BSc (Hons) Business Computing
Our Business Computing course is ideal for setting you up for a career in developing IT solutions to support business needs.
Key facts
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2023
- Duration 48 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code G510
- Study abroad opportunities
Accreditations
British Computer Society
Overview
With our Business Computing course, you’ll examine how critical computers are to business and learn how you can create computing solutions to support a range of business needs. As part of your studies, you’ll develop basic knowledge of designing and building software systems and grow a broad base of skills through a combination of theory and practice.
The skills you’ll learn will be highly valued by employers - whether in the software industry itself, or in a wider and more strategic context developing IT solutions for any business.
We’ll help you build strong links with industry, and, during Year 3, there are opportunities to take part in either a three-month summer placement or a one-year placement. You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad through our exchange programmes.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
BSc (Hons) graduates are fully accredited by the British Computer Society for the educational requirements of being a Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP), which is the Society’s professional member level.
Prizes or awards
Each year we offer the following prizes:
- outstanding performance in 1st year Computing Science modules
- outstanding performance in 2nd year Computing Science modules
- outstanding performance in 3rd year Computing Science modules
- outstanding performance in 4th year Computing Science modules
- a Faculty research prize for an outstanding research project
- BCS Glasgow prize: Best honours project
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
ABBB – by the end of S5
AABB – by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35
Essential subjects:
To include Computing and Business Studies/Management and relevant experience of Java or other programming languages.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may by possible depending on your qualifications. To find out more go to our advanced entry pages.
Additional information
General entrance requirements apply
If you’ve taken exams over two sittings, repeated an exam, or been upgraded, the entrance requirements may be higher.
Other routes of entry
Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
In Semesters 1-3, students from our three computing-related degrees (Computing Science, Software Engineering and Business Computing) take the same core modules in Computing Science.
Core topics include: Computational Thinking; Programming Using Java; Social and Professional Issues; Usability and Accessibility of Interfaces; Database Principles and Applications; Data Structures, Objects and Algorithms. There are also three core business modules and you’ll take one additional subject each semester.
We understand that students have a variety of backgrounds, and, in Semester 1, we can adapt the course to suit your previous experience and qualifications.
In Semesters 4-8, the course is made up of both core modules and optional advanced modules, giving you a chance to explore your particular interests further.
Final-year Honours students work on an independent project, which typically involves designing and developing a computer application within a business context.
A range of optional modules is available, drawn from Computing Science, Business Studies, Marketing and Management Science.
Our students also enjoy access to an active Computer Club that organises a number of activities and projects for those interested in Computing Science and Software Engineering.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
In the most recent National Student Survey (2022) Computing Science at Stirling was ranked 3rd in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction. Computing Science at Stirling also ranked 7th in the UK in the 2022 Guardian University Guide. Furthermore, the University of Stirling was awarded five star excellence for teaching by the QS World University Rankings 2021.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Business Computing through lectures, small tutorial groups and seminars, and through practical and laboratory work.
Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange, as well as The DataLab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. Our staff are engaged with funded research from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as well as funding from the European Union FP7 Programme, and other UK Research Councils and funding agencies.
Assessment
The Computing Science component in particular is taught as a very practical subject and almost all modules include practical assignments. Typically these count for 50 percent of the assessment grade, with the remainder given to the exam.
For the Honours degree, the grades for all advanced modules taken in Semesters 5 – 8 are combined to give your final degree classification.
Work placement opportunities
We help our students to build strong links with industry through three-month summer placements and one-year placements. Both of these are offered to third year students. Placement are available with local SMEs as well as large corporates.
Our Careers and Employability Service is ranked 1st in Scotland and Top 5 in the UK (UK International Student Barometer (ISB) Benchmark and Global ISB Benchmark 2018). They will not only help you to secure placements but also offer all the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.
Study abroad
You can study abroad through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £18,800 | £20,300 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £18,800 | £20,300 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Use our scholarship finder to find funding opportunities for Scottish-domiciled students.
EU students
Eligible students will automatically receive our automatic scholarship of up to £30k, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Choice Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Our graduates leave with knowledge of both business and computing science – a skills combination highly valued by employers. You’ll be ideally placed to work either in the software industry itself or in a more strategic role, developing IT solutions for business.
Potential employers range from consulting firms to IT users, such as governments, banks and insurance companies. Our industrial placements will ease your transition into the job market. Recent graduates have gained successful employment in business and financial services with the likes of JP Morgan, Accenture, British Telecom, Bank of Scotland and HSBC, Verint, Microsoft, Scottish Power and Google.
What jobs can you get with a Business Computing degree?
From consulting firms to managing IT services for business, as a Business Computing science graduate you'll have a range of opportunities open to you.
Jobs related to your business and computing degree include:
- Systems developer
- Information systems manager
- IT consultant
- Data scientist
- IT technical support
- Systems analyst
- UX analyst
- Web designer
- Web developer
- Application analyst
- Business analyst
- Data analyst
- Database administrator
- Systems developer
Employability skills
Engagement with potential employers, work-related learning and the dissertation project in your final year will develop your professional skills. Throughout the course you’re encouraged to develop personal effectiveness skills to allow you to complete work in a professional and timely manner. Our placements allow you to practice your analytical and problem solving skills as well as your software design and implementation skills in a business setting.
Companies we work with
We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison:
- Accenture
- ARM
- Calnex Solutions
- Diagio
- GE Digital
- Honeywell
- JP Morgan
- Mage Control Systems
- Modus Scotland
- Morgan Stanley
- Natural Power
- NHS
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Sainsbury's Bank
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Scottish Government
- Scottish Water
- Sports Scotland
- Verint
- Wood MacKenzie
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What our students said
Latvia
BSc (Hons) Business Computing
Read Anna's storyI chose Stirling because it's one of the few universities that offered a course in both business and computer science. On top of that, the campus is incredible and a fun place to be.
Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.