Information Management  MSc

Overview

Scholarships and Bursaries
  • Merit-based scholarships up to £1,500 available
  • Loyalty Bursary Scheme available to City University London Graduates.
Find out more about both of these funding opportunities.
The course aims to develop:
  • understanding of the characteristics of information management, and using information systems, to provide effective services
  • skills in evaluating and selecting appropriate methods and technologies for representing, managing and disseminating information
  • skills in contributing to the management of organisational information using sound principles
  • an appreciation of the necessary legal, ethical and professional values appropriate to the management of information services

Overview

Information systems are a key part of an organisation's IT infrastructure. IT professionals who can manage a business's information resources, and understand the technologies and systems that enable this are key to a modern enterprise's success.

This degree provides a specialist focus on the management of information and utilising information systems in organisations to provide effective information services.

Your understanding of information and its role in organisations will enable you to align the enterprise and its information systems. The course will equip you to develop your career in roles that include the management of business information and related services.

This prepares you for a range of information (system) management roles often found in banks, consultancies, pharmaceutical and other industries, central and local government, the education and health sectors, for example. The course is also excellent preparation for doctoral (PhD) study.

Why study this course at City University London?

  • the course provides an 'info-socio-technical' approach, combining information and systems modules and streams in a social and organizational context
  • the electives have been selected from staff research interests and expertise to provide in-depth cutting edge approaches in selected areas, such as information retrieval, visualization, legal aspects, open source systems, in a top-rated (RAE 5) research department
  • all modules in this course are supported by the University's innovative 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.
  • the flexible course design caters for students with a range of disciplines and experiences, from home and overseas, who themselves contribute to a stimulating learning environment and experience
  • London is a convenient location, with numerous career opportunities. City University London is close to the 'Square Mile', in an area associated with the creative industries, with access to national resources (such as the British Library)

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2012/13 fees)
  • Part-time EU: £4,500 (per year) (2012/13 fees)
  • Full-time Non EU: £13,000 (2012/13 fees)
  • Part-time Non EU: £6,500 (per year) (2012/13 fees)

Start Date:

17/09/2012

How to Apply

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. Applicants should also have basic competence and familiarity with mathematics and 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
  • TOEFL (internet based): 100

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.

English for Postgraduate Study

Pre-sessional English

Visa Requirements

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

This degree provides a specialist focus on the management of information and utilising information systems in organisations to provide effective information services. As this course shares a common first term with the degree in Information Systems and Technology you can decide on your area of focus once you are in a position to make an informed choice. Your understanding of information and its role in organisations will enable you to align the enterprise and its information systems. The course will equip you to develop your career in roles that include the management of business information and related services. This prepares you for a range of information (system) management roles often found in banks, consultancies, pharmaceutical and other industries, central and local government, the education and health sectors. The course is also excellent preparation for doctoral (PhD) study.

Course Structure

5 Core Module(s):

Databases

  • Identify the key issues relating to the management of relational database systems and object-oriented database systems
  • Model the logical structure of database systems using different data models
  • Analyse data and document structures using different models
  • Create and query relational databases using SQL
  • Evaluate the new developments in data and document handling systems and understand their practical applications and implications
Click here for more information


Information and Knowledge Management

  • Describe and evaluate the relationships between information and knowledge, their users and systems with reference to different types of resources and organizations
  • Explain information and knowledge management processes in organisations by reference to life cycle and other models
  • Use appropriate techniques to analyse information needs, use and provision
  • Apply the principles of information management in various organisational contexts by drawing on case studies
  • Discuss the ethical, social and economic context of information and knowledge management
Information Architecture
  • Web analytics
  • Search, metadata and users' information-seeking behaviour
  • Website organization and navigation schemes
  • Key design documents in the IA process
  • Knowledge of content management and e-commerce systems
  • Introduction to system specification
  • Introduction to databases
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
Research, Methods and Professional Issues
  • Research activity in terms of the effectiveness of its approach and implementation
  • Understand and apply a range of research methodologies such as inductive and deductive reasoning, explanation and prediction in the evaluation of published research
  • Recognise and use a range of secondary data sources when performing a research task
  • Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using a range of media
  • Evaluate the legal, ethical and professional dimensions of typical information professions and information industry practices
Choose 3 elective module(s) from the following list:

Business Enginering 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
Data visualization
  • Create graphics and applications that reveal the structure in data sets
  • Apply the seven stages of visualization to analyse and present data graphically
  • Use 'Processing' -- the open source programming language and environment -- to develop interactive graphical applications for visualization
Information Law and Policy
  • Identify the legal principles underlying specific information issues
  • Demonstrate a professional understanding of the use of relevant information law to help provide accurate information
  • Critically evaluate and analyse information policies and their legal expression.
Click here for more information


Information Retrieval

  • Use a range of information retrieval systems and services to resolve information needs
  • Evaluate information retrieval systems and services, by using appropriate methodologies
  • Design and implement information retrieval systems, and make decisions about their deployment
  • Evaluate new developments in information retrieval research, understanding the problems which new ideas in IR are attempting to address.
Open Source Systems
  • Evaluate the usefulness of open source systems to solve real world problems, by drawing upon known case studies
  • Critically analyse the open source software development process, its opportunities and problems in developing IT systems, with a particular focus on the individuals and organisations involved; compare and contrast open and closed source software development, by referring to established opportunites and difficulties in developing IT systems
  • Assess open source systems from the legal, ethical and ideological perspectives
Click here for more information 


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

Teaching and Assessment

The course is assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination, plus a project dissertation. Students successfully completing eight modules and the dissertation will be awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree. All modules in this course are supported by the University's online learning environment. E-learning support allows some flexibility in study.

The course is available full time (12 months) and part time (up to 28 months; daytime 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.

Each module is assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.

FULL-TIME study timetable: 2010/2011 PART-TIME study timetable: 2010/2011
Semester 1 YEAR 1, Semester 1 
Information Architecture Monday morning Information Architecture Monday morning
Information and Knowledge Management Monday afternoon Information and Knowledge Management Monday afternoon
Requirements Engineering Friday morning YEAR 1, Semester 2
Research Methods and Professional Issues Friday afternoon Databases Monday afternoon
    Option module  
Semester 2 YEAR 2, Semester 1
Databases Monday afternoon Requirements Engineering Friday morning
Option module   Research Methods and Professional Issues Friday afternoon
Option module   YEAR 2, Semester 2
Option module   Option module  
    Option module  
Option modules: Choose any three optional modules from the following list:
All option modules are held Semester 2
Information Stream Information Retrieval Monday morning
Information Stream Data Visualization Tuesday morning
Information Stream Information Law and Policy Thursday morning
Systems Stream Business Engineering with ERP Solutions Wednesday morning
Systems Stream Open Source Systems Friday morning
Systems Stream Project Management Thursday afternoon

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2012/13 fees)
  • Part-time EU: £4,500 (per year) (2012/13 fees)
  • Full-time Non EU: £13,000 (2012/13 fees)
  • Part-time Non EU: £6,500 (per year) (2012/13 fees)

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

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 admission tutor 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

Highly qualified applicants may be eligible for an award under the Arts & Humanities Research Council's Professional Preparation Master's Scheme.

The School of Informatics offers a number of scholarships of £2,000 for both home and overseas well-qualified postgraduate applicants on one year full-time master's courses. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to the most promising applicants.

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. 

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

You will acquire both a broad and a deep understanding of the principles and practice of information, systems and technology (the three streams of the programme) in their application to human activity systems. You will take a core module in each stream which will consolidate and deepen your existing knowledge in any of these areas, as well as provide a springboard to the options. Other core modules embrace databases, and professional, research, evaluation and communication skills.

The electives provide in-depth knowledge and skills which focus on the information stream, with some systems electives too, so that students have some flexibility in choosing areas of specialization.

The programme offers part-time students working in information management areas the opportunity to consolidate and expand their knowledge and skills, combining their work and academic experiences in a mutually supportive way.

Full-time students may be seeking a career in this field or to enhance their existing prospects; the core modules and the choice of electives should enable them to tailor the programme to their individual needs.

Information management covers all aspects of working with information to enhance the organisation's effectiveness. In 21st century organizations, large and small, this can be achieved in many ways, from managing the intranet content to strategic information design and architecture. There is considerable scope to apply these principles in a wide range of organisations.


Alumni jobs

Job title Company name
Academic Group Chair Middlesex University
Airline Pilot British Airways
Analyst Programmer Biomni Ltd
Analyst Programmer Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Charitable Trust
Applications Developer Royal Bank Of Scotland
Arts & Education Correspondent Brook Green Magazine
Assistant Supreme Court Librarian Royal Courts of Justice
Brand Manager - Lancia Fiat Group Automobiles Hellas S.A.
Business Manager Health Service Ombudsman
Business System Anaylst Strategic Rail Authority
Business Systems Manager NHS
CEO Orbsoft Inc
CFO The Frayman Group
Clinical Effectiveness Advisor Auckland District Health Board
Computer Officer Itsc Hong Kong Baptist University
Computer Operator Accenture
Consultant Self employed
Consultant Step Ahead Research
Customer Support Manager Sirsi Ltd.
Database Administrator Shropshire Fire And Rescue Service
Database Administrator News International Plc
Database Administrator Manager Greenville Utilities Commission
Database Manager, DEPM Queen Mary University Of London
Departmental Administrator Goldsmiths, university of London
Director Buzz 22
Director Lightnet Ltd
Director and Sales Manager Steelmet Cyprus Ltd
Director of Higher Education Quality Reviews Quality Assurance Authority
Director of operations Director Of Operations
Education Adviser Napier Students' Association
EMIS Project Manager Aga Khan Development Network
Environment & User Support Manager UBS
ERP Solutions Teamleader Vodafone
Head of Administration & IT Peter Bedford Housing Association
Head of Business Development HSBC Investment Bank
Head of Child Protection Learning Resources NSPCC
Head of Engneering Technology Seevic College
Head of Informatics Tameside & Glossop Primary Care Trust
Head of Institutional Planning University College Northampton
ICT Teacher Norwood School
Implementation Manager The Court Service
Information Architect Macmillan Cancer Support
Information Specialist International Energy Agency
Information Systems Manager PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Internet Strategist British Telecommunications Plc
Intranet Administrator Department Of Trade & Industry
IT Contractor Deutsche Bank (Surrey)
IT Finance Consultant Abbey National Treasury Services
IT Infrastructure Manager Sloane Robinson Investment Services Limited
IT Lecturer Epping Forest College
IT Manager E- Systems
IT Manager Police Information Technology Organisation
IT Project Co-ordinator Berwin Leighton Paisner
IT Support Analyst Virgin Atlantic
IT Training Co-Ordinator National Training And Development Institute
Junior business/systems analyst London Ambulance Service
Junior Database Consultant Triton Consulting
Lecturer College Of North West London
Library Systems and IT Manager De Montford University
Management Consultant Tca Consulting
Network Engineer Cap Gemini Ernst And Young
Occupational Safety Officer Hksar Government
Operations Transport For London
Oracle Database Administrator Cable & Wireless
Principal Technical Officer Centre For Health Information Management
Product Manager (Electronics) Medi Media Nz Ltd
Professor of Learning Technology UCLan
Program Manager Australian Customs Service
Programme Manager Bae Systems
Programme Manager-Software Development Cincom Systems
Project Manager Baa Plc
Project Manager Instant Library Ltd
Project Manager Watford And Three Rivers Pct
Project Manager Barclays Capital
Radiographer The NHS (St Mary's Hospital, Portmsouth)
Reference Librarian Teikyo Post University
Research Associate City University London
Research Worker City University London
Science/ ICT Teacher Emirates International Dubai
Section Head Business Advantage South Devon College
Senior Analyst Sepro International
Senior Business Consultant SingularLogic
Senior Consultant Mercator Software Ltd
Senior Information Manager Brent And Harrow Health Authority
Senior Network Technical Specialist BT PLC
Senior Research Fellow INSEAD
Senior Systems Analyst Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)
Senior Technical Analyst Croner Cch
Skills Development Officer - Employment and Traini Look Ahead Housing
Software Developer Informer Sa
Software Developer Vonkin Software
Software Tester Norwich Union
Sr Director of Revenue Management Systems Marriott International
Student University Of Surrey
Support Consultant Beauchamp Financial Technology
Systems Analyst IMO
Systems Support Analyst Southampton Institute
Systems Support Officer, Directorate of IM&T City And Hackney Community Nhs Trust
Technical Account Manager Write Image
Trader Merrill Lynch
Trainee Analyst Ims Maxims Plc
Training and Development Co-Ordinator Hammersmith And Fulham Pct
Tutor University College London
Web Developer Sporting Life Ltd.

This course will enable you to...

be eligible for the SAP professional training:

Extending our long established relationship with SAP, we now offer SAP Certification training*. MSc students are now eligible to register for the SAP TERP10 Certification course at a substantial discount.

Find out more about City University London

MSc in Information Management

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.

Please address the following points in your personal statement:

  • Why you want to study on this course
  • What sort of job you hope to go into following the course (perhaps outline your career objectives over the next five years)
  • What experience you have with a) computer programming and b) using computers
  • Mention if you think there is any overlap between your first degree and this Masters at City
  • What additional skills you expect to gain from this 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)