Business Computing (Social Media) BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Business Computing (Social Media) BSc course looks at the ways that social media has transformed how we connect and how we do business in the 21^st century. You’ll study how the internet has rapidly evolved to accommodate services and technologies which can be used by companies as commercial tools. In your final year, we’ll take a closer look at applications integral to supporting business such as Skype, Facebook and Twitter.

Through a mixture of theory and real-world practice, you’ll learn how to assess organisational problems and apply solutions. We’ll teach you how to determine a dynamic mix of processes, which allow information delivery systems and users to carry out business effectively and efficiently. You’ll come to intuitively understand how an organisation’s information systems need to adapt to the changes and developments natural to growth and progress.

Our course is designed for flexibility, so if you’re not sure which route you want to go down, you can select modules and specialise gradually during your time with us. You can transfer between Computer Science and Business Computing up to the start of Level 2, then should you wish, you can choose a specialism up to the start of Level 3.

We know that when you graduate, you’ll be working on large projects. That’s why one third of each year of our programmes is project-based. On Levels 1 and 2, you’ll build a software solution in a team, and in your final year you’ll carry out an individual project. You’ll also have the opportunity to showcase your projects at the annual Made in Brunel (Software Innovation) event, with awards presented by the likes of Cisco, Sky and Xerox.

As part of your degree course, you’ll have the chance to take a year-long work placement between your second year and third year. We’ll support you in finding that all-important paid professional experience, in the UK or abroad. The feedback we’ve received is that those who have taken a placement are much more likely to find a job for which their degree was a formal requirement as it gives you a competitive advantage. Recent graduates have gone on to work for well-known names such as Accenture, Toshiba, Microsoft, British Airways, O2, and Barclays.

Our programmes are accredited by the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP). The accreditation also allows you to apply for professional membership of the BCS after you have successfully completed your degree.

The department has been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze, recognising our dedication to the advancement of gender equality in STEM subjects. We now have an ongoing three-year action plan to further implement strategies and improve our practices. As part of this endeavour, Brunel’s Women in Engineering and Computing mentoring scheme provides our female students with invaluable help and support from the industry.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Course content

This course will give you a comprehensive introduction to computing and social media for business. On completion, you’ll feel fully equipped and able to assess and solve computing issues that face organisations today.

Year 1

Compulsory

Data and Information
This module aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to different kinds of data and how it can be collected, stored, retrieved, analysed and then communicated to satisfy user information needs.
Introductory Programming
This module aims to provide a basic level of programming competence.
Information Systems and Organisations
This module aims to develop understanding of the complex, dynamic, and emergent behaviour of information systems (IS) with particular emphasis on the way these characteristics are modelled in the modern working environment.
Logic and Computation
This module aims to provide knowledge and skills needed to model problems using mathematics and logic, to transform such models into versions which are amenable to computational solutions, and to give a basis for how to select the appropriate modelling methods and computational paradigms in order to achieve practical computational solutions.
Group Project
The group project aims to integrate skills covered by the Year 1/Level 4 modules into a non-trivial, practical group task including a significant degree of programming and technical engagement. It is also intended to develop confidence in technical abilities.
Programming Applications
This module aims to provide opportunities for students to apply fundamental programming concepts as a solution to non-trivial problems.

Year 2

Compulsory

Level 5 Group Project
The group project aims to integrate skills covered by the Year 2 modules in a practical group task including analysis, programming and technical engagement and requires the gathering and analysis of information, production of detailed requirements statements and designs, the development and integration of data and non-trivial code, and the communication of the outcomes in clear and concise fashion.
Software Development and Management
The module aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for the design and implementation of software systems using recognised methodology, tools and technologies. The module provides an introduction to software engineering and follows a development process from requirements and design through to implementation, creating a number of software artefacts.
Usability Engineering
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of usability engineering guidance and principles and how they might be applied within the design and development cycle when creating computing-related products, services and applications
Business Analysis and Process Modelling
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of how business processes evolve over time, identify factors influencing process behaviour, and assess the impact of changes or interventions on process performance in the context of information systems development and evolution.
Business Analysis and Static Modelling
This module aims to develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse business processes, propose improvements, and communicate findings effectively. This includes the ability to evaluate requirements, design models, and present recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
Digital Societies
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the diverse ways in which individuals and communities use information and communication technologies (ICTs), the benefits they aim to achieve, and the issues arising. The module focuses on the use of ICTs in settings other than the corporation and complements the approach taken in other modules in the programme which focus on the use of ICTs in large business enterprises.

Year 3

Compulsory

Advanced Topics in Business Computing
This compulsory module provides an opportunity for students to research advanced and debatable issues in Business Computing. An advanced topic is one that is related to the area of Business Computing, will typically be a current area or issue of concern, but is not explicitly covered in this level of detail elsewhere in the course.
Business Computing Final Year Project
The final-year project enables a demonstration of an integrated approach to topics covered in the programme: analytical and problem-solving skills; defining a problem to be explored and the work to complete it; independent research and development; describing and solving a problem so it can be evaluated; adapting and applying knowledge and skills in the investigation and solution of a problem.
Social Media
This module concerns the study, use, design and evaluation of social media. It will encourage candidates to practically explore the issues raised in the module, building on their existing and developing knowledge and understanding of social, organisational, economic and technical issues in interaction and systems design from across their degree course.

Optional

eBusiness
This module aims to develop an understanding of contemporary businesses and the way that they use of information systems and internet-related technologies to coordinate their interactions with customers and business partners and to gain competitive and strategic advantage.
Cybersecurity
This optional module aims to develop the competencies and skills sets required for delivering cybersecurity solutions in practice.
Human-Computer Interaction
This optional module aims to develop an understanding of the importance in emerging technology domains and the role of advanced research approaches to solving problems and evaluating solutions arising within HCI.
Software Project Management
This optional module aims to provide explicit coverage of project management tools and processes in order to consolidate the project management experience experienced during the rest of the programmes. It deals with planning, monitoring and control of a project, and the important people issues of which a project manager must be aware.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Careers and your future

Our Business Computing graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects. With the ability to handle the increasing demands of scientific, technological and commercial development in the 21st century, you'll be in high demand with the wide-ranging companies and organisations increasingly dependent on computer technology.

You could go on to a career such as software developer, business analyst, web developer, technical architect or helpdesk engineer.

Recent graduates have taken up roles with companies such as Accenture, BP, FDM, the BBC and Wipro.

UK entry requirements

2026/7 entry

For Brunel Foundation of Mathematics and Computing with Integrated Foundation Year progression requirements, see the course page.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

GCSEs

A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.

A-level

Standard Offer: ABB

Contextual Offer: BBB