Business Computing and IT

Course overview

The BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT course is a perfect choice for those who want the ability to form a bridge between the fields of technology and business.

Over four years, the course will mould you into a future ICT practitioner equipped with a good range of relevant technical skills and great knowledge of business systems and structures.

As a graduate, you will be able to communicate effectively, solve business problems and find innovative new applications for technology. You will benefit from real-life hands-on experience as well as content which draws on the research and consultancy of our academic staff. This means the learning experience is broad and interesting, and content is based upon proven results.

This program provides accreditation or exemptions from multiple professional bodies, such as Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Why Business Computing and IT at Aston University?

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Excellent prospects

Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

66th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

Professionally accredited

This programme leads to accreditation or exemptions from several professional bodies including CIM and CII

Discover Nick's journey

From Aston University BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT graduate to now working for Spotify in New York City. Nick Willis talks about his journey and how he achieved his dream job.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Discover Ahsan's journey

Ahsan discusses his time studying BSc Business Computing and IT at Aston University, and how the course has supported him in his graduate career.

Course description

BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT

Our BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT degree will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and skills, including analysis and problem-solving, which will allow you to excel in an array of career paths.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. The learning experience will be engaging, with a focus on building theoretical knowledge but also practical experience to ensure you are career ready. With this, a virtual learning environment will introduce games and resources to support your learning.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
It is important that you bring enthusiasm and determination to your studies. Success will come from a willingness to learn and taking advantage of first-hand experience and expert academic knowledge. You must have a basic understanding of IT systems and have a desire to delve into many realms of business.

What skills we teach
You will develop the ability to present ideas, negotiate and communicate effectively to prepare you for your future career. You will grow to be a great analytical thinker and project manager. Not only this, but you will also gain practical skills in technology, coding and cyber security.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Business Computing and IT graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Microsoft, IBM, Virgin Media and Deutsche Bank.

How you will learn

Our teaching methods are innovative, engaging and all proven to boost your employability. Here at Aston University, we use our close links with industry to inform the learning and business experiences we provide during your degree. This to ensure that when you graduate, you have the knowledge and skills needed to get noticed by employers.

The approximate weighting for this course is 60 per cent business and 40 per cent computing and IT, with an emphasis on the integration of the two subjects. Delivered by our expert academics, you will learn research-led content through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, group working, case studies, and individual and group presentations.

The opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to deliver presentations will improve your negotiation and communication skills. These transferable skills will then be put into practice as you embark on your placement year. You will learn through hands on experience and gain an appreciation of issues such as office politics, which cannot be replicated in the lecture room.

Throughout your degree, your learning will be supported by our virtual learning environment - a fun platform which hosts a range of electronic supporting materials including games and computer simulations.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of industry, our course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the management and communication of information, as well as human, managerial and technical considerations. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in areas of business and computing/IT that interest you.

First year

In your first year, you will develop the fundamentals of business theories, computing and IT. You will explore subjects like accounting, marketing, business analytics, and hone data analysis skills working with both quantitative and qualitative data. You will develop a foundational knowledge of user-centric design and organising data through databases.

Second year

In your second year, you will develop your IT and computing skills in preparation for your placement year. You will gain hands-on experience in data analysis and software application development, taught by industry experts. Optional modules allow you to begin specialising in topics you enjoy most.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Placement stories

This course offers an Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway, meaning you could study overseas at one of our partner institutions during your placement year and graduate with two undergraduate degrees for the price of one.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

Final year

In your final year, enhanced by your placement experience, you will delve deeper into your studies. Compulsory and optional modules will refine your skills, addressing current business demands like project management, emerging technology trends and information security. Your final year project will apply your expertise through real-world case studies, aligning with your career goals.

Tolu Olugunju Business and Politics student

My placement year experience

Tolu Olagungu completed two placements as part of his degree - at Redbull and Mercedes Benz. His experiences opened his eyes to the world of opportunities out there.

Discover Tolu's journey

Course objectives

Provides you with an excellent learning experience that draws on the research and consultancy of Aston University academic staff.
Provides you with the key skills for lifelong learning and reflective practice.
Maintains and enhances your employability within the modern workplace, accomplished via the professional placement, by meeting the accreditation requirements of appropriate professional bodies, and by ensuring relevance of the curriculum by maintaining and enhancing the School’s links with business, professional and public sector organisations.
Provides you with the main skills and knowledge to work as a professional in the fields of information management and business computing, including the ability to understand and communicate both in a business context and in an IT context.
Provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to recognise and respond to issues involving social responsibility, sustainability, accountability and ethics.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Introductory Accounting for Business	15
Introduction to Organisational Behaviour	15
Introduction to Marketing Management	15
Principles of Operations Management	15
User Experience Design	15
Introduction to Information Systems and Database	15
Foundations of Business Analytics	15
Economic Environment of Business	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Evaluate and interpret the underlying concepts and principles associated with business, management and information systems/information and communication technologies.
Present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts of business, management and IS/ICT.
Communicate the results of your study/work accurately and reliably, and with structured and coherent arguments.
Select and apply appropriate approaches and techniques for solving problems related to business, management and IS/ICT.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Enterprise Systems	15
Agile Practices in IT and Management	15
Cloud Computing for Business	15
Programming for Data Analytics	15
Business Research Methods	15
Total	75

You will choose three of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Effective Teamwork	15
Digital and Social Media Marketing	15
Service Operations	15
Business Operations Excellence	15
Business Analytics in Practice	15
Optimisation and Decision Analysis	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively.
Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis.
Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.
Develop existing skills and acquire new competences that will enable them to assume significant responsibility within organisations.
Recognise and respond to issues involving social responsibility, sustainability, accountability and ethics.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Apply your subject-related and transferable skills in contexts of a professional or equivalent nature where the scope of the task and the criteria for decisions are generally well defined, but where some personal responsibility and initiative is required.
Reflect upon and articulate your own learning, and plan and implement strategies to build upon this learning.
Identify and explore an organisational issue, using sound analysis, and recommend appropriate action for the organisation.
Evaluate the use of academic theories in analysing real-life issues and in supporting recommendations.
Demonstrate intercultural awareness in your work or international study context.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Technology and Practice of eCommerce	15
Information Security	15
BCIT Final Year Project	30
Total	60

You will choose four of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Effective Management Consultancy I	15
Effective Management Consultancy II	15
Effective Project Delivery I	15
Implementing Business Decisions	15
Performance and Efficiency Analytics (DEA)	15
Managing Information Technology in a Global Context	15
Simulation	15
Operations Strategy	15
International Operations	15
Innovation	15
Business Analytics and Data Mining	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Apply the methods and techniques that you have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply your knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects.
Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem.
Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Engage in reflective practice, systematically identifying and addressing your own learning needs.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (standard offer)
BBC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
BBC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDD (standard offer)

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM (contextual offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

31 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,5 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 21 credits at distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

GCSE Maths – grade C/4
GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 2

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£21,500
During placement year:	£2,500

Fees listed are for 2025 entry. For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

Assessment is provided through a mix of coursework, examinations and practical assessments. In addition, you will also be assessed on your portfolio that will be produced as part of your placement experience. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your analysis of a situation identified within the placement organisation which draws on learning from your previous studies.

Career prospects

Our BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

The transferable skills that our business, computing and IT programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

IT security consultant
Project analyst
Project manager
Business analyst
Digital supply chain consultant
Technology consultant
Cyber security specialist
Digital transformation assistant

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Microsoft, Virgin Media, IBM, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, Shell and O2 Telefonica.

'Unbelievable' support

Founders of Narce Media, Connor Watt and Joe Housley, talk about their journey getting to where they are and how the support from the Aston BSEEN team has been ‘unbelievable’.

Discover Joe and Connor's journey

Aston Business School graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study business computing and IT?

Our BSc (Hons) Business Computing and IT programme will develop both theoretical and hands-on experience that are highly sought after in modern business. Business-critical understanding of the technological management and communication of information as well as the human, managerial and technical considerations are of value in all forms of business and wider society.

What is the Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway?

You can deepen your learning and stand out from other graduates whilst gaining a fantastic learning experience overseas. The Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway is similar to an exchange programme, but during your placement year you’ll follow a particular curriculum, setting you on the track for our partner institutions degree award. This means, if successful, you will graduate with two undergraduate degrees.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham