Network Engineering (Systems Administration) - Foundation Degree

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 96 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline:

• MMM from Extended Diploma or DD from Diploma in any level 3 Computing/IT course
• We will strongly encourage and support those who do not hold GCSE Maths/English at grade C/4, or equivalent qualification, to pursue a Maths/English qualification alongside the main programme.

The entry criteria for direct entry onto Level 5 of the programme is:

• Successful completion of the HNC Computing at Blackpool & The Fylde College

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component

Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis.

Course Detail

The FdSc Network Engineering (Systems Administration) provides a variety of routes into some of the best paid areas in contemporary computing. The programme will help you develop technical and professional skills with which to meet the current expectations of industry. These include the ability to:

• Apply networking and hardware skills that will enable the connection, control and configuration of various devices, using both traditional and wireless connectivity

• Protect individual systems and corporate infrastructures from unauthorised and illegal hacking and industrial espionage

• Configure, maintain and recover server based solutions to SMEs and larger corporations

• Develop specialist Systems Administration skills to prepare Network Professionals for a range of in-demand industry roles

• Work independently and as part of a team, the ability to take instruction and work to deadlines, communication and adaptability

• Be creative, use initiative and develop problem solving skills

• Undertake a work placement and apply the full range of technical and professional skills acquired during the foundation degree in a real world context. 

Qualification Obtained

Industry Placement and Field Trips

During the latter part of this course, you will need to complete 96 hours of related work experience.

This will involve finding a suitable work placement, which we will encourage you to do yourself. If, for some reason, you’re unable to find a placement, our workplace coordinator will arrange interviews with employers; we may even find you an internal placement with our own IT Services Department.

Your work-based activity also includes timetabled sessions, which will involve creating CVs, learning about professional guidelines and legislation, and exploring how to apply your new-found skills to the workplace.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Placement

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

Resources required to achieve the learning outcomes of the programme are available while working in college, with many resources available through remote services.

However, we do recommend that you have access to a computer with internet connectivity for completing work outside college times and accessing these resources.

You should also be aware that there may be additional costs to consider such as optional educational visits and photocopying/printing.

Tuition Fees

Please click here to find out more about tuition fees for this course.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

Career Options and Progression

This Foundation Degree programme is designed to create graduates who possess a combination of network engineering and softer, transferable skills which together produce extremely well qualified individuals with broad, commercially desirable skill sets and qualifications.

On completing programme, you will become a self-directing IT professional with a wide range of career pathways available to you. 

Successful graduates could access any of the following exciting career opportunities:

• Network Engineer 
• 1st, 2nd 3rd Line Support 
• Network Technician 
• Network Security Technician 
• Cloud Networking Architect 
• Virtualisation Engineer 
• Wireless Infrastructure and Mobility Specialist
• Systems Administrator

Alternatively,you could top up your skills (and career potential) further by studying for our one-year BSc (Hons) Network Engineering (Systems Administration) which has coveted British Computer Society accreditation.