With information technology at the heart of modern-day business enterprises, this MSc paves the way to an influential career where you can add genuine and lasting value to any organisation. This course will:
- Develop theoretical knowledge and gain practical skills using our dedicated computing laboratories
- Learn how to use IT intelligently to tackle the real-world challenges faced by the industry today
- Build your skills in a wide range of cutting-edge and emerging business technologies, such as cloud computing and data mining
- Draw on the expertise of our research-active teaching team as well as IT experts from industry
- Balance your studies with your other commitments: you can study full-time or part-time, starting in September
- Prepare not only for a high-level career in the field of information technology but also for further research leading to a PhD
An ever-evolving field
The world of information technology is advancing at a remarkable pace, with emerging technologies and developments with smartphones, personal navigation systems and widespread access to broadband Internet. It means there are exciting career opportunities ahead for professionals who can harness IT in new ways to create tangible, business advantage.
Vital to industry
Our far-reaching MSc Information Technology prepares you to tackle work-based challenges using IT practically and intelligently. By the end of this programme, you will be able to analyse, synthesise and evaluate both the human and technology factors that are required to apply IT in the industry successfully.
This course is made up of three stages - Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc
Postgraduate Certificate
For the Postgraduate Certificate, you will study three modules from the list below:
Studying at Masters Level and Research Methods
You will develop your skills to study at masters level to help you plan and execute a research project. This module includes an understanding of research design and methodological enquiry.
Database Development
Database technologies are central to the data revolution happening in industry today. You will gain a critical and in-depth awareness of the theory, concepts, technology, practices and issues involved in the analysis, design, development, deployment and maintenance of database systems.
IT Project Management
Good project management is critical to the successful development of IT products. This module covers the management of IT oriented projects, developing your skills and understanding to address various issues that affect IT.
Object Oriented Analysis, Design and Implementation
Knowing how computer programs are developed is key to understanding the problems that can affect IT projects. You will be presented with the popular object orientation paradigm which will take you through the full development process.
Business Analytics with SAS
You will work with representative, real-world data-sets to enhance your understanding of the issues involved in managing and analysing data. You will also explore the practical aspects of data mining and management data analysis and presentation, using the SAS product set.
Web Technologies
This module will introduce you to a number of tools, techniques, technologies and architectures so that you can make critically informed judgements on the suitability of web solutions for a particular purpose.
Postgraduate Diploma
For the Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to study all six modules listed under the Postgraduate Certificate. The modules you study at each stage will depend on your start date.
MSc
You will need to study all six modules available plus a triple module to qualify, such as:
Independent Scholarship
During this triple module, you will formulate, research and resolve a commercial IT problem, usually working in partnership with industrial collaborators to focus attention on specific and real applications. You will present your findings and solutions in the form of a masters-level dissertation that you can use to demonstrate your ability to apply your learning in an independent and rigorous fashion.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You will learn through lectures, seminars, discussion groups, practical sessions, presentations and blended learning. Using our dedicated computing laboratories, you will develop both theoretical and practical skills in applying information technology.
Assessment includes a range of methods such as analytical essays, reports on lab-based problems, assignments using case studies, multi-task practical portfolios and presentations.
Your teaching team
You'll be taught by passionate academics who have an interest in a wide range of areas within the sector. They include:
- Dr Ovidiu Bagdasar – Ovidiu, an Associate Professor in Mathematics, has research interests in applied/computational mathematics, number theory and optimisation.
- Richard Self – Richard’s area of expertise covers the broad area of governance and the issues raised by Big Data Analytics. His projects have included location services and the accuracy of GPS on smart devices, including most recently the success of Covid-19 contact tracing apps.
The MSc Information Technology offers excellent employment and earnings potential. You could go on to work for large corporate enterprises, become an IT 'solution' consultant, provide in-house IT support or design IT infrastructure.
There is also a growing demand for professionals who can specialise in the strategic use of IT to capitalise on innovative business opportunities, harnessing technologies such as cloud computing.
Alternatively, you could undertake further research leading to a PhD or gain employment in a research and development environment.
(August 2025 - July 2026)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,720 for the full course* | £1,080 per 20 credits |
| International | £16,900 for the full course | N/A |
(August 2026 - July 2027)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,720 for the full course* | £1,080 per 20 credits |
| International | £17,500 for the full course | N/A |
Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
About postgraduate awards
Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
| Award | Credits |
|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 Credits |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 Credits |
| MA or MSc | 180 Credits |
This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.
Funding your studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies
Alumni discount for Derby graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount
If you join in September, the duration of the course will be one year. If you enrol in January, the course duration will be 18 months.
Download programme specification
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
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