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  • Information Technology (Foundation Degree)

Contact our course team

Department of Computer Science and Informatics
tel: 020 7631 6719
email: fdit@dcs. bbk.ac.uk

  • Duration
      • Two years and two terms part-time.
      • The short first year (two terms) starts in January, and the subsequent two years start in October.
  • Attendance
      • Two–three evenings a week.
  • Location
      • Central London.
      • Birkbeck, Stratford.
  • Entry requirements
      • Foundation degrees are designed specifically for mature students and students with non-traditional backgrounds. There are no formal entry requirements; however, good numeracy and literacy skills are required, as well as basic computer skills. These will be assessed from the application, and by means of short mathematics, computing and written English tests taken at a selection evening.
  • Teaching

    • A combination of lectures, practical workshops, face-to-face tutorials and tutor-assisted online learning.

  • Assessment

    • A mixture of coursework, examination and project work.

  • Fees (2009/2010)
      • Home/EU students (Year 1): £1362
      • Home/EU students (Year 2): £1896 
      • Home/EU students (Year 3): £1770 
      • Overseas students (Year 1): £2628 
      • Overseas students (Years 2–3): £3936 pa
  • When to apply
      • Applications May–December; early application advisable as places are limited.
      • Selection evenings from May/June onwards.
  • Make your application
  • Supplementary information

Information Technology (Foundation Degree) - 2010/2011 entry


Why study this course at Birkbeck?

  • Designed to equip you with the practical and transferable key skills required by today’s employers.
  • Develop skills essential for successful management or technical careers related to information systems, IT and computing.
  • Automatic progression into Year 3 of Birkbeck's BSc Information Systems and Computing after completing the Foundation Degree.

This flexible professional development programme aims to develop knowledge, technical skills and self-directed learning skills appropriate for those working in areas affected by rapidly changing information technology. It also provides the necessary academic and theoretical basis to the subject matter to allow you to continue on to the final two years of the BSc Information Systems and Computing degree after you successfully complete the Foundation Degree.

The Foundation Degree includes modules drawn from Birkbeck’s BSc Information Systems and Management and Certificate of Continuing Education in IT Applictions, as well as modules designed specifically for the Foundation Degree.

What will I be studying?

Year 1

  • Fundamentals of Information Technology*
  • Introduction to Database Technology*
  • Introduction to Web Authoring using XHTML and CSS*
  • Mathematical Methods Foundation.*

Year 2

  • Information Systems Concepts*
  • Computer Systems and Elements of Programming
  • Management Studies
  • Mathematics for Computing.*

Year 3

  • Information Systems Management*
  • Software and Programming 1*
  • Financial Accounting*
  • E-Business*
  • Work-Related Project.

Personal Development Planning is integrated throughout the programme.

*15-credit half-modules. All other modules are worth 30 credits.

Make your application

You can apply online from the link below.

What can I go on to do?

On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you may progress to Year 3 of Birkbeck's BSc Information Systems and Computing. Download our Learning Pathways in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems chart to see what study options are available to you (pdf document - requires Acrobat Reader).

Computer science graduates also go on to careers in software engineering, information systems management, consultancy or research. We regularly publish career-related information on our web site.

Last modified: 11 Mar 2010 15.41

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