Computing Gary Hill BSc(Hons) MSc, MPhil, PGCE Head of Division - Computing

1. Computing Gary Hill BSc(Hons) MSc, MPhil, PGCE Head of Division - Computing gary.hill@northampton.ac.uk

2. 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?

3. 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/

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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 • Computing Software Engineering • Creative Computing • European Computing • 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

10. Q4: Where should I study? • What courses are available in Q3 • Location – consider: accommodation costs, friends, family, part-time work

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Common First Year

14. Course Structure

15. Course Structure

16. Course Structure

17. Course Web Site www.eng.nene.ac.uk

18. 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 GCE‘A-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 (> 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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)

22. Thank you Any questions?

23. Gary Hill: gary.hill@northampton.ac.uk Course Web Site: www.eng.nene.ac.uk