Published 15 Sep 2020

A Beginners Guide To Studying A Information Technology Degree

by CoursesOnline Contributors

(UPDATED FOR 2024) There’s never been a better time to take an IT degree, thanks to our ever increasing reliance on technology. But before you commit to studying this popular subject, you need to know exactly what’s involved.

We’re here to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about information technology degrees.

Information Technology degree courses focus on the computer systems that create, process, store, manage and send electronic data. As well as learning how to use sophisticated software, applications, databases and operating systems, you’ll gain a range of technical skills such as computer programming. You’ll also explore the ways that computer networks are used in a business context.

Most IT degrees include a similar range of core modules that cover web development, IT infrastructure, programming languages, data management, project management and information security. You’ll also be able to specialise in optional subjects such as UX design, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

Becoming qualified in Information Technology is definitely worth it for those who are keen to enter the IT and tech space. The number of firms based in the UK has doubled in just two years, meaning that those who are qualified to enter the tech space can expect plenty of opportunities upon graduation.

Becoming qualified can help learners enter the IT space, and can allow learners to move up the career ladder and access high quality job opportunities.

It normally takes three years to complete an Information technology degree. However, some BSc courses include an additional year, so that students can undertake a 12-month industrial placement. If you opt for a longer course your placement is likely to take place after your second year in higher education.

Cyber security, cloud engineering, app development, machine learning, data science and software development are all among the fastest growing areas in IT. So, when you’re exploring IT courses, it can be worth checking whether they cover any of these areas.

Studying IT at university is intellectually challenging and time intensive. You’ll learn via practical lab work, coursework, group projects, lectures and individual projects. These could include activities as diverse as designing websites, computer programming and designing information systems.

If you opt for a full-time degree program you should expect to be on campus for around 15 hours a week. But don’t worry If you can’t commit to this, as there are plenty of part-time, blended and online IT courses available.

Your bachelor’s degree will open the door to a wide range of interesting career paths, from technical roles in programming and software development, to more business-focused roles in finance and management. It will also give you access to jobs with high profile companies such as IBM and Apple, as well as smaller companies and startups.

Being good at maths generally means that you’re able to reason logically, solve problems methodically and handle data with confidence. These skills are essential in many areas of IT, which is why you might need A-Level maths to access some degree courses. However, most universities also accept related subjects such as physics and computer science.

If you’re keen to begin studying in this area, you can study IT courses, either online or in person. For those who are keen to study online IT courses, you can explore course comparison sites, which can allow you to look at different course providers and decide which course best suits your needs.

You might be thinking about the roles you can access with an IT degree, and wondering whether IT jobs require degrees. Although short courses in IT can be used to build up skills in this area, taking an Information Technology degree can give you a head start and equip you with the essential skill set needed to begin a career in this field.

After completing an Information Technology degree, you could pursue the following roles:

Data scientist
Web developer
Cloud computing engineer
IoT engineer
Mobile application developer
Information security analyst

Cyber security analyst
Database administrator
Software developer
Machine learning engineer
Blockchain engineers

Inspired you to take an Information Technology course? Whether you want to be a computer systems analyst or an IT support specialist, head over to our website and explore our exciting range of IT courses.

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