Information Systems MSc
MSc Information Systems
Overview
Information technology has never been more central to industry and commerce. If you're looking to develop your existing IT experience and qualifications, this MSc Information systems degree course will bolster your skill in preparation for roles of greater seniority or specialism.
On this course you'll learn everything you need to know about the management of information systems and related software and equipment in a business context, including computer programming, systems analysis and software development.
Once you graduate, you'll have all the tools you need for a career as an information systems specialist, whether in an IT company, the IT department of a larger organisation or in local government.
You can start this course in October/September or February/Janaury (full time only in February/January).
Accreditation
This course is currently going through the process of re-accreditation with the British Computer Society (The Chartered Institute for IT) after the 2020 assessment visit was delayed due to Covid-19.
Entry requirements
MSc Information Systems Master's degree entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- A 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject, including Computer Sciences, Business or Social Sciences, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Qualifications or experience
- An upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject, including Computer Sciences, Business or Social Sciences, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
What you'll experience
On this course, you'll:
- Apply what you learn to real-life practical problems, in collaboration with local and global organisations
- Study the key themes in the field, like Information Systems Management and Development, Interaction in Computer Systems and Web Development
- Design and develop your own software, hardware, or network system as part of your final project
- Access over 250 servers in our £1 million network laboratory, featuring the latest computer networks and communication systems
- Use our excellent resources, including multi-platform network suites, pervasive computing lab for high-performance computing, usability lab with eye-tracking equipment, and forensics lab
- Be supported by qualified and enthusiastic staff, who are experts in the field and experienced in research
- Make use of our Tutor Centre and Maths Cafe to iron out any tricky computing, maths or stats problems
- Have 24/7 access to the extensive facilities in our university library, including books, ejournals and newspapers
Careers and opportunities
You can pursue a career in the computing industry, or use computing as an additional skill to support a career in a different sector. You might choose to further your research studies with a PhD, and eventually become a university lecturer or researcher.
What jobs can you do with an Information Systems degree?
Career opportunities include:
- Computer programmer
- Systems analyst
- Software developer
- Web developer
- Researcher
We'll provide you with as much support as possible in finding employment through close industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.
The decision for pursuing a postgraduate is to improve my career prospects by allowing myself to develop opportunities to try different career paths. My undergraduate degree was purely technical and I’m opening to new ideas, which can enhance the knowledge I have attained.
What you'll study on this MSc Information Systems degree course
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
Modules
- Computer Management and Networking
- Database Management
- Managing Information Systems
- Masters Engineering Project or Masters Study Project
- Systems Analysis for Business
- User Experience Design
- Web Product Development and Management
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional module may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Work experience and career planning
We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your information systems skills to work.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- tutorials
- lab sessions
How you'll spend your time
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks:
- September/October to December/January – teaching block 1
- January/February to May – teaching block 2
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- written assignments
- presentations
- group and individual lab-based assessments
- final dissertation
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2022 start)
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full-time – £7,950 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £2,650 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time – £7,950 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £2,650 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full-time – £17,600 (subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £5,870 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
There may be travel costs for optional internships/placements. These will vary depending on the nature of internship/placement and can range from £50 - £1000.
Apply
January 2022
- Full-time study January 2022 (16 months)
September 2022
- Full-time study September 2022 (1 year)
- Part-time study September 2022 (3 years)
January 2023
- Full-time study January 2022 (16 months)
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us (above) or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Computing
