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.
CONTENTS
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What’s Information Technology & Systems?
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What Information Technology & Systems degrees can you study?
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What do you need to get onto an Information Technology & Systems degree?
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What topics does an Information Technology & Systems degree cover?
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How will you be assessed?
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Why study Information Technology & Systems?
- Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Information Technology degree?
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What do Information Technology & Systems graduates earn?
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What jobs can you get as an Information Technology & Systems graduate?
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
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Similar subjects to Information Technology & Systems
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Have any questions?
What’s Information Technology & Systems?
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.
What Information Technology & Systems degrees can you study?
Undergraduate degrees in Information Technology & Systems include:
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:
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A Levels: A*A*A*–CCD (including a pass in the practical element of science if taken at A Level)
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BTECs: D*D*D*–MMM
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Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA–AAB)
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International Baccalaureate: 43–28
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Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths at A Level (or equivalent)
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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)
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Interview may be required by some universities
Good to have
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Further maths, physics, electronics, computing, computer studies, ICT or science
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Shadow a database administrator or other relevant role
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Further your knowledge through books, TED talks, podcasts, or insights from the websites of professional bodies
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Involvement in computing or maths challenges, competitions or clubs
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Knowledge of programming languages like Python, if relevant to your degree
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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)
Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access so 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 £25,000–£30,000.
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.
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:
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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