Information Systems  BSc (Hons)

Overview

British Computer Society logo 

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society for fulfilment of the academic requirement for Chartered IT Professional, and for partial fulfilment of the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer and Chartered Scientist.

A degree in Information Systems from City University London will help you develop your  career as an information systems professional.

City offers you a wide choice of exciting, distinctive, and professional degrees in IT and Computing - taught by the School of Informatics and delivered in purpose-built new premises with specialist teaching rooms and laboratories. All our courses will equip you for fast-track careers in the IT industry, commerce, research and consultancy.

Each course shares a common first year, which gives you the flexibility to change course (to any of those listed below - subject to approval) after a year's study if required.

Additionally, as part of your course, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience, whilst earning, alongside your studies - through one of our placement schemes:
  • One-year placement - These are taken after students have successfully completed their second year of studies; students work between nine and fifteen months on placement before returning to City to complete their final year
  • Professional Pathway Scheme - This scheme is unique to City and offers students the opportunity to combine placement employment (and earnings) whilst studying.

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2012 fees)
  • Full-time Non EU: £13,000

UCAS code:

G501

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Tariff Points

For entry in 2012

  • A-level: 360 UCAS tariff points. Point scores exclude general studies and key skills.  A/AS-levels in mother tongue other than English count at half value
  • BTEC: DDD
  • IB: 29
  • Science, technology and mathematics subjects are preferred and at least one such subject should be offered
  • Overseas, other UK qualifications and relevant work experience will be considered on the basis of equivalence to our A-level intake
  • 14-19 Advanced Diploma: We accept the Advanced 14-19 Diploma on the same standing as A-levels based on the UCAS tariff.

Pre-requisites

Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above.

Other Suitable Qualifications

Foundation Programmes

If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion of the International Foundation in Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.

Kaplan International College (KIC) London

Additionally, the University works in partnership with KIC London to provide preparatory courses for international students. Foundation and Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students including regular one-to-one tuition. Progression to the University is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London course at the required level.

English Requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0
  • TOEFL: 87 internet-based total
  • GCSE: English language grade C

English Language Programmes

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Please click the links below for more information.

English for Undergraduate Study

Pre-sessional English

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

Course Content

Are you creative? Do you like problem solving and working with computers? Building information systems for today's information age requires these qualities and more.

You will gain:

  • Expertise in high demand areas of the computing industry, such as electronic commerce and information security
  • The skills to design and manage innovative information systems
  • The technical knowledge to use and apply computer technologies in industry

While at City, you will:

  • Develop commercially valuable skills in our computing laboratories
  • Have the opportunity to work with our internationally renowned Research Centres for your final year project
  • Learn to construct software and design information systems to create information-rich, working environments
  • Work with colleagues on collaborative software projects

Course Structure

The structure of your degree is based around three parts, each corresponding to one year of a three-year degree. Commonality is emphasised as far as possible allowing you maximum flexibility to change your degree course once registered.

Assessment is usually by a combination of examination and coursework, though some components, such as the team project are assessed by coursework alone. Your final degree classification is calculated from your second and final years, with the weighting 40 percent to 60 percent.

A one-year placement is invariably taken between the second and final year. In the case of the Professional Pathway, Parts II and III are spread over three years.

Part I: Foundations

You will gain a firm foundation in computing covering topics such as programming, software engineering, computer architecture, databases and the mathematics needed to understand and model computer systems. Communication and business skills, essential for a successful career in IT, are also covered.

We offer a common first year for all our our courses, allowing you ample time to make an informed choice of which computing degree to study.

Part II: Core knowledge and skills

You will learn the core knowledge and skills needed in the IT profession, including topics such as networking and human-computer interaction. A group project plays an important role in developing your team-working skills in a software development environment. You will also study topics relevant to your specialism, such as data structures and algorithms for computer science, and organisational behaviour for business computing.

Part III: Advanced topics

You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge of your specialism and broaden your education by selecting topics from our wide range of final year elective modules. Your individual project will demonstrate to employers that you can apply your knowledge and devise a novel solution to a problem. Your project may be undertaken in conjunction with one of our research groups in artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction or software engineering. Alternatively, you may undertake your project with the company you worked for while on placement. For example, a current student is developing a system to help monitor and control costs in a blue-chip company.

Electives

We offer you a wide range of regularly updated elective topics allowing you to specialise or broaden your studies as you wish.

Download more examples of modules and electives

Course Details

Specialist modules covered include:

  • Information management
  • Internet and information search
  • Methods for securing information systems from unauthorised access
  • Systems for supporting business decision making

This degree is suitable for you if:

  • You have the determination to see technical projects through to the end
  • You want a head start in your career as an information systems professional
  • You want a creative role in developing future innovative IT applications

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching
Teaching is through a combination of lectures, case studies,  seminars, and laboratory sessions.  Project and group work aim to develop creativity and problem solving and play a major part in the course. Communication and professional development skills are covered in the first year. Teaching is also supported online by the e-learning system.

Assessment
Assessment is by examination and coursework though some components, such as the team project, are assessed by  coursework alone. Your final degree classification is calculated from your second and final years with the weighting of 40 percent to 60 percent respectively

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2012 fees)
  • Full-time Non EU: £13,000

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Scholarships

New for 2012 entrants: Up to £3,000 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.

Placements

As part of your course, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience, whilst earning, alongside your studies - through one of our placement schemes:

  • One-year placement - These are taken after students have successfully completed their second year of studies; students work between nine and fifteen months on placement before returning to City to complete their final year
  • Professional Pathway Scheme - This scheme is unique to City and offers students the opportunity to combine placement employment (and earnings) whilst studying.

Career Prospects

The degree is recognised by the British Computer Society, exempting you from their professional examinations and offering a pathway to Chartered status. Careers include designing, building and managing information systems, whether it is a technical role, leading teams on large software projects, or a managerial role with responsibility for computerised, information services.

Find out more about City University London

Information Systems

UCAS code: G501

Applications for degree courses must be made through UCAS. You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Rosehill, New Barn Lane,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
www.ucas.com

UCAS Customer Service Unit telephone numbers:

  • For callers in the UK: 0871 468 0 468
  • For callers outside the UK: +44 (0)871 468 0 468
  • For callers with hearing difficulties
  • From the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0 468
  • From outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0 468.
You can apply for up to five universities on the form. Please take care to enter the correct course code, particularly for subjects with a foundation year or with BSc and BEng options. UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each university can only see their entry and not those of other universities you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City University London is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities. You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £21 application fee. If you want to apply to City only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £11. The UCAS code for City University London is C60.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2012 should arrive at UCAS between 1 September 2011 and 15 January 2012. Applications that arrive after 15 January 2012 will be considered only at the University's discretion. When your application is acknowledged by UCAS, you will be sent a personal identification number so that you can access your records via Track on the UCAS website.

Enquiries

For general enquiries about the admissions process, please contact the
Admissions Office.
T: +44 (0)20 7040 8716/0223
E: ugadmissions@city.ac.uk

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, you should contact the admissions tutor for that course (please see the course description for contact details).