• Skip to main content
  • Accessibility information
Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Staff
  • Students
The University of Northampton

The University of Northampton

Site tools

  • Advanced Search
  • Site Map
Search

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • About us
  • Study
  • Research
  • Social enterprise
  • Business & community
  • Alumni

Breadcrumbs

  • Home
  • Study
  • Courses
  • Business Computing Systems FdSc
Course image

Business Computing Systems

FdSc

Designed with employability at its heart, Business Computing Systems provides the essential qualities demanded by industry to bridge the IT skills gap.

  • Overview
  • Content
  • Additional information
  • How to apply
  • Fees and funding

Course level

Undergraduate

Modes of study

Part time, Full time

Attendance

Two years full-time

Location

Park Campus

Entry requirements

Applicants must be employed part-time in a business environment related to the discipline. A typical offer would be around 120-140 UCAS tariff points.  

UCAS details

UCAS code: G506

UCAS description: FdSc/BCS

Length of study

Two years

Start date

September

School

Northampton Business School

Course content

The course aims to provide graduates with the best possible career opportunities. Our field recognises the importance of career-centred skills and achieves this through alignment with professional bodies, standards and methodologies. We believe the combination of essential skills and professionalism enables the development of confident, employable, IT professionals. The course has the underpinning of commercial and professionally recognised standards and methodologies.

The focus of this award is to develop the commercial skills needed for a career in computing systems for business. The central concepts of computing systems are tackled, such as systems analysis, software development, database application, project management, information systems and strategic management.

Stage one

This provides the fundamental underpinning and skills in computing and business including foundations of databases and programming, systems analysis and computer solutions.

Stage two

This develops core skills such as quality and security management, and database application. The development side emphasises practical skills in web development and programming, whilst the management side addresses service management and support.

Special course features

  • Emphasis on hands-on contemporary approaches
  • Flexible programme and study route
  • Reviewed and updated to comply with industry requirements
  • Work-based learning modules

The course offers the opportunity to study both the technical and business aspects of information sciences developing the commercial skills required for a career in business computing systems or service management. We operate from a dedicated server, software and computer labs to provide practical experience in a broad base of IT tools. These are comprised of open source and commercial, industry-standard software such as Oracle, PHP, PRINCE2® and ITIL to equip students with a set of tools, techniques and methodologies to succeed in the competitive environment. All modules are aligned to the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA).

Typical modules

Click here for a detailed list of modules.

Typical modules include:

  • Business Intelligence
  • Database Application
  • Foundations of Programming
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Information Systems
  • Systems Analysis
  • Web-based Applications Development

Assessment

The course is assessed in terms of both theory and practice including practical implementations, reports, essays, presentations and examinations.

Facilities available

Students have the opportunity to use industry-aligned software and have access to project management, web and database facilities.

Career opportunities

Our successful graduates will be able to pursue careers in global systems analysis and design, IS management, project planning, quality systems support, service support and management and database management.

Course progressions

  • Business Computing Systems (top-up) BSc (Hons)
  • For undergraduate application information please see our how to apply page.

    Current 'Home' and EU undergraduate students: Information on 2012/13 tuition fees

    Fees quoted are for home and EU students commencing their course in the academic year 2012/13. Tuition fees are payable for each year of the course. The fees are subject to annual increases in subsequent academic years.

    Full time fees

    £6000

    2 year course - fee payable for each year of the course

    Part-time fees

    For tuition fee information, please call the Finance Office on 01604 892236 or 01604 892782.

    Funding information

    Funding your study

    Scholarships and bursaries

    The following scholarships may be applicable:

    • The Wilson Endowment Scholarship
    • The Chancellor's Fund
    • The Byrom Award
    • T D Lewis Scholarship

    Download our course factsheet [PDF]

    • Print
    • Send to a friend
    • Comment on this page

    Bookmark/share this page

    • Bookmark this page with Digg
    • Bookmark this page with Delicious
    • Bookmark this page with Google
    • Recommend this page with StumbleUpon
    • Share this page on Facebook
    • Share this page on Twitter
    • Share this page on LinkedIn

    Find a Course

    Find a course
    A-Z Courses Courses by Subject Area

    Digital prospectus

    Create your own prospectus
    Add this course
    Recently viewed courses
    • Creative Writing (BA (Hons))
    • Business Computing Systems (HND)
    • Business Computing Systems (FdSc)
    Related Courses
    • Business Computing Systems BSc (Hons)
    Enquiries

    Phone
    0800 358 2232

    Web
    Online enquiry

    Email study@northampton.ac.uk

    Open Days Come and see what we have to offer
    Top

    Main switchboard

    01604 735500

    Study enquiries

    0800 358 2232

    study@northampton.ac.uk

    • Accessibility statement
    • Terms and conditions

    Follow us

    Follow us on twitter Follow us on youtube Follow us on flickr Follow us on facebook

    Find us

    Avenue Campus
    Map of Avenue Campus
    Park Campus
    Map of Park Campus

    This web page is owned by the Web Team

    Copyright © 2012 The University of Northampton

    Powered by Jadu Content Management