Business Information Technology MSc



This business information technology degree enables its students to further their careers in an information and business strategy setting.

Overview

Making the right decisions about how to use technology has become more and more critical, hence why there are great career opportunities for graduates who have skills in technology management. This course will allow those who are pursuing a different career the chance to discover software architecture, systems administration, interactive systems design, and more.

At the end of the course, you will be able to examine the characteristics of business information systems, how they are designed and how they can be successfully implemented in the working environment.

The course is suitable for individuals with a management background wishing to specialise in information system technology or technology specialists wishing to move on to managerial roles.

Typical entry points to this course are in January and September. Please enquire for more information. 

students surrounding a laptop

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

SepJan

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Course details

This course will teach you about information system management and development in organisations. You will learn how to design and implement information systems solutions, allowing you to gain an overview of the importance of systems to organisations as well as gain the technical and communication skills which the industry values.

The course focusses on how systems work, how the requirements for them are established and how they are designed and developed.

On completion, you will gain transferable skills in project management, time management and communication.

Modules

  • Information Systems Engineering
  • Security, Audit and Compliance
  • Strategic Information Systems Management
  • Management of Software Projects
  • Enterprise Information Systems with SAP
  • Digital Business Environments
  • UX and Service Design
  • Data Wrangling (option)
  • Business Intelligence and Reporting for Enterprises (option)
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    How you’ll be taught

     You will learn with a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, lab time and independent study.
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    Assessments

     Assessments are a mixture of written coursework allowing you to develop your academic and business reporting skills. The more technical modules include demonstration or evaluation your work.
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    Facilities

     This course is taught at our Merchiston Campus near the centre of Edinburgh. You will have access to specialist labs and facilities, including the Sensorium, a newly opened user experience lab.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Business Intelligence and Reporting for Enterprises ( CSI11100 )

The module aims to present a balanced approach to the subject area by addressing both the theory and practice of Business Intelligence and reporting in enterprise systems. The aim of this module is to develop a deep understanding of enterprise information systems and their role in business processes alongside practical skills in business intelligence reporting and dashboard design. It includes:

- Evaluation of the impact that Enterprise Information Systems can have within organisation business processes.
- As an assessment of the impact that they have on the efficiency and effectiveness of organisations and supply chains.
- Fundamentals of business intelligence, such as data warehousing and data mining.
- The role of performance dashboards in performance management and measurement in organisations.
- The sourcing and extraction of data and the analysis and development of intelligence.
- Understanding of current legislation on data privacy and ethical issues relevant to business intelligence in organisations.

The module will use a range of tools to give students an appreciation of the nature of large scale integrated information systems and to practice data analytical techniques.

Further information

Digital Business Environments ( INF11114 )

Digital business models and revenue models.Digital business strategy process models and their use.Online marketplace analysis.The role of ‘Search? and ‘Social? ecosystems in the online environment.Assessment of e-Procurement and digital supply chains.Mobile platforms and location-based services.Design approaches for online channels and touchpoints.Privacy and trust issues.Legal and regulatory frameworks for digital business.

Further information

Knowledge Management ( CSI11104 )

Approaches to knowledge management
Knowledge capital.
Knowledge management infrastructure: technical and social.
Techniques for the creation, capture, classification, exchange, dissemination and use of knowledge for competitive advantage and corporate growth.
Knowledge strategy

Further information

Management of Software Projects ( INF11103 )

Managing project start-up through project requirements evaluation and project planning techniques.
Comparing and contrasting big up front and appropriate design approaches
Comparative analysis of software project management approaches and Bodies of Knowledge (BoK) applied to software development projects
The assessment of project risk management approaches and metrics for project monitoring and control within an agile project management approach.
Analysis of software development process improvement approaches through Agile software standards and maturity models
Evaluation of software development teams and group dynamics as key factors in the successful delivery of projects
Utilisation of a tailored project management methodology such as Scrum or XP to manage the delivery of an assessment instrument

Further information

Masters Dissertation ( SOC11101 )

The work for this module comprises the completion of an individual research project. Each student is assigned a personal Supervisor, and an Internal Examiner who monitors progress and feedback, inputs advice, examines the dissertation and takes the lead at the viva.

There are two preliminary deliverables prior to the submission of the final dissertation:

(1) Project proposal
(2) Initial Report including time plan and dissertation outline

Further information

Security Audit & Compliance ( INF11109 )

The aim of the module is to let you develop a deep understanding of the context that information security operates in, and to give you an opportunity to carry out your own research and the present findings professionally.

Topics covered include:
• The role of laws and regulations: national and international, covering Data Protection, computer misuse and other legal issues.
• The relation between governance models and frameworks including: ISACA’s COBIT and ISO Standards (ISO27000 in particular)
• The role of the professionals, security culture and ethical environments
• Management of risks and controls
• Availability and continuity planning

Further information

Strategic Information Systems Management ( INF11115 )

Evolving role of strategic IS/IT systems; Management of strategic IS/IT systems; Processes for developing effective IS/IT strategies; Alignment of IS/IT strategies with business strategies; Innovating with IS/IT systems; Strategic IS/IT systems for competitive advantage; Tools & techniques for building IS/IT strategic capabilities; Evaluating & justifying IS/IT systems; Managing a portfolio of IS/IT applications. Positioning & managing strategic IS/IT systems.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

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Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Business Information Technology?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above, or equivalent. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme. 

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules *£1,050 *£1,105
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module £620 £650
Overseas and EU-Taught modules £2,780 £3,050
Overseas and EU-Dissertation module £1,860 £2,095
Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*. The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

Our business information technology course will give graduates the opportunity to advance in their sector or find a new profession in the following fields:
  • Software architecture
  • Consultancy
  • Interactive systems design
  • Usability engineering
  • Information engineering
  • IT project management
  • IT consultancy
  • Information systems security and compliance
  • Database design
  • Business analyst
4th year Product Design class working in the studio on computers