[bloodtobleed]

I've confirmed Computing at Bournemouth Uni as my firm choice now. Hoping to get accommodation at the Student Village. I'm currently on an Access to HE course and due to finish in June. Need 6 more credits at merit but I have 30 credits worth of work that hasn't been marked or completed yet. Lots of room for error!
Anyone else looking at Student Village for accommodation?

[fastkid105]

soz i cant help with accommodation since I will be living at home. Anyway good luck and we will meet in September.

[fastkid105]

Anyone else firmed Bournemouth University for Business Computing, Business Information Technology / BIT, Computing, Forensic Computing, Information Technology Management, Network systems Management, or Software Engineering?

[fastkid105]

anyone?

[mrcon]

got one for computing , havent replied to offers yet not sure between bournemouth and another for firm

[olg207]

Hello I have put bournemouth down as my firm but I am having some pre uni jitters...

In other words is the course worth the debt we are getting into?
Liklihood of getting a job after uni?
I know this one will sound weird but the horror stories of not making friends at uni and people who have hated it for 3/4 years.

What do you reckon, and can anyone settle my nerves?
Thanks Olly

[Smiter3000]

It's the same with most courses once you pass you will be able to apply for specialised jobs or higher up jobs which pay a lot more money than others whom went straight from college/6 form. Plus you will have high priority in the job market than those i just mentioned. Bournemouth offers a year placement which is probably the best thing you can do before leaving due to the fact it will add contents to your cv and show what you have done within that placement plus the extra experience is always wanted. Bournemouth as i remember has 80-90% chance of job employment after graduating within the 6 months (includes people who go off travelling straight after) so its pretty dam high. With the social aspect it isnt too much of problem everyone is in the same boat where they are away from home, the best thing you can probably do is be in halls i have met sooooo many people in this year and from there i have met more people either through my course or my friends courses. I have a friend in other university who is hating it due to the fact that at home we have such a strong friend group that nothing can beat that but i myself dont mind it since i originally come from surrey which is like an hour and half car journey so when i have the free time i go home and see them. But either way you will make friends easily when down here, freshers week/fortnight is all about getting settled and making friends.

I will keep an eye out on this thread so if have anymore questions, i will try and answer them.

[olg207]

Thanks Smiter3000, I needed the reassurance do you reckon the debt of £30,000+ is worth it? Are you currently doing the computing course, how much of a step up is it from sixth form and A-Levels, if you did them?
Also how do you manage work and socialising? The impression I get is that in the first year it is a dos, and pretty much all partying, is this true for the computing course?
Lastly what accomodation would you recommend for 1st years?
Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure Uni is right for me

Olly

[Smiter3000]

I would say yes (I wouldn't take up university if it wasn't worth it :P ), I suppose the issue for your year is the new prices which is pretty steep but in the long run it will be worth it. Yes I am currently in the computing course (first year atm). I did a BTEC in computing so for myself the switch over wasn't too bad, but if you did computing in A level then you should be fine. But in the first year its more teaching you the basics on general subjects.
I get most of my work done before socialising, but if i have lots of time on the work then it means i can relax a bit more and socialise/ go out for the night.
That's what everybody thinks "First year will be a dos", it isn't (well for us computing students that is), I would say our course is probably one of the hardest in the university. Through the amount of assignments we get, Computing in business week, and the exams. We have 5 exams where as others have 2/4 or even none. The exams for us atm are taking place in 2 weeks and we only have a day gap in-between each one which is kinda difficult compared to others whom have 2 weeks between there's.
But you do get time to go out partying i would say you could probably easily go out 2 times a week without affecting you too badly (just dont miss any lectures).

I'm currently in Lyme Regis which is the most expensive (i think), but its very nice and modern. But the internet here is very slow (first 2 terms we had 1mb or less dl, now we have 4mb which is crap still). Plus the Fire alarms here are dodgy and go off sooo much, some of which have been set off through either the steam from a shower or aerosols from a distance.

I would say the best halls would have to be purbeck I haven't been there but it's got the best of both worlds, decent internet, not worn out.


If I have missed anything please let me know.

P.S. I made a very detailed message about the course in the first page if you would like to read that also.

[fastkid105]

Hi again, doeS the exams have a lot of essay type questions? Because I am not a fan of those.

[fastkid105]

Anyone else firmed bournemouth for computing

[Smiter3000]

(Original post by fastkid105)
Hi again, doeS the exams have a lot of essay type questions? Because I am not a fan of those.

Haven't had them yet

[fastkid105]

@smiter how would you u say that this course differs from a computer science course? Thanks again

[Smiter3000]

(Original post by fastkid105)
@smiter how would you u say that this course differs from a computer science course? Thanks again

Which universities were you looking at, that have computer science since majority have different units?


One of my mates just sent me this:

The course at Bournemouth university less theory in programming and base computing with more focus on business and how the units relate to business and other units.

me:
The above is correct plus compared to other uni's Bournemouth branches out a lot more, due to the fact there is over 10 different computing courses available. But in the first year everyone learns the basics/the general of computing as mentioned in my very long post on the first page. Once you have finished your first year you can then select a course which suites your skills in computing. Whereas other universities have the one. for example Surrey University has only two computer science and business style computing. I was offered a place in surrey (360 ucas points were required at the time which was the max you could get for btec) but the courses were too specific and if i didnt like certain units i would be stuck with them. So bournemouth was better with the choice you could get.

Second year choices:



fourth year choices:

[fastkid105]

This wouldn't limit my career options wouldn't it?

[disrane]

I'm going into my final year of the computing route in September, so am happy to answer any questions regarding the framework.

(Original post by fastkid105)
Hi again, doeS the exams have a lot of essay type questions? Because I am not a fan of those.

In the first year, some exams are easier than others, for example, the networking exam is multiple choice (each question, 4 answers, tick correct one), where are others are 'answer 3 questions from 5'. As long as you revise, you'll be fine. The lecturers will give you revision lectures which tell you (or advise) on what topics are going to come up in the exam, so you can emphasise revision on those topics.

(Original post by fastkid105)
@smiter how would you u say that this course differs from a computer science course? Thanks again

I'd imagine computer science has a lot more math and focuses a lot more on programming that the Computing Framework. Only 1 unit out of 6 focuses on programming at BU. Other units may have some topics that touch on programming concepts, but they do not go into details. The Computing Framework at BU is much more varied and covers business, software testing and many other topics rather than focusing on just programming. It's a much more friendly course for those who want an understanding of programming but do not want to spend their degree doing so.

Just some notes, do not worry about what route/specific degree you want to take just yet. All computing courses (Business Computing, Forensic Computing etc) take the same first year units. At the end of the first year, you choose your specific second year units (and degree title). Even in your final year you can choose your topics and even degree title (at this point, you must show a reason for why you want to change degree titles).

Registers are rarely taken in lectures (especially after the first few months), however don't let this be a reason for you not to turn up to the 9am lectures. You'll wish you had during the exams.

Placement is advertised and sold as 'a must', however if you have a specific reason for not wanting to do so, you'll be given the option to 'opt-out' during the second year. For example, if you wish to go into teaching, this would be a valid reason as a placement in industry would not be that beneficial to a prospective teacher.

The first year is a lot easier than the second. They do not expect you to be intermediate at the computing topics and will teach you from the bottom up. The first year is mainly about getting to know the basics. The second year is about going into detail and the final year is about choosing your specific topics and writing a dissertation.

The computing labs at BU are 24/7 which is handy as the library closes at 8pm/10pm, so when you're working on an assignment at 2am, you haven't got to worry, and there's an automated Costa machine in the main area.

For the fitness students, the gym is currently closed and will reopen in September due to an upgrade.

[fastkid105]

thanks for the reply , would you say doing computing rather than computer science will limit my career options? and would say that you are satisfied with the course, teaching and resourses etc? thanks in advance

[fastkid105]

bump

[disrane]

(Original post by fastkid105)
thanks for the reply , would you say doing computing rather than computer science will limit my career options? and would say that you are satisfied with the course, teaching and resourses etc? thanks in advance

Your career being hindered by studying Computing rather than Computer Science all depends on which career you wish to pursue and what you'd like to study.

Computer Science is mainly looking at programming, algorithms and mathematical concepts applied to programming. Nearly all units within Computer Science I believe will be related around programming.

Computing studies a much wider variety of topics and allows you to mould your degree into what you want, for example if you want to program, you can choose programming, software testing/quality units, or if you wish to do web and media/e-business, you can take those units. It's entirely up to you. Computing does not focus so much on programming.

Only you can answer the question of which course to choose and how it will have implications on your future career. I'd advise you to look at the different units for both courses and maybe even contact graduates and potential employers to get their opinion.

The teaching for the Computing Framework at BU is like any other university. You get the good lecturers and the not so good. At university, you're expected to self study//learn, so what you do not understand in lectures/lessons, you can find out by yourself and there's always other lecturers around who'll make time for you.

The course has interesting units and some not-so-great units, for example, in the second year, one of the units is entirely group work and you'll be put in groups and asked to create a project/product (we created an Android based application). While you can learn a lot from this unit, it does leave a lot to be desired and it doesn't give a realistic view of the 'real work-place'. For example, there was lack of support from lecturers throughout the week and some members didn't even turn up, but still received marks.

Other units are much more interesting and prepared very well, such as networking (the networking lecturer is very experienced). The assignment for the networking unit in the second year is to design the entire university network using software called packet-tracer.

University is pretty much what you make of it. If you work hard, you'll have a blast and get a good degree.

[fastkid105]

Hi again, I am planning to pursue a career on the software development side, but I am also keen on artificial intelligence. Would Bournemouth be right for me?