UCC Postgraduate courses

Information Systems for Business Performance

Course Fact File
CodeMSCISP
Duration1 Year Full-time
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsMSc
NFQ LevelLevel 9
Closing DateRolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing DateOpen until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date9 September 2024

Course Outline

Our MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP) programme is a conversion course offered by the Cork University Business School at UCC. It is designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development (e.g. Business Information Systems, Computer Science, and Software Development) or who have not more than two years of work experience in these fields.

The MSc programme provides you with a coherent set of skills that are essential in building, managing, and leveraging effective and efficient information systems (IS) for organisations. Our ISBP graduates will acquire the skills necessary to manage and leverage information systems for problem-solving, value-generation and cost savings,

This is a 12-month intensive course with industrially mentored collaborative projects. Students are taught from beginner level and prepared to take up business analyst/programmer and management positions in IT departments in small, medium or large organisations, whether public or private, in the financial services, manufacturing or any sector. 

We have been awarded the GradIreland Postgraduate Course of the Year for seven consecutive years and our graduates have an excellent employment record.  

View our course brochure here.

Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I and complete a research project to the value of 30 credits in Part II.

Part I

Core Modules

IS6121  Digital Leadership Seminars (5 credits)
IS6136  Professional Practice Skills and Ethics (5 credits)
IS6137  IT Project Management (5 credits)
IS6138  Digital Governance and Compliance (5 credits)
IS6139  Business Decision Support (5 credits)
IS6140  An Introduction to Business Intelligence and Analytics (5 credits)
IS6150  Sustainable Digital Business Models (5 credits)
IS6151  Business Models for Disruptive Technology (5 credits)
IS6152  Systems Analysis (5 credits)
IS6153  Application Design (5 credits)
IS6155  Database Analysis and Design (5 credits)
IS6156  Databases for Management Information Systems (5 credits)

 

Part II
IS6056 Collaborative Industry Research Project (30 credits)

Part II consists of an industry research project that allows for practical experience of a research project in a business context. This collaborative project will allow groups of students to specialise in an assigned industry sector (e.g. financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, government, retail/distribution) in the context of a research project carried out under the supervision of an industry expert and an academic specialist. Groups will develop a proposal and carry out fieldwork in order to produce a report on their topic.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

The MSc in Information Systems for Business Performance is a conversion course designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development or who have not more than two years of work experience in these fields. It is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Assessment: The assessment methods vary in order to facilitate group and individual applied learning. Report writing, presentations, development projects, and in-class exams are examples of the types of assessments used.

Who teaches this course

The MSc ISBP is taught by Cork University Business School faculty and senior researchers with expertise in leading-edge technologies and enterprise solutions. Industrial mentors from organisations, banks, and consultancies are heavily involved in the course through the industrial project and as course advisors to ensure ISBP’s ongoing relevance to employers.

Why Choose This Course

The MSc ISBP is currently one of the most popular postgraduate courses in our School. Key elements of this course include:

  • hybrid business/IT orientation
  • focused on understanding how organisations operate
  • strong links with industry
  • curriculum based on leading-edge technologies
  • emphasis on developing students’ ability to work as a team
  • develops technical skills from scratch
  • customised career and professional workshops
  • challenging and collaborative industrial projects
  • mentored by leading industrial entrepreneurs, Chief Executive Officers, IT managers, Chief Information Officers and business consultants
  • access to an IS and business alumni of over 2,000 professionals

Skills and Careers Information

Our MSc ISBP graduates are employed nationally and internationally as business analysts, programmers, managers, web and database developers, project managers, auditors, researchers, business intelligence consultants, marketing managers, and consultants in industry sectors reliant on IS. In recent years our graduating classes have achieved virtually 100% employment.

Requirements


The MSc in Information Systems for Business Performance is a conversion course designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development (e.g. Business Information Systems, Computer Science and Software Development) or who have not more than 2 years work experience in these fields.

Applicants must hold a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8).

Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the above academic entry requirements. Each application will be reviewed by programme directors and is subject to approval by the Head of relevant Discipline within the School of Business.

 

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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