Information Technology with Foundation Year

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Meeting employers’ needs – for today and tomorrow

As organisations become ever more dependent on information technology to operate efficiently and effectively, our BSc (Hons) Information Technology primes you for exciting career opportunities in any sector, anywhere in the world. 

The course captures how our modern global society, and the developing world are increasingly reliant on IT products and services. Mass-market consumer products, such as smart and mobile devices, are harnessing the almost seamless integration of small, portable, easy-to-use IoT devices with access to the World Wide Web and wireless communication technology. This ensures access to vast quantities of information almost anywhere – and the ‘Big Data’ generated using such products can be exploited to help make sound business decisions and to contribute to wider public benefit. 

Extend your expertise

This course covers two key themes: 

• Data analysis and the use of big data 
• Management of computer systems in business 

These themes are supported and enhanced as you study a range of closely related computing and business topics. 

You’ll also use modern leading analysis tools to extend your expertise, such as R, Python, Watson Analytics, SAS JMP and Tableau. 

Flexibility

You’ll gain fundamental knowledge when studying our BSc (Hons) Information Technology course alongside students on our other Computing and Mathematics degrees. At the end of year one, you’ll then have the option to transfer to one of the following courses if you wish:  

• BSc (Hons) Computer Science  
• BSc (Hons) Cyber Security  
• BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming 
• BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (subject to Mathematics prerequisites)  

In year two you’ll study specialist modules specifically for your chosen degree, with your final year offering further options to tailor your studies to an area of your interest. 

Huge benefits of a placement year

Our students often say that the industrial placement is the most rewarding part of their course. During your placement, you will apply everything that you have learned so far to a business environment and will see how the wider social environment affects the way an organisation uses information technology.  

More and more employers now expect their new recruits to have some work experience – so a placement on your CV will help you stand out when you are applying for your first job after graduating.   

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Modules are delivered through a mixture of debates, group and individual work, guided reading, lectures, practical sessions in computer labs, tutorials, seminars and presentations by lecturers and guest lecturers. 

A key feature of the course is that you will gain valuable experience of designing IT products and services that address ‘real world’ business problems. For example, many in-class exercises and more formal assessments are based around real world case studies and projects. 

How you are assessed

Instead of exams, a wide range of feedback and assessment methods is used throughout this course, from short exercises in computer labs to writing a dissertation for your Final Year Independent Studies project. 

You will also submit short research papers, take computer-based tests, produce presentations of your work and provide portfolios documenting the design and implementation of IT products and services, such as web design projects. 

As a BSc (Hons) Information Technology graduate, you will find career opportunities in virtually any area of computing and information technology, particularly data analysis and business intelligence. You could progress to become a data analyst, an IT trainer, a reporting specialist, a project manager or even advance to IT director roles.

Alternatively, you could start a business venture developing and managing your own IT products and services, or you could go on to study at postgraduate level with our MSc Big Data Analytics or MSc Information Technology.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Information Technology BSc (Hons)
• Computer Science (with pathways) with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
• Computer Games Programming with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
• Cyber Security with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.