Network Management and Design – BSc (Honours)

At a glance

Learn how to design and maintain effective computer networks and prepare for roles such as a network manager, required in all major organisations. You combine the study of complex networked systems with practical experience, which you apply while on work placement at a major organisation such as Microsoft.

Key points
• Learn the theory and practical skills needed to design and maintain networks.• Gain a placement with major companies such as Microsoft or TalkTalk.
• Study in excellent computer labs with Cisco routing and switching equipment.
• Apply for an industry bursary in year one.

What is network management and design?
Computer networks are fundamental to how all IT and data systems function. Specialist network managers, designers and support staff are in demand in all areas of business and the public and private sector.

This course

Understand how complex networked systems operate, and develop the practical skills to design, implement and manage these systems. You acquire theoretical and practical experience of designing, managing and optimising networked environments. Your studies prepare you to work in an area where graduates with specialist skills are in demand.

As well as developing your technical knowledge and ability, the course focuses on improving your professionalism, communication, teamwork and employability skills.

Lectures and practical sessions take place at City Campus where we have purpose-built network and computing laboratories. The laboratories are equipped with Cisco routing and switching equipment, virtual machine computing facilities, and other specialist equipment.

Specialist equipment includes• wireless and wired infrastructure hardware
• dedicated network security, design and optimisation software
• licensed enterprise network simulation software
• access to onsite powerful cloud computing servers

These excellent facilities provide you with hands-on access during guided tutorials and are available outside of teaching time.

In year three, you get the chance to apply what you’ve learnt with a one-year work placement in industry, with companies such as • Eli Lilly • HSBC • IBM • Microsoft • Fujitsu • BT • TalkTalk.

This placement is an excellent chance to get real experience in the workplace and gain industry knowledge that significantly increases your employability. Students often secure graduate jobs with their placement employer.

Our close links with our placement employers and other employers, such as Citrix and TalkTalk, mean that bursaries are available to some students in year one.

Key areas of study
Your studies include specialist subjects such as • network fundamentals and routing (CCNA 1 and 2) • network security • LAN and WAN design (CCNA 3 and 4) • network server management and configuration • advanced networking design.

You also study more general computing subjects such as • computer and systems architecture • programming • web applications.

These areas of study offer you a broad range of skills to enhance your employability.