Our business computing and data analytics degree gives you the skills, experience and expertise you need to succeed in the computer-based sector, and beyond.
You will be capable of applying innovative solutions to complex problems using your analytical skills and your ability to transform data into business intelligence guiding enterprise-wide decisions. You will also develop a wide range of soft skills that are critical for an accelerated career, as identified by our industrial board.
The interdisciplinary nature of this course makes it an excellent learning opportunity combining a wide variety of topics from both the business and computing sectors.
Throughout the programme, you will study data-oriented topics ranging from database design, and information management to business intelligence and data visualisation. This subject area will enable to become a key role player in any organisation that requires analysis of business data. You will be able to assess business performance, suggest corrective actions and predict future patterns of productivity.
Another important part of the course relates to systems analysis and design, the ability to understand organisations and how they use digital technologies. You will be exposed to real-world scenarios and work in industry-specific business case studies. Our frequent visits from industry experts will offer you the chance to experience how data analytics and IT solutions impact the business world.
Your learning journey will take you through modern fields of IT including the Augmented Reality (AR), Internet of Things (IoT), Business Intelligence (BI), the cloud, data management and visualisation.
The content of this course is aligned with current industry requirements for integrating computing solutions in modern businesses. The various modules will equip you with the necessary skills for using data analytics to address business issues, such as understanding past performance, explain current productivity patterns and forecast future demand for products and services.
The diversity of the subject matter covered in this course’s modules will offer you the chance to study interesting topics such as systems design, application development, introductory machine learning, business modelling and statistics using modern programming languages, as well as database design, web application design and development, user experience design, data analytics and business intelligence.
You will be able to acquire the skills of an IT project manager, formulate enterprise-wide IT strategies and engage in innovation management and technological entrepreneurship projects.
The first year will provide you with a strong foundation for understanding business problems and determining suitable IT solutions. You will gain experience in fundamental methods, principles and practices used in the design and development of information systems, in areas such as Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management. You will also learn how to manage information in organisational settings, design database management systems and select suitable design methods and standards. The first year focuses on understanding and gaining knowledge, while developing your soft skills with multiple opportunities to present your work, collaborate in groups and self-management using our graded observations of assessment and learning.
In the second year, you will be challenged to model business operations and find out how to develop decision support systems with state-of-the-art programming languages. You will study database design for online systems, using modern techniques. You will also work on machine learning and statistics for business environments, as well as gain experience in system design using UML standards. In the second year your work will include a significant proportion of applying what you have learnt in the previous year on practical problems.
The final year will help you to develop your critique, independence, analytical and synthesis skills, as well as your ability to relate prior learning to current problems and come up with innovative ideas and effective solutions. In this year you will have a compulsory project module that will enable you to work on a real-world case study provided by your supervisor or select your own challenging project. Your study programme will include three more modules that you will need to choose from a range of options including business intelligence, user experience and interaction design, strategic IT project management for enterprises, technology innovation management, and entrepreneurship. All your modules will be geared towards industry-related business cases, preparing you for your first career steps.
Our new campus demonstrates what can be achieved when all stakeholders share a clear vision. The concept was developed by a London architect, Graham Wilson, who also is credited for developing many of Middlesex buildings in Hendon.
Course fees are subject to annual inflation. An international Admin Fee is also applicable for international students. For more details, see link to respective fees and payment plans below.
You will be actively involved in a range of learning, teaching and assessment approaches as part of BSc (Hons) Business Computing & Data Analytics.
Such active approaches aim to engage you with all aspects of your learning. This course will require your active participation in learning activities and engagement with your fellow students both individually and collaboratively. You will work with other students in a small group. You will gain experience in working with others while tackling realistic scenarios and case studies.
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. Your learning will also be supported by technology. Increasingly your tutors will be using existing and emerging learning technologies to engage you in e-learning activities.
Your course will be facilitated using a variety of media and online tools (My Learning on UniHub, podcasts, etc) which will allow you flexible access to a diverse range of online resources, quizzes and learning materials as well as collaborative tools with which you can engage and learn with your peers.
You will learn by attending lectures, laboratory practicals, practical workshops, demonstrations and seminars.
Lectures allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific subjects. There will be opportunities to attend guest lectures from representatives from organisations in related subject areas.
Seminars, laboratory workshops, group research, tutorials and online discussion boards are great opportunities to talk about what you have learnt in lectures and through independent study with your peers and tutors.
Most seminar groups have about 20–25 students.
Tutorials range significantly from practical laboratory work taking place in computer lab to seminars involving interaction between students and academics, covering key areas.
In addition, you can arrange one-to-one sessions with your module leader. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning including the use of social media, e-learning resources and online activities throughout your course.
Work is divided into credits of approximately 10 hours of study time. You will need to complete 120 credits per year, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits.
Your learning will be assessed regularly through a variety of means. Our assessment methods include, a range of coursework including essays, reports, portfolios, mini projects, practical sessions including demonstrations, presentations, and in-class reviews. Your final year project is assessed with a series of reports, demonstrations and a presentation.
We have abolished written examinations from our course as we are using assessment methods that are in line with industry expectations, following extensive review of international assessment practices and the feedback received from our industrial board members.
Some assessment may take place online, and all module leaders have a wealth of experience in setting, moderating, supporting and assessing e-assessment.
The system is used for both formative and summative assessment, meaning that you have the chance to improve your results by reworking certain parts of your work strengthening your submissions based on the feedback provided by your tutors.
Our assessment approach is based on gradually assisting you to reach your maximum potential with a variety of techniques. We have introduced formative assessment in all modules, allowing you to experience each assessment in an informal setting before you commit to the final (summative) assessment. This enables you to self-assess your understanding, knowledge, application, and critique, before you discuss with your tutors obtain feedback and prepare your final piece of work.
Your formative assessment serves as a guide, helping you to improve your work and does not carry any grades. The final mark is calculated based only on your summative assessment. Our Guided Observations of Assessment & Learning (GOAL) platform offers a monitoring mechanism for tutors to observe your progress, provide feedback and help you to improve those areas of your work that need further detail.
Formative assessment comes also in the form of self-reviews, mock presentations, draft reports, and early versions of portfolio work. In addition, we have in place various monitoring systems to provide you with continuous support in the form of learning analytics showing your effort towards the module assessment and performance against certain assessment schedules.
There are formal assessments for each module, usually at the end, which will count towards your module and your final marks. All our assessments are scrutinised by external examiners, who are experts in their field, working together with us to ensure that our assessments are in line with national standards and of the highest quality.
Our BSc Honours Business Computing & Data Analytics degree prepares you for a wide range of varied careers. As a graduate you will have excellent career prospects and the range of potential employers will be vast across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. There is also the potential to work as a self-employed director of your own business.
Your future career might include a systems analyst, developer of information systems, system tester, designer of interactive systems and database administrator, information system architect, database designer and information technologist, business analyst and data analyst.
A business analyst evaluates business processes, reviews requirements, identifying areas for improvement, and developing and implementing solutions. The role involves the development of optimisation strategies and requires staying up-to-date on the latest IT advancements to automate and modernise systems.
A data analyst interprets trends or patterns in complex data sets. The role entails filtering and “cleaning” data by reviewing computer reports, , and performance indicators to locate and correct problems. The role involves working with management to prioritise business and information needs.
An IT project manager specialises in information technology but also in sectors unrelated to IT that rely on IT systems. Their role is to manage the development and implementation of plans to meet business needs and the change control procedures to ensure a smooth transition during the implementation period.
A systems designer develops and implements information systems in sectors as diverse as finance, communications and retail. The role can involve working on all elements of the system including hardware, software, installation and maintenance. There are a range of opportunities in this increasingly varied industry.
systems developers test systems, diagnose and fix faults, write diagnostic programs and design and write code for operating systems and software to ensure that they function more efficiently. They may also create systems in response to technical specifications supplied by an IT analyst, often integrating off-the-shelf software packages into existing systems.
An IT systems/business analyst designs new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity. They are responsible for analysing the business needs of their clients and stakeholders to help identify business problems and propose solutions, using the discipline of business analysis. They examine existing business models and the flows of data in the business and then design an appropriate improved IT solution.
An information systems manager installs computer systems, ensures that backup systems operate effectively, buys hardware and software, provides the ICT technology infrastructures for an organisation, and contributes to the organisational policy with regard to quality standards and strategic planning.
