MSc Information Technology

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Full time according to Funding Council definitions, Sandwich (Thick) out of college., Part-Time

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This course is now full for January 2020 entry. The next intake will be September 2020.

Whether you have some experience but no formal qualification in Information Technology, or have a first degree in a subject other than Information Technology, this distinctive programme allows graduates without IT qualifications the chance to enter the business computing profession.

As a graduate from this course you'll understand IT from a business perspective, be able to create a systems view of business system development, as well as being able to implement systems.

For many organisations their software infrastructure actually forms a core part of their business function so it is vital that those developing software systems understand how the business process and strategy shape the development of IT applications.

The Information Technology programme exposes graduates to all of these aspects of modern business systems. Instead of focussing on traditional software development, greater emphasis is given to the development of business systems such as web systems and database systems.

The placement option on this degree is an excellent opportunity for you to gain first-hand industry experience. Companies that have taken our Computing students include IBM, Barclays Bank, Lockheed Martin, Sun Microsystems, United Advertising, Hewlett-Packard and British Aerospace.

Interested in studying this course part-time? Enquire now.

Key information

Next start date:

September 2020, January 2021, September 2021

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

September: 12 months full-time, 24 months with a 12 month placement or 2 years part-time. January: 18 months full-time, 30 months with a 12 month placement or 2 years part-time

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent.

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS 6.0 (Academic) or above. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

Course details

Core units

Database Management: The unit aims to explore modern data management applications and technologies. In particular, the unit aims to develop an understanding of data modelling and the design, implementation of data management solutions, evaluate current trends in data management and give introduction to data analytics techniques.
IT Management: Information technology (IT) is important to the activities, processes and components of all organisations. Effective managers must understand their current technologies and its effect on markets, products and services. You'll explore issues and options linked with managing information systems (IS) and IT today.
Human Centered Design: Computer-based interactive systems refers to as a spectrum of digital products, services and solutions interact with human users in business, social and global contexts. The primary success factor in implementing such systems is to involve the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. You will learn how to design and develop such systems by applying human centred design principles and techniques and carrying out relevant activities in the planning and management to satisfy both business needs and its user requirements. It will also help you develop an understanding of interaction design process and best practices through the exposure to usability, user experience and other related fields.
Research Methods and Professional Issues: This unit will provide an overview of different research methods used to address clinical research questions. It will cover aspects of research design and how they apply to the question being asked whether the approach is quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods.
Individual Masters Project: You will develop an understanding of the characteristics and implications inherent in the solution of a complex, real-world problem within the context of a substantial, independently-conducted piece of work.

Option units (choose two)

Cloud Computing: Cloud computing provides a secure infrastructure for systems integration, data processing and manipulation as well as storage. The concept of virtualisation including servers, storage and networks, as well as the cloud structure, services and deployment models will be discussed. Locally-based networks, IT resources/services and their migration to the cloud are elaborated and strategies for migration to the cloud will be explored.
Blockchain & Digital Futures: The objective of this unit is to develop your skills and knowledge about the Blockchain technology and its usage. The material, lectures and seminars includes defining the Blockchain technology, its business aspect, issues, objectives, and challenges, covering Blockchain horizontal and vertical scaling, key basics of cryptography required for understanding the Blockchain technology concepts, different cryptocurrencies, and their issues, challenges, and networks. The unit also covers a few data analysis-based Blockchain technology scenarios and case studies. The aim is to develop related skills and an understanding of critically evaluating the key issues, challenges, and existing solutions.
Cyberpsychology: You will examine the impact of digital technology on individuals and groups and the implications for organisations and society. The unit will also explore the psychological factors relevant to cyber security and online behaviours and identify means of promoting safer user behaviour.
Persuasive Technology & Behaviour Change: This unit will focus on the use and design of Persuasive Technology (PT) denoting technology-assisted solutions for influencing the attitude and behaviour of individuals and groups. You will cover mainstream psychological theories of persuasion, influence, decision making and behaviour change besides their application on a wide range of domains including health, business and e-learning. We will also discuss the risks and ethical consideration of persuasion and essentials for informed decision making. Analysis and design methods for persuasive technology solutions will also be studied. Studied case studies include applications for encouraging the increase in physical activities, digital well-being, anxiety and stress management skills and sleeping quality. We will also discuss the use of PT in a business context such as increasing staff engagement, digital marketing, user retention and energy consumption reduction.
Psychology of Software Development: You will develop your understanding of the psychological aspects involved in the creation and maintenance of modern software systems. Software developers need to manage the social and cognitive load issues emanating from writing software given the heterogeneous nature of modern software technology overlaid with the need to include security considerations in the development, performance, and maintenance architectures.
Accessibility & Assistive Technology: An introduction to the concepts of accessibility and assistive technology, exploring how technology can be used to support people with temporary, situational or lifelong disabilities by helping to overcome challenges to their self-care, educational, vocational and recreational independence. The aim of this unit is to provide you with an introduction to understanding diverse user needs, focusing on challenges caused by temporary, situational or lifelong disabilities. You'll also gather the skills and techniques necessary to conduct foundational, user-orientated research with people who have disabilities to inform the design of assistive technology that can help overcome challenges during specific tasks. You'll be trained in the ability to develop novel prototypes of inclusive assistive technology with an accessibility-first design philosophy combining advances in Human-Computer Interaction, Data, and AI.
Optional Industrial Placement: If you choose to take this opportunity, you will gain experience of working within an appropriate professional environment in line with the BU employability strategy.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Download the programme specification (pdf 255kb)

Placement opportunities

The optional placement provides an excellent opportunity for you to gain first-hand industry experience and apply the learning that you have achieved through the course.

The placement can be paid employment but voluntary work can be just as useful.

Find out more about placements for postgraduate students

International opportunities

Employment prospects are now truly international and BU encourages students to consider an international work placement or volunteering experience during their degree.

One way could be through the EU funded Erasmus mobility programme which supports placements or study exchanges in Europe.

Students can also participate in international placements outside of Europe. There are opportunities to engage with summer schools and volunteering projects. These experiences help students to enhance their global employability skills.

Our placement students have previously worked for

Your application

How and when to apply

There is no application deadline for this course. However, if you will need a visa to come to the UK to study, think carefully about the length of time it will take for your visa application to be processed and make sure your visa will be ready in time for the beginning of your course.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

China: 学士学位 (Bachelor degree) with a minimum of 65% overall
Nigeria: Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in Nigeria
Thailand: Thai Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution.
Vietnam: Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of at least 7.0, or a Master’s degree/Thac si.
Turkey: Bachelor’s Degree (Lisans Diplomasi -four years) to be considered for a postgraduate course at BU.

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in writing, speaking, listening and reading, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level.

Careers

Upon completion of this course, you will possess the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to enter the business computing profession, regardless of whether you currently hold any IT qualifications. As Information Technology forms a core part of the business function for many organisations, you will enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in a variety of industries.

Potential job roles

Further study

Costs and fees

You can find full information about the deposits required and how to pay your fees in our postgraduate fees and funding section, including details of the Postgraduate Loan (subject to fee status).

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per annum. Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.

Find out more about living expenses for postgraduate students

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick/ DVD
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.
Optional fieldwork travel, outdoor wear and footwear (where applicable)
Text books, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
Any expenses relating to placements eg. travel, specialist clothing etc.

Repeat units

Financial help available from BU

Deposits

International (non-EU) students need to pay a non-refundable £2,000 deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Professor Vasilis Katos

Dr Philip Davies – Senior Lecturer (Academic) in Computing

Dr Nan Jiang – Principal Academic in Software Quality & Software Testing

Course changes

Changes in 2019

Date	Changes to this course
05/06/2019	Where the change was made: Course content Change: Changes to core and the addition of option units for students starting in September 2019 onwards Previous text: See previous Programme Specification for details

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
16/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced. Previous text: £790

What our students say

Ryan Delmo

My placement helped to change my goal and career path. It showed my true potential and allowed me to know my limits and strengths. It was a good opportunity for me try out what I had learned at university.

What our graduates think

Kwong Chi Lee

I am working with Thales Hong Kong and the skills I developed at BU have provided me a solid base for my career. I have used the culture I learnt from studying in the UK in the company which really helps a lot!