MSc Information Technology

Course code: MG5AQ

Start date: If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in: September 2012 January 2013 If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in: September 2012 January 2013

Course length: Full time: one year Part time: three years

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

Information technology is at the heart of modern day business enterprises. Emerging technologies and developments with smartphones, personal navigation systems and widespread access to broadband internet, are making demands for IT professionals who can recognise opportunities to utilise IT in new ways to create business advantage.

The MSc Information Technology prepares you to tackle work-based challenges and use IT practically and intelligently. Our modern facilities create a great environment to learn and experiment, and you will be guided by our expert staff to find solutions to existing and emerging issues in the industry.

We use our links with local, national and multi-national organisations to shape the programme of learning to suit what they will demand from you as an employee. You will also be encouraged to tailor the programme to fit you - there may be a specific expertise that you want to develop.

You will encounter a wide range of topics including:

• advanced databases
• web application design and modelling
• IT project management
• enterprise security management
• ethical, moral and social issues
• information technology governance and compliance
• advanced network routing
• mobile and wireless networking 
• advanced concepts in secure systems.

Towards the end of the programme you will develop a substantive project to demonstrate your advanced professional status. You will be supported with a personal supervisor, who will help you manage your project to successful completion. This project may be work-based if you are a part time student, or you may choose to exploit this opportunity to enhance and develop your career prospects.

You will need:

• An honours degree (at least 2.2) or equivalent qualifications / experience in a computing discipline
• If English is not your first language you will need to demonstrate proficiency in English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Part time: £695 per module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £10,200 (in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you'll learn

You'll learn through lectures, seminars, discussion groups, practical sessions, presentations and blended learning.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed by a range of methods, such as analytical essays, reports on lab based problems, assignments using case studies, multi-task practical portfolios and presentations.

You will have excellent employment and earnings potential as prospects include working for large corporate enterprises, working as an IT 'solution' consultant, providing in-house IT support and designing IT infrastructure. There is also a growing demand for specialists in the strategic use of IT to deliver innovative business opportunities, using technologies such as cloud computing.

Alternatively, you could undertake further research leading to a PhD or gain employment in a research and development environment.

"Derby has lots of links with business and the local and national computing industry, which is great because of the lectures and talks these companies come in and give to us."

Daniel Storey

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