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Study Information Technology & Systems, why & how to study

Study Information Technology & Systems, and you'll already be heading down a lucrative and exciting career path.

System engineering concept. Engineers working in the office.

CONTENTS

  1. What’s Information Technology & Systems?

  2. What Information Technology & Systems degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto an Information Technology & Systems degree?

  4. What topics does an Information Technology & Systems degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Information Technology & Systems?

  7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Information Technology degree?
  8. What do Information Technology & Systems graduates earn?

  9. What jobs can you get as an Information Technology & Systems graduate?

  10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  11. Similar subjects to Information Technology & Systems

  12. Have any questions?

What’s Information Technology & Systems?

Information Technology is the backbone of our digital world, shaping how we create, communicate and work. It encompasses a wide array of fields related to computer systems, software, programming languages, and data processing.

Information Technology & Systems looks at the cycle of information management and explores how to interpret complex computer systems for business and organisational use. This cycle involves acquiring information, holding and distributing that material and lastly its removal.

Take a look at the university league tables for Information Technology & Systems.

What Information Technology & Systems degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Information Technology & Systems covers a wide range of areas. You may decide to focus on a particular field and combine with another subject or study Information Technology more generally. Examples of degrees include:

Data Science

This type of degree has a mathematical focus and involves applying data science to the social sciences.

Find Data Science courses.

Digital Forensics and Cyber Security BSc

Learn how to develop these highly sought after skills to perform digital forensic analysis and implement cyber security mechanisms into any business. 

Explore Digital Forensics and Cyber Security courses.  

Informatics Mlnf

This integrated degree allows you to earn a master’s level qualification over five years by gaining experience across all areas of informatics.

Search for Informatics courses.

Information Technology Management for Business BSc

Courses usually combine a combination of IT, management and business skills to ensure graduates have up to date expertise to thrive in a technology-driven business environment.

Look through Information Technology Management for Business courses

Politics and Data Science BSc

Combining these two disciplines gives you the opportunity to study a range of political topics while using the latest tools and data sources to analyse them.

Discover Politics and Data Science courses.

Other options 

There are other subject combinations you can study with Information Technology. For instance:

Degrees may include an integrated foundation year or master’s and offer a year abroad or professional placement year. 

What do you need to get onto an Information Technology & Systems degree?

Must have 

Entry requirements for an Information Technology & Systems degree at a university range from 88–168 UCAS points. This could include:  

  • A Levels: A*A*A*–CCD (including a pass in the practical element of science if taken at A Level) 

  • BTECs: D*D*D*–MMM 

  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA–AAB) 

  • International Baccalaureate: 43–28 

  • Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths at A Level (or equivalent) 

  • Some degrees require a maths admissions test, such as TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper), MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) or Advanced Extension Award (AEA) 

  • Interview may be required by some universities 

Good to have 

  • Further maths, physics, electronics, computing, computer studies, ICT or science 

  • Shadow a database administrator or other relevant role 

  • Further your knowledge through books, TED talks, podcasts, or insights from the websites of professional bodies 

  • Involvement in computing or maths challenges, competitions or clubs 

  • Knowledge of programming languages like Python, if relevant to your degree 

  • STEM summer schools, if eligible, such as UNIQ or Sutton Trust 

What topics does an Information Technology & Systems degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

  • Applied regression
  • Big data
  • Business data analytics
  • Data warehousing
  • Database design and development
  • Fundamentals of information systems
  • IT risk, cybersecurity and governance
  • Legal aspects of IT
  • Machine learning
  • Managing and visualising data
  • Mathematical methods for statistics and probability
  • Mathematical proof and analysis
  • Programming for data science

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module:

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Exams
  • In-class tests
  • Project or portfolio work

Why study Information Technology & Systems?

Career-specific skills:

  • Skills in calculating and manipulating data, such as data mining and modelling, machine learning, big data analytics and knowledge of database structures
  • Ability to use statistical software to analyse and interpret data accurately, and data visualisation to present your findings
  • IT skills that may include Python, SQL, Java or other programming languages

Transferable skills:

  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Entrepreneurial skills
  • Internet research and information retrieval
  • Organisation
  • Presentation
  • Problem solving
  • Report writing
  • Strong numeracy and IT skills

Professional accreditation:

  • Combinations with computer science may be accredited by BCS (British Computer Society), the chartered institute for IT, offering a pathway toward Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and/or Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng)

I've thoroughly enjoyed my Information Technology course. The balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills has provided an engaging and highly educational learning experience. 
Alex, Middlesex University

  1. GO TO
  2. Read more about Alex's story
  3. Read reasons to study Information Technology & Systems

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access. It’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.  

What do Information Technology & Systems graduates earn?

Information Technology & Systems graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £19,000 - £21,000. 

Data analysts may earn £28,000–£35,000, while an average salary for an experienced data scientist could be £70,000. At a senior level, a data architect can earn up to £95,500.

  1. GO TO
  2. What do graduates do and earn?

What jobs can you get as an Information Technology & Systems graduate?

A career in Information Technology & Systems could lead to roles in various sectors and include: 

  • Data analyst
  • Data architect
  • Data engineer
  • Data science operational officer
  • Data scientist
  • Database administrator
  • Information analyst
  • Lecturer
  • Systems analyst
  • Systems developer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of postgraduate Information Technology & Systems degrees include: 

  • Big Data and Digital Futures PGDip/MSc
  • Geographic Data Science MSc
  • Health Informatics MSc/MPhil/PhD
  • Information Technology with Management MSc
  • Social Data Science DPhil

Similar subjects to Information Technology & Systems

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

Search undergraduate Information Technology & Systems courses now!

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Information Technology & Systems. We’ll be happy to hear from you!

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