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Information Systems Management MSc

2023-24 (also available for 2024-25, 2025-26)

This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Start date

18 September 2023

8 January 2024

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time (Sept. only)

Places available (subject to change)

30

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Knowledge – You'll learn the advanced level skills to analyse, model, design, evaluate and manage information systems successfully within an organisation. 
  2. Boosted Career Prospects – 88.2% of our graduates from the School of Computing and Engineering were in work or further study 15 months after graduation*. 
  3. Accreditation – This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for the IT Industry. This gives you a potential advantage when looking for a job as some employers may ask for graduates with accredited degrees.

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 19/20 

Information Systems (IS) as a discipline is a combination of Information Technology (IT) systems, business analysis, organisational and management theory, psychology and sociology that have found their home in information systems. This is largely because these diverse areas are now required in increasingly complex organisational environments. Information systems are designed to collect, process, store, and distribute information.

This course has been designed to equip graduates from computing, computing in business and related disciplines, with the advanced level skills to analyse, model, design, evaluate and manage information systems successfully within an organisation.

In the context of this course we assume the term ‘information systems (IS)’ involves computer technology. However, the course places some emphasis on the human and organisational aspects of information systems rather than on the computer systems that may form part of them. The course aims to:

  • to provide you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to develop and accelerate your career in the IS industry or related research environment.
  • to develop further proficiency in the varied aspects of the strategic, tactical and operational management of information systems.
  • to develop the skills and attitudes required to meet the organisational demands for both individual performance and effective team-working in IS/IT projects and environments.

On completion of the course you should possess the necessary skills to be able to manage operational change. This will allow you to compete for management positions that bridge the perceived business/IT gap, such as project management, change management and business systems analysis, design and management.

Course detail

Effective Research and Professional Practice

This module aims to provide you with skills that are key to helping you become a successful computing researcher or practitioner. You'll get the opportunity to study topics including the nature of research, the scientific method, research methods, literature review and referencing. The module aims to cover the structure of research papers and project reports, reviewing research papers, ethical issues (including plagiarism), defining projects, project management, writing project reports and making presentations.

Methods and Modelling

The development of a modern information system should be a disciplined exercise, utilising well-defined principles for good design and construction. This needs to acknowledge both bespoke development and package-integration as complementary parts of a project. This requires an understanding of contemporary architectures, scoping of functionality, methods for elaborating systems analysis into good designs, and control of projects to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables. The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and critical understanding of modern software and information systems (IS) development methods, covering model-centric methods and light (model-averse) methods, and to further develops skills in the principles and practice of good information systems architecture and design, using object-oriented approaches. In addition, you should develop an understanding of the principles and practice of project control, using iterative development approaches.

Information and Knowledge Management

In an increasingly dynamic environment, organisations require flexible and effective information and knowledge management frameworks to identify, model and share critical information and knowledge within the organisation and its environment and also to communicate appropriately with external parties. In this context, the module explores how organisations can better manage their information and knowledge for strategic advantage (intellectual capital). You'll consider issues such as the social, cultural and political aspects of using, providing and accessing information. You will also be exposed to the practicalities of developing appropriate information strategies and information system solutions demanded by today’s interconnected business.

Change and Project Management

This module aims to cover planning for different types of change – discontinuous, radical, incremental or continuous, focusing on both the human and organisational impacts of these changes. As a manager it’s important for you to be able to incorporate management theory and concepts within your working practice. This module aims to help you understand how planning and project management provide opportunities for you to manage change more effectively and efficiently. You’ll have the opportunity to study project management methods, tools and techniques as well as developing an understanding of risk.

Data Mining

Data mining is a collection of tools, methods and statistical techniques for exploring and extracting meaningful information from large data sets. It is a rapidly growing field due to the increasing quantity of data gathered by organisations. There is a potential high value in discovering the patterns contained within such data collections. In this module you will look at different data mining techniques and use appropriate data-mining tools in order to evaluate the quality of the discovered knowledge. You will study approaches to preparing data for exploration, supervised and un-supervised approaches to data mining, exploring unstructured data and the social impact of data mining. You will be expected to develop your knowledge such that you are able to contribute to discussions around current application areas and research topics and to increase your background knowledge and understanding of issues and developments associated with data mining.

Software Development

This module brings together database, object-oriented semantics and web authoring skills using an appropriate set of development tools to enable the student to construct distinct software artefacts. You will be introduced to the programming and design techniques used to produce information systems that meet their required specifications. This will involve the modelling of business activity, the information that supports decision making and instances of significant events and actions. You will acquire skills in programming languages capable of implementing object-oriented and web script software and will also be able to select and apply design techniques to enable an appropriate choice of semantic components and implemented software components to meet the requirements of a given software system.

Databases for Large Data-sets

The data needs of modern enterprises and organisations require a more flexible approach to data management than that offered by traditional relational database management systems. With organizations increasingly looking to Big Data to provide valuable business insights, it has become clear that new approaches are required to handle these new data requirements. Primarily focusing on non-relational data models, this module introduces you to alternative approaches to modelling the data needs of an organization. It also provides you with an opportunity to use non-relational databases and database technologies to build robust and effective organizational information systems.

Semantic Web

How do you combine information from Web sources that are using different terminology? This is the fundamental question underlying the idea of the Semantic Web. The answer is the use of graph-based structures that describe a kind of common vocabulary for a particular domain, and annotation that describes information sources in terms of this vocabulary. Then, information can be queried similar to having a (distributed) database. This module will cover basic languages for describing ontologies, as well as languages and tools for processing and querying them. Working both individually and in teams, you will get a hands-on experience in using semantic web technologies. In addition, you will be introduced to industry practice around concepts of so called Linked Data and Knowledge Graphs.

Individual Project

This module enables you to work independently on a project related to a self-selected problem. A key feature in this final stage of the course is that you will be encouraged to undertake an in-company project with an external Client. Where appropriate, however, the Project may be undertaken with an internal Client - research-active staff - on larger research and knowledge transfer projects. The Project is intended to be integrative, a culmination of knowledge, skills, competencies and experiences acquired in other modules, coupled with further development of these assets. In the case where an external client is involved, both the Client and Student will be required to sign a learning agreement that clearly outlines scope, responsibilities and ownership of the project and its products or other deliverables. The Project will be student-driven, with the clear onus on you to negotiate agreement, and communicate effectively, with all parties involved at each stage of the Project.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in business computing/IS/ICT-related subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
  • Other qualifications and/or experience that demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills at an Honours degree level.
  • Substantial (5+ years) relevant industry experience in a management role.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Why study with us?


Meet Dr George Bargiannis, Subject Area Leader in Computer Science, to learn more about Postgraduate Study at the University of Huddersfield

Enhance your career


Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as service analyst, information systems manager and educational lecturer in both public and private sector companies based in the UK and overseas.**

* Percentage of graduates from the School of Computing and Engineering who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 19/20, UK domiciled graduates)

** Source: LinkedIn

88.2%*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Computing and Engineering, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Support Office: a one stop shop for students studying within the School. The team deal with every aspect of student life from enrolment, module queries, timetabling, exams, assessments, course-related committees and graduation. They are the first place to go with any query, and they can also signpost to other support networks.

Student Guidance Office: provides guidance about how students can develop their academic study skills and learning development. The team provide support with academic skills including research and project planning, referencing and paraphrasing, essay writing, critical thinking, understanding assessments and the presentation of academic work. Common learning development topics include, developing effective study habits, time management, how to manage deadlines, plan, structure and organise work and understanding the University regulations and systems.

Technical Support: technicians support our students across each department. Based in our labs with different specialisms and knowledge they are on hand to advise and guide, students can access our technician’s expertise during lectures and seminars as well as during self-study. A technical Helpdesk is also available to all students within the School of Computing and Engineering to help troubleshoot any computer issues or to borrow hardware and software.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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