Undergraduate

BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice

On this page

• Description
• Planning your studies
• Career relevance
• Courses
• Learning outcomes
• Credit for previous study elsewhere
• Classification of your degree
• Regulations
• How to register

Description

Systems thinking means analysing organisations, institutions and information systems holistically, with the aim of improving efficiency, decision making and professional practice, and creating sustainable development. The aim of the Computing and Systems Practice programme is to equip you with the knowledge and skills of systems thinking and the ability to apply these to information systems.

In particular, our aim is to give you:

• a grasp of the key concepts of computing and of modern information systems, with an ability to see information systems in a wider systems framework
• proficiency in systems thinking and systems practice
• an understanding of the types of software systems that are now being developed, and the tools and methods used to construct them
• skills such as analysis, design, programming and evaluation, which can be used to construct both computer software and non-computer systems
• the ability to organise, communicate and present your own work effectively, both independently and with others in a team
• the qualities that come with being a graduate in any discipline: specialist knowledge, intellectual self-confidence and independence, analytical ability and the life-long learning skills needed to keep up with fast-changing technologies.

Planning your studies

If you’re new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a course at Level 1. For this degree, this would mean starting with either Data, computing and information (M150) or Networked living: exploring information and communication technologies (T175). You should successfully complete your Level 1 study before moving to Level 2. As well as contributing credit points that count towards your degree, this Level 1 work will give you a firm foundation for future study.

There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification; however, you should note limitations on individual courses as mentioned below. You must include at least 120 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded. If you have graduated with an OU BSc degree without honours this requirement is reduced to 60 points.

Career relevance and employability

The range of organisations employing graduates from computing related subjects is extensive – opportunities exist across manufacturing, retailing, financial services, transport and public sectors. Some graduates may also directly enter computing/management consultancy firms.

There are some careers for which a degree in computing related subjects is specified but you will find that about 40% of vacancies advertised for graduates in the UK do not ask for specific degree subjects. What is more important to the employer is the range of transferable skills and experience which you can demonstrate, particularly if you already have experience of the world of work. You should note that for some career areas, you may need to undertake further training or study.

Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance.

For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.

There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.

Courses

For this 360-point honours degree you require:

60 points from the following compulsory courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course T171 can be substituted for T175

*If you have completed the discontinued courses M206 and MT262, you may count MT262 as a replacement for M150

And 150 points from the following compulsory courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses M206*, M254**, T205, TXR248

And 60 points from the following compulsory course:

And 60 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses M301**, M358, T396

**M257 (or M254) is optional if you have already studied M301 and you may choose 20 points of free choice instead. In this case the total points of free choice for the award will be 50 points

To complete the 360 points needed for an honours degree, the remaining points up to a maximum of 30 points can be from any OU undergraduate courses. You must ensure that you have the required number of points at each level.

All the computing and IT courses listed can count towards the degree for a maximum of eight years after we have stopped presenting them – please see individual course descriptions for future availability.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

Credit transfer details for this qualification:

• Essential Information Sheets - BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice

Classification of your degree

On successful completion of the required number and type of courses you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the grades you achieve in M255 and M256 (or the discontinued course M206), T214 (or T205), M362 and M363 (or M301) M359 (or M358), M364, M366 (or T396) and T306.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Award Regulations

• Introduction to the Award Regulations
• General Award Regulations
• BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice
• Schedule A to the Award Regulations

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.

About this page

An undergraduate qualification in Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.

Study explained

Credit points

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