Information Systems: Organisations and Management MSc

Organisations and Management is one of the three pathways for the MSc Information Systems course.

In the current financial climate, organisations are facing major challenges and having to adapt their business practices to survive. The internet, blogging, Web 2.0 and online auctions are changing the ways goods and services are sold, and the way organisations manage their daily work.  New organisational practice is essential to keep up with contemporary business practices. 

The Organisations and Management pathway is for individuals from a non-technical background and provides students with insights and knowledge that will help them model, understand and develop Information Technology and Systems in an organisational context. This set of skills that combine management and technology is of particular value and interest to consultants as well as managers involved in implementing new IT-based systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), supply chain and Internet marketing strategies.

This pathway gives you the critical knowledge to help companies face these new challenges. You look at organisational practice and how the potential application of information systems (IS) can help businesses improve their practices. You gain a much sought-after insight into how IS are related to organisational structures and management practices, and the effectiveness of both.

As well as providing a thorough understanding of IS and its use in business and organisational practice, this pathway also focuses on managing the relationship between people, organisations and technology in contemporary society.

You gain transferable employment-related skills to help you compete in today's business climate and to apply your knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts.

Detailed course structure

The course consists of two taught semesters followed by the dissertation.

You are required to study the following core options:

• Industrial Leadership Forum
• Research Methods and Practice

Plus the following core unit according to your pathway:

• IS Strategy and Enterprise Systems

You then take five optional course units. These include: Application and Evaluation of IS; Business Improvement Tools, Techniques and Systems; Decision Behaviour, Analysis and Support; Digital Technologies, Development and Emerging Markets; Digital Technologies for Marketing; Distributed Systems and Internet Technology; e-Government; e-Business; Global Digital Transformation of Business and Society; Information and Knowledge Management; IS Strategy and Enterprise Systems; IT Trends; Managing Projects; Mathematical Programming and Optimisation; Megaproject Leadership and Strategy; Psychology of Behaviour and Decision Making; Relationship Marketing; Risk, Performance and Decision Analysis; Strategic Supply Chain Management; and The Reflective Project Manager.

Having completed the taught element of the course you will carry out an original piece of research. You will have a supervisor, who will discuss your choice of research project with you and advise and guide you through the process. Some feature industrial placements.

Recent dissertations have covered:

• Change management methods of a multinational consultancy company (based on a company placement)
• Business cases for customer relationship management (based on a company placement with a pharmaceutical multinational)
• The role of consultancy companies in selling technology solutions
• A social media strategy for a new web company

Temidayo Adepoju - MSc Information Systems: Organisations and Management (Class of 2012)

What I loved most about the program was how the lecturers were abreast on the current trends happening in the business world and how vigorously real world business problems were discussed and debated in the classroom environment.

The lectures received from industry professionals from companies like Vodafone and Metapack definitely broadened my horizon on the interrelationship between technology and business. Attending MBS has been a life changing experience for me. Coming from a core technical background, I have acquired skills that make me comfortable in dealing with business issues.

I have also gained knowledge that will help me achieve my career goal as well as  prepare me for my MBA degree that I will be pursuing this fall at Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts, United States.

Alexander Gordon - MSc Information Systems: Organisations and Management (Class of 2013)

I have found the course to be extremely well-run, with good tutors and a wide variety of interesting modules that are highly applicable in the outside world. It is especially important to highlight that this is also a very adaptable course, where each student can choose almost any combination of topics to fit their interests.

For these reasons, I have managed to come from a non-technology background and develop quickly to perform to a high standard in my studies. Not only that, but I have acquired a job as a Technology Consultant at Accenture, starting next year!

Academic entry qualification overview:

We are looking for candidates with a keen interest and enthusiasm for business and technology. Students generally fall into two groups: those that use the course to `convert' into Information Systems from backgrounds as diverse as history, philosophy, politics, geography and mathematics, and those with technology degrees who wish to enhance their knowledge and understanding of technology in a business and organisational context.

For non-technical graduates, we recommend that they take the Organisations and Management pathway - this is designed to give them a solid technical grounding and build on their communication and analytical skills.

For more technically oriented students, they are able to choose from any of the three pathways, dependent on their career aspirations and interests.

For all pathways, we normally look for the equivalent of a UK bachelor degree with first or upper second class honours, or the overseas equivalent.

When assessing your academic record we take into account your grade average, position in class, references, and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.  We particularly welcome applications from institutions of high ranking and repute.

English language:

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements.

Other international entry requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements for your country.

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose should answer specific questions outlined below.  Applications will not be successful without this statement.

1. Please tell us your current or final average mark for the subjects you have studied in your degree, and if possible your position in class.
2. Please tell us why you are interested in the MSc Information Systems: Organisations and Management course at MBS and how the course will impact on your future.
3. It is competitive to gain a place on the course.  Please tell us what makes you stand out as an applicant compared to others.

Normally applications cannot be processed without the following:

• up-to-date English language score outlining individual element scores (where applicable)
• first and second year transcript
• two academic references (at least one will be required at the time of application)
• a statement of purpose
• copy of passport (for non home/EU students only)

Scanned copies will be accepted at the time of application.

Successful completion of the course provides an entry platform into a variety of career platforms ranging from systems analyst, project management, knowledge management and technology management careers. To date graduating students have obtained positions in organisations such as Accenture, Arcadia Group, CHP Consulting, HSBC, Ernst and Young, Merrill Lynch, and many International Governmental Departments.

More details on our Careers Service.

Latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students.

Manchester Business School

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Contact name: Masters Admissions Office

Telephone: +44 (0)161 306 1339

Email: pg@mbs.ac.uk

Website: www.mbs.ac.uk/programmes/masters/courses/info-sys-organisations-manage/