BSc (Hons) Computing (Data Analyst)

• 96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications
• Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) and computing-related subjects are preferred.
• You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
• If you don’t meet the standard entry requirements but have non-traditional qualifications and/or relevant experience, we’ll be happy to consider your application. You’ll need to achieve a minimum mark in a diagnostic mathematics test and attend an interview.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Computing (Data Analyst) offers a comprehensive overview of key data analysis principles and methods, along with a broad grounding in technology solutions, making our graduates highly competitive in the global jobs marketplace.

As a graduate, you’ll possess a deep technical understanding of data quality and data analysis processes and methods, as well as a sound knowledge of data protection and legal issues, and the fundamentals of data structures, database system design, implementation, maintenance, and data architecture.

During the course, you can also expect to develop a wide range of technical, professional and interpersonal skills, such as attention to detail, team working, problem-solving, communication and presentation skills, time management, and lifelong learning.

What can I do with this qualification?

A recent UK government report found that there is significant demand for data skills with UK companies recruiting for 178,000 to 234,000 roles requiring hard data skills (2). Additionally, the average publicly listed salary for roles that demand highly specialist data expertise in the UK is £64,376 (3).

Graduates from this programme should prove valuable to private, public and third sector organisations of all sizes and across the full spectrum of industries. Employers include financial services firms, retail companies, marketing agencies, higher education institutions, pharmaceutical companies, government and intelligence services, telecommunications and IT firms, and insurance companies.

On successful completion of the course, you’ll be well prepared for a career in data analysis and to work your way up to positions of greater responsibility and leadership. You’ll also be ready to progress to postgraduate-level study or additional IT certification to develop your expertise further. Popular areas for further study include business, marketing, statistics and finance.

Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option.

(2) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quantifying-the-uk-data-skills-gap/quantifying-the-uk-data-skills-gap-full-report accessed on 20 September 2022 (3) https://royalsociety.org/news/2019/05/data-science-skills-shortages/ accessed on 20 September 2022

Alternative career options

Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Roles include:

• Digital copywriting
• IT sales
• IT training
• Teaching
• Research and development
• Network engineering
• Product management
• Technical writing
• Social media management
• Cyber security
• Information systems management
• Games development

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For 2022-2023 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2022-2023 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Learning and teaching methods use a blended style, which means you’ll have face-to-face sessions as well as taking part in online learning. You can expect a mixture of seminars, lectures and tutorials, practical laboratory/workshop sessions, a visiting speaker programme, critiques, self-directed study and e-learning, as well as online sessions and support. We’ll help you gain practical skills through technical introduction and support, workshop sessions, demonstrations and activity-based assignments. Throughout the course, a strong practical theme promotes active learning.

In terms of assessment, we aim to provide creative and industry-relevant ways for you to demonstrate your theoretical and practical knowledge. You can expect assessments to involve assignments, projects, in-class tests, portfolios, examinations and presentations. Some assessments will contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you’ve met the learning outcomes. In contrast, others are designed to help you identify areas that need extra attention on your part or where you need extra support from your tutors.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Introduction to Software Development
• Computing Infrastructure
• Databases
• Computer Science Fundamentals
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Advanced Databases and Big Data
• Modern Applications
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Undergraduate Project
• Agile Programming
• Enterprise Systems Development
• Machine Learning
• Software Quality Management

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.