Information Technology

Overview

Information Technology is everywhere. Graduates equipped with advanced IT skills enjoy a significant advantage in pursuing their careers, whatever their degree subjects. Our MSc IT programme teaches the knowledge and skills needed to develop substantial software application systems, including web-based applications and information systems. It prepares students for IT positions in industry, commerce, education, health, government, and other sectors.

Structure

Our MSc IT programme extends over 12 months full-time, and consists of a taught stage and a project stage:

During the taught stage, you will take the following courses:

• Programming (20 credits)

• Information Systems & Databases (10 credits)

• Computer Systems & Networks (10 credits)

• Professional Skills & Issues (10 credits)

• Professional Software Development (20 credits)

• General Readings in CS (10 credits)

• Development Project Proposal (10 credits)

• four electives (4 × 10 credits).

Progress and Awards

You must achieve good grades in the taught stage to be permitted to progress to the project stage. If you then achieve a pass grade in your development project, you will be awarded the MSc degree.
If you achieve pass grades in the taught stage, you may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert).

Part-Time Study

UK/EU students may take our MSc IT programme part-time over 24 months. This usually entails attending two days per week, except during semester 1 of the first year when the workload is higher.

Since the project demands the equivalent of three months of full-time work, you will typically spread your project over semesters 2-3 of the second year

Requirements

MSc IT Programme: Entry Qualifications

Entry to our MSc IT programme is competitive, and is exclusively for graduates with good degrees in which computing is not a major subject.
To be admitted to the MSc IT programme, you must have:

• a UK 2nd class honours degree, GPA of 3.0/4, or equivalent, in a cognate subject, or

• a UK upper 2nd class honours degree, GPA of 3.2/4, or equivalent, in a non-cognate subject.

Examples of cognate subjects are engineering, mathematics, and physics. Examples of non-cognate subjects are biology, business, chemistry, humanities, law, and social sciences.

Where applicable, we will take into account the ranking of the institution from which you graduated.

If you do not fulfill these academic requirements, we will consider your application if you have at least 2 years relevant work experience in a computing environment. Such an application will be considered on its individual merits.

English Language Requirements

A good command of the English language is essential for success in any of our Masters programmes.

If your native language is not English, then you must satisfy our English-language requirements in addition to the academic entry requirements stated above. You must have achieved a TOEFL score of 600 (paper) or 237 (computer), or an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no sub-part less than 6.0), not more than two years before your application.