The Internet of Things (IoT) is going to completely revolutionise how we live and work. IoT devices and systems can help us with our daily lives, for example, alerting us when individual items from the fridge need replenishing, switching the oven on automatically when it is meal time, or unlocking the front door via facial recognition. IoT will have a major impact in the workplace, especially in manufacturing, where digital technologies will improve the efficiency of logistic supply chains by tracking parts, helping to optimise production by collecting data on the operation of the shop-floor machinery, and even prevent costly unexpected machine failures by predicting when machines are going to fail, so that maintenance can be scheduled when it will not impact production. In this course we aim to help you to explore a range of topics that will enable you to work in the IoT area including:

• Programming
• Computer Hardware
• Software Engineering
• Mathematics
• Computer security
• IoT systems

Your tutors will encourage you to tackle challenging problems, and particularly those at the forefront of research, to ensure you are in the best position to make a real impact in the IoT sector. You’ll be supported in developing the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to recognise challenges that occur in IoT systems, and to provide solutions. These can range from software solutions, implementing the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) or big data analytics, to the development of low-power embedded systems.

In Years 1 and 2 you will follow the core computing programme to give you a broad understanding of the underlying principles, with the project activities giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of IoT systems. Our course also gives you the chance to apply your skills in the real-world with an optional one-year placement, and in your final year you will take a specialist IoT module and your final year project will be in the IoT area.

Placements

This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

Our Placement Unit will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

The Placement Unit team are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previous students have spent their placement year at companies including Microsoft, Siemens, Hermes, Airbus and Cummins as well as smaller companies from the local economy and further afield. You can find more information on placements here.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. Find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year.

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as software engineer, server and storage analyst, senior developer, research software development engineer, systems security engineer and business analyst in organisations including BBC, West Yorkshire Police, Hermes, Microsoft, BT and Amazon UK.**

Additionally, you may gain skills that are transferable to other industries and may be able to pursue any career that requires a good honours degree. You could go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate study (including postgraduate teacher training) and research which may interest you.

* Percentage of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates).