Careers Brief - Computing FdSc

Overview

The Foundation degree in Computing offers you the opportunity for progression onto an Honours degree programme or direct job entry.

IT graduates with good technical skills are still in demand. In recent years with new technologies, a greater diversity of job roles have become available, from the in-depth skills of the software developer to those requiring less detailed knowledge. You will need to read job descriptions when considering job opportunities, rather than rely on job title.

Although, there are opportunities for 'techie' graduates, having good people and client-facing skills would offer a greater choice of jobs.

Success in your course not only provides you with technical skill training, but also you will have demonstrated the key employability skills and competencies in demand by employers. Functional Skills such as: time management; logical, analytical problem-solving skills; effective communication (both written and verbal) and the ability to work successfully in a team.

The IT industry is constantly in a state of development with new technologies offering new solutions. You will need to be adaptable and keep up-to-date with new developments in this fast moving industry.

For an overview of the industry sector, go to National Guidance Research Forum for 'LMI Future trends' and 'Sectors covered'.

Go to the website links below to find out more.

Further Study

You will be able to apply for a Top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Honours (or Ordinary) degree, though entry may be selective.

Alternatively, you could transfer onto a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be the final year.

Go to http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/ for information on the computing top-ups and related degree courses at Bournemouth University.

Other institutions offering Computing Top-ups include:

University of Central Lancashire; Edinburgh Napier University; University of Highlands & Islands; University of Glamorgan, Cardiff and Pontypridd; University of Huddersfield; Hull College; London South Bank University; University of Northampton; Norwich City College of Further & Higher Education; Staffordshire University; University Campus Suffolk.

To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.

You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.

Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Go to the university/college links for information on course costs and finance and to the Financial support section for additional help.

Alternatively, you could consider 'topping up' your Foundation degree to Honours through distance learning with the Open University. You could be awarded up to 240 credits and then only need 120 credits of OU study at level 3 to achieve an Honours degree. This would also give you the opportunity to take up employment. Go to www.open.ac.uk/ to search undergraduate courses and credit transfer.

With a good Honours degree (First or 2.1), you may progress onto an appropriate higher level degree to attain a Masters and/or PhD doctorate. This could be to develop your area of study to a more in-depth practical and/or academic level or to gain other specialist training.

For information on postgraduate study and finance, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/study.htm .

Go to the main section Further Study in this Guide for further information and help.

Useful Links

http://mycareerhub.bournemouth.ac.uk/

Bournemouth University Graduate Employment Service - job news, campus events, part-time work, placement, graduate jobs, ask a question, book an appointment

www.bcs.org/

BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

Drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' for 'Students' + 'Careers'

www.e-skills.com/careers

e-skills UK - Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms

http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/

Next Step careers site - go to sub-headings 'Planning your career' and 'Job Profiles' for section link 'Information Technology and Information Management'

www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm

Graduate Prospects - national careers site for HE students studying in the UK:

Drop down 'Careers advice' for 'Options with your subject'

Drop down 'Jobs and work experience' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' using Prospects Planner

www.totaljobs.com/Content/Job-descriptions/IT.html

Totaljobs Group - for 'Careers in IT'

http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors

GTI Media publication for graduate jobs and careers advice

www.insidecareers.co.uk/

Inside Careers publication - specialists in Graduate Careers

www.itjobswatch.co.uk/

IT Jobs Watch - tracking the IT market