Information
Technology
& Computer Science in the UK
Information
technology is not just about computers. As a student
undertaking a qualification in information technology,
you will find that there is so much more to learn.
The Study Overseas Site invited the University of
Salford to tell us more..
You
probably already have experience of 'Information Technology'
(IT) even if you don't realise it. Think about the
automated cash machines at banks or the scanning of
items in the supermarket - these all involve IT. In
fact the use of such technology is now commonplace
in many aspects of our lives and the number of jobs
which don't include an element of IT are rapidly shrinking
but still for many people IT means 'computers'.
So
if you want to study for a degree to prepare you for
this brave new technological world does it make a
difference whether you study for a degree in Computer
Science or Information Technology?
Actually
it does. In terms of the degree courses available
at UK universities, there are considerable differences
between those in Computing and those relating Information
Technology and it is important that prospective students
should recognise this. Computer Science degrees tend
to focus largely on technical aspects such as programming
and software engineering. In contrast, Information
Technology degrees are concerned with the collection,
distribution and management of information and thus
include awareness of business issues in conjunction
with the enabling of technologies of computing and
communications.
However,
prospective students beware - the content of IT degrees
varies considerably and they can appear under a wide
range of titles such as Computer Science with Business
Studies; Computing with Management; Information Systems
with Business Studies; Business Information Systems;
Business Information Technology and so on.
But
why is it important that you should be aware of the
differences between Computing and IT courses?
The
fundamental issue is about making a choice between
following a specialist (computing) or multidisciplinary
(IT) route. In taking this decision one factor to
consider is the changing perception of IT within modern
organisations.
Historically
the 'IT' department has been largely regarded as a
part of an organisation which is full of technical
experts who have no connection with or understanding
of the business functions, and who obtain large amounts
of funding to spend on development projects which
then either fail completely or don't deliver what
the end users actually need. The view now however
is increasingly that the IT department has the status
of a proper business unit. It therefore needs to be
operated as such which explains why in the last three
years there has been a growing emphasis in companies
on IT management and administration and thus a demand
for people with the appropriate skills to handle this
change. IT has now been recognised as a subject in
its own right which overlaps with aspects of fields
such as Computer Science and Business Studies.
If
you do decide to go for an IT course, what factors
should you consider in choosing one?
How
integrated are the business and computing elements
of the course?
Many courses just use existing elements from business
studies and computing programmes without attempting
to link the business and computing issues.
Do
staff have the knowledge and experience to integrate
business and computing elements?
Lecturers tend to specialise in particular areas.
Thus staff lecturing in business areas may not have
the knowledge and experiences to integrate technical
issues into their subject and vice versa.
Has
the course been developed in collaboration with industry?
Consultation with industry helps to identify what
kind of graduates they will want to recruit in the
future and what sort of skills and experience are
desired. Any course failing to seek this kind of input
is likely to produce less marketable graduates.
Is
there any regular student involvement with external
contacts?
Undertaking a real-life project for an external client
gives valuable experience of commercial working life.
A course including such projects demonstrates an ongoing
link between academia and industry thereby strengthening
the relevance of the course to the needs of industry.
Does
the course help to build personal transferable skills
such as team working and communication?
These are precisely the kinds of skills that organisations
are increasingly demanding from their employees.
Are
any sponsorships available?
If major companies value the skills being developed
in a course then they may sponsor a number of student
places and on completion of the course, offer employment
to the sponsored students.
Does
the course include vacation work and / or sandwich
placements?
Any course seeking to make its students aware of the
realities of commercial life should encourage relevant
vacation work and or sandwich placements.
How
successful are graduates from the course in the job
market?
An effective course will produce graduates who are
in demand in the marketplace. Thus the number of graduates
without employment should be low and salary levels
should be above average salary for graduates.
So,
where does that leave you?
There
are a lot of conflicting arguments about the computing
/ IT divide and ultimately only you know where your
interests really lie. Certainly it would be wrong
to suggests that there is no longer a demand for specialists
but at the same time, you might want to consider the
following questions.
Which
jobs in the organisation of the future are unlikely
to require?
