BSc (Hons) Business Information Systems with a Year in Industry

Course Overview

Information systems help modern businesses with their daily tasks, plan for the future, and use information to stay ahead of the competition. The BSc in Business Information Systems with a Year in Industry program teaches you about computers, business, and how they work together. You also get to choose what you want to learn based on what you like and what you want to do in the future.

The programme combines in-depth teaching on the capabilities of business systems and a thorough grounding in the operations of contemporary businesses. Teaching methods include team-based learning and hands-on practices. You’ll develop skills applicable to the wider employment sector, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication, organization and timekeeping.

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.

As a business information systems specialist, you’ll need to be able to speak your customer’s language, with an understanding of businesses and how they operate. Our external visiting speakers emphasize this point again and again, so we ensure that our business information systems courses give you this important mix of skills.

You’ll 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.

This course will ensure you’re fully equipped for a career in business information systems and are completely up to date on what the industry needs right now. It will also give you a strong grounding in computing, business and information systems, as well as the chance to shape your degree based on your interests and career aspirations.

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’ll 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’re 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.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

A levels

ABB including Mathematics, Computing Science, Business, Digital Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Electronics or Economics.

Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element.

Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including HL5 in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation or Analysis and Approaches), Computing Science, Chemistry, Physics or Economics

INTO UEA

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.

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) 

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.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  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.

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA 

Academic English at INTO UEA 

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.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Recent Study

We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.

Employability

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.

Examples of careers that you could enter include:

• Business analysis
• Project management
• Systems development
• Systems analysis
• E-Marketing
• Business management

Discover more on our Careers webpages.