more responsibility for your learning. At Level 1, your personal tutor will be available to guide you to available support whilst at Level 2; you will be expected to use your initiative in order to solve problems. The PPAD course encourages the learner to look at the ways they learn best and how to profit from feedback. It is expected that the student `s continual awareness of how they learn best and a growing confidence in their ability to seek solutions to problems will result in and independent Level 2 learner, relying less and less on guidance from the tutor.
In your first year of study you will be introduced to the use of Progess Files through meetings with your Personal Tutor. The Progress File is a document charting your development as a student; it is made up of three parts:
Your personal tutor will guide you through the initial stages of preparing your Progress File, for example after your first set of assessments you will have a tutorial which will give you the opportunity to reflect on your grades and consider ways in which you might improve specific skills and/or build on the strengths demonstrated. Much of the material for your Progress File will be generated through your work in PPAD.
Professional values and standards are central to employability with the IT industry. In order to develop and appropriate professional attitude we expect of students:
The development of a professional attitude and values is fundamental to the training of IT Practitioners. It is embedded in all the units. The success of all future work at Level 3 will be largely dependent upon the degree of professionalism you are able to bring to their relationships with collaborators both within and outside the university during the first two years of your study.
