BlogUniversityWhat It’s Like Studying a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS

What It’s Like Studying a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS

UTS Information Systems - Fact Sheet

Is studying a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS a degree you are interested in? 

If the answer is yes, then this is an article you have to read! We’ll be running you through everything you need to know before applying for this degree. 

Let’s begin!  

What is a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS?
Core Units and Majors
How to Get into a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?

What is a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS?

A Bachelor of Information Systems is a degree at UTS that began in 2020, which focuses on the study of complex systems through the use and design of IT-enabled services, data and information. While part of the Engineering and Information Technology Faculty, this degree is business-oriented and develops students’ communicative and collaborative skills when dealing with organisations and their projects. 

Who should study this degree?

This degree is well suited to students who enjoy the technical side of things while still having a business-minded edge. It is a degree that centres on solving problems as a team and having professional communication with different stakeholders of an organisation. 

Can this degree be studied in conjunction with another? Is there an Honours program?

A Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS can be studied on its own. However, UTS provides the option of taking on a double degree with a Bachelor of Business.

After completing the three years of full-time study, students with a minimum weighted average mark of 65 are offered the option of studying an additional one-year Honours in the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. 

What are the career paths available after studying a Bachelor of Information Systems?

UTS Information Systems provides its students with a versatile skillset that is currently in demand within a wide range of industry sectors. These sectors include business, government, non-government organisations, health and even humanitarian aid! 

At the end of this degree, it goes without saying that the career options are almost endless. A few common career options are:

    • Business Analyst
    • Business Process Modeller
    • Smart Infrastructure Professional
    • Supply Chain Modeller
    • Digital Transformation Analyst 
    • Information Systems Analyst/Designer

Core Units and Majors

A Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS is a mix of core subjects, studio subjects, major courses and electives. 

UTS Information Systems - Student Quote

What are the Core units?

There are 10 core units that all UTS Information Systems students must complete:

Here’s a little preview of some of the core units you’ll be taking on with this degree!

Introduction to Information Systems focuses on the importance of technology and the study of systems in today’s digitised business environment. The subject also introduces you to the necessary problem-solving and design skills to help with business management. There is a strong focus on group collaboration. 

In Communication for IT Professionals, students will work on a team-based project set by the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and create a design solution for the given problem. 

Enterprise Process Management extends your knowledge beyond business management. It develops your practical skills in modelling and designing processes for different types of enterprises such as health, education and humanitarian aid. 

Majors/Specialisations

You may choose one of two specialisations in a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS. The specialisations are the Systems Analytics stream choice and the Information Systems stream choice.

The System Analytics stream choice develops upon the statistical side of Information systems. Here, the student will use data analytics and software techniques to study different systems ranging from the mining industry to social media. 

On the other hand, the Information Systems stream choice focuses on the strategical side of the degree. The student, depending on what subjects they will choose, will learn to leverage the analysed data patterns to form better business management and processes. 

Are there any built-in internships?

There are currently no built-in internships within the course. However, the course provides 36 credit points of Information Systems Studio subjects. These subjects allow you to take your theoretical knowledge and apply it to real-world projects that are often supervised by industry professionals. 

 

How to Get into Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS

Commonly, the eligibility into this course is through reaching the ATAR cut-off. The ATAR cut-off for a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS is 81.70. 

Alternate Pathways

If your ATAR does not meet the cut-off, there are some alternative pathways for you. You should first check the Year 12 Adjustment Factors scheme to see if you have been awarded extra points towards your ATAR. Points are awarded based on your performance on HSC subjects that are relevant to your course. 

If your ATAR falls short of the cut-off by up to three points, completing the Year 12 Engineering and IT Questionnaire may assist with your application. Here, you will be asked to demonstrate your motivation for studying the degree.

Another option you may consider is applying for a course with a lower entry requirement and after one year of study, transferring to a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS via UAC. This will take into account your GPA and may demonstrate an improvement in your academic merit. 

Assumed Knowledge

Before you begin studying for a Bachelor of Information Systems at the University of Technology Sydney, it’s good to know that there is assumed knowledge for the course. These include HSC Mathematics Advanced and any two units of English.

What scholarships are available?

Be proactive and take a chance on the scholarships! You may be eligible for certain scholarships if you have been accepted into a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS. These are mostly based on your academic merit in the HSC as well as your personal background. 

For people with demonstrated financial disadvantage, look into the Vice-Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship and the Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Achievement Scholarship. For people who identify as female, look into the FEIT Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship. 

What’s the Teaching Format?

UTS Information Systems is taught through lectures, tutorials and laboratories. Fortunately, studying at UTS means you don’t have to worry about trimesters, since the academic year is structured by semesters!

UTS Information Systems - Class Structure

Lectures

The majority of the subjects have a weekly lecture that is around 60 to 90 minutes long. The lectures are more general and explain the content assessed in the subject and there can be up to 200 people attending — they are usually recorded!

Tutorials

The tutorials are also around 60 to 90 minutes long and typically have about 20 people attending. Tutorial sessions are usually structured around building your teamwork skills and problem-solving skills by applying the lecture content to different scenarios and problems. 

Laboratories

The laboratories are also around 60 to 90 minutes. These sessions are more personal to ensure that everyone gets the chance to participate in class and engage with the tutor. There are usually around 15 to 20 people in these classes, and sometimes even less! 

How much time do you spend on campus?

When studying full-time, you can have around 12 contact hours per week. If you plan your timetable early, you can potentially structure your classes so that you only have 2 days of classes. However, your classes may stretch to 5 days per week. 

Outside of classes, you may expect to spend around 6-8 hours (or more!) per week to revise content, write notes and complete any assessments. 

What are the assessments like?

UTS has a strong focus on practical knowledge and group projects. In a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS, the main assessments are group reports and group projects, which are weighted around 40-50%. 

Group projects are especially common in the Information Systems Studio subjects where at the final year of your degree, you will finish a Capstone project. The Capstone develops all your Information Systems knowledge and skills and will relate to your chosen specialisation.

Throughout the semester, all subjects will include individual assignments that are focused on self-reflection such as quizzes, exams and individual reports. 

What are the skills you refine and learn?

UTS Information Systems - Skills

At the core of the degree, you will develop your technical skills in Information Systems design, implementation and methods of evaluation through information, data and IT-enabled services. 

You will learn how to design appropriate solutions and models for not only business problems but societal and global problems. This is tied in with your technical knowledge, including how to analyse and diagnose complex systems.

The aim of studying Information Systems is to help better the structure of systems built for people and organisations. So, collaborative and communicative skills are essential both in university teamwork but also with workplace projects, where there is professional and hierarchical communication. From the start of the degree, students will learn how to actively and respectfully participate in their projects. 

All UTS Information Systems students are taught how to be socially responsible. This includes the ability to understand the environmental, social and personal impact of Information Systems outside the context of organisations.

What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?

The Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS is a part of the Engineering and Information Technology Faculty. This is a large and very dedicated faculty that definitely has a friendly sense of community! 

There are several societies that you may join while studying a Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS. 

UTS TechSoc

This is the largest student-run society at UTS that aims to inspire IT students to explore new technological advances, build industry connections and have fun while studying their degrees! Their events range from camps, career series, and offer projects partnered with large companies (These help to build your resumé!). 

Women in Engineering and IT

For students identifying as female, this society will allow you to meet other female students in the Engineering and IT faculty as a space for empowerment, friendship and career networking. 

Support Programs

If you ever feel behind in your degree, there may be relevant U:PASS (Peer Assisted Study Success) sessions that may help you resolve any doubts and bump up your marks. Here, you will have the chance to talk to and be taught by U:PASS leaders, who are trained senior students who have performed well in the subject.

Interested in what the pros and cons of this degree are? Check out our article here!


Lynn Chen is a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.

 

45,861 students have a head start...

Get exclusive study content & advice from our team of experts delivered weekly to your inbox!

AOS Website Asset 2

Want to study IT?

Discover how we can help you!

AOS Website Asset 1