Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2016.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Credit, Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44(0) 1908 653003 or by email.
The Foundation Degree in Business Information Technology enables you to develop the knowledge and skills that you need to work effectively in a modern IT-rich business environment. You’ll explore the technological, business and people aspects of IT; learn about business functions and processes; develop practical, professional and employability skills that will enhance your career prospects; and learn how IT can improve personal and organisational performance. You’ll also learn how to plan for and manage your personal and professional development and gain an understanding of change and project management through real work-based activities.
The programme of study for this Foundation degree is also offered as the Diploma of Higher Education in Business Information Technology (E45). The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
Planning your studies
We recommend that you start with a module at Level 1 and that you complete your Level 1 study before going on to Level 2.
If you wish to study in a different order, please read the description of your chosen module carefully to ensure that you are sufficiently prepared for it.
Time limits:
- Modules may count towards this qualification for a maximum of five years after we have stopped presenting them.
- You must complete the required 240 credits by 31 December 2016.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 80 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your foundation degree.
Career relevance and employability
The increasing importance of IT in organisations demands an increasing number of informed and skilled IT/business professionals. A widening skills gap in this area means that there will be a growing number of job opportunities for those who can apply their knowledge of IT to provide innovative and effective solutions to business problems. The Foundation Degree in Business Information Technology offers the mix of skills and knowledge that employers and professional bodies are looking for through its distinctive blend of vocational, professional and academic components. Work-based learning is fundamental to this degree. Unlike many other university programmes, a significant part of your study is based on your experience of IT within your workplace. In order to study the work-based learning modules (T122 and T227), you must be employed in paid or voluntary work using IT as an essential part of your role (e.g. to communicate, share information, manage projects, support IT systems and networks) for at least eight hours per week.
This Foundation Degree course is aimed at students seeking continuing professional development, which will give them nationally recognised formal accreditation of their professional and academic achievement. It will also help those wishing to start a career working with IT in a business context.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 240-credit foundation degree you require:
180 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- An introduction to business studies (B120)
|
30 |
|
- Career development and employability (T122)
|
30 |
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module T175
-
|
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 60-credit module B203
|
|
- Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued module T121, at Level 2 the discontinued module T226
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Business organisations and their environments (B201)
|
60 |
|
- Communication and information technologies (T215)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued modules B121, BXS121, at Level 2 the discontinued module T224
Modules may count towards this qualification for a maximum of five years after we have stopped presenting them.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules, you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Business Information Technology and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification