MSc Information Technology and International Business

The migration of more and more business presence and commercial transactions to the internet has produced the need for managers who are familiar with the potential and the limitations of e-commerce, and also for software designers and developers who are aware of the business and marketing environment that sustains them. The fast past of technology changes requires managers and software designers who can operate comfortably and interchangeably in both worlds.

Why study at Dundee?

The MSc in Information Technology and International Business offers students a practical mix of technical computing modules such as internet and computer systems and software development and business modules like economics for business managers and international business strategy.

The course is based on practical, real-world assignments to provide great experience for your future career. As it is modelled on good practice within the industry, the MSc in Information Technology and International Business ensures that students are kept up-to-date and instilled with a high level of employability.

What's great about this course at Dundee?

International Business at the University of Dundee is well known abroad and as a result, there is a strong multicultural aspect in these classes. Students from countries all over the world like India, China Nigeria and more come here to study giving you the opportunity to work alongside people with a multitude of different ideas, skills and experiences.

The University of Dundee is at the leading edge of computing giving you the opportunity to take advantage of tutelage from leading researchers in an informal and supportive environment.

Your studies will take place in the Queen Mother Building, the University of Dundee’s award-winning epicentre of computing, which boasts an array of conventional and specialised equipment.

Debora Kagohara from Brazil graduated in 2007 from this course, she then went to Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand to study for a PhD.

She says "The work was challenging but very enjoyable and the lecturers and tutors were always at hand if I needed help. The degree was not only a good learning experience but I also met great people."

How you will be taught

We know how important it is to be at the leading edge of computing and so you will learn from research-active staff in the School of Computing. Leading researchers teach you and small class sizes mean that they really get to know you, making for an informal and supportive community.

Industrial collaboration is part of our ethos too, so we regularly include guest experts from industry.

What you will study

You select six taught modules, three per semester, during the period September-April. This will typically consist of four computing modules, chosen from:

Software Development
Technology Innovation Management
Database Systems
Software Engineering
Human Computer Interaction and Usability Engineering
Detailed module information for the computing modules is available online.

and two business modules chosen from

Corporate Finance
Performance Management and Reporting
Operations Management and Change
Business Accounting for Non-specialists
Principles of Marketing Practice
International Business Strategy
Global Marketing
Human Resource Management Strategies
Marketing Management and Strategy
Strategic Management Accounting
International Human Resource Management

Subject to examination performance, you then progress to the MSc project which runs from May to September, or to a Diploma project lasting 9 weeks. This is a business-related software development project supervised by a member of staff, culminating in a dissertation.

Please note that some of the modules in the programme are shared with other masters programmes and some of the teaching and resources may be shared with our BSc programme. These joint classes offer a valuable opportunity to learn from, and discuss the material with, other groups of students with different backgrounds and perspectives.

How you will be assessed

The taught modules are assessed by continuous assessment plus end of semester examinations in December and March/April. The project is assessed by dissertation.

Coursework is often very practical, eg writing computer programs, designing interfaces, writing reports, constructing web sites, testing software, implementing databases, analysing problems or presenting solutions to clients.

Careers

Career opportunities in software development, website design, network support, database development and research, working as computer systems manager, data processing manager, software engineer, computer analyst & programmer, computer & IT consultant.

Our students are highly employable:
They develop the expertise that employers want from computing graduates - our Industrial Advisory Board includes experts from a range of industries including Amazon, Scottish Enterprise Tayside, NCR, Chevron and Microsoft

They are prepared for a wide range of good career prospects in computing - the UK faces a massive shortage of graduates qualified to fill the 120,000 new jobs in computing and IT every year

Computing at the University of Dundee is ranked 21st in the UK according to most recent Times Good University Guide and 12th in the UK according to the Guardian University League Table 2009. The University of Dundee has powered its way to a position as one of Scotland's leading universities with an international reputation for excellence across a range of activities. With over 18,000 students, it is growing fast in both size and reputation. It has performed extremely well in both teaching and research assessment exercises, has spawned a range of spin-out companies to exploit its research and has a model wider-access programme.

Dundee has been described as the largest village in Scotland which gives an indication of how friendly and compact it is. With a population of 150,000 it is not too large but has virtually all the cultural and leisure activities you would expect in a much larger city. It is situated beside a broad estuary of the river Tay, surrounded by hills and farmland, and for lovers of the great outdoors it is hard to imagine another UK location that offers so much all year round on land and water. The University is situated in the centre of Dundee, and everything needed is on the one-stop campus: study facilities, help, advice, leisure activities... yet the attractions of the city centre and the cultural quarter are just a stroll away.

Visit the MSc Information Technology and International Business page on the University of Dundee website for more details!