Information Technology with Foundation Year

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change.

This Information Technology degree will appeal to highly motivated students who have a strong interest in data analysis and the management of IT systems. The course captures how our modern global society and the developing world are increasingly reliant on IT products and services.

KEY FEATURES OF THIS COURSE


- WORK EXPERIENCE: Gain valuable experience on an optional year in industry, supported by our dedicated and highly experienced placement staff.


- LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: The team project in year two challenges you to develop an IT product or service for a real client, such as a local charity. You’ll take part in debates, group and individual work, practical sessions in computer labs, tutorials, seminars and presentations by in-house and guest lecturers.


- INDUSTRY SOFTWARE: Use tools such as R, Python, Watson Analytics, SAS JMP and Tableau.


- FLEXIBILITY: Benefit from the option to transfer to another degree in your Computing portfolio after your first year.


- NO EXAMS!: We’ll assess you via other methods throughout your degree.


WHAT YOU'LL COVER:
Our Information Technology degree focuses on two key themes: data analysis and the use of big data, and management of computer systems in business. A range of closely related computing and business topics support these. You'll gain fundamental knowledge in your first year studying modules alongside students on our other Computing degrees. In your second year, you'll study specialist modules specifically chosen for your degree, with your final year offering further options to tailor your studies to an area of your interest.

HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED:
Instead of exams, a wide range of feedback and assessment methods is used throughout this course, from short exercises in computer labs to writing a dissertation for your Final Year Independent Studies project. You will also submit short research papers, take computer-based tests, produce presentations of your work and provide portfolios documenting the design and implementation of IT products and services, such as web design projects. 

YOUR CAREER:
You’ll find career opportunities in virtually any area of computing and information technology, particularly data analysis and business intelligence. You could progress to become a data analyst, an IT trainer, a reporting specialist, a project manager or even advance to IT director roles. You could even start your own business. This degree also prepares you for an MSc in Information Technology.

STUDY OPTIONS:
This course is available without a Placement Year option.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, the University of Derby was named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality.

Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027