BSc (Hons) Business Information Systems DL
- UCAS code: Non-UCAS
- Mode of study: Part time distance learning
- Duration: 2 years
- Entry requirements 2013: An appropriate HND, relevant Advanced Diploma or successful completion of 2 years of degree study in an appropriate subject.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2555
Email: technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: The School of Computing
Course overview
As well as offering courses run on campus, at the University of Portsmouth also offer ‘distance learning’ courses. This flexible way of learning allows you to study when it suits you best; at home or work and from anywhere in the world.
The BSc (Hons) Business and Information Systems is a 'top-up' course that builds upon an HND in Computing, HND in Software Engineering, or a relevant Advanced Diploma. Students can start the course either in October or February. The course has been designed to prepare its graduates for the world of work in a variety of computing disciplines, and also within a variety of business environments.
In view of the breadth of the topic areas relevant to the title 'Business Information Systems', students will study subjects such as information systems management, database management and project management, in order to gain the knowledge and skills required to understand and manage complex information systems in a business environment.
Is this the right course for me?
The course has been designed to meet the professional and academic needs of HND graduates from around the world. You will be interested in computing, information systems, and business, probably intending on focusing your career around these areas. You may want to learn more about information systems, database management systems, project management and business management.
Course content
The units studied are:
Year one
- Database Systems: explores the relational database model, and database design.
- Project Management: explores the tools and techniques needed to manage computer system projects.
- Information Systems Management: explores the significance of information technology and systems at the organisational level.
- Advanced Systems Development: explores systems analysis from its early to its later stages.
Year two
- Final year engineering or final year study project: choice of either a study or an engineering project. Both project types require you to write a sizeable report. You may choose your own project topic and we recommend that you choose a theme that really interests you. We expect you to do your own investigation for the study project, coupled with a wide range of reading. For the engineering project we expect you to develop a prototype system, based on, and supported by, both theoretical literature and your own research, into what is currently available.
Teaching and assessment
Many students come to the University of Portsmouth from all over the world and as a result, our staff are experienced in teaching students from a wide variety of cultures and nationalities. However, it is not always possible to take a year out of your life and bear the cost of a trip to Portsmouth to further your studies; therefore this distance learning course is a good way to gain a qualification with us.
The course is student focused. You will be given resources, materials, help and guidance as well as support. This is what allows you to set your own pace, but you are also given support to do this.
Course materials will be available online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). However, you will be required to obtain your own books - each unit tends to have one set book that you will need access to.
You will be assisted by lecturers in the UK who will help you bridge any gaps between your understanding and our materials. So that you can interact directly with University staff and other students we provide asynchronous bulletin boards for topic and general discussion, as well as real-time text based 'chat sessions'.
This course is assessed by coursework. All units have a coursework element and as you might expect, the project unit is assessed via a written project report.
Coursework is an important part of the learning process and you will learn the topic by doing practical exercises and theoretical research for your coursework.
Career prospects
On completion of this course you will be prepared for a career as an IT practitioner within a business environment. Your knowledge of information systems, database management systems, project management and business management will provide a multidisciplinary skill set, and employment prospects are therefore likely to be very good.
With your combination of IT and business skills, you are likely to enjoy a choice of exciting career paths across a broad employment spectrum, such as:
- computer service consultancy
- systems consultancy
- project management
- database management and design
- systems analysis and design
- internet marketing
- ecommerce strategy
- ebusiness operations
- technical business management
Facilities and features
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.
You will also be given a Google mail account to keep for life and use of a variety of additional Google Apps to make planning and studying easier.
If you are local to Portsmouth, you can also access our on-campus academic and personal support:
Tutor Centre
The School of Computing Tutor Centre provides friendly, one-to-one academic support for all School of Computing students. If you need help understanding your assessments, or with a wide range of subjects (programming, networks, systems analysis, databases, web apps), or if you want to talk to someone about your project or about any other academic issues (revision, referral, improving your marks), please come and see us. Appointments not necessary.
Maths Café
The Maths Café is a daily drop-in facility, where ANY student of the University can receive help on any maths or statistics problem they encounter in their studies. We operate in a friendly, informal location which we hope will encourage students to visit us. Handouts on key topics are available to take away. Students can be shown how to use computer aided learning packages, which can be accessed from any computer attached to the University's computer network.