BSc (Hons)
Computing and Information Systems (DL)
Design and develop your own computing artefact
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Computers play a major role in our everyday lives and their systems need to be designed and created by someone.
If you want to build a career in computing, information systems, ecommerce or networks, but think full-time study may clash with other commitments, then this distance learning course could be the right option for you.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Design and develop your own piece of software, hardware, or network system as part of your final year project
- Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
- Participate in live web-based chat forums to discuss your work with lecturers and other students
What opportunities might it lead to?
Our main emphasis is on ensuring that you become a competent computing professional ready to participate productively in the modern IT/business world. On completion of this course, you’ll be all set to start your career as an IT practitioner and you are likely to enjoy a choice of exciting career paths across a broad employment spectrum.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- IT management
- network design
- software engineering
- computer programming
- web development
My degree has helped me immensely with a job opportunity, new skills, interests and knowledge, and also much needed experience in a real-world IT environment.
Daniel Evans, computing student 2012
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- Non-UCAS
- Duration
- 2 years
- Entry
An appropriate HND, relevant Advanced Diploma or successful completion of 2 years of degree study in an appropriate subject.
- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man Students: £2,250 p/a*
International Students: £2,250 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- School of Computing
Subject:
Computing and Creative Technologies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on, practical work and real-life learning, which is transferable to future careers
- Modern facilities and access to the latest technology including numerous computer labs, TV studios and a motion capture suite
- Approachable lecturers who have experience and contacts in the industry
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
In the first year we aim to supply you with the central skills and knowledge that you will need as a computing professional.
Core units in this year include:
- Database Systems
- Project Management
- Ecommerce – A Critical Evaluation of Technology
- Advanced Networks
In your final year you will produce your own engineering project. It will focus on the creation of an artefact, such as a piece of software or working system, supported by both theoretical literature and your own research.
Teaching and Assessment
Despite its distance learning mode, this course is still extremely student focused. You will be given resources, materials, help and guidance to complete your studies to your full ability. Bulletin boards for topic and general discussion, as well as real-time text based 'chat sessions' with lecturers will ensure you receive all the support you need.
How are you assessed?
Only a small part of the assessment for this course is done through exams, with the majority taking the form of coursework assignments. Here’s how we assess your work:
- online activities
- essays and written project reports
- written exams
- a final year project
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Flexible Learning
Benefit from web, email or phone access to many of our facilities and services
Tutor Centre
A one-stop academic help and support resource
Maths Café
The Maths Café - drop in any time and get one-to-one help
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Flexible Learning
Although you may not be campus based, you will still benefit from web, email or phone access to many of our facilities and services. Our student website, LookUP, will be your one-stop shop for all news, information and links to other services, and 24/7 online access to the University Library’s vast electronic book, journal and database collections will help you find the right resources for your research.
Tutor Centre
A one-stop academic help and support resource for all School of Computing students. Need help understanding your assessments? Want to talk to someone about your project or about that programming problem? This is the place to go.
Maths Café
Drop in any time and get one-to-one help with that tricky maths or stats problem. With handouts on key topics to take away and computer aided learning packages, we can get the problem solved and help you improve your numeracy skills.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
On graduating from this degree your computing expertise will be useful in a range of areas including systems design and analysis, computer service consultancy, ebusiness operations or other related computer work.
Alternatively, you may choose to continue your study to either MSc or PhD level, perhaps specialising in areas such as health informatics, forensic IT and networking.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- business continuity analyst
- software engineer
- web developer
- systems analyst
- computer programmer
- online course developer
Career planning
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more