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MSc Information Systems and Business Analysis

Key information

Duration of programme: Full-time - 12 months
Start date: September

Fees:
UK/EU:          £ 9,000 (2013)
International:  £13,000 (2013) 

Scholarships:
If you are among ‘the brightest and the best’, we have a range of generous scholarships which can open the way for you to study with us. Find out  more >>

Apply now:
Apply for this course online

Contact details:
Ms Katie Mallon
Aston Business School Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel:   +44 (0) 121 204 3125         
email: k.l.mallon@aston.ac.uk

The MSc in Information Systems & Business Analysis (ISBA) is designed to give you an expert understanding of how information systems support the business and its operations. 

The course will equip you with the technical, organisational and people skills needed to develop business systems and manage information systems projects in practice.

Through its specialist career pathway, the programme gives you in-depth knowledge and experience to prepare you for a range of careers in IS consultancy, business analysis and management.

Paul Bocij, Course Director for the MSc Information & Business Analysis talks about what makes the programme unique, and who the course is aimed at.
Modules

Compulsory Modules:

In addition to your Aston degree, you will have the opportunity to participate in our international study exchange programme. Studying with one of our partner institutions, the programme will enhance your international experience and communication skills, preparing you for a career in the international business environment.

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Entry requirements

One of the following:

  • A good UK honours degree (minimum upper second class)

  • Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University.

As well as:

  • Two professional references – at least one must be from an academic referee

  • An official academic transcript of your university grades to date

  • A completed application form.

For International Students:

  • An official academic transcript, with an official English translation, of your university grades to date

  • Students whose native language is not English will also need to satisfy our English language requirements Pre-sessional English language programmes are available for good applicants whose English qualification falls just short of these requirements.

Learning, teaching & assessment

The seven taught modules are assessed through a mixture of examinations and coursework.  The taught element of the programme is complemented by a substantial piece of research leading to the completion of a project.

Career opportunities

The programme aims to prepare you for a range of specialist careers as consultants, managers and business analysts.  Due to the importance of information systems in all organisations, the programme will also prepare you well for general organisational and project management careers.

For information on sector opportunities see the Information Technology overview on the Prospects website.

Previous graduates of similar programmes have secured career development roles in major organisations such as Deloitte, UBS and Jaguar Land Rover.

Personal development

The MSc in Information Systems and Business Analysis is designed to develop the key knowledge and competencies which are valued by international employers in related professions.  These include:

  • Analytical and problem solving skills
  • Dealing with clients and managing relationships
  • Delivering projects which meet business requirements
  • Time management and organisational skills
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to be effective in an international team-working environment.

In addition to the specialist modules, all students follow an integrated Learning, Skills and Career Development module which provides you with the tools and skills for linking your learning on the programme to your employability, career planning and continuing personal development.

Facilities & equipment

Aston Business School's outstanding student facilities include:

  • A purpose-built suite which is accessible exclusively to Masters students 

  • 24 hours access

  • Free Wi-Fi connection

  • Modern lecture/tutorial rooms

  • Computer labs

  • Lounge area

  • IT equipment and packages and use of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

  • An e-business suite equipped with modern hardware, software and facilities for designing, building and testing information systems. The suite is reserved for the exclusive use of postgraduate students.

Course director

Mr Paul Bocij
BA (Hons), PGCert (SSRM), MPhil, LCGI, MBCS, CITP, FIfL
Paul Bocij is a Teaching Fellow in Aston Business School, specialising in ICT, information systems and e-business.  He is the author of numerous books related to technology and is one of the writers behind Business Information Systems, one of the UK’s most successful text books.  He is a Chartered Information Technology Professional and a member of the British Computer Society.  His industry experience spans more than twenty-five years.

 

Teaching staff

Dr Christopher Brewster
Dr Christopher Brewster is a lecturer in Information Technology in the Operations and Information Management Group, Aston Business School, Aston University.  His research interests include knowledge representation for a variety of applications, knowledge management and ontology learning for the biomedical and life science domains, ontology evaluation, and the application of Semantic Web technologies to knowledge management.  Recently his research has begun to focus on sustainability and specifically knowledge management for sustainability.  He is a member of the Centre for Sustainability and Innovation at Aston University, and Research Convenor for the OIM Group.

Dr Matthew Hall
BA, MSc, PhD
Matthew joined Aston Business School in 2002 as a Lecturer in Information & Knowledge Management and member of the Knowledge Management Research Group.

He holds a BA in Chinese Studies from the University of Cambridge, MSc in Information and Library Studies from Loughborough University and a PhD from the Open University.

He has previously worked as a graduate management trainee with Unilever, information officer for the British Council in Beijing, and research fellow at De Montfort University and Warwick Business School.

Matthew’s research is in knowledge management and information use in organisations.  He is currently seeking research links in China.

Dr Ali Emrouznejad
BSc, MSc, PhD
My areas of research interest include performance measurement and management, efficiency and productivity analysis as well as data mining.  My special interest is on the quantitative methods of performance measurement, and especially those based on the broad set of methods known as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).

Dr Pavel Albores
BSc, MSc, PhD, PgCert, MIET
Pavel Albores joined Aston in September 2004.  Pavel recently received his PhD and is a graduate of the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla (Mexico), where he gained a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.  He worked for Xerox Mexicana Manufacturing as a materials engineer before joining the University of Strathclyde where he gained an MSc in Management of Competitive Manufacturing (MCM).  He has participated in research projects in the areas of knowledge management and supply chain management.  He has acted as consultant in the area of manufacturing simulation.  His current interests are Manufacturing Simulation, Business Processes, e-business, Supply Chains and networked organisations and Information Technology in the manufacturing context.