Studies & Degrees in Information Technology
Information Technology Study Programs
Information technology (IT) is the study and practice of building, running and securing computer systems: the software, hardware, networks and data that organisations rely on. As a field of study it sits beside computer science. Computer science puts more weight on theory, algorithms and the design of new software, while IT degrees focus on applying existing technology: setting up and administering systems and networks, managing databases, developing web and business applications, and protecting them.
Students normally start with programming, databases, operating systems and computer networks. Later they choose areas such as cybersecurity, cloud services, web development, data analysis or artificial intelligence. Most programmes are practical, with projects, laboratory work and often a work placement.
Qualifications and levels
- Vocational training. In Spain, the vocational family Informática y Comunicaciones includes the intermediate qualification Técnico en Sistemas Microinformáticos y Redes and three higher qualifications: Administración de Sistemas Informáticos en Red, Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Multiplataforma and Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Web. A higher cycle (grado superior) has 2,000 hours, which is two academic years. Holders of a higher qualification can add specialisation courses, for example in cybersecurity or in artificial intelligence and big data.
- Diplomas and associate degrees. In North America, colleges offer two-year programmes. The University of the Fraser Valley in Canada, for example, has a two-year Diploma in Computer Information Systems that prepares students to support single and networked systems.
- Bachelor's degree. In Spain a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits, which is four years. The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) offers its official Grado en Ingeniería Informática fully online, with 240 credits, in Spanish and Catalan. In the United States a bachelor's degree is usually completed in four years of full-time study. In England a degree normally takes three years: the BSc (Hons) Computer Science at Anglia Ruskin University lasts three years, or four with an optional placement year. In Canada, the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems at the University of the Fraser Valley is a four-year degree covering networked systems, programming, cybersecurity and web design.
- Master's degree. Spanish master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Master's programmes specialise in areas such as cybersecurity, data science or software engineering.
- Industry certifications. Vendors and professional bodies run their own certificates in networks, cloud platforms and security. They complement a qualification and are not a degree.
Where to study it
The directory lists 408 schools for information technology. The largest groups are in the United States (98), Spain (44), the United Kingdom (31), France (18), Canada (15), Germany (14) and Australia (11). There are also schools in China, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria and Vietnam.
Programmes are normally taught in the language of the country, and English is common at master's level. In Spain, vocational training and most bachelor's degrees are taught in Spanish or in a co-official language. Online study is well established in this subject, which helps students who work. When comparing schools, check whether the qualification is an official degree in its country, how much of the course is practical, whether it includes a placement in a company, and which specialisms are offered in the final years.
Careers
IT graduates work as software and web developers, systems and network administrators, support specialists, database administrators, security analysts and data analysts, in technology companies and in the IT departments of almost every sector.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in computer and information technology occupations in the United States will grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2025 to 2035, with about 280,000 openings each year. The outlook differs by role. Employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is projected to grow 10 percent, and that of information security analysts 21 percent. Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to decline 4 percent, and that of computer support specialists 3 percent. These figures apply only to the United States.
The level of qualification matters. According to the Bureau, software developers typically need a bachelor's degree, while network support specialists typically need an associate's degree.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between information technology and computer science?
Computer science concentrates on theory, algorithms and the design of software. Information technology concentrates on applying and managing systems, networks, databases and security in organisations. The two share many courses, so compare the study plans.
How long does it take to study information technology?
A Spanish higher vocational cycle has 2,000 hours (two years) and a Spanish bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits (four years). A bachelor's degree usually takes four years in the United States and three in England.
Can I study information technology online?
Yes. The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, for example, teaches its official Grado en Ingeniería Informática fully online in Spanish and Catalan.
Do I need a university degree to work in IT?
It depends on the job. In the United States, software developers typically need a bachelor's degree, while network support specialists typically need an associate's degree. In Spain, vocational training in Informática y Comunicaciones leads directly to technical jobs.