Course Summary

The MSc Business Information Systems course is designed for those who require a broad overview of business information applications and technical knowledge of applied programming, secure data communications, information management security, financial analysis, data modelling and management, professional project management and business data analysis.

The course covers research methodologies, including ethics, legal aspects and professional applications of business systems development. You will also develop skills in communication, problem solving and teamwork, all of which are invaluable to employers.

There is also a strong focus on the design and development of internet applications. You will have access to our state-of-the-art computer laboratories, which have more than 450 workstations, five servers, dedicated network, Linux and robotics laboratories, as well as an overall ratio of computers to students nearly twice the number recommended by the British Computer Society.

Research is used to underpin all aspects of this Masters course. By 2009 the department had attracted more than £5m of funding from UK and European funding bodies, and the research in the department is going from strength to strength.

Additionally, our Masters courses demonstrate a strong appreciation of industrial and real-life needs. The department has won a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) placements with local companies and, in 2006, we launched the Academic into Business Computing centre (ABC) to provide computing students with work experience in a professional environment.

Why choose this course?

On successful completion of the MSc Business Information Systems, you will be equipped with a solid understanding of the various methods and techniques used in the development of systems for the business environment.

You will gain practical skills that are much sought after in the business world, which will alllow you to pursue a career in areas such as financial data analysis, design and development, security and programming and database access across the web.

Many of our graduates leave to become specialist consultants, systems analysts, application developers or managers.

During this course you will:

• Study an interdisciplinary course that is at the interface of information technology and business
• Learn in a friendly environment with state-of-the-art facilities
• Gain valuable experience through our Academic into Business Computing centre
• Benefit from exciting opportunities for professionals or employees wishing to pursue Continuing Professional Development (CPD) via our individual taught modular scheme (Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate)

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Applied programming
• Computer security
• Information management and security
• Financial analysis
• Data modelling and management
• Professional project management
• Business data analysis
• Data compliance and governance

MSBIS

Assessment

The exact assessment strategy adopted for each unit will vary, however the overall philosophy of the assessment strategy is to ensure that you are able to make use of the knowledge that you have gained throughout its application to practical situations.

Therefore we make use of a wide variety of assessment methods including written examinations, practical coursework assignments, problem worksheets, presentations and viva voce (voice) examinations.

In addition you will be exposed to a number of different formative (non credit bearing) activities. The idea of this approach is to provide you with feedback that is meaningful, and that will allow you to address development areas, as well as understand where your strengths are.

The main assessments will be summative (credit bearing) but the feedback you receive from the formative assessments is designed to ensure you achieve your true potential.

You must have passed 105 credits before undertaking the MSc project.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Communicate your knowledge and demonstrate a critical understanding of Business Information Systems (e.g. Information Systems, Information Strategy, Business Analysis etc.) using a variety of communication media (e.g., formal written reports, essays and PowerPoint presentations with supporting oral communication).

2. Undertake a substantial piece of original research within a specialist area of Business Information Systems (e.g. Information Systems Development) and to critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate your results and present them in the form of a written dissertation.

3. Use an appropriate form of advanced problem solving along with creativity and innovation in order to develop an appropriate solution to a variety of complex problems within the area of Business Information Systems (e.g. Development and critical analysis of an information systems strategy).

4. Demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and critical understanding, including the ability to synthesise, criticise, develop, integrate and intellectually challenge material that you have met in the taught component of your course.

5. Critically evaluate, apply and develop appropriate tools and techniques by utilising appropriate methodologies within the area of Business Information Systems to investigate, critically analyse and design specialist systems that address complex problems within the area of Business Information Systems.

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6. Question and challenge current thinking and consider possible future developments in the field (i.e. Emerging Technologies) within a variety of diverse and complex scenarios.

7. Apply and challenge the standards and practices of professional bodies (e.g., The British Computer Society) with respect to complex problems related to Business Information Systems.

8. Demonstrate a critical understanding of business aspects relating to marketing, financial analysis and business data analysis and use this to develop a critical view of the field of Business Information Systems.

External Benchmarking

Council of Professors and Heads of Computing and British Computer Society postgraduate benchmark statement (April 2008)

http://www.cphc.ac.uk/publications.php

Educational Aims

The board educational aims of this course are:

• To provide you with a critical understanding of the role information systems play within the business environment


• To develop you analytical and evaluative skills so as to allow you to critique and justify potential solutions to business oriented problems through information system utilisation


• To develop and enhance your problem solving abilities so that you can propose solutions given incomplete information


• To expose you to the state of the art and emerging information system solutions

Student support

You will have access to both departmental and University wide support during your studies. From a departmental perspective, you will have access to a personal tutor and you may book informal appointments at any point during the year. You will be obliged to liaise with your personal tutor at least twice a year.

From a University standpoint, you will have access to the Student Union, Student Services and the Counselling Service.

For learning related support, you will have access the Disability Advice Service as well as being able to undertake various courses within the Learning Resources Centre.

Students may be required, at the discretion of the Course Leader, to undergo diagnostic testing for academic English language abilities, and may further be required, at the Course Leaders discretion, to participate in academic English support workshops or classes laid on by the University.

Team working

Various units incorporate group / team work into their assessment strategy. You will be required to work effectively as part of a group (especially as part of the Professional Project Management unit). Such skills are an important part of any graduate / postgraduate and as such we will aim to provide you with opportunities to develop your teamwork skills.

Career Management Skills

Throughout the course we develop your ability to reflect on your performance, and to develop teamwork, written and oral communication.

Career/Further study opportunities

On completing this course students are likely to progress into the following areas:

Career:

• Business Analyst


• Systems Analyst


• Project Management


• IT consultant


• IT / Business Lecturer

Further study:

• MSc by research

Entry

Standard:

A good UK honours degree or equivalent in a computing or business related subject.

Additional:

Applicants who do not possess a first degree may be granted entry onto the course on the basis of their previous industrial work experience. Such work experience should be for 5 or more years.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

Throughout your course you will be exposed to a wide variety of different learning methods. The main theoretical underpinning of the course will be delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops. However, to ensure that you are able to make use of the knowledge that you have gained we will use practical sessions and problem solving activities so that you can apply your knowledge to a range of practical and real world problems.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

There do not appear to by any educational barriers to students with disabilities.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Be given access to a variety of tasks that will develop your oral and written communication skills. Throughout the course you will be asked to perform a variety of written (essay, formal report) and oral (presentations) tasks. Formative feedback as well as summative feedback will be used throughout.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn to enhance your understanding and skills with respect to standard desktop applications (MS Excel and Word) as well as developing new skills with respect to specialist software related to the course. During the induction at the beginning of your course you will also be given a tutorial by the Learning Resourcing Centre. This tutorial will show you how to use the electronic databases available in order to find relevant electronic material (e.g. conference and journal papers).

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Develop your ability to work independently as well as enhancing your reflective skills. You will be set tasks that require you to undertake background research, and at times to evaluate what you have undertaken.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Undertake a significant piece of work (usually the MSc dissertation) which requires you to use your (analytical) problem solving and creative skills in order to develop a solution, and to be able to critically evaluate the work that you have performed.

Improving learning and performance

You will, at various points be provided with feedback. This feedback is an important part of the learning process and will allow you to find out strengths, as well as areas for development. Such feedback will allow you to see where you need to focus and will allow you to improve your performance.

Progress files

You will be required to keep an e-portfolio that shows your development (both academic and personal) that can be used to show employers how your studies have allowed you to develop your personal and professional skills, as well as the knowledge that you have gained.

Professional standards

You will be expected to develop not only your academic skills, but also your soft skills (teamwork, oral and written communication, inter personal skills etc.). As such we expect you to adhere to the British Computer Society's Code of Conduct and Code of Practice which details what is expected (from a professional perspective) of an IT professional.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Throughout the course we will embed aspects of professionalism (ethics, professional conduct etc.) into the different units. The two most telling examples are the Professional Project Management unit (CIS011-6) and the MSc dissertation. These two units provide an excellent opportunity for you to develop your professional skills by engaging in professional tasks (e.g. managing your own projects, and working as part of a team).