MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development (Distance Learning)

If you’re considering a master’s at Manchester, there are a range of ways you can connect with us to find out more.

• Taught master's information sessions
• Taught master's guided campus visits
• Study fairs in the UK
• Education fairs overseas

For more information, see our page on meeting us .

 Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained.  If  these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
• your CV;
• copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, organisations need professionals who can combine strategic insight with technical expertise. MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development is designed to produce exactly that: hybrid managers who can speak the languages of both leadership and information systems, and drive innovation in organisations across the globe.

This course focuses on how information, IT, and systems can be used to support and transform organisations, especially in low- and middle-income countries. You’ll learn how to design and manage strategic change, implement digital initiatives effectively, and ensure technologies deliver real impact within complex social, economic, and institutional contexts.

One of the course’s greatest strengths is its flexible distance learning format. Whether you're a working professional, based in a remote location, or balancing other commitments, you can access world-class teaching and resources from anywhere in the world.

You'll join a global learning community of practitioners and experts, benefit from structured online support, and have the freedom to study at your own pace, while applying new insights directly to your work.

Distance learning doesn’t mean learning alone. Through interactive platforms, virtual seminars, collaborative assignments, and online office hours, you’ll be part of a rich and supportive academic environment that fosters connection and exchange.

The course is particularly valuable if you're already working in or planning to work in development, government, NGOs, or the private sector, and want to advance your role in planning, managing, and delivering digital transformation.

You’ll graduate not just with technical know-how, but with the critical thinking, strategic leadership, and real-world understanding to implement systems that work for people, for organisations, and for sustainable development.

Whether you're advising a ministry on digital infrastructure or leading an NGO’s data strategy, this MSc will equip you with the knowledge, flexibility, and confidence to lead change - locally and globally.

• We're Europe's largest dedicated development research and teaching institute and have been at the forefront of development studies for over 60 years .
• We are ranked first for research environment and second overall in the UK in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
• We are proud to tackle global inequalities and rank first in the UK for our impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (THE Impact Rankings 2025).
• We bring cutting-edge insights from our research into all our postgraduate teaching. Our courses bring different development perspectives and voices to Manchester, from activists from the Global South to the leaders of multinational companies.
• We are home to the internationally recognised African Cities Research Consortium , Effective States and Inclusive Development and FutureDAMS research centres.
• Students are part of our vibrant research community, including our public lecture series which brings world experts, former heads of state, and leading development thinkers, to discuss current issues in development.

Distance learning

The Global Development Institute has more than 20 years' experience of delivering high-quality postgraduate programmes via distance learning, and this master's degree offers you:

• Competitive costs - participants remain at home and in work while they study, typically reducing the total net cost of study by two-thirds.
• Career-relevant learning - we use cases and models from the real world, enabling you to apply learning direct to your workplace and to build career-enhancing skills profiles.
• Flexible learning - the pace of learning can be varied according to other commitments, and can also be combined with periods of on-campus learning in Manchester.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Each course unit generally requires one assignment of 3,500 words.

Assignments for all course units typically relate to organisational application of management and information systems ideas.

You must also complete a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors.

You are encouraged to base your dissertation on topics of direct professional concern.

The University of Manchester’s scholarship for developing country students made my dream of a master’s degree possible.

The course polished my management, information systems and research skills to a level I haven’t seen elsewhere, and it has been a major step towards my career and PhD ambitions.

Masuda Ahmad - MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development

Find out how our students feel about studying at The University of Manchester by visiting Student Spotlights .

This course is designed to develop two groups of participants: functional managers who wish to take greater control over, and make a more direct contribution to, change in their organisations via the development and implementation of information systems; and information systems professionals who wish to improve the success rate of the information systems they develop or use, and who may also wish to upgrade their management skills and knowledge.

Career trajectories

The MSc in Management and Information Systems can help you select and target jobs in any part of the hybrid triangle.

See more examples and a diagram of typical jobs taken by our graduates.

Career examples:

• Eisah Mayanja – Advanced from Senior Applications Analyst to Senior Technology Analyst at Grameen App Lab, later becoming Technical Director at New Wave Technologies, delivering internet-based applications for UN agencies and NGOs in Africa.
• Emma Jackson – Progressed from Website Editor for the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Deputy Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit, applying systems analysis, change management and process re-engineering skills gained from the MSc.

NGOs and third-sector organisations

Our teaching and research aims are suited to work in non-government and civil society organisations where you take on a range of roles from policy advisors, project managers, HR and communications staff.

Our alumni can be found at large international NGOs like Oxfam as well as in many smaller organisations.

Government and policy

Graduates can be found in national governments, multilateral organisations and policy influencing positions around the world, in organisations including DFID, the World Bank, African Union, United Nations and as civil servants around the world.

Private sector

Our focus on how businesses and the private sector can play a role in development enables you to gain employment in multinational organisations, private sector firms or to start your own organisations addressing some of the biggest global challenges.

Research and teaching

Our master's courses provide you with a strong theoretical foundation for further study.

Alumni find employment in research and teaching positions at universities and research institutes around the world. Top employers include:

• African Union;
• Oxfam;
• Inter-American Development Bank;
• Care;
• Mercy Corps;
• The British Council;
• the World Bank;
• the Department for International Development;
• United Nations;
• USAID.

Those from the MSc M&IS programme may study with the University's Centre for Digital Development .

Find out more about our alumni and some of our notable former students .

Careers support

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

Careers support for international students

The Careers Service provides specialist resources, advice and events to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students

Global networks

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.

After your course, you'll join our 10,000 strong alumni network .

We'll keep you up to date with all the new insights and implications from our research.

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country.

It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.

You can view the alumni networks already operating across the globe here .