Information Technology
 Information Technology (major).jpg)
UCAS Code: Combined Honours only – see combinations tab|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Accredited|Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Information Technology is a rapidly changing and exciting subject. Organisations are increasingly relying on information technology to carry out key business functions. There is an explosion in the use of mobile devices to shop online and there is a high demand for skilled professionals who are able to effectively manage information systems. Well-designed software applications that are effective and usable is a crucial requirement for employers.
Our Information Technology degree prepares you to meet the needs of a wide range of organisations, emphasising the development of a variety of technologies, especially web and mobile technologies that are increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives. During your studies, you will have opportunities to develop computational thinking and a systems approach to formulating, analysing and solving complex problems.
The degree is intellectually challenging and is taught by staff with a varied background and a diverse range of interests. Your student experience is enhanced by a rich curriculum that exposes you to multiple approaches to technological problems. Information Technology has a wide-reaching social impact, posing many ethical questions, and these issues are explored at various points during the degree.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students.
For the Information Technology part of your Combined Honours degree, there are approximately 6 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 5 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
Accreditation
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.1
1Applies only to the following course combinations:
Information Technology and Accounting & Finance
Information Technology and Business Management
Information Technology and Childhood & Youth
Information Technology and Education
Information Technology and Geography
Information Technology and Law with Foundation Year
Information Technology and Marketing
Information Technology and Media & Communication
Information Technology and Music Production
Information Technology and Psychology
Information Technology and Special Educational Needs
Information Technology and Tourism
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your studies, you will have a variety of assessments, including written exams, portfolios of tasks and activities, and practical coursework. Coursework is mainly project based, as this is the best way to develop the skills required in Information Technology. In your final year, you undertake a major research project that gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in an area that interests you.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
In your first year, you will develop the theoretical knowledge, problem solving and practical skills that underpin Information Technology. You study:
- Computing Principles & Professional Development: Professional Development prepares you for learning and study in an IT discipline and also introduces the fundamental practices, values and expectations of an IT professional. Computing principles introduces the fundamental aspects of computer systems.
- Programming Principles: This block of study introduces the principles of algorithm design and programming, including an introduction to web development (HTML, CSS and Javascript).
- Database Technology: You will not only learn how to properly implement databases using SQL, but how to design them from first principles, from conceptual through logical, then normalisation and physical design. You will also learn the basics of newer database technologies, such as NoSQL.
Year Two
In your second year, you will deepen your understanding of both the theoretical and practical facets of Information Technology, encompassing a range of specialised areas within the discipline. The topic you will study include:
Website Development: Building on your foundational first year study, this topic focuses on the intricacies of developing sophisticated websites. You'll gain expertise in both client- and server-side coding, integrating databases with websites. Key learnings include creating comprehensive registration, login, and logout systems that seamlessly interact with databases. Additionally, you'll explore dynamic server interactions using AJAX technologies and enhance user experiences through various interactive elements.
- Introduction to Software Engineering: Study the core principles of software development, emphasising the dynamics of working within a professional team setting. Java serves as the primary programming languages for hands-on learning, complemented by the Unified Modelling Language (UML) to design and conceptualize projects.
- Professional and Study Skills: Equip yourself with essential skills tailored for IT professionals. This module emphasizes effective communication, teamwork, and critical study techniques, all fine-tuned to support your academic journey and future career in the IT sector.
- Human-computer Interaction: Study the design principles behind creating user-centric digital interfaces. This module offers insights into user experience design, usability testing, and the psychology behind effective human-computer interactions, ensuring that software and applications are both functional and user-friendly.
Year Three
In your final year of your degree, the curriculum strongly reflects staff expertise and research interests, and you will develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical aspects of information technology. You study topics such as:
- Mobile Technologies and the Internet-of-Things: You will build upon your software engineering skills from the previous year, now looking at small devices, including developing apps for mobile phones. You will also learn about the emerging internet-of-things, whereby physical things in the world are part of the internet.
- Web Innovations: This part of your course will focus on the Javascript language, which has emerged as one of the world’s most popular languages. It will focus on client-side development of web applications using various libraries and the latest technologies, such as Node.JS (for server-side) and React.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 28 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | 120 Tariff Points / Merit |
| Subject Requirements | No specific subject requirements |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Information Technology graduates enter roles that involve specifying, implementing or managing the information technology infrastructure of an organisation, or supporting users of the technology. Some past graduates have gone on to have careers at Airbus, Barclays and Oracle.
The department has links with both regional and national employers and opportunities often arise to gain work experience. Many of our graduates also go on to further study. There are opportunities to study taught Masters as well as Doctoral-based qualifications at Liverpool Hope, working with staff on cutting-edge research projects.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
As well as your tuition fees, you will also need approximately £500 to purchase essentials such as textbooks, hardware, software and general computer accessories such as USB Flash Drives and printing.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2024/25 are £12,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is only available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: