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Computing Gary Hill BSc(Hons) MSc, MPhil,
PGCE Head of Division - Computing gary.hill_at_north
ampton.ac.uk
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Choices to be made

• Q1 Is higher education for you?
• Q2 What qualification are you aiming for?
• Q3 What subject would you like to study?
• Q4 Where should you go to study?
• Q5 What will the course be like?
• Q6 What are the career prospects?

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Q1 Is higher education for you?

• My assumption is that you have already decided to
  study a higher education course in Computing.
• If you are unsure about this decision you could
  look at the Connexions site for further
  information.
• http//www.connexions-direct.com/

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What you need to know

• Going to university is a big step and you need to
  know what to expect if you decide to go. You need
  to know what types of qualifications are
  available and what the benefits of going to
  university will be.
• By going to university you will become more
  independent, be able to try new activities and
  meet lots of new people. You will also be able to
  develop new skills, and gain confidence. However,
  you must be prepared to work hard and to manage
  your own time well.
• At university you will be able to work towards a
  certificate, diploma or degree qualification. The
  length of time you spend doing the qualification
  will depend on the type of qualification you are
  taking.
• You will also need to know about financing and
  accommodation and there is more information on
  these issues throughout this site.

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What you can do

• If you want to get a feel for what going to
  university will be like you can do a number of
  things
• Attend an open day. Have a good look around and
  ask lots of questions
• Most universities have websites for you to look
  at
• Send off for a brochure
• Talk to people you know who have already been to
  university

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Who can help

• At every university there will be trained careers
  advisers who will be able to advise you about all
  the different degrees, certificates and diploma
  qualifications you will be able to take.
• There are also lots of really good websites such
  as www.opendays.com which provides information
  about open days and contact details for over 400
  universities and colleges in the UK. You can
  speak to a Personal Adviser at your local
  Connexions Centre. To find your local centre
  click on the Local Services icon in the footer of
  the homepage or check out your local phone book.
• You can contact a Connexions Direct Adviser by
  phone on 080 800 13 2 19, by text on 07766 4 13 2
  19, by textphone 08000 968 336, by adviser online
  or by email.

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Higher Education - What you need to know

• Higher education isn't just for people who do A
  levels. There are many different types of higher
  education course, and different methods of study
  to suit your existing commitments.
• If you go on to higher education, you could be
  more employable than people without a higher
  education qualification, and you might earn more
  money.

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Q2 What course should you study?

• There are different types of HE
• An honours degree - the most common of these is
  Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) and Bachelor of
  Science (BSc Hons). These are usually full time
  three year courses but can also be taken as
  longer part-time courses. They are also available
  by distance learning from some institutions
• A Foundation Degree - this is a new HE
  qualification. You can do either full or part
  time courses in a various work-related subjects.
  Most offer progression to a full honours degree
• A Higher National Diploma (HND) or Diploma of
  Higher Education (Dip HE) - these take two years
  full-time study. There is the option of turning
  them into an honours degree by studying for a
  further year

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Q3 What subject do I study?

• Applied Computing
• Applied Computing Science
• Applied Computing Technology
• Business Computing
• Business Computing Systems
• Computer Games Technology
• Computing Aided Draughting
• Computing Architecture
• Computing Biology
• Computing Chemistry
• Computing Control Systems
• Computing Control Technology
• Computing Game Design
• Computing Information Studies
• Computing Interactive Design
• Computing Management
• Computing Mathematics
• Computing Simulation
• Computing Software Design

• Forensic Computing
• Human Computing Systems
• Internet Computing
• IT
• Leisure Computing Technology
• Mathematics
• Media Computing
• Micro Computing
• Mobile Computing
• Multimedia Computing
• Networks Computing
• Real Time Computing
• Real Time Computing Systems
• Science Computing
• Scientific Computing
• Statistics
• Three Dimensional Computing Animation

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Q4 Where should I study?

• What courses are available in Q3
• Location consider accommodation costs,
  friends, family, part-time work

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Q5 What will the course be like?

• Class sizes lectures 60, tutorials 20 students
• Contact time 16, 14, 12 hours per week
• Study time 16, 18, 20 hours per week
• Free time Outside classes and 1 day free minimum
• Module choices 1st Common, 2nd Course specific,
  3rd 2 from 3.
• Computer access 24 hours 7 days per week.
• Computer software Free Microsoft OS and other
  software.
• Computer labs (8) XP/Linux OS, laptop access,
  CD/RW, data projectors, memory stick, printers.

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UCN Courses on offer

• MSc Internet Computing
• BSc Computing (Computer Communications)
• BSc Computing (Computer Systems)
• BSc Computing
• BSc Computing (Internet Technology)
• BSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• FD Electronics Computing
• HND Computing (Computer Communications)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems)
• HND/C Computing (Computer Studies)
• HND Computing (Internet Technology)
• HND Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc Computing (One Year Top-up)
• Jt/CH Computing - Computing as Major, Joint or
  Minor Combined Honours

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Common First Year
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Course Structure
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Course Structure
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Course Structure
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Course Web Site www.eng.nene.ac.uk
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BSc Computing at UCN
Entry requirements Entrants must normally possess
GCSE Maths and English at grade C and at least
one of the following or equivalent       2
GCEA-levels 2 AVCEs 1 Double Award AVCE
totaling 160pts       AGNVQ overall merit    
BTEC National Diploma (or Cert.) with 50 merits
in the 2nd year The course team encourages mature
students (gt 21 years of age) to apply and scope
exists for direct entry into the second year of
the course dependant on prior study and chosen
pathway.
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HND Computer Systems at UCN

• Entry Requirements
• While we regard enthusiasm and practical ability
  as being just as important as paper
  qualifications, we require a minimum academic
  achievement of one of the following
• 40 Tariff points from one 6 unit award
• (i.e. a GCE A-level, or AVCE, in a relevant
  Maths, Science, Engineering or similar
  subject).
• An BTEC National Diploma (or Cert.) in
  Engineering or Technology.
• Advanced GNVQ at Pass standard.
• A qualification equivalent to those above. 
• We will also consider applicants who do not
  possess the formal entry qualifications if they
  can demonstrate their likely success on the
  course for instance mature applicants with good
  industrial experience.

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Q6 What are the career prospects?

• Jobs directly related to your degree
  (www.prospects.ac.uk)
• Historically, there have always been more
  computing jobs than computing graduates, this
  however is no longer the case. In 2002, there was
  a slump in the number of IT vacancies advertised
  thus resulting in a change in what employers look
  for in a graduate recruit. There are still
  companies who prefer graduates with a
  computing-related background, this is mainly due
  to the technical knowledge that is required.
  However, there are now more companies who are
  recruiting from a non-computing background. In
  2002, e-skills UK noted that 56 of entrants into
  IT were from a non-IT background but computing
  graduates should not be put off in applying.
• Graduates should be aware that within the
  industry job titles and definitions vary in
  different companies and it is worth researching
  and checking to make sure you understand the
  descriptions that are used.

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• Some of the more common job titles used include
  the following.
• Software engineer - specifies, develops,
  documents and maintains computer software
  programs in order to meet client or employer
  need. Usually works as part of a team. (See also
  IT, economics, statistics and management
  services)
• Database administrator - responsible for the
  usage, accuracy, efficiency, security,
  maintenance and development of an organisation's
  computerised databases. (See also IT, economics,
  statistics and management services)
• Applications developer - writes and modifies
  programs to enable a computer to carry out
  specific tasks, such as stock control or payroll,
  typically for technical, commercial and business
  users. (See also IT, economics, statistics and
  management services)
• Systems designer - takes the specification for
  the requirements of a computer system and designs
  the system including hardware, software,
  communications, installation, testing and
  maintenance. (See also IT, economics, statistics
  and management services)
• Systems developer - sets up the computer
  operating systems and standard software services
  essential to the operation of any computer. (See
  also IT, economics, statistics and management
  services)
• Information technology consultant - gives
  independent and objective advice on how best to
  use information technology to solve business
  problems. The work includes analysing problems,
  making recommendations and implementing new
  systems. (See also IT, economics, statistics and
  management services)

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Thank you Any questions?
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Gary Hill gary.hill_at_northampton.ac.uk Course
Web Site www.eng.nene.ac.uk