Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc
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Course Summary
Employers are actively seeking managers who possess the ability to leverage emerging digital advancements. Our postgraduate programme in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation equips students with advanced knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of technology-driven business environments.
Through a blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications, you will delve into topics such as business intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as Blockchain. With a focus on managerial perspectives, you will learn to harness the power of information systems to drive innovation, enhance organisational performance, and gain a competitive edge in today's digital economy. This course will prepare you for leadership roles in technology management, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
Throughout the course, you'll acquire practical skills and conduct research tasks, with support from our experienced tutors. Emphasis is placed on nurturing critical thinking, analysis, reflection, and honing research and academic writing abilities. Modules are structured around contemporary methodologies and techniques in programme and project management.
You'll benefit from interacting with both your peers and a qualified faculty, who bring extensive qualifications to the table. Given that many of our students possess significant work experience, class discussions and collaborative projects offer valuable networking opportunities and avenues for career exploration.
Interested in the course, but don't have a background in business? No problem! We embrace students from diverse undergraduate disciplines, recognising the richness of perspectives they contribute to our classroom environment.
There is an option to choose a Project/Placement year for this course, at an additional cost.
Optional 2-year master's to suit your needs
Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.
In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing your university-acquired knowledge and insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.
Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.
What you'llStudy
The MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation course comprises seven modules: six modules worth 20 credits each, along with a 60-credit Research Dissertation module. Successful attainment of 180 credits is necessary to achieve the MSc qualification.
If you choose a placement or project year, the Research Dissertation module will be replaced by a placement or project module.
Module content:
The delivery of the content will take into account contemporary developments in private, public and not-for-profit sectors and so will be adjusted to reflect these as they arise. However, there is material that may be considered indicative of the core of the content. This includes:
- Innovation as a strategic imperative;
- The organisational culture of innovation;
- Idea generation and refinement techniques;
- Creativity, Innovation, Diffusion and Portfolio Management;
- Process analysis and development techniques;
- The innovative team;
- Managing innovation knowledge;
- Managing Change for Innovation;
- Managing Innovation Projects.
Module aims:
The aims of this module is to help students critically analyse, evaluate and apply concepts and practices of innovation and to be able to develop ideas and plans that are viable in an organisational setting
To achieve this students will critically analyse the notion of innovation, and the different stages of the iterative innovation process as applied to the development of ideas for application within and by existing organisations.
Module content:
- Information Security Management
- This will include core security standards (e.g., ISO27001, ISO27032), policies and governance
etc.
- This will include core security standards (e.g., ISO27001, ISO27032), policies and governance
- Information Risk Management and Business continuity Management
- Audit, Assurance and Review
- Understanding the threats and risks businesses face today. Illustrative part of how this (or what) might be covered include:
- Through problem based learning and possible industry collaboration
- Exploring Social Engineering, the Least Resistance Path, Incident Response, Defence Indepth
etc.
- Government strategy on Cybersecurity
Module aims:
This module will develop the student's understanding of the implications of cybersecurity to today's businesses, how businesses can gain market advantage by leveraging simple and yet robust cybersecurity principles, and government's cybersecurity strategy for businesses in the UK. Being a conversion masters, this will prepare students with useful cyber skills to lead or easily be part of cybersecurity efforts in their organisations. The aims are further broken down as follows:
- To develop the capability for determining, establishing and maintaining appropriate governance of processes and responsibilities, delivery of controls, and cost-effective solutions for information security within a given organisation.
- To understand and be able to manage the risks relating to information, information systems and assets.
- To understand the need for, and be able to design and implement processes for, establishing business continuity.
- To develop the capability for defining and implementing the processes and techniques used in verifying compliance against security policies, standards, legal and regulatory requirements.
- To use real life business scenarios to expose students to cybersecurity needs of today’s businesses.
- To understand government's strategies for tackling cybersecurity issues in business.
Module content:
This L7 module is specially designed for the MSc in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation programme. This postgraduate module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technologies and their applications in enterprise settings. Students will explore the fundamental principles of blockchain, including distributed ledger technology, smart contracts, and consensus mechanisms. Emphasis will be placed on examining the potential benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies of blockchain in various industry sectors.
This module will cover the following:
- Introduction to Blockchain Technology
- Distributed Ledger Technology
- Smart Contracts and Decentralised Applications
- Platforms and Frameworks
- Applications in Supply Chain Management
- Blockchain in Finance and Banking
- Blockchain for Digital Identity and Authentication
- Governance and Legal Considerations
- Integration and Implementation Strategies
- Emerging Trends and Future Directions in Blockchain
Module aims:
- To introduce students to the foundational concepts of blockchain technology.
- To explore the applications of blockchain in enterprise environments.
- To analyse the potential benefits and challenges of implementing blockchain solutions.
- To examine the regulatory and legal considerations related to blockchain adoption.
- To develop skills for evaluating and implementing blockchain solutions in enterprise settings.
- To investigate emerging trends and future directions in blockchain technology.
Module content:
Projects which will involve the application of methods and equipment introduced in taught modules, will be based on subjects agreed, in principle with the module leader and potential supervisors.
Module aims:
To afford students the opportunity to experience the complete life-cycle of a successful and significant research-based project.
To provide real-world experience of meeting the requirements of academic and professional standards, including high-level writing and referencing skills.
To demonstrate to peers and to current and potential employers the student’s ability to carry out original research work in a particular area of research relevant to their programme of study.
Module content:
To include:
- Time management, library skills and literature search
- Evaluation of information sources
- Critical analysis of information
- Ethical issues when undertaking research (including intellectual property and plagiarism)
- Writing for research: styles and rules for presentation (including referencing standards)
- Choosing a research area and evaluating source material
- Hypothesis formation
- Research approaches and methodologies
- Design and application of questionnaires & interviews
- Quantitative and statistical tools for researchers
- Qualitative research
Module aims:
- To clarify the distinctions between undergraduate and postgraduate level work and expectations
- To increase students' experience in order to conduct a professional study and to use sampling procedures and analysing techniques
- To improve students' appreciation of time management and how to conduct a literature search
- To reinforce students' research skills
- To consolidate students' appreciation of professional issues such as copyright and ethics
Module content:
This L7 module is designed for the MSc in Project Management programme. Due consideration has been given to those students that may not have a sufficient Artificial Intelligence (AI) background from their undergraduate study. The course is structured in such a way that all the essential pre-requisites will be covered on an ‘learn-when-you-need’ basis.
The overall module will be roughly divided into the following sub-modules:
Data Analytics for Business
- Data in the Real-World
- Data exploration and data dimensionality reduction
- Analytical Tools
- Ethical and Social Issues: Data Governance, Data Privacy, and Data Quality
Predictive Modelling and Analytics
- Data Analysis and Visualizations
- Linear and Logistic Regression
- Advanced Predictive Models
Business Analytics for Decision Making
- Risk and Uncertainty Analysis
- Optimisation
- Decision Analytics
Real-World Use-Case Capstone Project
- Example: Financial dataset (Open-Source)
- Tasks: TBD
Module aims:
The introduction of this module stems from the realisation that while AI skills are in demand in almost all employment sectors, many businesses and/or project management graduates do not have sufficient skills to leverage AI in real-life applications. This module therefore assumes no prior knowledge of artificial intelligence.
The module will cover:
- Data Analytics
- Complex Event Processing
- Performance Estimation
- Predictive Analytics
- Prescriptive Analytics
- Business Decision Making
Module content:
To include:-
- Project and Programme Initiation
- The Project Manager
- The Business Case, Budgets, People, Responsibilities.
- Project and Programme Organisation
- Project and Programme Planning
- Scheduling PERT/CPM
- Network Diagrams and Gantt Chart
- Project Management Methodologies
- Budgeting and Cost Estimation
- Project and Programme Execution
- Closing a Project/Programme
- Project Management Software
Module aims:
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of programme and project management to enable students to recognise the importance of the discipline in a variety of organisational and functional contexts. Students should develop a critical understanding of the concepts employed in programme and project management at strategic, systems and operational levels, and an appreciation of the knowledge and skills required for successful programme and project management. Theory is constantly grounded in examples and case study exercises. By utilising examples and case studies, both from their own backgrounds and from the literature, the student is guided to an understanding of the benefits, and power, of well-run projects and programmes.
Dr Mohammad Samar Ansari
Programme Leader for MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation
We facilitate the development of learning outcomes and enhance student learning experiences through various teaching methods:
Lectures and workshops serve as the primary channels for delivering academic content, often adapting to suit specific topics with a hybrid approach. These sessions include a blend of student and teacher-led activities such as demonstrations, case studies, discussions, and individual or group exercises in design and implementation.
Guided independent study and literature review are integral components across all modules, emphasising research methods and dissertation preparation while also being integrated into subject-specific coursework.
Coursework assignments, tailored to the subject matter, require students to seek additional information to demonstrate their understanding. Various forms such as portfolios, essays, literature reviews, and technical reports are utilised to foster critical thinking and research skills, with some modules employing coursework as the primary assessment method.
The Research Dissertation, under individual supervision, challenges students to work independently, develop comprehensive knowledge in their chosen subject area, and make original contributions to the field.
Formative assessments, including diagnostic, in-class, and online tests, serve as monitoring tools for student progress without contributing to final module marks. They also provide opportunities for feedback and skill development in oral presentations during tutorials and workshops.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Applicants will normally be expected to have a first degree (2:2 honours minimum).
2:2 honours degree
Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.
We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also take into account appropriate work experience.
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
The location
Modern learning resources and library
Student Services
Fitness facilities
Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces
Accommodation
Catering
Fees and Funding
£8,775for a full-time course (2025/26)
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.
The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,750, due at the start of the second year of the course.
£15,000for a full-time course (2025/26)
The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.
Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,650 in 2024/25 and in 2025/26 the additional charge will be £2,750 for the placement/project in the second year.
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,750 (due at the start of the second year of the course), totaling £17,750 for the full course fee 2025/26.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
Your Future Career
Job Prospects
Graduates from the MSc Management Information Systems and Digital Innovation programme can explore a variety of employment opportunities in the following areas:
- IT Consultant: Provide expertise to organisations on how to use information technology to meet their business objectives.
- Data Analyst/Scientist: Analyse and interpret complex data to help businesses make informed decisions.
- Systems Analyst: Evaluate and design information systems to enhance organisational efficiency.
- IT Project Manager: Oversee the planning and execution of IT projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
- Cybersecurity Analyst: Protect organisations from cyber threats by implementing security measures and monitoring for potential risks.
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Use data analysis tools to provide valuable insights into business performance and support decision-making.
- Digital Innovation Specialist: Explore and implement innovative digital solutions to enhance business processes and strategies.
- Technology Consultant: Advise businesses on how to leverage technology for strategic growth and competitive advantage.
- Database Administrator: Manage and maintain databases to ensure efficient storage and retrieval of information.
- Digital Marketing Analyst: Utilise digital channels and analytics to develop and implement effective marketing strategies.
- Enterprise Solutions Architect: Design and implement complex IT systems that align with an organisation's overall business strategy.
- Innovation Strategist: Devise and implement strategies to foster innovation within organisations, leveraging digital technologies.
These opportunities showcase the diverse career paths available for graduates with expertise in Management Information Systems and Digital Innovation. The specific roles may vary based on the individual's interests, specialisation, and the evolving needs of the industry.
Careers Service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.