Course description
Introduction
This is a modular degree that can give credit exemption for prior education, training and work experience at an appropriate level in relevant areas. It allows you to build up your qualification by credit accumulation with interim exit points of postgraduate certificate and diploma on the way to an MSc. It offers maximum choice, requiring successful studies from a range of advanced modules in the strategic management of information systems in all their current complexity - examining the challenges of managing large-scale information systems over multiple channels of communication and commerce and dealing with the complexity of organisational change and IS projects - all grounded in real-world projects, culminating in live project experience in a multidisciplinary team within an organisational setting.
Course Structure
The course is modular and each module is taught in block mode intensively over one week, with pre-reading preparation/assessment occurring before and after the block week. You will need to complete all modules to progress onto the project. You may opt to accept a postgraduate diploma after successfully completing the required taught modules. We begin with an intensive induction period involving mini projects, teamworking and postgraduate level academic and research skills. We then step you through various modules relevant to successful careers as information systems managers - from strategic planning and analysis of information systems, issues of information and knowledge management, the modelling and management of complex information systems (learning how to understand and reconcile system, user and business requirements), methods for handling large-scale IT projects and change, finally to conducting effective research practice at master's level and beyond. The final in-company project will focus on an information systems related problem.
Teaching and Assessment
Assessment methods vary for taught modules. We use a mixture of coursework and other testing methods. The project requires the submission of a dissertation and a presentation/demonstration.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this course have typically found employment and promotion in the IT industry as: IS consultants, change practitioners, systems analysts, database specialists and IS team leaders/project managers across a diverse range of industry sectors, large and small (eg financial, IS consulting, manufacturing, (online) retailing, service management - eg business process outsourcing).
Other Information
Professional Body Accreditation
This new course is seeking accreditation to meet the requirements for exemption from Part 1 of the examinations of the British Computer Society as with all our main computing and information systems courses. Associate Student Scheme
It is possible to study single modules as an associate student without seeking a qualification.
Full-time Study
You will normally undertake all modules over three terms, followed by a summer project normally undertaken within a company over a period not exceeding three months. Attendance at the University is required only for the block weeks (similar to attending a short course). Tutor/student contact, plus reading materials, are supported and provided before, during and after block weeks via the University’s extensive e-learning environment (accessible to students from anywhere via the Internet)
