Undergraduate

BSc (Honours) Computing with Business

On this page

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

Description

Computing and business are disciplines that have become closely intertwined through the world of work. The aim of the Computing with Business programme is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need to take part in the management and execution of computer-related projects in a business setting.

In particular, you will gain:

• a grasp of the key concepts of computing and of modern computer systems
• an acquaintance with all facets of the world of business: markets, organisations, processes, strategies, policies and decision-making
• an understanding of the types of software systems that are now being constructed and used in business, such as internet systems, large-scale databases and human interfaces
• skills in the main tasks that are carried out as software is built and maintained, such as analysis, design, programming and evaluation
• key business skills of communication, presentation and team working
• 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 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.

The course groupings below are not meant to imply an order of study. It is important that you look at the individual course descriptions when planning your route through the degree, as some of the courses prepare you to study others.

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. For information on professional recognition, please download our Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing, or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.

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.

Suggested routes to the degree

You can take a number of different routes towards your qualification. The route illustrated below is a route many students are using, or have already successfully followed. 

Please bear in mind that other routes are available – see the full course list for all options.

• Sample route

Courses

For this 360-point honours degree you require:

150 points from the following compulsory courses:

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

And 60 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses B200, B202, M206, M254

And 120 points from the following compulsory courses:

And 30 points from the following optional courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses B300, M358, M360, TM422, TM427

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.

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 with Business

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 with Business 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), B201 or B203, (or the discontinued courses B200 or B202) and the best 120 points from the Level 3 courses listed above (or the discontinued course B300).

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 with Business
• 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 Business and Management and Computing and ICT.

Study explained

Credit points

- show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.

Level

- indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.

Financial support

- find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.

Study explained

- all you need to know about studying with the OU.

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Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90

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