IT and Technical Support Foundation Degree
| Course length: | 3 years part-time |
| Course type: | Foundation degree |
| Entry requirements: | Entry requirements are flexible and recognise a variety of academic qualifications equivalent to level 3. Relevant work experience will also be taken into account. The course is embedded in a practical work setting so you will need to currently have full or part-time involvement within an appropriate work setting. |
| Part time course: | Yes |
| Qualification: | Foundation Degree |
| Subject Area: | Information Technology |
| Apply via: | |
| Fees: | 2013/14: £4,150 per year You will not have to pay any fees up front and you will be entitled to a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees per annum. Please click here for further details. |
| Contact: | Contact for course content enquiries: John Perkins (Head of Management and IT) Tel: 0121 476 1181 (Ext. 2254) Email: J.S.Perkins@newman.ac.uk Contact for admissions enquiries: AdmissionsTel: 0121 476 1181 (Ext. 0) Email: info.foundationdegrees@newman.ac.uk |
Foundation Degree/Masters Open Evening
Wednesday 22nd May
4pm until 8pm
Visit here for more information.
Supporting the use of Information Technology is an essential function of most organisations and there is a strong demand for skilled professionals who can do this well. This course teaches practical skills as well as communication skills. It will not only help you to work towards some formal recognised qualifications within the field of computing but it also acts as a platform to some of the most highly regarded Microsoft and Cisco professional qualifications within the industry.
This Foundation Degree has been developed in consultation with senior sector leaders to equip you with the necessary skills and techniques sought by employers.
Who should take the course?
This course is for you if you:
- Are responsible for maintaining networks and/or individual PCs
- Are currently employed in a public, private or third sector workplace
- Want to develop your existing skills
- Are seeking to formalise existing skills and experience into documentary proof of your abilities
- Want to enhance your career prospects by working towards recognised vendor qualifications.
You will study materials that are closely aligned with industry standard qualifications such as IT Essentials, CCNA, MCSA and MCDST at the same time as studying for your foundation degree. The course will help you to obtain some of these qualifications and allow you to progress on to others in the longer term. You will also study the personal and professional skills necessary for technical support as well as undertake preparation for further professional and academic study.
Special Features
This course has been designed to produce people with the skills and knowledge that employers want. Firstly, the course will help you to study and gain some professional qualifications through organisations such as Microsoft and Cisco. Secondly, it provides a recognised academic qualification of a Foundation degree. The course gives you a way to network with colleagues doing similar work and to develop the communication skills and knowledge required during trouble shooting or fault diagnosis when dealing with nonspecialist IT users.
The course makes extensive use of state-of-the-art simulation software for hardware and networking concepts and furthermore this software can be installed on to your home machines.
Read more
Attendance
You will normally attend taught sessions at Newman for one evening per week during each semester (currently 6pm-9pm). The programme uses distance learning methods alongside traditional taught sessions for some elements of study. The course has been specifically designed with built-in flexibility, recognising that IT professionals in full-time employment have various demands on their time. Therefore extensive use is made of Newman's on-line learning resources offering support across all modules.
Assessment
Assessment will focus on practical skills tests and examinations designed to shadow those required for the various vendor qualifications embedded into the course. Directed study and module assessments, including work-focused projects are to be completed in your own time.
Opportunities
You will learn how to set up, configure and maintain stand alone PCs as well as servers, networks, peripherals and applications within the workplace. The Foundation Degree will help you move towards a senior technician role in a range of ‘high-tech’ industry and public sector settings. You will focus on the necessary skills required for identifying, communicating and solving IT problems.
Beyond this, studying for a foundation degree situates you in higher education, improves your awareness and capabilities and focuses your ability to perform effectively at a senior level in your organisation. This will bring increased self-confidence and the credibility necessary to advance. After successful completion of this course you may go on to the IT with Management Studies BSc (Hons) degree top-up award.
Core topics on the course include:
- Personal and Professional Development
- Hardware & Network Essentials
- Operating Systems
- Content Management Systems
- Network Server Configuration
- Network (LAN and WAN) Configuration
- Managing the IT Resource.
These modules are subject to change.
"Newman University College was offering the IT and Technical Support subject as a part-time foundation degree making it ideal for me and my family life.
The University College is very friendly and the staff are always willing to help. I am pleased with the access of, and to equipment within the IT labs and the resources within the library. I have learnt more than I expected, but I have in turn had to work harder than I ever expected. The realisation of actually being at university and working towards a degree through academia has finally sunk in, and encouraged me to work harder for the final result.
I have encouraged change in certain areas of my current role, especially the security of our systems and backing up of information, as this was non-existent until I learnt, then passed on my knowledge, also the encouragement of newer equipment and programs to help us with our needs."
Lisa Marie O’Connell
IT and Technical Support Foundation Degree student
"I personally chose to study at Newman University College as it was close to home, and offered the course I wanted. This is my second year as a student on the IT and Technical and Support Foundation Degree. I decided to enrol at Newman having visited the university’s open day and I really liked its warm, supportive culture.
As one of the city’s smaller universities, Newman is fantastic for students with special educational needs, such as mine as I suffer from epilepsy, dyslexia and brain damage, and its size means the staff can really get to know the students and develop learning plans that meet their individual needs. I was surprised and flattered to have been nominated for the West Midlands Adult Learners’ Week Awards and successfully chosen as one of the winners, which is amazing. I was one of eighteen regional award winners when I picked up my prize at the RAF Museum in Cosford. While there is a lot to juggle, I have received tremendous support from my family and friends, as well as the staff and students at Newman. I am delighted that my determination to succeed has been recognised.
There is a relaxing and friendly environment for study at Newman and a clean environment to sit with friends and talk. Newman is a warm, inviting university college with resources and staff in abundance. I’ve never regretted my decision to return to education and hope my story will inspire others considering it to take the plunge!"
Lisa Salter
IT & Technical Support Foundation Degree student
