Computer Networks
UCAS Code: I121
Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)
Entry requirements
A level
Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing
AS
must be offered in conjunction with the A level in either Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing or equivalent Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Pass with 60 credits, 45 of which should be at Level 3. including 12 Techical credits merit or distinction. Must be from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subjects Knowledge of Computer Programming for BSc(Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing
must be offered in conjunction with the A level in either Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing or equivalent Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE grade 4 Must include Mathematics, English Language Must have been achieved or working towards at the point of application Considered in lieu of GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade 4. Must have been achieved or working towards at the point of application City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 Key Skills level 2 - Application of Numbers and Communication
HNC (BTEC)
Pass and complete with an average 50% in a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject May be considered for advanced entry on to the second year of the degree subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content of Level 4. A transcript will be required. Need experience in Computer Programming for BSc(Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing
HND (BTEC)
For Year 1 entry pass the HND with 2 merits. Overall grade is a PASS. For Year 2 pass the HND with an overall grade of at least a MERIT from second year subjects in a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject May be considered for advanced entry on to the third year of the degree subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content of Levels 4 and 5. A transcript will be required. This rarely happens. Need experience in Computer Programming for BSc(Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
points overall with a minimum of Grade 5 in Mathematics (Higher Level) and pass one of the following subjects from Group 4 at Higher Level (Computer Science, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics). Students who do not complete the IB Diploma will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates and alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications to meet 112 UCAS Tariff Points. Obtain a total of 14 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects. Students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above Grade 5 or above in Mathematics at Standard Level will be accepted in lieu of this from the IB Diploma. Students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at Grade C/4 or above Standard Level English Language (not literature) Group A English Group A - Grade 4 or above, OR English Group B Grade 5 from the IB will be accepted.
Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 112 tariff points, achieved in four Higher level subjects. Maths must be at Higher Level. Must include English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level (minimum grade H5/D1).
See Level 3 Entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details.
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points subject
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Only in combination with other qualifications Can be combined with two A levels, a BTEC Diploma, or OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma to achieve a total of 112 UCAS points.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Can be combined with one A level, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, or two AS levels to achieve a total of 112 UCAS tariff points. Not including Early Years
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Can be combined with one A level, AS level, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, or OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma to achieve a total of 112 UCAS tariff points. Not including Early Years
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers. Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades CCD. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of CD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of CC in two Highers). Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved from either five Highers or a combination of two Highers offered with two Advanced Highers. Where only Highers have been taken a minimum of (BBCCC) are required. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of CD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of CC in two Highers). Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing
UCAS Tariff
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
BSc (Hons) / MSci Computer Networks course will equip you to take the revolution in communications technology to the next level in our modern, mobile, connected society.
At Birmingham City University, you will have access to networked laboratories running the latest software, ensuring you become well acquainted with technologies you’ll encounter when working in the industry.
The course takes a practice-led approach, making use of equipment and tools found in the workplace to give you the best preparation for employment. We prioritise the practical skills sought by industry, backing them up with a thorough understanding of theory. You will explore the latest in computing, network, and cloud and server technologies, and have the opportunity to gain additional accreditation from Microsoft, Cisco Systems and the Linux Professional Institute.
You will study a well-rounded curriculum in computer network engineering, programming, server systems and practice, as well as develop management-level skills such as project and change management to maximise you career potential.
Studying computing with us puts you at the heart of an exciting, innovative community. Part of your first-year assessment will involve taking part in our annual Innovation Fest, where students get together to solve society’s problems with creative technology. Previous projects have included medical assistance drones, accessible gaming controllers, and smart housing solutions. The event brings together students, academics and industry guests, so it’s a great way to have fun, build experience and network, and win prizes!
Upon graduation you could progress into a career as a network administrator, network services engineer, network architect, network support analyst, data centre engineer, storage and virtualisation analyst, technical infrastructure architect, Linux network administrator, field network technician, service desk analyst, solutions architect, and IT infrastructure specialist.
Why Choose Us?
We are home to a Cisco Systems and the Microsoft Academy Centre – one of Microsoft’s top UK university-based academies – and we are a member of the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance. We are also a Cisco ASC (Academy Support Centre) and Cisco Instructor Training Centre (ITC) – one of only 10 such instructor training centres in the UK.
We are recognised for our excellent research capabilities and extensive industry partnerships.
You will work with industry-standard software development and simulation tools.
You have the opportunity to undertake an industry placement and gain professional qualifications from vendors such as Cisco, Microsoft and Linux Professional Institute.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Millennium Point Campus
School of Computing and Digital Technology
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Explore BirminghamWhat students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
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Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?There are a lot of computing courses out there, and they vary a lot in content, modules and the way they work with employers, so individual courses can have very different outcomes. This is a course where you really need to get a good grade — employers really pay attention to the class of your degree and a low grade will serious hit your prospects. But you can get a job on pretty much any industry in the country with a computing degree - and organisation with an IT system and a web site needs graduates in this discipline - and many employers report difficulty in finding graduates. So most students do get jobs, and starting salaries are good, particularly in London. If you want to find out more about the prospects for a computer science course at a particular institution, it's a good idea to go on open days and talk to tutors about what previous graduates went on to do.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer networks
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£22k
£24k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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