Postgraduate Course

Information Technology
MSc

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.
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Course details

Study options

Full-time: 1 Year, Part-time: 3-4 Years †

UK/EU fee

£690 per 20 credits* (2018/19)

International fee

£13,500 for the full programme (2018/19)

UCAS code

MG5AQ

Course level

Postgraduate

Qualification

MSc

Start dates

January, September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course description

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.

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.

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 industry successfully. 

What you will study

  • This course is made up of three stages - Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Science.
  • For the Postgraduate Certificate, you will study three modules. For the Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to study all six modules available. The modules you study at each stage will depend on your start date.

You will study modules such as:

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.

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.

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.

How you will learn

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.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

2018/19 Fees (August 2018 - July 2019)

 Full-timePart-time
UK/EU

£690 per 20 credits*

£690 per 20 credits*

International

£13,500 for the full programme

N/A

*Note – at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the awards below.

Postgraduate Certificate60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma120 Credits
MA or MSc180 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.

Please note that all fees may be subject to annual increase.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out moreFind out more

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

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Scholarships and bursaries

We also offer a number of funding opportunities for all International students, including discounts, scholarships and bursaries.

Find out moreFind out more

How to apply

UK/EU students

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

International students

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Information for international applicants

Applying for a postgraduate degree

Careers

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.

Contact details

EnquiryEmailPhone
Course: Xiaojun Zhai (Programme Leader) E: X.Zhai@derby.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1332 593892
Admissionsaskadmissions@derby.ac.uk+44 (0)1332 591167
Generalmarketing@derby.ac.uk+44 (0)1332 590500

† Additional information about your studies

Full-time: 1 year or 18 months depending on start date

Part-time: 3-4 years depending on start date

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.

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.