Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Please select the pathway for your course:
Master of Science Information & Technology , Level 7, The British College2023/24 - Course Handbook
Master of Science MSc Information & Technology: Network Systems , Level 7, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Master of Science MSc Information & Technology: Information Technology Management, Level 7, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Master of Science MSc Information & Technology: Software Engineering, Level 7, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Master of Science MSc Information & Technology: Smart Computing, Level 7, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Welcome to the Course
This handbook provides you with information that you will need on your course. You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a Module Handbook for each module you study on your course. Whilst studying for the M.Sc. Information & Technology, you will be expected to persevere in your learning process, engage with all your modules and have fun in learning new technologies. Masters courses are very challenging and require your fullest commitment because the end result is extremely rewarding. The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us is both enjoyable and successful. On behalf of our University and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your studies.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing.
Whether you are joining us as a new student or returning to continue your studies, and whether your course is on-campus, distance learning, degree apprenticeships or you are on one of our UK and overseas collaborative and franchise courses, we hope you will enjoy your experience and find your studies interesting, challenging and relevant to your development and future career plans.
Our aim is to provide students with a research informed, innovative and relevant curriculum that is linked to current industry practices and standards. Our courses are highly valued by employers, professional bodies and other stakeholders. Our School has a strong tradition of delivering programmes that provide students with the opportunity for academic and practical experience. This approach, coupled with our close involvement with employers, produces graduates who are highly regarded in the workplace.
Through our approach to student support and to teaching and learning we aim to place you, our students and apprentices, at the heart of everything we do. You will experience a diverse range of teaching approaches. We also use a variety of different methods of assessment and attach considerable importance to providing you feedback on your assessments.
As a School we strive to be student-centred and value your opinions and feedback. We want to hear about the things you enjoy and that you think we do well, but also want to know when you think there are ways in which we can improve your experience. There are many ways in which you can provide feedback including through your student academic representatives, through written or on-line module evaluation feedback forms and through student open meetings, forums with staff and student representative meetings with me.
We maintain a strong commitment to our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and our facilities are well equipped for each major area of our course provision. Our Built Environment, Planning, Geography and Civil and Building Services Engineering courses are situated in the heart of the City at Northern Terrace Building, with the Computing and Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses located in Leighton Building at our Headingley Campus.
If you are studying on campus, where possible, the majority of your teaching will take place at the School's buildings; however, some teaching sessions may be scheduled in other buildings on our City Campus and Headingley Campus. The City Campus library is located in the Leslie Silver Building, which is adjacent to Northern Terrace, while the James Graham Building houses the library at our Headingley Campus.
I wish you every success for this academic year.
Professor Akintola Akintoye, Dean of School
Key Contacts & Keeping in Touch
Dr Pranita Upadhyaya
Dr Pranita Upadhyaya
Student Services Department
Email: ssd@thebritishcollege.edu.np
Hotline: 9823041013
Whatsapp: 9823041013
Viber: 9823041013
Course Representatives are student volunteers who represent your views at course-level, in course forums and in meetings with academic and support staff. Details about being a Course Representative are available through the Student Services Office, ssd@thebritishcollege.edu.np
Mr Jipish Shakya
Library and Learning Support
Email: jshakya@thebritishcollege.edu.np
Hotline: 9823041138
We will inform you of cancelled classes/activities/course notices as soon as possible. This will be done through text messages to your mobile phone number on our contact records, email and/or via notice boards and through our VLE.
For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you.
Please make sure that you inform the course admin team whenever you change your address and contact details.
This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University communications that we may need to send you.
Timetable Information
Students can access class timetable via TBC VLE-Orbund or via College Notice Board in the Third Floor-next to the Student Services Department.
Course Overview
The aims of the programme are to:
1.To facilitate the provision of an individual learning experience within the themes of Information and Technology for each student that fosters engagement, promotes and enhances independent study and life-long learning.
2.To maintain a high quality, comprehensive and coherent IT curriculum informed by research and practice which enhances each participant's career prospects.
3.To develop professionals with a sound understanding of the field under study and a critical awareness of current issues, who are able to adopt appropriate research strategies, and are informed of the wider contextual issues.
4.To enable the widest variety of people to benefit from engagement with postgraduate education in IT.
5.To provide postgraduate learning opportunities which are relevant and accessible to people and organisations regionally, nationally and internationally.
6.To enable students (by option) to undertake one of the specialist routes identified within the area of Information and Technology curriculum to advance their knowledge in that area.
1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems in IT and/or new insights on technologies that are at the forefront of the discipline.
2. Deal with complex IT issues both systematically and creatively, make informed judgements in the absence of complete data, implement and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
3. Evaluate, synthesise and contextualise advanced and contemporary theories and techniques to a range of complex and open-ended issues, applications in IT, problems and situations.
4. Evaluate critically current research, advanced scholarship and relevant methodologies and apply and critique these.
5. Take responsibility for continuing to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level - both generally (as appropriate to the holder of a Masters level award) and specifically as related to the field of Information and Technology.
Assessment & Feedback
Level 7 is assessed by through a broadly even mix of coursework and examinations. Some modules will involve hands-on practical activity as assessments.
Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar and make sure that you are available during those periods. Further details of your schedule of examinations can be found on your timetable once the examination schedule is released. Coursework submission deadlines can normally be found on MyBeckett, on course noticeboards or in individual Module Handbooks/other module guides.
Disabled students should contact Examination Department (examination@thebritishcollege.edu.np) at The British College at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss their support requirements for assessments and / or examinations.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances process. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available in section 3.11 of the Academic Regulations. Please check the penalties that apply to this course as some Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body requirements may mean that different penalties apply.
If you have been recommended 'flexibility around deadlines' as a reasonable adjustment in a Reasonable Adjustment Plan, your Course Administrator will be able to advise you of the process.
You may be required to submit your written work via Turnitin; further information on Turnitin is available.
Assessed work will normally be returned with appropriate feedback within four weeks of your submission. Each Module Handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive feedback on your assessments.
Results will appear within Results Online five working days after the date of the Progression and Award Board meeting (the meeting where your end of level outcome will be decided) or the Module Board meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).
If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Course Administrator.
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g., whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). You will be advised via Results Online of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to contact your Course Director, Course Administrator or Academic Advisor for any necessary clarification.
Details about our Appeals process can be found on the appeals web page.
Academic integrity means intellectual honesty and is part of good academic practice. Further information can be found on our academic integrity web page.
Teaching & Learning
Our teaching methods, curriculum and assessments impart students with sophistication in independent critical thinking, knowledge contextualisation and professionalism. Our assessments give students opportunities to engage in critical thinking and self-direction while addressing problems similar to the ones faced in industry. Our 'Research Practice' module is core to embedding research ethos and encourages students to apply research skills within other modules and in particular with their dissertation. The 'hands-on' teaching approach in most modules allow students to select and apply specialist skills to various contexts. The course appreciates that Level 7 also needs to address student transition. Therefore, students are supported within an inclusive learning environment, which recognise, accommodates and meets the learning needs of all our students.
For each module students will receive a tutorial or practical lab based session(s). These are supplemented with a programme of guest speakers and industry led seminars. In addition, all staff provide weekly drop in slots for students who need personalised learning support.
The module materials and support provided will encourage deep learning the focus of which should support educational gain, as well as educational performance. Deep learning on this level include reflecting upon, synthesising, applying, critically evaluating and analysing, all an integral part of the course and its assessments. There are also opportunities for considering research papers, articulating and critiquing different philosophies and research papers through- core and elective modules. Challenging and industry related tasks will stretch students' capabilities and actively engage them in applying skills and knowledge in their future employment.
The course level assessment strategy will ensure not only support for the assessment of the course learning outcomes but will provide a balance of assessment methods enabling students to progressively develop deep knowledge and expertise related to those assessment methods and to have opportunities to build on summative and formative feedback.Level 7 Core Modules
Managing Information in the Digital and Global Environment
Research Practice
Database Systems and Approaches
Project Management
Dissertation
Elective Modules
Advanced Software Engineering
Data Analysis and Visualisation
Simulation and Modelling
Eco Engineering
Cloud Computing Development
Critical Perspectives on Information
Lean and Agile Engineering
Negotiated Skills Development
Smart Systems
Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning
Intelligent Systems and Robotics
Overall Workload | Level 7 |
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 1100 hours |
Independent Study | 700 hours |
Placement | N/A |
Attendance & Absence
All students are expected to maintain a minimum attendance of 80% for undergraduates and 70% for postgraduates (accumulated) through the duration of their study at TBC. Students who fail to maintain mandatory minimum requirements may be denied access to college services.
If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor / academic advisor to discuss your reasons. If there is a problem, staff at your delivery provider or the University may be able to help. It may be possible to arrange suspension of studies from your course.
If you are considering withdrawing, permanently or temporarily, you must complete a withdrawal form, which you can obtain from the administrative staff at your delivery provider. This form must be submitted as soon as possible as withdrawals cannot normally be backdated. For further details see the Student Regulations.
Skills, Employability & Graduate Opportunities
Our teaching methods, curriculum and assessments impart students with sophistication in independent critical thinking, knowledge contextualisation and professionalism. Our assessments give students opportunities to engage in critical thinking and self-direction while addressing problems similar to the ones faced in industry. Our 'Research Practice' module is core to embedding research ethos and encourages students to apply research skills within other modules and in particular with their dissertation. The 'hands-on' teaching approach in most modules allow students to select and apply specialist skills to various contexts. The course appreciates that Level 7 also needs to address student transition. Therefore, students are supported within an inclusive learning environment, which recognise, accommodates and meets the learning needs of all our students.
High levels of digital literacy will be developed across all modules to ensure confident and critical use of information and digital technologies to enhance academic, personal and professional development. Computer literacy is an integral part of the course developing not only the ability to identify, adopt and use digital devices, applications and services in the fulfilment of activities, but also the ability to develop computer systems to support users in their employment of these tasks and design and manage the networks which support the distribution of these systems, including across global enterprises.
Academic practice will be developed appropriate to the levels and include the ability to study and learn effectively in technology-rich environments.
Information and media literacy will be further developed through the dissertation which assess students on their academic report writing skills ensuring they can not only find, access, evaluate and use digitised resources but also to understand their authority, reliability, provenance and increasing think critically. Students will be equipped with creative and problem-solving skills which will mean they can take an enterprising and resourceful approach to their future careers and learning.
The dissertation will require the implementation of the university ethical process for projects which is an online system of the student classifying the ethical considerations and then gaining ethical approval in order to start their project once initial research has taken place.
Learning Support
During induction students will be provided full details of the course administrator relevant to your course. Students can contact relevant programme leader for course specific queries. You are advised to contact examination@thebritishcollege.edu.np for all exam related queries. Student Support Services also has an important role in providing information to students and liaising between Academic staff and students. You can visit the student services office in the third floor or email at ssd@thebritishcollege.edu.np or contact at 01-5970003
Your Academic Advisor will be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Director will make sure that you are given the contact details of your Academic Advisor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Further details on the role of your Academic Advisor are available on the Academic Advisor web page.
Student Services Department (SSD):
Student Support Services has an important role in providing information to students and liaising between Academic staff and students. The department consults with students to plan both academic and social activities, such as arranging guest speakers, visits and internship programmes. Student Support Services also makes appointments between the student and his/her personal tutor.
The SSD staff can help you arrange meeting with relevant programme leader who can advise on University processes in relation to assessment appeals, complaints, examination matters, graduation arrangements, and documentation requests such as status letters for visa purposes, or put you in touch with exam office for certificates and transcripts.
The SSD staff are friendly, experienced, and they are there to help. If you are not sure who you should talk to about any issue or problem ask at the Student Services office desk; they can act as a general point of referral to other services, both within and outside the College.
TBC delivers its services and support to students through online mode as well. All the staff and teachers are trained to conduct and support e-learning (virtual) classes. Alternative approaches are used for the online support of students. Key telephone numbers and email address of staffs are provided to students and parents to address their queries about e-learning and the full range of student support. Student issues are handled virtually as well and a close contact is maintained with the parents and students. For further detail please visit our college website https://www.thebritishcollege.edu.np/
TBC endeavours to help all of its students succeed as much as possible, including students with disabilities. 'Disabilities' includes both physical as well as cognitive/learning disabilities (e.g. ADHD, autism, dyslexia). In order for TBC to best accommodate students' specific needs, students are urged to contact SSD as soon as possible to make arrangements, ideally prior to their formal enrolment, and by the end of the first week of classes at the latest. Student-specific plans—including a personal emergency evacuation plan—require consideration, time, and planning. The sooner this process is initiated, the better TBC is able to accommodate your needs.
A note on mental health
While mental health issues are not disabilities, TBC takes students' mental health and wellness seriously, including anything from mild anxiety, to trauma survivors, and psychological disorders. Please see TBC Student Handbook -Part I, Section B: Facilities & Services, for more information about psychological counselling options at TBC.
All enrolled students are provided with a secure username and password to access college computer workstations. Students can access information through use of college computers or by using the college Wi-Fi system available throughout the premises. The Wi-Fi service is free of charge and available throughout the day.
The library is located on the 3rd floor and students are able to work in the library or make use of the Quiet Study Room located directly next-door. The library is open to students 0700-1700 Sunday to Friday.
Students also benefit from using the University VLE, called MyBeckett. This enables students to access various online resources such as being able to obtain lecture and learning materials for each module, link to access the e-journal websites and also submit assignments and communicate with lecturers.
Students are introduced to the use of the library resources (via a training session) as is relevant to their programme and level of study during the induction period. Most facilities are shared by students from different programmes; this enhances the learning environment by facilitating the sharing of ideas, experiences and approaches across the different disciplines.
The computer lab is located on the third floor of the college. There are four computer labs (plus an examination lab) on campus. Three labs are generally used for IT classes, but may be accessed when unoccupied, with permission from the administration. The fourth lab is assigned as an 'open lab'—open from 7am to 5pm—where students may use computers to complete homework, assignments, and presentations. Students also have access to printers and photocopiers on the 2nd floor, for academic purposes, but are responsible for paying separately for personal printing and photocopying.
The IT Services department is responsible for managing the IT learning resources, providing support to students and staff for IT facilities, and for the operational management of the TBC virtual learning environment (VLE). An Experienced IT Services Manager and IT Services officer overseeing the regular system and a technician is available on TBC premises to ensure that systems remain operational. Students are able to report technical problems and access support as needed through a helpline 9801134294 or. Email: itservices@thebritishcollege.edu.np
Class Representatives:
Class Representatives are student volunteers who represent student's views at course-level, in course forums and in meetings with academic and support staff. Details about being a Class Representative are available at Student Services Office.
TBC always aims to guide and inspire its students with an outstanding learning experience in the form of classes and beyond. Student Engagement through co-curricular and extra-curricular activities is an integral part of TBC culture. TBC strives to enhance opportunities for students to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities that will enrich their overall education. TBC Hub is formed and run by students at TBC to enrich their college life experience. Students involved in this group take leads in events and represent the college and students in various platforms.
Resources
Student Voice
We are committed to working in partnership with you and nominated Student Representatives to provide you with an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for all our students and our staff. An important element of your time studying with us is your engagement in developing your learning. Your engagement and attendance on your course enables you to further your learning and supports your achievement, course completion and aspirations for the future. There is an expectation that students will attend, engage in their learning and submit on time for assessment. We provide support for you to maximise your time studying with us and to develop your learning, skills and abilities to support you in your chosen career path.
We seek active participation by all our students in the continuous enhancement of our courses and through our monitoring, annual review and enhancement processes. These are formal processes used by our University for assuring the academic standards and quality of your course and its continuous improvement. These processes utilise your feedback, External Examiners' reports, feedback from staff and others, data relating to student outcomes on the course and student surveys to reflect on areas of good practice and areas for further enhancement. We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys.
Course Representatives (Reps) at undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels are student volunteers who represent you in formal and informal meetings with the University, and follow up on actions that have occurred because of student feedback. You can become a Course Rep, volunteering to represent the views of your peers in order to improve students' academic experience.
In the first few weeks of your time at Leeds Beckett, your Course Director will facilitate an opportunity to appoint Course Reps on your course.
LBSU provides support, training and ongoing development for Course Reps and supports their engagement in enhancement activities throughout the academic year.
Being a Course Rep provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning and the development of relevant professional and employability skills alongside your studies. As a Course Rep you would play an important role in:
- Acting as a point of contact and advocate for students on your course and in supporting their active engagement.
- Gathering feedback from students on your course to inform enhancements to the quality of your course and the student experience.
- Facilitating good communication between students and staff on the course.
- Working with the Course Director, members of the course team and the Students' Union to enhance your course.
- Facilitating and engaging in meetings about your course; and
- Being an ambassador for your course.
Further information about being a Course Representative is available at:
We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys.
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your course representative or directly with your personal tutor / academic advisor.
If you have a specific complaint about your course, you should initially follow the complaints procedure of your delivery provider.
If this does not resolve the matter, then you should make a formal complaint under the University's Student Complaints Procedure. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available on the Students web pages.
General Information
Post Graduate Certificate Information & Technology
Post Graduate Diploma Information & TechnologyLeeds Beckett University
Level 7
180 credits
Part-time delivery is usually at half the intensity of the FT equivalent course, although there may be flexibility to increase your pace of study to shorten the overall course duration. Some modules may be delivered in a different sequence to that defined within this information set, but the modules offered within each level are consistent.
Registration, tuition, and fees must be paid on time - either in advance or according to an agreed-upon payment schedule. Enrolment will not take place until the first payment has been made. Please read the full Fees Policy found on Orbund (TBC VLE) and TBC student Handbook Part 2-Section G. Page 16
When paying your tuition and fees, the following methods of payment are accepted:
● Bank draft,
● Fund transfer, or
● Direct deposit into the College account at any NIC Asia Bank Branch in Nepal.
Bank name: NIC Asia Bank
Account name: The British College
Account number: 54 18 3022 83524 001
Branch identifier / Swift code: NICENPKA
Bank branch address: Trade Tower, Thapathali, Kathmandu
Policies, Standards & Regulations
The University procedures, regulations and services are mentioned in the course handbook, with directions to full policy documentation on the University website and in other relevant University publications. Along the course handbook, the students should read TBC student handbook for rules and regulations specifically about The British College.
There are no additional or non-standard regulations which relate to your course.
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the UK. The External Examiner(s) provide an annual report for your course. External Examiner reports are available on our External Examiner Reports web page, which is accessible via the Course Information link on the Students home page.
Dr Tomasz Bosakowski
Senior Lecturer in Computer Networks and Security,
Staffordshire University
Appendices
This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. See our Privacy policy.