BSc (Hons) Business Information Systems with a Year in Industry
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- GN55
- Entry Requirements
- ABB (specific subject requirements apply).
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Why you should choose us
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Course Overview
All modern businesses depend upon sophisticated information systems. They are used to support day-to-day operations, to plan strategically for the future, and to manipulate gathered data to gain a competitive advantage.
On this course, you will study computing, information technology and business. You will cultivate the knowledge, skills and experience needed for a career designing and implementing computer-based systems in a business environment. You’ll also be well equipped for a career as a consultant or manager, with expertise in information systems and their use in business.
You’ll also spend a year in industry, giving you first-hand knowledge of how your chosen field operates as well as valuable career-building contacts.
Throughout your course, you’ll benefit from the combined expertise of the School of Computing Sciences and Norwich Business School. Our flexible approach enables you to choose subjects that interest you and that are aligned with your career aspirations.
Our BSc Business Information Systems with a Year in Industry is ranked in the top 20 for Business and Management by 'The Guardian University Guide 2023'.
This course will ensure you’re fully equipped for a career in business information systems and are totally up to date on what the industry needs right now.
This programme combines in-depth teaching on the capabilities of business systems and a thorough grounding in the operations of contemporary businesses. By studying these crucial and exciting subjects you will also develop skills applicable to the wider employment sector, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication, organisation, and time keeping.
The relatively recent move to more iterative computer systems development methods has had a knock-on effect on the skills and knowledge required from developers. As a developer, you are now expected to be able to work in small multi-skilled teams alongside your business users. That means you don’t just need technical competence but also the ability to be flexible, creative and a good communicator.
Above all you need to be able to speak your customer’s language – with an understanding of businesses and how they operate. Our external visiting speakers emphasise this point again and again – so we ensure that our business information systems courses give you this important mix of skills.
In your first year, you’ll get a thorough grounding in quantitative methods, systems development, programming and databases, while also learning about business and organisational behaviour.Over the next two years, you’ll explore systems analysis, operations strategy and management, systems engineering and organisational information systems.
You will also be able to select from a wide range of optional modules, allowing you to tailor your own degree to concentrate on your computing expertise, your business knowledge, or a valuable balance between the two.
In your year in industry, you’ll put what you’ve learnt to practice, gaining new skills and building links with potential employers such as Aviva, Bloomberg and IBM. Another benefit is that you’ll pay a much-reduced tuition fee for your placement year, and you’ll be paid – a great way to help fund your studies.
In your final year, you’ll have the option to complete a final year project pulling together the business and computing aspects of your degree.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You will be expected to seek your own work placement, and in the first two weeks of your second year you’ll be asked to write a CV and to apply to a range of companies. Not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field, it will also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you’ll require after graduation. We will, of course, offer our guidance and support whilst students are identifying and negotiating placement opportunities.
During this year, you’ll be supported by an industrial supervisor and a mentor from the University. You and your industrial supervisor will feed back during the placement to ensure that it is progressing well, and your UEA mentor will visit you during the year.
Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers. If you were unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year, you will have the option to apply to be transferred onto the equivalent degree programme without a Year in Industry.
Accreditations
Study and Modules
Structure
This four-year course will give you a strong grounding in computing, business and information systems before giving you the chance to shape your degree based on your interests and career aspirations.
In your first year, you’ll follow a program of compulsory modules designed to establish and develop your skills in computing, business, organisational behaviour, databases, programming and quantitative methods.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
In all your modules you’ll have lectures and some also include smaller group teaching – helping you explore the material or experience it first-hand.
On the more technical modules (such as programming or databases), you’ll have computer lab sessions to practise what you’ve been taught yourself. In other subjects you’ll do exercises or discuss topics in more detail during seminars. Some modules have both labs and seminars.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and practise professional skills such as report writing and oral presentations. In your Systems Analysis module you’ll work on a real-world project to make recommendations around analysis, design and implementation to UEA or a local organisation.
As well as learning from our academics, you’ll have the chance to meet IT professionals and talk to them about their experience of systems development as part of one of our modules.
Independent study
We strongly encourage you to spend time going over your lecture notes and reading around the topics independently to prepare for your seminars and lab sessions in advance. This may involve researching a particular topic, reading articles, watching videos, or having a go at certain exercises. The more you prepare in this way, the more you’ll get out of your course.
Your final year individual project is your ultimate opportunity to show how well you can take on a problem, research it, prepare a plan, manage yourself and achieve your objectives. You will have a project supervisor to guide you and to bounce ideas off, but essentially the project is your own work. It is an excellent opportunity to put into practice what you have learned throughout your time at university and is often instrumental in your job interview success.
Assessment
We’ll use a wide range of methods to assess your learning – including project work, programming assignments, essays, written reports, oral presentations, laboratory exercises, and seminar presentations. Which one we choose will depend on the module content and learning objectives. You will also complete group-based coursework.
Most modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams (usually 40% examination and 60% coursework), while some are entirely assessed by coursework. In your final year, you will be assessed particularly on your understanding and how you integrate knowledge from different areas of the subject.
Your Year in Industry is assessed through a series of periodic reports during the placement and a final report, completed at the end of the placement. The placement year is a pass/fail assessment.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll study two compulsory modules, focusing on systems analysis and principles of project management. Your remaining modules will be optional – so you’ll take your pick of topics ranging from software engineering and data science to business ethics and marketing.
You’ll also start to put your CV together, explore placement opportunities and prepare for selection processes.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 80)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
In all your modules you’ll have lectures and some also include smaller group teaching – helping you explore the material or experience it first-hand.
On the more technical modules (such as programming or databases), you’ll have computer lab sessions to practise what you’ve been taught yourself. In other subjects you’ll do exercises or discuss topics in more detail during seminars. Some modules have both labs and seminars.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and practise professional skills such as report writing and oral presentations. In your Systems Analysis module you’ll work on a real-world project to make recommendations around analysis, design and implementation to UEA or a local organisation.
As well as learning from our academics, you’ll have the chance to meet IT professionals and talk to them about their experience of systems development as part of one of our modules.
Independent study
We strongly encourage you to spend time going over your lecture notes and reading around the topics independently to prepare for your seminars and lab sessions in advance. This may involve researching a particular topic, reading articles, watching videos, or having a go at certain exercises. The more you prepare in this way, the more you’ll get out of your course.
Your final year individual project is your ultimate opportunity to show how well you can take on a problem, research it, prepare a plan, manage yourself and achieve your objectives. You will have a project supervisor to guide you and to bounce ideas off, but essentially the project is your own work. It is an excellent opportunity to put into practice what you have learned throughout your time at university and is often instrumental in your job interview success.
Assessment
We’ll use a wide range of methods to assess your learning – including project work, programming assignments, essays, written reports, oral presentations, laboratory exercises, and seminar presentations. Which one we choose will depend on the module content and learning objectives. You will also complete group-based coursework.
Most modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams (usually 40% examination and 60% coursework), while some are entirely assessed by coursework. In your final year, you will be assessed particularly on your understanding and how you integrate knowledge from different areas of the subject.
Your Year in Industry is assessed through a series of periodic reports during the placement and a final report, completed at the end of the placement. The placement year is a pass/fail assessment.
Structure
Subject to successfully passing your company of choice’s selection procedure, you will spend 9-12 months working in industry to gain real life experience of working within the field of Business and IT. Our well-established commercial connections throughout the UK and beyond will help you secure the best possible placement for you. Positions are usually paid, but the amounts may vary.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
In all your modules you’ll have lectures and some also include smaller group teaching – helping you explore the material or experience it first-hand.
On the more technical modules (such as programming or databases), you’ll have computer lab sessions to practise what you’ve been taught yourself. In other subjects you’ll do exercises or discuss topics in more detail during seminars. Some modules have both labs and seminars.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and practise professional skills such as report writing and oral presentations. In your Systems Analysis module you’ll work on a real-world project to make recommendations around analysis, design and implementation to UEA or a local organisation.
As well as learning from our academics, you’ll have the chance to meet IT professionals and talk to them about their experience of systems development as part of one of our modules.
Independent study
We strongly encourage you to spend time going over your lecture notes and reading around the topics independently to prepare for your seminars and lab sessions in advance. This may involve researching a particular topic, reading articles, watching videos, or having a go at certain exercises. The more you prepare in this way, the more you’ll get out of your course.
Your final year individual project is your ultimate opportunity to show how well you can take on a problem, research it, prepare a plan, manage yourself and achieve your objectives. You will have a project supervisor to guide you and to bounce ideas off, but essentially the project is your own work. It is an excellent opportunity to put into practice what you have learned throughout your time at university and is often instrumental in your job interview success.
Assessment
We’ll use a wide range of methods to assess your learning – including project work, programming assignments, essays, written reports, oral presentations, laboratory exercises, and seminar presentations. Which one we choose will depend on the module content and learning objectives. You will also complete group-based coursework.
Most modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams (usually 40% examination and 60% coursework), while some are entirely assessed by coursework. In your final year, you will be assessed particularly on your understanding and how you integrate knowledge from different areas of the subject.
Your Year in Industry is assessed through a series of periodic reports during the placement and a final report, completed at the end of the placement. The placement year is a pass/fail assessment.
Structure
In your final year, you’ll study critical issues in information systems and systems engineering alongside a wide range of optional modules. If you choose to do an independent project, you will get the chance to bring all your knowledge together to focus on a real-world issue, potentially involving external companies.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
In all your modules you’ll have lectures and some also include smaller group teaching – helping you explore the material or experience it first-hand.
On the more technical modules (such as programming or databases), you’ll have computer lab sessions to practise what you’ve been taught yourself. In other subjects you’ll do exercises or discuss topics in more detail during seminars. Some modules have both labs and seminars.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and practise professional skills such as report writing and oral presentations. In your Systems Analysis module you’ll work on a real-world project to make recommendations around analysis, design and implementation to UEA or a local organisation.
As well as learning from our academics, you’ll have the chance to meet IT professionals and talk to them about their experience of systems development as part of one of our modules.
Independent study
We strongly encourage you to spend time going over your lecture notes and reading around the topics independently to prepare for your seminars and lab sessions in advance. This may involve researching a particular topic, reading articles, watching videos, or having a go at certain exercises. The more you prepare in this way, the more you’ll get out of your course.
Your final year individual project is your ultimate opportunity to show how well you can take on a problem, research it, prepare a plan, manage yourself and achieve your objectives. You will have a project supervisor to guide you and to bounce ideas off, but essentially the project is your own work. It is an excellent opportunity to put into practice what you have learned throughout your time at university and is often instrumental in your job interview success.
Assessment
We’ll use a wide range of methods to assess your learning – including project work, programming assignments, essays, written reports, oral presentations, laboratory exercises, and seminar presentations. Which one we choose will depend on the module content and learning objectives. You will also complete group-based coursework.
Most modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams (usually 40% examination and 60% coursework), while some are entirely assessed by coursework. In your final year, you will be assessed particularly on your understanding and how you integrate knowledge from different areas of the subject.
Your Year in Industry is assessed through a series of periodic reports during the placement and a final report, completed at the end of the placement. The placement year is a pass/fail assessment.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- ABB including one A-Level in Mathematics, Computing Science, Digital Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Electronics, Business or Economics. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are: Science, Design Surveying and Planning for Construction, Digital Production Design and Development, Digital Business Services, Digital Support Services.
- BTEC
- DDM acceptable in an IT, Engineering, Science-based or Business subject, excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration.
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB including Grade A in Mathematics, Computing Science, Chemistry, Physics or Economics.
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BCC including Mathematics, Computing Science, Chemistry, Physics or Economics.
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3 including Mathematics, Computing Science, Chemistry, Physics or Economics.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3, including 12 credits in Mathematics, Computing, Physics, Electronics, Business or Economics.
- International Baccalaureate
- 32 including HL5 in Mathematics, Computing Science, Chemistry, Physics or Economics.
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BSc Computing Science with a Foundation Year.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences
International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering
International Foundation in Business Economics Society and Culture
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You are eligible for reduced fees during the year in industry. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee website.
There may be extra costs related to items such as your travel and accommodation during your year in industry, which will vary depending on location. Many of the course texts are available from the library but it’s likely you will need to purchase at least some of them. If you are required to undertake re-assessment a charge will be made.
View our information about Additional Course Fees.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
You’ll leave as a well-rounded graduate with a range of enviable employment opportunities open to you. Our recent graduates have secured roles at IBM, Logica, Capgemini, Marks & Spencer, and Aviva.
You’ll develop your employability throughout the course by hearing from industry guest speakers, going on company visits and participating in the local tech community (NorDev) and start up community (SyncNorwich).
Our students have been very successful in the annual 54-hour start up event, called Sync the City. Taking part in events like this will boost your confidence, employability and contacts book.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Business analysis
- Project management
- Systems development
- Systems analysis
- E-Marketing
- Business management