Ijeoma Ofoegbu
When Ijeoma, a Sales Director and mother of three, decided to turn her growing passion for technology into a new career, she discovered that the Advanced Diploma in IT Systems Analysis and Design was the ideal next step towards her goal of becoming a software engineer.
‘I’m Ijeoma Ofoegbu, based in Dartford, Kent. I’m a sales Director in the beauty industry, a wife, and a proud mother of three. I hold a BSc in Accounting and a master’s degree in Corporate Brand Management. Over the years, I’ve built a successful business leading and mentoring women, but alongside this, I developed a growing passion for technology—particularly cybersecurity and software engineering.’
‘My journey into tech started from a place of creativity. I’ve always enjoyed designing using my phone, and I built my business website myself without any prior technical qualifications. What began as curiosity soon became a deeper passion, and I decided to turn that passion into something meaningful. Through my research, I discovered the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in IT Systems Analysis and Design at University of Oxford. The structure, credibility, and practical nature of the course made it stand out, and it aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming a software engineer.’
‘One of the biggest advantages of the course is its online delivery. This flexibility allowed me to create a structured study routine that fit around my responsibilities as a business leader and mother. It helped me stay consistent, disciplined, and organised, ensuring that I met all deadlines while still maintaining balance in other areas of my life.’
‘The teaching approach was excellent, with clear briefings and introductions at the start of each module, which made the learning journey easy to follow and engaging. The course content was both comprehensive and highly practical. It gave me a solid understanding of the full system development life cycle, from planning through to implementation and maintenance. I developed skills in analysing how data flows through systems, using diagrams and models to represent processes clearly, and designing structured relational databases. I also gained valuable knowledge in object-oriented design, UML, and modern system architectures used in today’s software development environments.’
‘The team project was a standout experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to apply everything I had learned to a real-world scenario while working collaboratively with others. It also helped me understand the importance of communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in a professional IT context. Balancing my studies with my personal and professional responsibilities was the most challenging aspect of the course. However, this challenge pushed me to become more disciplined and intentional with my time. It strengthened my resilience, improved my time management skills, and taught me how to stay focused under pressure.’
‘Since completing the course, I have taken a significant step forward by registering my own tech company, IGNO Tech. This milestone represents my transition into the technology space and my commitment to building solutions that make an impact. The course has increased my confidence and transformed the way I think—I now approach problems more analytically, strategically, and with a solution-driven mindset.’
‘Looking ahead, I plan to continue developing my technical expertise and thrive as a successful software engineer. I am also passionate about using my journey to inspire and empower women and young people to explore opportunities in technology, showing them that it’s never too late to start.’
‘My advice to anyone considering this course is to be committed and consistent. The flexibility of the online format is a great advantage, but it requires discipline and self-motivation. Engage fully with the course, embrace the practical elements, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. The experience is incredibly rewarding and can open doors to new opportunities.’