Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours Business Information Technology (UCAS Code: GN51)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4669
E: eeecs@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs 

Entrance Requirements

BSc Honours
Business Information Technology with a Year in Industry 4-yr SW (GN51)

Entrance Requirements

A-level: ABB + GCSE Mathematics.

BTEC Extended Diploma: any BTEC Extended Diploma with 12 Distinctions and 6 Merits + GCSE Mathematics.

BTEC Higher National Diploma: those with good grades in a relevant Higher National Diploma will be considered individually on their own merits for entry to Stage 2.

Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including: International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Much of the business in the 21st century will be conducted electronically and will exploit advanced information technologies such as the Internet and e-commerce, and leaders of technology-based organisations will therefore require a unique combination of abilities.

This degree aims to give students a sound knowledge of information technology fundamentals, and their application in business, and a firm foundation in management.

The School has links with over 500 IT companies both here and abroad. We benefit from the fact that there are more software companies located in Northern Ireland than in any other part of the UK, outside of London. This benefits our students on many levels - from industrial input to the content of our degree, through to year-long and summer placements, as well as activities such as competitions organised by the companies.

Course Content

A key feature of this degree is the emphasis on the application of advanced information technology in a business environment, and students study both the enabling technology for e-commerce and how that technology may be exploited for business advantage. A further key feature is the active development of students' innovation and entrepreneurial skills.

The degree is organised around the following themes:

• Business practice, software development
• Computer architecture (including computer networks)
• Entrepreneurship within an IT environment
• Management IT (including e-commerce)
• Management principles and information technology (including multimedia)
• Professional Experience

A range of modules builds progressively on each of these themes throughout the first two years. Students then undertake a full year's paid placement, which is an opportunity both to put into practice the principles learned to date and to gain practical experience of the business world. It is expected that students will gain a City & Guilds Licentiateship from this period of work experience.

Students then take their final year modules, including a major individual innovation and entrepreneurship project, which pulls together many of the separate themes of the degree.

This four-year degree (three years plus a placement year) will involve development of the technical skills necessary to design and construct advanced IT systems for business applications. It is expected that graduates will be able to:

• Manage in a contemporary, technology-driven business environment
• Exploit advanced IT to build and develop globally competitive businesses
• Develop and implement IT-enabled business systems for effective business operation
• Manage the introduction and use of IT in business, including the human factors
• Keep abreast of emerging technologies and their potential for business innovation
• Redesign existing business processes and implement new business initiatives

'I have found the Business Information Technology course to be right up-to-date with what's happening in industry today. Because you are taught such a wide breadth of modules on the course, you have a broad range of career opportunities open to you, from business to IT, or a combination of both.'

Philip Andrews
Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland

Learning and Teaching

The School has a world class reputation for research and provides excellent facilities, including access to major new research centres in Secure Information Technologies, Electronics, Communications and Information Technology and Sonic Arts. A number of modules on the course are closely linked to the research expertise of these centres and evolve and change rapidly to reflect some of the current, emerging and exciting developments in the field.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

The BSc in Business Information Technology including Professional Experience  provides a range of learning experiences which enable students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals:  where you will have significant opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. Comprehensive demonstrator support is provided – typically one demonstrator per 8-10 students. You will be expected to attend a number of practicals each week.
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials: A number of modules will make use of seminars/tutorials (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements:  A student taking this programme is required to spend a year gaining professional experience in industry in a paid full-time post. Students are helped to obtain suitable places and the School has excellent links with over 500 local, national and international employers such as Microsoft,  Liberty IT, Kainos, IBM,Deloitte, BT, Citi Group, SAP and Dell. It is expected that students will gain a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds from this period of work experience.

• Projects and teamwork: A number of modules throughout the degree will use supervised projects as a means of enabling you to put your technical understanding into practice. The extensive use of team based projects from first year will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills widely used by employers.  In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology.  You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you.
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. 

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

Overview:  More than ever, there is a real need for skilled managers in the contemporary, technology driven environment. Those managers will be required to have an understanding of the fundamental principles of Computer Science, Information Technology and Management with an emphasis on application of advanced information technology in a business environment. Employers, from large multinational firms to small local organisations, actively target our students, recognising that Queen's Business Information Technology graduates are equipped with the skills they need. Even with the recession, current industry analysis indicates that there is a shortage of IT graduates and this trend is forecast to continue.

On graduating with an Honours degree and a year's experience, graduates are able to choose from a host of rewarding and challenging careers in industry, commerce, education and research. Many graduates take up posts associated with management and finance working in contemporary, technology driven environments, while others undertakeresearch.
 

Placement Employers

Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

The types of career open to Business Information Technology graduates include: IT Consultant; Business Consultant; Software Tester; Systems Analyst; Web Designer; Human Resources Management; Marketing.
 

Graduate Careers and Achievements

You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.uk for further information concerning the types of jobs that attract BSc Business Information Technology Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to BSc BIT graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics,  see the School website www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs for more information.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Facilities: students have access to a wide range of computers (laboratories are equipped with several hundred PCs) and specialised software packages.

Placement: all students undertake a paid placement year in industry. The School has links with over 500 local, national and international organisations, and examples of companies where our students have spent their placements include Microsoft, Fujitsu, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, PricewaterhouseCoopers, PA Consulting Group and Belfast City Council.

Last updated 19.09.13