Program Overview

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Master of Information Sciences – MInfSc

The Master of Information Sciences will give you in-depth knowledge and expertise in a range of topics within the area of information sciences.

Type of qualification

• Master's degree
• Postgraduate study
• NZQF level 9

Time to complete

• 1 year 6 months full-time (180 credits)
• Part-time available

Where you can study

• Auckland campus
• Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Key dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

What will you learn?

During your study, you will learn how to apply problem-solving and analytical thinking skills to the analysis of, and solutions to, complex computing problems in areas such as:

• machine learning
• computer vision
• system security
• user interface design
• data science and analytics

Include project experience in your CV

The professional practice project is an important part of this master’s (unless you convert to the research thesis). You will spend 1 semester working full-time on your project. You could have the opportunity to get involved in projects for real companies on real issues that they wish to solve. This can lead to employment with the company concerned and also adds substantial value to your resume when you are seeking employment.

180 and 120-credit Master of Information Sciences options

There are options to complete this qualification as a 3-semester 180-credit taught qualification (includes an in-depth professional project) or a 120 credit research qualification by thesis if you have the appropriate pre-requisites. A research thesis is recommended if you wish to progress to a PhD.

A MInfSc is a good fit if you:

• already have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
• want to learn more about a range of specialist topics
• want to progress your career to the next level

Entry requirements

• Admission to Massey
• Specific requirements:
  • been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Information Sciences or an equivalent qualification, having achieved a B- grade average or higher over the qualifying 300-level majoring courses
  • been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification, having achieved a B- grade average or higher over the 300-level majoring courses, and have at least 2 years’ relevant professional experience demonstrated via a portfolio, and an interview if required
  • been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Information Sciences with Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Information Sciences, or the equivalent qualification, having achieved a B- grade average or higher over the qualifying 700-level courses
• English language requirements
• Documents you will need to supply to support your application:
  • a copy of your official academic transcript/s for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
  • a CV and portfolio if applying on the basis of a Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years’ relevant professional experience
  • a short summary of your research interests (200 words or less)

Structure of the Master of Information Sciences

• If you study full-time, you can complete the Master of Information Sciences in 3 semesters (1.5 years)
• This is a taught qualification, and includes an in-depth professional project
• You should initially enrol for the professional pathway
• The 180-credit master’s qualification is made up of 2 parts
• For progression to Part Two of the Master of Information Sciences, 2 pathways are available:
  • Research Pathway: 180 credits consisting of 60 credits of courses (Part One) and 120 credits of research (Part Two)
  • Professional Pathway: 180 credits consisting of 120 credits of courses (Part One) and 60 credits of professional practice (Part Two)

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

• Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses
• Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits
• Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits
• Specialisations: Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in

Credit summary

• 180 credits
  • Professional Pathway:
    • Part One courses from the Schedule – 120 credits
    • Part Two professional project – 60 credits
  • Research Pathway:
    • Part One courses from the Schedule – 60 credits
    • Part Two thesis – 120 credits

Part One

• Professional Pathway (120 credits) or Research Pathway (60 credits)
• Computer Science courses:
  • Computer Graphics
  • Studies in Computer Vision
  • Studies in Parallel and Distributed Systems
  • Studies in Operating Systems and Architecture
  • Studies in Intelligent Systems
• Data Science courses:
  • Data Mastery: Scripting, Databases and Data Privacy
  • Data Science - Making Sense of Data
  • Multivariate Analysis for Big Data
  • Practical Data Mining
• Information Technology courses:
  • Practical Software Engineering
  • Advanced Machine Learning
  • Implementation and Management of Systems Security
  • Location Systems: Spatial Databases, Tools and Applications
  • Location Data: Mapping, Analysis and Visualisation
  • Information Sciences Research Methods
  • Object-Oriented Software Development - Theory and Practice
  • User Interface Design and Evaluation
  • Information Technology Project Part 1
  • Information Technology Project Part 2
• Business courses (Choose no more than 30 credits from):
  • Organisation and Management
  • Essentials of Marketing
  • Health Information Management

Part Two

• Professional Pathway (Choose 60 credits from):
  • Information Technology Professional Project
  • Research Report
  • Computer Science Professional Project
• Research Pathway (Choose 120 credits from):
  • Thesis 120 Credit Part 1
  • Thesis 120 Credit Part 2

Fees and scholarships

• 2026 tuition fees:
  • Domestic students: $11,615
  • International students: $46,100
• Course fees: You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages
• Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme: You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees
• Scholarship and award opportunities:
  • Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
  • Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship

Careers and job opportunities

• IT employers are constantly seeking increasing numbers of staff, often because of increased demand and new projects
• A Master in Information Sciences gives you the best of theory and practice in information sciences
• You will have the ability to step into projects in professional practice and it is a stepping stone into a leadership role
• It will open up greater opportunities in your career, more quickly
• A Ministry of Education report found that:
  • earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
  • five years after leaving study, most young domestic graduates will be earning above the national median earnings
  • young masters graduates earn 86 per cent more than the national median
  • good careers are associated with better health, better wellbeing and more satisfying lives

Related study options

• Artificial Intelligence – Bachelor of Information Sciences
• Computer Science – Bachelor of Science
• Computer Science – Bachelor of Information Sciences
• Graduate Diploma in Information Sciences – GradDipInfSc
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Sciences – PGDipInfSc

Related content

• Planning your study
• Application process overview
• Semester dates