FACT SHEET

Sunderland Degree Q & A

Q	What qualifications do I need to enroll? [top]
A	Higher National Diploma or equivalent in IT. For example IMIS Higher Dip or ABE BIS Advanced Dip.
Q	What are the course modules - what subjects will I study? [top]
A	Double Project Electronic Commerce Strategy and Management Human Computer Interaction Information Systems Project Management Advanced Software Engineering
Q	How is the course marked? [top]
A	Course Structure: 50% Assessment 50% Exams.
Q	What are the start dates of the course? [top]
A	September and February of each year.
Q	How long is the course? [top]
A	1 academic year.
Q	When are the exams held? [top]
A	For September start, final exams are held in May and results published at the end of June For February start, final exams are held in January and results published at the end of February.
Q	Is there a graduation ceremony, and where is it? [top]
A	Yes, there is a graduation ceremony in July or Nov and it is held on campus in Sunderland.
Q	How do I register for exams? [top]
A	Exams are automatically registered when you enrol.
Q	What are the course and exam fees? [top]
A	Fee: £4995 (Exam fees included).
Q	How and when do I pay course fees? [top]
A	Fees must be paid in full or part by the start date of the course you wish to enrol on. In order to reserve place on the course it is wise to register early as places are limited. If part payment is made an initial payment of £2500 is required with the remainder to be paid by the start date of semester 2.
Q	I only scored passes on my IMIS or ABE exams, what is the maximum mark I can attain on the final degree year? [top]
A	Final degree results are based on the final year alone therefore it is possible to achieve a 1st class honours degree even if you only achieved passes on your diplomas.
Q	Who are the teachers? [top]
A	Teaching staff are selected, appointed and trained by Sunderland University. All staff are qualified and experienced professionals.
Q	Who provides the lecture notes, are they the same lecture notes for students on Campus in Sunderland? [top]
A	Lecture Notes are provided by Sunderland University, therefore the course at Alpha Meridian College is in all ways identical to the course on campus in Sunderland. The set of notes prepared by universities for degree courses of this nature are extremely valuable and will serve as a useful reference during your course and your career for many years.
Q	Where do I sit the exams? [top]
A	Final Exams are sat at Alpha Meridian College.
Q	Are the facilities really at the level provided on campus at Sunderland? [top]
A	Facilities are appointed by Sunderland University and include a library with a set minimum number of books per student, Pentium 4 computers, sufficient web space for final projects and video conferencing facilities. Sunderland inspects the facilities to insure they are equivalent to those on campus in Sunderland. The student experience at Alpha Meridian College is identical in all respects regarding tuition and course provision to that at Sunderland.
Q	What are the benefits of taking this course? [top]
A	The aim of the programme is to enhance your career prospects in the Business IT industry. You will be educated in up-to-the-minute industry standard software, tools and techniques using current computer technology. You will also learn the high level skills which are currently in demand by employers both regionally and nationally. All students of this programme are provided with free high speed Internet and e-mail facilities as well as full access during school hours to the computing equipment in the purpose-built Informatics Centre at Alpha Meridian College. On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to remain in the UK for one year on the UK Government International Student Graduate Scheme.
Q	What teaching methods will be employed? [top]
A	Teaching methods include discussion group work, lectures, practical work, and group work, work-based learning, open learning presentations and CAL. Assessment methods include examinations, time-constrained tests, essays, multiple-choice tests, reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, demonstrations and peer assessment.
Q	Will I need to complete a project? [top]
A	For the duration of the year, students are engaged in an individual project of their choice. This will be industrially relevant and have both practical and research components.
Q	What career opportunities exist for graduates of this course? [top]
A	This is a new programme which is designed to equip you with the skills necessary to undertake a career in Applied Business Computing. Graduates from the programme will be able to make an immediate contribution to an organization in a Business IT role perhaps as a Systems Analyst, Business Process Re-engineer or tailoring common business applications to suit the needs of the organization. Upon completion of this programme, further study is may also be possible on one of our wide range of Masters programmes.
Q	Is this course recognised by any professional bodies? [top]
A	Full accreditation from the British Computer Society (BCS) will be sought for this programme.

To apply or for more details contact: Julian Kinsley or Hud Adams Alpha Alpha Meridian College Meridian House Greenwich High Road London SE10 8RT Tel: 0208 853 5697 email degrees@meridiancollege.ac