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Struggling to Choose: Business Computing vs Computer Science vs IT for Business?

Hey everyone, I’m currently deciding between a few uni courses and would really appreciate some advice or insight from students already studying or who were in a similar position. I am also unsure which universities are the best for these courses without A level Maths.

I’m stuck between:
Business Computing/Business IT
Computer Science
IT for Business, Computing and Management and Information Systems courses

I’m interested in both tech and business, and I enjoy problem-solving, systems, and the idea of working in roles like business analyst, Tech consultant/business owner, or in tech/finance settings. However, I also want to keep my career options open, especially if I want to lean more into pure tech later on.

I’m not the strongest at maths, but I’d like to learn more and get more knowledge if I could, and I am doing a BTEC Extended Diploma in IT (predicted DDD) and EPQ, with a grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English. I know that may limit some options but I’m still aiming high. I also have some extenuating circumstance, so I’ve been eligible for contextual offers at some unis. I applied to Aston (Business Computing and IT), Kent (Business IT), Essex (Computer Science), Brunel(Business Computing HCI with Placement) and Reading (Computer Science) and was originally City but they required a 6, and I also got a rejection from Reading, as they want a 6 in GCSE Maths. But I had met their BTEC offer of DDM.

I have seen many courses which suit this position which include:
Royal Holloway - Management with digital analytics and innovation
Surrey - Business Management with Business Analytics (their Computing and Management course required A level Maths)
Leicester - Foundation year CS
QMUL - Computer Science with Management (however, they require a 5 in GCSE Maths)
Lancaster - but they are too far same with Queen’s Belfast otherwise I would’ve applied as I meet their requirements
UCL - Information in Society
University of Manchester - and Loughborough although they both require the max BTEC grades of D*D*D* along with either A level Maths and a 6 in Maths and English which is above what I achieved so very high

If anyone’s done these kinds of degrees how did you find them? Was there a good balance between theory and practical work? Did they lead to decent job prospects? Any advice on what would suit someone like me would help a lot. I am still looking at attentive options such as Extra and Clearing and others too.

Thanks in advance!
(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

Hey there! First of all, it sounds like you've got a really solid range of options and a clear idea of where you want to go with your career, which is awesome. Deciding between tech and business-focused courses can be tricky, but it’s great that you’re thinking ahead about your career flexibility.
From what you've mentioned, your interest in both tech and business, as well as problem-solving, systems, and roles like business analyst or tech consultant, suggests you might enjoy a course that gives you a blend of both. For example, Business Computing or Business IT might be a good middle ground for you. These degrees usually have a mix of technical skills and business applications, which could open doors to roles in tech consulting, project management, and even tech-driven business roles like business analysts or tech entrepreneurs.
If you’re leaning more towards pure tech later on, Computer Science could be a better fit, but it tends to require a bit more focus on algorithms, programming, and sometimes, a stronger foundation in maths. Since you're not the strongest at maths right now, but you're willing to learn more, a Computer Science course might still be doable, but it could involve a steeper learning curve. You might also want to consider universities that offer extra support for students who don’t have A-level Maths, which could help with the transition.
As for the IT for Business and Management courses, these tend to be more business-oriented but still have a good grounding in technology. These might suit you well if you’re particularly interested in working in business roles that are heavily reliant on IT but without delving as deeply into the technical side as Computer Science would require.
Regarding university choices, it seems like you're already aware that the requirements can vary quite a bit. Since you're not meeting some of the higher A-level or GCSE requirements, universities offering contextual offers, like the ones you've applied to, are a great choice, as they tend to be more flexible and consider your background in a broader sense. If you’re considering options like extra or clearing, it might be worth looking at universities that offer foundation years in Computer Science or IT. They could give you the extra time to build up your skills, especially in areas like maths, and set you up for success in the later years of the degree.
In terms of the balance between theory and practical work, most tech/business-related courses will give you a mix, but it really depends on the specific course. Some, like Business Computing, might have more practical work and industry placements, while others, like pure Computer Science, could have more of a theoretical focus. If job prospects are a concern, both fields are solid. Tech-related roles, particularly those at the intersection of business and IT, are in demand. Business analysts, consultants, and project managers who have a tech background tend to find plenty of opportunities, especially as tech continues to be integral to business strategies.
It sounds like you’re already working hard and aiming high, so I’d encourage you to keep that focus. Even if some of your options seem a bit out of reach now, you never know what might work out with contextual offers or extra clearing options. Keep an open mind and consider what will give you the best overall experience in terms of learning and future opportunities.
Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more help!

Reply 2

Original post by Toptutor_richard
Hey there! First of all, it sounds like you've got a really solid range of options and a clear idea of where you want to go with your career, which is awesome. Deciding between tech and business-focused courses can be tricky, but it’s great that you’re thinking ahead about your career flexibility.
From what you've mentioned, your interest in both tech and business, as well as problem-solving, systems, and roles like business analyst or tech consultant, suggests you might enjoy a course that gives you a blend of both. For example, Business Computing or Business IT might be a good middle ground for you. These degrees usually have a mix of technical skills and business applications, which could open doors to roles in tech consulting, project management, and even tech-driven business roles like business analysts or tech entrepreneurs.
If you’re leaning more towards pure tech later on, Computer Science could be a better fit, but it tends to require a bit more focus on algorithms, programming, and sometimes, a stronger foundation in maths. Since you're not the strongest at maths right now, but you're willing to learn more, a Computer Science course might still be doable, but it could involve a steeper learning curve. You might also want to consider universities that offer extra support for students who don’t have A-level Maths, which could help with the transition.
As for the IT for Business and Management courses, these tend to be more business-oriented but still have a good grounding in technology. These might suit you well if you’re particularly interested in working in business roles that are heavily reliant on IT but without delving as deeply into the technical side as Computer Science would require.
Regarding university choices, it seems like you're already aware that the requirements can vary quite a bit. Since you're not meeting some of the higher A-level or GCSE requirements, universities offering contextual offers, like the ones you've applied to, are a great choice, as they tend to be more flexible and consider your background in a broader sense. If you’re considering options like extra or clearing, it might be worth looking at universities that offer foundation years in Computer Science or IT. They could give you the extra time to build up your skills, especially in areas like maths, and set you up for success in the later years of the degree.
In terms of the balance between theory and practical work, most tech/business-related courses will give you a mix, but it really depends on the specific course. Some, like Business Computing, might have more practical work and industry placements, while others, like pure Computer Science, could have more of a theoretical focus. If job prospects are a concern, both fields are solid. Tech-related roles, particularly those at the intersection of business and IT, are in demand. Business analysts, consultants, and project managers who have a tech background tend to find plenty of opportunities, especially as tech continues to be integral to business strategies.
It sounds like you’re already working hard and aiming high, so I’d encourage you to keep that focus. Even if some of your options seem a bit out of reach now, you never know what might work out with contextual offers or extra clearing options. Keep an open mind and consider what will give you the best overall experience in terms of learning and future opportunities.
Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more help!

Hello, thank you very much for your response! I appreciate it a lot 😁. And yes I am still considering my options and I need to still decide between my firm and instance choices but I wanted one of those better choices or the one which rejected me instead to be available but it’s not so I might look into clearing with contextual offers available. I have researched this quite a lot so yeah!

Reply 3

To be honest I like all of those courses, so it’s quite tricky to narrow it down, and I will certainly keep working hard and try my best possible whichever route. But at the same time, I really like the idea of working for Apple or Google or owning my own similar tech company to that but that is similar to a Computer Science course or Computer Engineering/Computer Systems Engineering course which I like too.

Also what courses for IT Management for Business or the courses I mentioned as well previously do you think, not require A level Maths and only 4 for GCSE Maths which I have not mentioned as I have checked everywhere and it’s not many.
(edited 3 weeks ago)

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