Business Information Systems BA(Hons)

Overview

On this course you will acquire the skills to specify and develop the software components for a range of business systems and solutions.
Core modules will develop your database, network management and web application skills, which are then coupled with business-facing modules in systems analysis, marketing, e-commerce and project management. This will help build your creative thinking, teamworking, and IT communications skills, and develop your confidence to analyse real world business-related problems in order to design practical solutions, which will often involve interaction with a variety of departments and third parties.
Companies are attracted to our graduates because of their combination of technical, business and interpersonal skills, whilst a common first semester with Business Computing Systems BSc(Hons) allows you to become familiar with different specialisms before making a final choice about which subject to follow.

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 6 years
With placement year: 4 years

UCAS code G560
Course content

Course structure

A distinctive feature of the programme is year 3 which is normally spent on a paid professional placement in a business organisation. This enables you to develop your specialist skills and provides invaluable experience for approaching the job market on graduation.
This course has been very successful in placing students with prestigious companies: recent placements include GlaxoSmithKline, Disney, BAA, Honeywell and Cadbury.

Areas of study

This course develops the skills needed to implement and maintain computer systems in businesses and other types of organisation. Some familiarity with the technical aspects of system building is needed, and this course enables students to combine this knowledge with the development of business and interpersonal skills.

Syllabus

Year 1
- Programming Concepts
- Databases
- Web Design Development
- Requirements Analysis
- Human-computer Interaction
- Professional Practice
- Computing Context
- Digital Technologies
- Business Requirements
- Introduction to Organisations
Year 2
- Information Systems Management
- Web Application Development
- Databases
- Networking Technologies
- Systems Analysis and Design
- IT Project Management
- Socio-technical Approaches to IT Systems
Optional placement year
Final year
- A major project
- Systems Development Methods in Practice
- Managing the eEnterprise
- Options
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
A-levels:
BBB.
BTEC
DMM.
International Baccalaureate:
32 points.
Access to HE Diploma
pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 18 credits at merit or above. Level 3 units in computing required.
GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.
Foundation degree/HND
may enable you to start the course in year 2 or 3. HNC may also count towards direct entry.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.
Location

Location Moulsecoomb
Career opportunities

Our computing degrees are designed to prepare you for professional practice and provide for continuing professional development. Graduates with this award have become business analysts, systems analysts, project managers, and ICT consultants.
Recent graduates have gone on to work at Accenture, Pepsi, Intel, HP, Vodafone, Arcadia Group, Capgemini and BNP Paribas.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BA(Hons) Business Information Systems [J4EA008]

UK/EU 9,000 GBP
Island Students 9,000 GBP
International 12,900 GBP

When on a placement (sandwich) year, students pay a reduced fee in the placement year of this course. This is currently £750 for Home and Island Students and £1,760 for International students. This fee is likely to increase with inflation.
Student views

Jo Parmenter

The course covers a range of computing topics, including programming to project management, so gives you a taste of everything. My degree provided me with the opportunity to gain a years experience in industry. I took my placement with Microsoft and have been fortunate enough to be fast tracked to the final stage of it's graduate scheme. My favourite thing about being at university is making new friends and getting to know your existing friends better. Having complete independence for the first time was exciting.