• Postgraduate

Information Systems (Integrated) MSc

Overview

Overview

This two-year full-time MSc Information Systems course aims to give you a full understanding of how information systems (IS) are designed, constructed and integrated within organisations. Your studies will take into account the large, varied and distributed nature of IS today, with multiple devices in different locations being used to access systems. 

This course is designed for students with a higher national diploma (HND) or equivalent in computing who want to gain a Masters degree in this field. It is an integrated course, combining studies for the final year of an Honours degree with those for a Masters degree. As a result, this is a challenging and engaging course to take.

Throughout your studies, you will benefit from our highly supportive culture and extensive industry experience, as well as high-quality computing resources.

Students in front of a computer

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Information Systems (Integrated) with us?

Why study Information Systems (Integrated) with us?

What our students say…

UWL has truly state-of-the-art facilities. I feel like I'm learning something new every day.

Nicolas Gutierrez
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Tile: Mac and PC Labs
Industry focused teaching
Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
There are seven labs and studios in the School
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This MSc Information Systems will build on the knowledge and skills taught on traditional computing courses studied at higher national diploma (HND) level or equivalent. Expanding on this foundation, you will learn about the challenges and solutions for introducing IS into enterprises and organisations.

The success of any IS/IT strategy is largely dependent on specialists who recognise diverse business needs and understand how technology can support an organisation to achieve its goals. Your studies will cover system architecture and supporting technologies as well as the effective management and delivery of content and data. 

The skills and knowledge that you will develop on the course, including those in practical work, report writing and critical academic writing, will prepare you to complete your final dissertation. 

Throughout the course, you will have access to laboratories and dedicated information and communications technology (ICT) suites, as well as specialist networks and software, the University library and digital resources. 

This course will help you gain a full understanding of how information systems are designed, constructed and integrated into an organisation.

Extended Masters option

If you have a HND or equivalent level of study, but do not quite meet the entry criteria for this course, you may qualify for our Extended Masters. You will take two extra modules to prepare you for the course and you must study full time. We also provide English-language support if you need it. Once you complete these two modules, you can progress directly onto the integrated Masters course.

Supporting modules

  • Learning and Professional Development (for international students only).

Compulsory modules

  • Project

    In the final year of your degree course, you will create your own project with a high degree of independence. You will be allocated a supervisor and then given the freedom to create a piece of work, which you feel really represents you as a student. You will be guided and supported, but this is your vision and your chance to show the world what you have achieved while you’ve been at UWL.

  • Managing IS Projects

  • Business Intelligence Technologies

    By taking this module you'll be introduced to machine learning and data mining techniques that are typically used in business applications. You will develop a toolbox of quantitative analytical techniques and skills from which you can build solutions for various business scenarios.

  • Databases and Analytics

    There has been an explosion in data, much of which is not fully structured, but contains valuable information such as search trends, consumer behaviour and other patterns. This module aims to cover some of the developments in the broad range of "Big Data" problems. It will give you a good understanding of data structures, software development procedures and the range of analytical tool used to undertake a wide range of standard and custom analyses to provide data solutions to these issues. 

  • Enterprise Security Management

    The module aims to introduce managerial approaches to information security in modern enterprises. It considers how to manage the use of information assets securely and support the goals and objectives of enterprises through effective information security governance, risk management, and contingency planning.

You must take all compulsory modules and may choose one of the optional modules excluding Learning and Professional Development.


Compulsory modules

  • Consultancy and Technological Innovation

    On this module you will explore the skills needed to understand, and work in, the complex multi-sourced environment that supports business change. Focusing on the strategic management of leading-edge technology, you will examine the organisational structure of IT, including systems integrators and consultancy, and gain an overview of the IT consulting world, its principles and practice.

  • Principles of Project Management

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts, principles and techniques needed for effective project management. The module covers the roles, responsibilities and skills required to work in ever-changing project environments and how these relate to effective project management.

  • Knowledge Management

    In this module you will be exposed to the concepts and fundamental principles of knowledge management. You will explore the methods, techniques and circumstances in which knowledge management principles can be applied. It will provide you with a range of views on the social, behavioural and organisational conditions associated with bioinformatics knowledge and data management. It will also introduce you to a range of tools and techniques to support the curation, management and dissemination of knowledge including knowledge representation, ontologies, data mining and knowledge storage.

  • Digital Transformation and Innovation

    This module aims to provide you with an understanding of digital transformation in a range of organisational contexts.

    It will provide you with an understanding of digital disruption and how tools and frameworks can be applied in the planning and implementation of a digital transformation strategy for an organisation.

  • Big Data Analytics

    Big data is a fast-growing field and skills in the area are some of the most in-demand today. Big data technologies cover a range of architectures, frameworks and algorithms designed to handle very large and often highly complex datasets.

    The module will enable you to understand big data, its applications and associated issues for storing, managing, processing and analysing massive amounts of datasets, as well as become familiar with software tools and frameworks underpinning big data analytics.

    You will also acquire the knowledge of statistical, mathematical and machine-learning techniques, and develop the ability to design and implement big data analytics modelling and applications to real-world problems.

  • Research Methods

  • Project Dissertation

Optional modules

  • Mobile Web Component Development

    During this module you will be introduced to the concepts and techniques required to support component-based development for mobile web. The module will also give you practical experience in modelling component specifications as well as an indication of future developments in this area.

  • Security Operations and Assurance

    This module will introduce you to security operations and assurance of systems, networks, data and user identities, which is an essential aspect of organisation and information systems.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You must have a DipHE, HND or equivalent in a computing subject, or business or engineering degree with a significant level of computing.  

We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment. In this case you will have to complete an interview with your application and some optional modules may not be available without a first degree in computing. 

Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for computing and engineering students are also on offer.

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Jose Abdelnour Nocera is wearing a blue suit and glasses, smiling in front of a white background

Professor Jose Abdelnour-Nocera

I am a Professor at UWL and lead the Sociotechnical Research Group for Innovation and User Experience. I co-chair the sociotechnical specialist group for the British Computer Society, and also chair the UNESCO IFIP TC 13.8 Working Group in Interaction Design for International Development. My interests lie in the sociotechnical and cultural aspects of systems design, development and use.

I am a Professor at UWL and lead the Sociotechnical Research Group for Innovation and User Experience. I co-chair the sociotechnical specialist group for the British Computer Society, and also chair the UNESCO IFIP TC 13.8 Working Group in Interaction Design for International Development. My interests lie in the sociotechnical and cultural aspects of systems design, development and use.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A man on a laptop whilst looking at a bank of servers

There is demand among employers for skilled IS and ICT professionals on both the development and service sides. Our graduates have been successful in finding employment in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Once you graduate, you could go on to work as a: 

  • data manager
  • information officer
  • information service staff
  • content or intelligence gatherer
  • analyst
  • researcher
  • searcher or intermediary – making sure network users have current information
  • librarian
  • advice or assistance worker
  • management information systems staff 
  • multimedia content manager

You could also apply to advance your studies with an MPhil or PhD, either at UWL or another institution.

How to apply

How to apply

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.