Business Systems Analysis and Design MSc
Overview
This full time or part time MSc course is accredited by the British Computer Society for partial fulfillment of the academic requirement for Chartered IT Professional.
Scholarships and Bursaries
- UK/EU applicants - up to £2,000
- International (Non-EU) applicants - up to £2,000
- Loyalty Bursary Scheme for City University London graduates - up to £2,500
Find out more about these funding opportunities.
The course aims to develop:
- skills in business awareness, design and consultancy to facilitate the alignment of IT systems and services to business objectives;
- the specialist understanding of theoretical principles in business systems analysis and design;
- technical skills, through practical laboratory work, to enable you to apply your knowledge of IT and how it affects business competitiveness.
Computing and Information Systems Brochure
Download our course brochure with fees and funding information.
Overview
This MSc course for postgraduate is designed to produce hybrid IT/business professionals who understand the role IT systems play in supporting organisations and management and can ensure that IT systems can fulfil their intended role.
On graduation, you will have specialist knowledge ranging from business systems requirements analysis and design, software systems engineering, and data modelling, to IT strategy, project management and business engineering with ERP solutions.
Practical work is emphasised throughout, to develop understanding and skills, which are strengthened by the interactive teamwork approach.
The full time and part time course has an excellent track record in producing highly employable graduates in roles such as systems analysis and IT consultancy. The course is also excellent preparation for doctoral (PhD) study.
Why study Business Systems Analysis and Design at City University London?
- The MSc in Business Systems Analysis and Design has an excellent pedigree. From its inception over 25 years ago, it has evolved as the field has matured, benefiting from City's leading position as the university for business and the professions.
- A major strength lies in the hybrid nature of the course which reflects the requirements of the IT industry, together with the teamwork approach which reflects the work environment and facilitates learning.
- Our staff are recognised experts in their fields, undertake consultancy, write patents and publish regularly in leading international journals. This ensures our teaching is leading-edge. Major areas of research include software engineering, human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence.
- Our location helps foster strong links with major players in a fast-changing industry. The course reflects this, covering what is happening now and moving to what future trends are likely to be.
- One example of such collaboration is our SAP R/3 teaching and research laboratory which runs SAP's market-leading R/3 software package to support the teaching of software systems engineering. The laboratory is the first in a UK university dedicated to teaching software engineering with enterprise resource planning (ERP) packages.All modules in this course are supported by the University's online learning environment (Moodle). You will be able to access lecture materials and engage in discussions with student colleagues, teaching staff and the course team.
What our students say
Maria Krotsiani - MSc Business Systems Analysis and Design
I studied on the MSc Business Systems Analysis and Design at City, which was excellent. I chose this university based on its reputation, quality and the high percentage of the graduate students' employment.
During my studies I had the opportunity to meet lots of people from different countries and backgrounds and learned how to communicate and collaborate with each other through group coursework. Furthermore, my professors and tutors gave me a thorough understanding of the modules of the course and properly prepared me to deal with difficult and demanding situations or challenges faced in real life.
Whilst at City University London I had access to many resources, such as advisors or the career centre, which supported me and helped me for my future plans.
After graduating from City, I was offered the opportunity to continue my studies for a PhD degree at City University London, in the Department of Computing. My research area is about the Security Risk and Trust in Cloud Computing, and it is half funded from City and half funded from the Assert4SOA project of the European Union. It is an honour for me to continue collaborating with the same people as well as meeting new ones, while working at the same university.
Postgraduate Open Evenings
Come and talk to course directors at one of our postgraduate open evenings.
This Business Systems Analysis and Design course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). Graduates from the course are exempt from the BCS Certificate, Diploma and Diploma Project.
Entry Requirements:
More...
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000 (2013/14 fees)
- Part-time EU: £4,500 (per year) (2013/14 fees)
- Full-time Non EU: £13,500 (2013/14 fees)
- Part-time Non EU: £6,750 (per year) (2013/14 fees)
Start Date:
23/09/2013
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement is a good second class Honours degree from a UK university, a recognised equivalent from an accredited international institution or an equivalent professional qualification. Previous academic and commercial experience will be considered. Applicants should have good professional English.
Other Suitable Qualifications
INTO Postgraduate preparation Programmes
If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Science and Engineering at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.
English Requirements
For those students whose first language is not English, one of the following qualifications is also required:
- IELTS: 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in all four test components)
- TOEFL (internetbased): 90
INTO English Language Programmes
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Please click the links below for more information.
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
Course Content
Practical work is emphasised throughout to develop understanding and skills which are strengthened by the interactive teamwork approach. The course has an excellent track record in producing employable hybrid IT/business professionals.
The Course Develops:
- Skills in business awareness, design and consultancy to facilitate the alignment of IT systems and services to business objectives
- The specialist understanding of theoretical principles in business systems analysis and design
- Technical skills, through practical laboratory work, to enable students to apply their knowledge of IT and how it affects business competitiveness MSc Business Systems Analysis and Design
The course will equip you with specialist knowledge ranging from business systems requirements analysis and design, software systems engineering, data modelling to IT strategy, project management and business engineering with ERP solutions.
Course Structure
7 Core Module(s):
Business Engineering with ERP Solutions
- Explain the fundamental principles of ERP technology and second generation ERP systems, and evaluate their business and technical benefits in context
- Analyse the critical success factors for ERP system implementation in context
- Use Accelerated SAP (ASAP) methodology in solving complex problems
- Perform complex business process modelling using the EPC notation
Databases
click here to find out more
Information Systems Planning and Strategy
- Critically evaluate information systems strategies
- Apply common management issues to information systems
- Apply theoretical frameworks to analyse the strategic impact of information systems
- Evaluate the use of information systems in knowledge management and business re-engineering or transformation
Interaction Design
click here to find out more
Practical Business Systems Consultancy
- Explain key concepts and methods relating to human behaviour, in particular in workplace contexts
- Analyse, design and evaluate business systems using modelling and development software
- Analyse and synthesise solutions to business-related problems using advanced modelling methods
Project Management
- Demonstrate understanding of the key issues relating to IT project management, including estimating, scheduling, resourcing, monitoring and controlling progress, quality control and risk management
- Discuss the wider context of change management and the organizational framework
Research, Methods and Professional Issues
click here to find out more
Choose from 2 electives in term 1 from the following:
Requirements Engineering
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the range of problems which arise in requirement engineering
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art practices and leading academic research that are aimed at addressing the range of problems which arise in requirements engineering
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the differences between alternative requirements modelling techniques
- Apply start-of-the-art requirements methods and techniques to acquire, model and analyse requirements for complex systems
Systems Specification
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the changing nature of software intensive systems and the range of new methods, tools and techniques available to develop these systems
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the challenges of requirements elicitation
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the fundamentals of software quality assurance techniques
- Apply the principles and concepts involved in object-oriented analysis and design and build object-oriented analysis and design models using the constructs of the Unified Modelling Language (UML)
Teaching and Assessment
The course is assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination, plus a project dissertation. Students successfully completing eight taught modules and the research project will be awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree. All modules in this course are supported by the University's online learning environment.
The course is available full time (12 months) and part time (up to 28 months; - two evenings a week).
The Department is aware that this involves considerable commitment from part-time students, and endeavours to be flexible in resolving problems arising from combining work and study.
Students successfully completing eight modules and the dissertation will be awarded 180 credits and a masters level qualification. Alternatively, students who do not complete the dissertation but have successfully completed eight modules will be awarded 120 credits and a postgraduate diploma. Successful completion of four modules (60 credits) will lead to the award of a postgraduate certificate.
Overall, the strategy is to encourage a diversity of approaches by lecturers to provide a diversity of experiences for students in traditional lectures, live classroom demonstrations, tutorials, laboratories, and TV studios. Students are encouraged to engage with the material in a very active way. As a postgraduate, you take responsibility for your own learning and use will use non-timetabled hours for your own private study or group interactions.
Modules are assessed by a number of different components, which may comprise of coursework, laboratory work, presentation and examination.
| FULL-TIME study timetable: 2012/13 |
PART-TIME (evening) study timetable: 2012/13 |
||
| Semester 1 | Year 1 Semester 1 | ||
| Systems Specification* | Tuesday morning | Practical Business Systems Consultancy | Tuesday 18.00-20.50 |
| Interaction Design | Wednesday morning | Systems Specification | Thursday 18.00-20.50 |
Practical Business Systems Consultancy |
Wednesday afternoon |
Year 1 Semester 2 | |
| Requirements Engineering* | Friday mornng | Information Systems Planning and Strategy | Tuesday 18.00-20.50 |
| Research Methods and Professional Issues | Friday afternoon | Databases | Thursday 18.00-20.50 |
| Semester 2 | Year 2 Semester 1 | ||
| Project Management | Monday afternoon | Research Methods and Professional Issues | Tuesday 18.00-20.50 |
| Databases | Tuesday morning | Interaction Design | Thursday 18.00-20.50 |
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||
| Information Systems Planning and Strategy Business Engineering with ERP solutions Advance databases technologies |
Tuesday afternoon Wednesday Thursday morning |
Business Engineering with ERP Solutions Project Management |
Tuesday 18.00-20.50 Thursday 18.00-20.50 |
* option modules: students elect to take either Requirements Engineering or Systems Specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000 (2013/14 fees)
- Part-time EU: £4,500 (per year) (2013/14 fees)
- Full-time Non EU: £13,500 (2013/14 fees)
- Part-time Non EU: £6,750 (per year) (2013/14 fees)
* PLEASE NOTE- Applicants who already hold a HE qualification and are applying for another HE course at an Equal or Lower Level Qualification (ELQ)
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Scholarships and Bursaries
- UK/EU applicants - up to £2,000
- International (Non-EU) applicants - up to £2,000
- Loyalty Bursary Scheme for City University London graduates - up to £2,500
Find out more about these funding opportunities.
School of Informatics postgraduate fees and funding information:
- Fees and funding information for UK and EU students
- Fees and funding information for international students
If a student leaves the University after commencing but before completing their course, the University reserves the right to charge the student the tuition / course fee for the full academic year (or full course for capacity limited post-graduate courses - up to a maximum of 2 years fees) in question. The student may be charged the full fee for that year or course as applicable unless the student is able to present justification to the University that exceptional and unforeseeable reasons for their withdrawal exist.
How to pay
The University has introduced an instalment payment scheme which is available to certain categories of students, including taught postgraduate students. For students following the normal academic year, the annual fee may be paid in two equal instalments: the first on registering, the second on 31 January. If you wish to pay your fees by instalment you must pay the first instalment at or before registration, by cheque or credit/debit card. You must also supply your bank details or credit card details for payment of your second instalment which will be deducted automatically from your bank or credit card account on 31st January.
Further details about the payment of fees
Please Note - Applicants who already hold a HE qualification and are applying for another HE course at an Equal or Lower Level Qualification (ELQ).
UK/EU students who already hold a Higher Education qualification and are applying to start another Higher Education course at an equivalent or lower level (ELQ) should note that they will have to pay higher fees for their course from 2009/10 onwards. The exact fee will vary by course. You are advised to contact your admissions officer to discuss the fees.
The new rules and regulations have been introduced by the Government and not City University London. The Government instructed the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to withdraw institutional funding for ELQ students (both Home and EU) - those studying for an equivalent or lower level qualification. This means that UK Universities will no longer receive any government funding to support Home/EU ELQ students. The additional fee for students has been introduced by City University London to help recover some (but not all) of the withdrawn funding. If you already hold an MA qualification, this means that you are classed as an ELQ student.
Scholarships
We provide a comprehensive list of other funding sources, such as Career Development Loans, Research Council Studentships, Access to Learning Funds, and Charities and Trusts. here. There are no mandatory awards (direct government grants to students) for postgraduate study. Applicants should consider carefully the cost of fees and maintenance at an early stage in the application process.
Please contact our Programmes Office for more information.
Placements
Internships offer an exceptional opportunity to make you stand out in a competitive job market place. We have extensive experience in helping students to secure placement employment in the IT industry.
More information on Internships in Industry.
Career Prospects
Business Systems Analysis and Design is suitable for applicants from any academic discipline, as the IT industry is not simply interested in technical skills, as it is primarily project-based and people-centred. There is a very significant demand for graduates with the hybrid skills needed in business systems analysis and design, which is not simply about technical skills, as it is largely project-based and people-centred. The Department has an excellent track record in producing highly employable graduates for all these sectors. However, as the computing industry evolves, employers are becoming much more selective about the particular skills required from graduates, and the institutions from which they have obtained their qualifications. With European competitors taking a master's degree as a basic graduate qualification, the standard UK bachelor's degree is no longer adequate. Mobility, professional equivalence and long-term job security in an open European job market demands a master's degree.Recent graduates are employed in consultancy companies, software houses, major software users such as banks, the public services, telecommunications, multinational manufacturers, and large retailers. The programme helps students build a strong network with their peers, and cohorts keep in touch through informal events such as dinners, as well as maintaining the network as part of their career development.
Alumni jobs
| Job title | Company name |
|---|---|
| Analyst | Royal Bank of Scotland |
| Analyst Programmer | Bank of England |
| Applications Design Manager | Unilever Plc |
| Assistant IS Manager | McDonald's Restaurants Ltd |
| Assistant IT Manager | United Overseas Land Limited |
| Assistant Managing Director Assistant | Minerva pharmaceutical s.a. |
| Associate | Goldman Sachs International |
| Associate | Goldman Sachs International |
| Associate Director Risk Management | Bear Stearns |
| Associate Editor | The Times |
| Business Analyst | Bacs |
| Business Analyst | BBC ( British Broadcasting Corporation ) |
| Business Analyst | Hertsmere Borough Council |
| Business Analyst | Credit Suisse |
| Business Analyst | American Management Systems |
| Business Analyst | Le Group Ltd |
| Business Architect | Hiscox |
| Business Consultant | Fujitsu Services |
| Business Consultant | IBM Japan Ltd |
| Business Consultants | Fujitsu Services |
| Business Improvement Consultant | West Sussex County Council |
| Business Improvement Manager | Down District Council |
| Business Practices Finance | Accenture |
| Business Systems Analyst | Citibank Na (Singapore) |
| Business Systems Integration Mng | Vodafone |
| Busniess Analyst | British Airways |
| CEO | Jmc Polytrade |
| Chairman | Micrologic Ltd |
| Chief Hydrogeologist | Federal Ministry Of Water |
| Chief Information Officer | Hcf |
| Chief Service Engineer | Call A Computer Doctor Ltd |
| Company Secretary | Cass And Claredale M.ra Ltd |
| Computer Systems Engineer | Kbc Financial Products |
| Consultant | IBWE |
| Consultant Analyst Programmer | Tamtech Consultancy |
| Consulting Business Unit Manager | Sap Uk Ltd |
| Database Manager | Girl Guiding Uk |
| Deployment Management | Credit Suisse |
| Deputy Director/Head Computer Services Division | West African Exams Council |
| Derivatives Project Manager | Goldman Sachs |
| Development Group Leader | Reuters Software (Thailand) Ltd |
| Digital Account Director | Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising |
| Director | Aces Corporate Solutions |
| Director | Molten |
| Director | Deltavision Consulting |
| Director | Sandridge Systems |
| Director | Paradise Systems Limited |
| Director | Jms Management Development |
| Director | Arrogance Accessories |
| Director | Infothink Ltd. |
| Director Information Technology | UBS (Cayman Islands) |
| Director Product Marketing | Fair Isaac |
| Director, VP Information Security | Citigroup (USA) |
| Engineer | Fujitsu |
| ESR Project Manager | NHS - Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT |
| Executive Director | Directors Guild of Great Britain |
| Executive Director | Goldman Sachs International |
| General Manager | Odeon Cinemas Ltd |
| Head of Business Analysis Department | Bank Of Cyprus |
| Head of Information Systems | Cairo University |
| Head of IS project management | Masergy Communications |
| Head of IT | Eurohypo Japan Corporation |
| Head of IT and Information | Tower Hamlets Council |
| Head of Property Management Accounts | Cushman & Wakefield |
| Information Risk Manager | JP Morgan |
| Integrated Managed Business Process Delivery - Tra | IBM |
| IT Business Development Manager | London Borough Of Harrow |
| IT Consultant | Unisys |
| IT Consultant | Accenture |
| IT Consultant | Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein |
| IT Consultant | Schlumberger Network Solutions |
| IT Consultant | Level Systems Epe |
| IT Consultant | Abeam Consulting |
| IT Consultant | Edp3 Systems Ltd. |
| IT Consultant | Siebel Systems Uk Ltd |
| IT Contractor | WestLB |
| IT Director | Killick & Co |
| IT Director | Dove Infosys Ltd. |
| IT Manager | New World Colour Printing Co. Ltd. |
| IT Manager | Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein |
| IT Risk Management Consultant | Stephenson Consulting |
| IT Sales & Consultancy | Axia Computer Systems Ltd |
| IT Staff | European Parliament |
| IT Support Analyst | Efg Private Bank |
| IT Systems admin | National Bank Of Greece |
| IT Systems Leader Europe | GE Commercial Finance - Real Estate |
| IT Systems Manager | Bestway Group Ltd |
| Lecturer | Lagos Business School |
| Management Consultant | PriceWaterhouseCoopers |
| Management Consultant | Lloydmasters Consulting |
| Management Consultant | Pa Consulting Group |
| Manager | Information Services Department |
| Manager (Operational Risk) | PriceWaterhouseCoopers |
| Manager IT Business Analysis Dept | Bank Of Cyprus |
| Manager, Billing and Escalations | Mobile Telecommunications Network |
| Manager, Technology and Information Services-Hou | Texas Woman's University |
| Managing Director | Orange Circle Australia Pty Ltd |
| Managing Director | Target Consulting |
| Managing Director | Technomart Engineering & Projects Consultants Ltd |
| Managing Director | Halconics Limited |
| Managing Director | Ariston Accomodation |
| Managing Director | Lighthouse Analyst Relations |
| Managment Consultant | Atkins Plc |
| National Programme Manager | Public-Private Partnership For Urban Environment (Nepal) |
| Network Support Administrator | Brooklands College |
| New Media Systems Analyst | Bskyb Ltd |
| O-CRM Developement Manager | Hutchison 3g |
| Operations Support Analyst | Siemens IT Solutions & Services Limited |
| Outreach Project Manager | University For Industry |
| Owner- General Manager | Themiskoklis |
| Partner | Elhanan Business Solutions |
| Post Doctoral Research Fellow | Brunel University |
| Practice Manager | Woodspring Psychological Services |
| Practice Manager | Ascot Dental Clinic |
| Premier Support Manager, EMEA | Bmc Software |
| President and CEO | CETC-China Networks Security Company Limited |
| Principal | FX Architects |
| Principal at Deputy Secretary | Nacit |
| Principal Consultant | Blackbaud |
| Principle Consultant | Misys International Systems |
| Program Officer / Training Manager | Datamatics Computers |
| Programmer/ Analyst | Modial Assistance |
| Project Accountant | UBS |
| Project Analyst | Morgan Stanley (US) |
| Project Manager | The Bank Of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd |
| Project Manager | Cmg Plc |
| Project Manager | Region of Peel - Municipal Government |
| Quality Management Officer | Laiki Group |
| Recruitment Training and Development Head | Popular Bank |
| Research Assistant | City University London |
| Risk Analyst | Deutsche Bank |
| SAP ABAP Consultant | IBM International Business Machines |
| SAP IT Consultant | Sidenor Sa |
| Senior Analyst/Programmer | HSBC Investment Bank |
| Senior Business Analyst/Project Manager | Pitney Bowes Finance Plc |
| Senior Computer Engineer | Victory Electronics Ltd |
| Senior Consultant | Ikonami Digital Consulting |
| Senior Information Assistant | King's College London |
| Senior IT Analyst | City University London |
| Senior IT Auditor | PROBANK SA |
| Senior Manager - MIS & Management Accounting | DCDM Chartered Accountants |
| Senior Managing Consultant, Financial Markets | IBM |
| Senior Project Manager | Systems Group International |
| Senior Scientist / Data Manager | Armauer Hansen Research Institute |
| Senior Systems Analyst | Fidelity Investments |
| Service Development Specilist | Glaxo Wellcome |
| Software Engineer | Intracom Sa |
| Special Project Director | Certcenter.com |
| Support Manager | Global ERP Provider |
| Support Services Manager | Medway Council |
| System Administrator | Cooperative Central Bank Ltd |
| System Analyst | Accenture |
| System Analyst | Nanyang Polytechnic |
| System Analyst | Aut Ltd |
| Systems Analyst | Hmv Uk Ltd |
| Systems Developer/ Analyst | Nomura Bank International |
| Systems Engineer/Consultant | Netscout Systems (uk) Limited |
| Teaching Assistant | Institute Of Vocational Education Hong Kong |
| Technical Architect | Mm 02-uk |
| Technical Project Manager | Retail Decisions Europe Ltd |
| Technical Project Manager | Vizzavi |
| Trading Systems Manager | Merrill Lynch |
| Trainee Accountant | Wyeth Pharmaceuticals |
| TV Technician | ITN |
| Vice President | Credit Suisse |
| Vice President of Operations | Everse Corp |
| Vice-President | Citibank |
Find out more about City University London
MSc in Business Systems Analysis and Design
We invite all suitable applicants living within a 200-mile radius of London to an open and/or interview session; these are held monthly between March and July. Overseas and more distant applicants are sent a questionnaire, which may be supplemented by a telephone interview or email discussion. Such students are welcome to visit the Department if they are in or near London at some stage.
Please read through the application guidance notes before you apply.
You should submit your application by one of the following two methods:
1. Completing the online form; or
2. Completing a hard copy of the application form and sending this to the address below.
Please ensure you include your supporting documentation with your application. If you are applying online you should note that confidential references are only acceptable as originals sent in signed and sealed envelopes by post to the address below. References attached as supporting documentation to an online application cannot be considered.
International students: it is important you submit your application to us in sufficient time for you to arrange your visa before the start of the course.
Online applications
Apply online for an MSc (full-time, part-time)
You will be able to attach electronic copies of your supporting documents. However, you will be required to submit your confidential references in hard copy (in signed and sealed envelopes) to the address below, together with any supporting documents you do not attach when applying online.
Postal applications
You can download and print off the paper application form here.
Alternatively, to receive an application pack in the post please contact the Programmes Office:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7040 0248
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7040 0233
Email: pgenquire@soi.city.ac.uk
(The application pack includes the application form, application guidance notes and the School's postgraduate prospectus)
Please send your completed paper application form, together with supporting documents, to:
Programmes Office
School of Informatics
City University London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
