Digital and Technology Solutions

The BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions is the University of Exeter’s degree apprenticeship programme in digital technology for business. If you would like to get qualified to degree level as an IT professional and earn a salary at the same time, this programme is for you. The course normally takes four years and is delivered using a combination of intensive block-release teaching (approximately two weeks residential per year), distance education, and workplace projects. Your employer will fund the course fees with Government support. The programme will make you highly employable; you will gain in-demand professional skills while acquiring valuable professional experience.  You will elect to take one of six specialisms, each addressing a highly sought-after professional role: Software Engineer, Business Analyst, Data Analyst, IT Consultant, Network Engineer and Cyber Security Analyst. During the programme you will take 60% core modules including Digital Technology Infrastructure, System Development, Information and Data, IT Project Management, IT Law and Ethics, Information Security, Business Organisation, Professional Skills and Information Systems, as well as 40% specialist modules in your chosen tech specialism. The programme includes a series of workplace projects based on live business problems to hone your professional skills. To gain access to this course, you must apply for an apprenticeship vacancy advertised by an employer.

The programme is intended to equip you to provide technology-enabled solutions to internal and/or external customers in a range of areas including software, business and systems analysis, cyber security and data analysis. You  will learn to implement technology solutions that enable businesses to develop new products and services and to increase an organisation’s productivity using digital technologies. The programme will help you become confident, competent and capable independent IT professionals, able to operate in a range of related roles. The occupation is based upon a core set of outcomes that will be supplemented by one of six specialism areas that cover the roles identified by employers.

The BSc (Hons)  in Digital and Technology Solutions is a four-year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 6 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into four ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year.  The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Interim Awards

If you do not complete the programme you may be able to exit with a lower qualification. If you have achieved 120 credits, you may be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Digital and Technology Solutions, and if you achieve 240 credits, where at least 90 credits are at NQF Level 5 or above, you may be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Digital and Technology Solutions.

When starting the programme you must declare which of the available specialisms you wish to follow. Specialisms are offered subject to availability. Approval for your choice of specialism will need to be given by both your employer and the University

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/

You may take Option Modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College web site https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/

Credit

The programme consists of 360 credits with 90 credits in each stage. Normally not more than 60 credits would be allowed in any one term. In total, students must take 120 credits at NQF level 4, 120 credits at NQF level 5, and 120 credits at NQF level 6. The pass mark for award of credit in an individual module is 40%.

Progression

You can progress to the next stage (or in the final year, to proceed to the award of an honours degree) once you have passed or been condoned in 90 credits, provided that an average of at least 40% has been achieved over the assessment for that stage including the marks for any failed and condoned modules.

Condonement is the process that allows you to pass a stage should you fail to achieve the required number of credits in the stage. To qualify for condonement in a stage, you must meet the criteria for progression in that stage specified above. Up to 15 credits of failure can be condoned in each stage. However, you must pass the modules marked with a 'Yes' in the 'non-condonable' column in the tables above. You will not be allowed reassessment in the condoned credit.

Assessment and Awards

The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following percentage marks:

Class I    70% +                                                       

Class II   Division I 60-69%                                      

Class II   Division II 50-59%                                     

Class III  40-49%

Full details of assessment regulations for UG programmes can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website.  Generic marking criteria are also published here.

Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.

In accordance with University policy a system of personal tutors is in place for all students on this programme.  A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University's TQA Manual.  As a student enrolled on this programme you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

Additionally, the College has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages.  Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the College and an extensive range of web-based information (see https://student-harrison.emps.ex.ac.uk/index.php) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.

The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is generally open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work. Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier. Also available are core set texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal.

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

Applications for this course are normally made in the first instance to an employer. The employer must intend to employ the candidate and fund their study for the duration of the apprenticeship (including use of state funding provided to the employer for that purpose, if available). The employer must be satisfied that the candidate is suitable for the apprenticeship post and meets any internal criteria. Candidates must also satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Exeter, which specify required grades at GCE A-level or equivalent and procedures for recognition of prior qualifications and work experience.  A minimum grade C at both of GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent, is normally required. For all candidates, relevant academic or professional qualifications, prior work experience and aptitude will normally be taken into account when assessing applications for admission.

Where a candidate has passed at least 90 credits at NQF level 4 or above in subjects equivalent to those in stage 1 of the BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions course, and the candidate meets the other admissions criteria set out above, the candidate may apply for direct entry to stage 2 of the course.

Where a candidate has passed at least 180 credits at NQF level 4 or above in subjects comparable to those in stages 1 and 2 of the BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions course, of which at least 90 credits are at NQF level 5 or above, and the candidate meets the other admissions criteria set out above, the candidate may apply for direct entry to stage 3 of the course

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures. The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice.  See the University's TQA Manual for details.

This programme is validated by the Tech Partnership as conforming to the Digital & Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship standard (available from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-standard-digital-technology-solutions-professional)