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

MSc Management and Information Systems: Change and Development aims to train 'hybrid managers' capable of understanding both the job of management in its organisational setting, and the role, management and jargon of information, information systems and information technology.

It intends to help close the gap of knowledge, skills, culture and language that exists between functional managers and information systems professionals - a gap that results in many information systems, including e-government, e-commerce, and e-development systems, under-performing or becoming failures.

You'll therefore graduate in a strong position to lead the successful development and implementation of new information systems in a wide range of organisations. By the course's end, you will have been provided with:

• conceptual frameworks to understand the role of management of information, of information technology and of information systems in organisations;
• new knowledge and skills to help in the effective planning, development implementation and management of information systems;
• new knowledge and skills to help in the effective management and change of organisations.

• 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're ranked second in the UK and seventh in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
• We bring cutting-edge insights from our research into all our postgraduate teaching. 
• You will join our 10,000 strong alumni network. We'll keep you up to date with all the new insights and implications from our research. 

  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.

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