Course details

Study options

Full-time: 1 year, Part-time: 2-3 years

UK fee

£9,000 for the full course or £1,000 per 20 credits* (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 for the full course (2024/25)

Course level

Postgraduate

Qualification

MSc

Start dates

September, January

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course description

With information technology at the heart of modern-day business enterprises, this MSc paves the way to an influential career where you can add genuine and lasting value to any organisation. This course will:

An ever-evolving field

The world of information technology is advancing at a remarkable pace, with emerging technologies and developments with smartphones, personal navigation systems and widespread access to broadband Internet. It means there are exciting career opportunities ahead for professionals who can harness IT in new ways to create tangible, business advantage.

Vital to industry

Our far-reaching MSc Information Technology prepares you to tackle work-based challenges using IT practically and intelligently. By the end of this programme, you will be able to analyse, synthesise and evaluate both the human and technology factors that are required to apply IT in the industry successfully. 

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Data Science Research Centre (DSRC)

Our team of computer and data science specialists are using their expertise to explore new ways of processing large sets of data to solve real-life problems.

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Multi-Faith Centre, Kedleston Road

Postgraduate Open Event

Join us at an upcoming Postgraduate Open Event, where you will get the opportunity to meet our expert academics and find out more about your course.

Book your Postgraduate Open EventBook your Postgraduate Open Event

What you will study

This course is made up of three stages - Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc

For the Postgraduate Certificate, you will study three modules from the list below:

Studying at Masters Level and Research Methods

You will develop your skills to study at masters level to help you plan and execute a research project. This module includes an understanding of research design and methodological enquiry.

Database Development

Database technologies are central to the data revolution happening in industry today. You will gain a critical and in-depth awareness of the theory, concepts, technology, practices and issues involved in the analysis, design, development, deployment and maintenance of database systems.

IT Project Management

Good project management is critical to the successful development of IT products. This module covers the management of IT oriented projects, developing your skills and understanding to address various issues that affect IT.

Object Oriented Analysis, Design and Implementation

Knowing how computer programs are developed is key to understanding the problems that can affect IT projects. You will be presented with the popular object orientation paradigm which will take you through the full development process.

Business Analytics with SAS

You will work with representative, real-world data-sets to enhance your understanding of the issues involved in managing and analysing data. You will also explore the practical aspects of data mining and management data analysis and presentation, using the SAS product set.

Web Technologies

This module will introduce you to a number of tools, techniques, technologies and architectures so that you can make critically informed judgements on the suitability of web solutions for a particular purpose.

For the Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to study all six modules listed under the Postgraduate Certificate. The modules you study at each stage will depend on your start date.

You will need to study all six modules available plus a triple module to qualify, such as:

Independent Scholarship

During this triple module, you will formulate, research and resolve a commercial IT problem, usually working in partnership with industrial collaborators to focus attention on specific and real applications. You will present your findings and solutions in the form of a masters-level dissertation that you can use to demonstrate your ability to apply your learning in an independent and rigorous fashion.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

You will learn through lectures, seminars, discussion groups, practical sessions, presentations and blended learning. Using our dedicated computing laboratories, you will develop both theoretical and practical skills in applying information technology.

Assessment includes a range of methods such as analytical essays, reports on lab-based problems, assignments using case studies, multi-task practical portfolios and presentations.

Your teaching team

You'll be taught by passionate academics who have an interest in a wide range of areas within the sector. They include:

Who will teach you

Richard smiling, wearing a blue shirt

Richard Self
Programme leader

Richard is a Senior Lecturer in Governance of Advanced and Emerging Technologies.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

TypeFull-timePart-time
UK

£9,000 for the full course or £1,000 per 20 credits*

£1,000 per 20 credits

International

£14,900 for the full course

N/A

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

AwardCredits
Postgraduate Certificate60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma120 Credits
MA or MSc180 Credits

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

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International student scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.

Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


Careers

The MSc Information Technology offers excellent employment and earnings potential. You could go on to work for large corporate enterprises, become an IT 'solution' consultant, provide in-house IT support or design IT infrastructure.

There is also a growing demand for professionals who can specialise in the strategic use of IT to capitalise on innovative business opportunities, harnessing technologies such as cloud computing.

Alternatively, you could undertake further research leading to a PhD or gain employment in a research and development environment.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

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