Computing and IT Practice (Honours)

If you’ve already completed a foundation degree or equivalent, this Top-up BSc Computing and IT Practice (Honours) degree at The Open University course tops up your knowledge and skills to an honours degree. You’ll choose from a variety of modules to suit your career goals, and complete your studies with a project on a topic based on one of your chosen modules

Key features of the course

– Builds on study you’ve already done to complete in only two years part-time
– Presents a choice of modules to meet your particular needs and interests
– Provides practical experience of independent learning and reflective practice
– Quality assured by the European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education (EQANIE)
Skills for career development

This degree is relevant if you work, or would like to work with computing and IT systems – in hardware-based, software-based or systems-based contexts – and are looking for a qualification that shows you have a sound grasp of the principles of these technologies; you can apply these principles; and you’re aware of the surrounding issues. The individual project you’ll study at the end of this degree course will demonstrate your ability to undertake a substantial piece of work. It will also be a valuable showcase for your abilities and professional skills, and provide a solid preparation for postgraduate study.

On graduation, you’ll be in a position to pursue a career in information technology, computing, communication technology and related fields – although you may need to undertake further training or study in order to enter a new career area.

Career relevance

Research by e-Skills UK has shown that IT and telecommunications now employs 1 in 20 of the UK workforce. It also suggests the digital sector will need nearly 300,000 new recruits by 2020 to meet the demand for skills in this area.

Computing and IT graduates are in demand by providers (such as software houses) and user organisations alike. The extensive range of organisations employing computing and IT graduates includes retail, financial services, telecommunications, broadcast media, digital media, manufacturing, transport, tourism, the public sector and healthcare.

Growth areas and areas of high demand include cyber security, mobile development, cloud computing and the management of Big Data.