Information Technology - MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

The full Masters course is made up of 180 credits divided into three 60 credit stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters. You will work incrementally through the three stages and need to pass all modules at each stage to be able to progress onto the next.

The MSc route is structured so that three quarters of the taught course comprises core modules, while you choose the rest to fit your personal and professional aspirations and career goals. In the first term, there are four core modules, followed by one core module and two optional ones in the second term.

Core modules

• Professionalism And Governance In IT (15 credits) - In this module, we explore current issues in the governance of IT services in organisations. We will look at the key challenges and competing demands facing the industry, and the potentially transformative impact of IT on complex organisations. You will learn how to evaluate and reconcile the sometimes conflicting social, business, legal and ethical pressures of working as an IT professional.
• Project Management (15 credits) - You will learn how to make choices when approaching a project, as well as gaining the tools and techniques to use in planning and monitoring progress. We will cover all these aspects in the context of working towards successful project outcomes, as well as fitting in with project management frameworks and philosophies such as PRINCE2 and Agile.
• Information Security (15 credits) - This module explores the key information security principles, risks, threats and vulnerabilities faced by public or private organisations. You will analyse issues relating to privacy, civil liberties and intellectual property; learn how to propose a compliant information security framework or policy; and also research and communicate current and emerging information security trends.
• Digital Design and Development (15 credits) - You will learn about the fundamentals of digital design and development, including information architecture and user interface fundamentals, prototyping and delivery on web, mobile and emerging platforms. We will cover how to identify and develop creative solutions to design problems; how to respond to critiques on designs and prototypes; and how to write clean, reusable and efficient code.
• Group Software Development Project (30 credits) - Within this module, you will have the opportunity to extend, consolidate and apply the knowledge you have gained in the other modules, while working on a group focused software project involving the analysis of project requirements, project management, prototyping, coding, quality assurance and documentation.

You will then choose two of the following 15 credit optional modules:

• Information and Knowledge Management
• Data Management
• Designing The User Experience
• Cloud Computing
• Linked, Open Data and The Internet of Things
• Machine Learning And Predictive Analytics
• Social Media And Web Science
• Big Data

You can also choose to complete a research-focused Masters Dissertation or a Dissertation by Research and Development that includes the development of a software product (60 credits). You will begin this early in the course, with an introduction to research methods, followed by a closer look at different research approaches and the drafting of research objectives. A dissertation proposal, followed by a progress review, will lead you into the full research and writing/development of your dissertation.

Part-time students

If you are a part-time student, your first year will include modules in Project Management and Digital Design and Development, along with the Group Software Development Project.

In the second year, you will take modules in Professionalism and Governance in IT, and Information Security, followed by your optional modules. You will also most likely start your dissertation during the second year, completing it in your third year.

Please also note this structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

You learn through taught classes supported by independent study, and we provide considerable material online, via UWE Bristol's virtual learning environment, Blackboard.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Full-time or part-time.

Lectures and tutorials take place on two days each week. Those studying part-time normally attend on only one of these days.

Each taught module runs over one semester of 12 weeks and is usually assessed within those 12 weeks or in the examination period that follows.

Full-time students study for 60 credits each term (usually one 30-credit and two 15-credit modules) and you'll complete the taught component of the course in two semesters. The dissertation is usually completed within one year of registering for the course.

For part-time students, there is considerable flexibility in how many modules you take at any one time, as well as the time you take to complete the course. However, we offer a recommended part-time route that means you complete the taught component in four terms over two academic years. This means you attend taught classes on only one day each week. Part-time students study 30 credits in each term of each year.

Assessment is through coursework and exams, and the dissertation.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.