M.Sc. in Information Systems Management, NUI Galway

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M.Sc. in Information Systems Management (M.Sc. ISM)

The M.Sc. in Information Systems Management (M.Sc. ISM) is a specialised postgraduate programme offered by the Business Information Systems Group at NUI Galway.

The M.Sc. ISM is available in full-time mode (one year) or alternatively in part-time mode (two years).

On this page, find out:

What is the M.Sc. in Information Systems Management (M.Sc. ISM)?

In the modern economy, the availability of information about an organisation's internal operations as well as its external business environment is an essential resource for effective management, planning, and decision-making. The discipline of Business Information Systems is concerned with the use, management, and development of information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to support business operations such as accounting & finance, sales & marketing, logistics & supply chain management, customer service, quality management, staff training & development, inventory management, strategic planning, and e-commerce.

The M.Sc. ISM is a specialised postgraduate programme which is aimed at:

Applicants with backgrounds in Business Studies / Commerce who wish to top-up their general business knowledge with skills that will enable them to use, manage and develop effective business IT solutions.
or, Applicants with backgrounds in Information Technology / Science / Engineering who wish to top-up their technical skills with business knowledge that will enable them to design and build organisational information systems.
or, Applicants with no previous knowledge of business or IT who wish to learn how to analyse "real-world" problems and develop innovative business IT solutions that enable organisations and individuals work more efficiently and effectively.

The M.Sc. ISM aims to equip you with the range of applied technical and business skills needed for the successful design, implementation and management of information systems within organisations.

In all aspects of business, - such as Accounting, Marketing, Economics, Human Resources, Strategic Planning, or Finance, - it is essential to have access to timely, relevant information in order to solve problems and make good decisions. Of course, these aspects are also essential for non-commercial enterprises, such as government agencies, healthcare organisations, and not-for-profit bodies. On the M.Sc. in Information Systems Management, you will learn how to use technology to create, store, manage and use information to help organisations successfully execute their vital functions.

What will I study?

The core courses on the M.Sc. ISM help you to develop skills in information systems management, e-commerce strategic planning, systems analysis & design, project management, Web development, database design, software usability, applications programming, information systems security, networking and telecommunications technologies, and business information systems. To see a detailed programme syllabus, click here.

What technical skills will I learn?

On the M.Sc. ISM, a variety of sought-after technical skills are covered using leading-edge industry software such as: SQL, Visual Basic, Java, HTML, CSS, XML, PHP, Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, Linux, UML, database design, business process modelling, usability / accessibility principles, software quality techniques.

What business skills will I learn?

A strength of the M.Sc. ISM is that all of the technical skills are taught using examples, practical exercises and projects drawn from the world of business. Our focus is very much on the application of technology to business. You will learn how information systems are used to support the functions of accounting, sales & marketing, supply chain management, and business decision-making.

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants should normally hold a qualification from a university or other internationally recognised academic institution or authority, corresponding to Level 8 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), to a minimum standard of Second Class Honours (or equivalent). It is expected that successful applicants will come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds with prior exposure to information technology and/or business.

Applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification but who hold professional qualifications and/or have relevant practical experience are eligible to apply for the programme in accordance with the University’s guidelines on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Such candidates will be required to provide evidence of their previous knowledge and may be required to attend for interview. Applicants may apply for exemption for some modules, in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines as determined by the School.

All applicants whose first language is not English or who have not been educated through the medium of the English language during their two most recent years of study must present one of the following qualifications in the English language: IELTS score of 6.0, TOEFL (paper based) score of 550, TOEFL (computer based) score of 213, or TOEFL (internet based) score of 80. On a case by case basis, the programme director may deem an applicant’s level of English satisfactory and may thus waive this general requirement.

How do I apply?

All applications must be submitted on-line via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) http://www.pac.ie/nuigalway/

The PAC application codes are:

GYC24 for the full-time mode
GYC25 for the part-time mode

In the PAC system, you need to click on the "Apply Taught" menu option.

If you have a disability that prevents you from using the PAC system, please contact the programme director, Michael Lang.

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis from March onwards and can be submitted at any date while places remain available.

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What are the programme fees?

Because of the strategic imperative to produce business IT graduates for Ireland's "knowledge economy" workforce, the M.Sc. in Information Systems Management is prioritised under the Advanced Technical Skills (ATS) initiative. The programme qualifies for funding under the European Social Fund (ESF) so the programme fee is subsidised for citizens of EU member states.

The programme for citizens of EU member states is €2,000 per annum in the 2009/2010 academic year.

The programme fee for non-EU citizens is about €12,500 per annum.

If you are a non-EU citizen who is resident in Ireland, please contact the Fees Office for clarification of the appropriate fee.

What type of student is suited to the M.Sc. ISM?

Consider these questions:

Do you want to develop applied skills that will enable you to make a good start in the world of work, that will open the door to an interesting and varied career path?
Do you like the buzz of business and realise that you need to develop both your business and your technical skills and knowledge to play an active part in modern business environments, given that technology is at the core of most businesses today?
Do you like working with computers but do not want to limit yourself to a career in the technology industry only?
Do you like trying out new things?
Do you think you have a flair for decision-making?
Do you work well in teams? Would you like to be able to lead teams of technical and non-technical personnel in the future?
Can you see yourself setting up and managing your own company at some stage?
Are you a logical thinker, who will enjoy absorbing the methodological approaches that you will learn on the M.Sc. ISM and then be able to apply these methodologies in many different environments in the years ahead?

If you answer "Yes" to some of these questions, then you should consider the M.Sc. ISM as your next career move.

Will I get a job?

The M.Sc. in Information Systems Management has a long-established reputation of excellence and is well regarded by employers in the marketplace, having been in continuous operation since 1979 (formerly known as the Higher Diploma in Systems Analysis, before upgrade to M.Sc. level in 2009).

Many past students have gone on to pursue very successful careers in a variety of organisations. Recent graduates have taken up employment in companies such as AIB, Bank of Ireland, SAP, Fidelity Investments, Friends First, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Ericsson, Pramerica, Accenture, PayPal, eBay, APC, and Micros Fidelio, as well as various government agencies and indigenous Irish companies.

In recent years, the majority of graduates seeking employment received job offers within three months of completing the programme. Former students are now employed in major multinational companies based in Ireland, UK, Germany, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Information systems are vital in the knowledge economy. The director of ICT Ireland, a national representative body, recently commented that “ At a time when the high-tech sector is increasing in importance and offering more employment opportunities, Ireland still faces a severe shortage of people with the right computer skills ... A degree in a technical discipline offers a wide range of career opportunities, ranging from highly technical roles in design and development, to roles in sales and marketing”. A recent report by IDC, a world-renowned consultancy, highlighted the increasing importance of technology in the global economy - IT employment is set to grow by 4.7% by 2011, a rate of increase which is substantially greater than other sectors.

To see what kinds of careers M.Sc. ISM graduates have pursued, please see the Graduate Testimonials.

Additional information on how the M.Sc. ISM can be a beneficial career move for you are provided on the page: Why choose the M.Sc. ISM?

Frequently asked questions

How long is the programme and what is the workload like?

The full-time mode of the M.Sc. ISM is offered over one academic year, consisting two semesters of 12 weeks, running from September to November and January to March, with examinations in December and April/May. Classes typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is also a major project to be completed over the summer months and submitted in August.

The part-time mode is offered over two academic years, consisting four semesters of 12 weeks, running from September to November and January to March, with examinations in December and April/May. Classes take place on one day per week: typically, Thursday for the first year and Tuesday in the second year. Students on the part-time programme who are in full-time employment will need to arrange 12 days off work in each semester, and up to another 3 days each semester for written examinations. There is also a major project to be completed over the summer months and submitted in August of the second year.

The M.Sc. ISM involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, assignments and projects. A lot of emphasis is placed on individual and group assignments, focusing on developing both applied technology skills and key interpersonal skills required in the modern workplace.

Typically, on the full-time programme, you will have about 12 hours lectures per week and up to 8 hours of practicals. You are likely to spend a considerable amount of time in the computer suites developing your technical skills and completing assignments.

On the part-time programme, you will have about 6 hours lectures per week and up to 4 hours of practicals.

Supplementary course materials are made available via the Web-based Blackboard e-learning system.

Do I need my own laptop?

No, you do not need your own laptop to complete the M.Sc. ISM. The Business Information Systems Group offers excellent computer facilities for postgraduate students, equipped with the latest hardware and software. However, if you do own a laptop, wireless network access is available in the lecture rooms and study halls.

I have little experience with computers, is there any point in starting the M.Sc. ISM?

If you are interested in a successful career in modern business environments, you probably realise that technical competency and understanding is essential in almost all facets of modern businesses. If you like working with computers and, regardless of your current skill level, you are anxious to improve your understanding of technology and your skills through a carefully structured programme, then the M.Sc. ISM is just the vehicle you need to move you to new levels of technical competency and understanding.

Even if you do not ultimately follow a career path that utilises all the skills you will learn on the M.Sc. ISM, you will have the confidence that you understand technology sufficiently to work with technical experts, to interpret information presented to you and to make the correct decisions appropriate to your own role.

Where do M.Sc. ISM classes take place?

The Business Information Systems Group, part of the Cairnes School of Business & Economics, is located in the newly constructed Cairnes Building on the NUI Galway campus, close to the Corrib Village student residences and the Student Sports Centre.

Further Information

For further information, contact the programme director, Michael Lang.

Dr. Michael Lang
Lecturer in Information Systems
Room 365, Cairnes Building
National University of Ireland, Galway

Tel.: 353 (0)91 49 35 15
Email.: Michael.Langnuigalway.ie

Business Information Systems
This page was last updated Tuesday, September 29, 2009