Program Overview

Information Systems for Business Performance

Course Outline

Our MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP) programme is a conversion course offered by the Cork University Business School at UCC. It is designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development (e.g. Business Information Systems, Computer Science, and Software Development) or who have not more than two years of work experience in these fields.

The MSc programme provides you with a coherent set of skills that are essential in building, managing, and leveraging effective and efficient information systems (IS) for organisations. Our ISBP graduates will acquire the skills necessary to manage and leverage information systems for problem-solving, value-generation and cost savings.

This is a 12-month intensive course with industrially mentored collaborative projects. Students are taught from beginner level and prepared to take up business analyst/programmer and management positions in IT departments in small, medium or large organisations, whether public or private, in the financial services, manufacturing or any sector.

We have been awarded the GradIreland Postgraduate Course of the Year for seven consecutive years and our graduates have an excellent employment record.

Course Practicalities

The MSc in Information Systems for Business Performance is a conversion course designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development or who have not more than two years of work experience in these fields. It is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Assessment

The assessment methods vary in order to facilitate group and individual applied learning. Report writing, presentations, development projects, and in-class exams are examples of the types of assessments used.

Who teaches this course

The MSc ISBP is taught by Cork University Business School faculty and senior researchers with expertise in leading-edge technologies and enterprise solutions. Industrial mentors from organisations, banks, and consultancies are heavily involved in the course through the industrial project and as course advisors to ensure ISBP’s ongoing relevance to employers.

Why Choose This Course

The MSc ISBP is currently one of the most popular postgraduate courses in our School. Key elements of this course include:

• Hybrid business/IT orientation
• Focused on understanding how organisations operate
• Strong links with industry
• Curriculum based on leading-edge technologies
• Emphasis on developing students’ ability to work as a team
• Develops technical skills from scratch
• Customised career and professional workshops
• Challenging and collaborative industrial projects
• Mentored by leading industrial entrepreneurs, Chief Executive Officers, IT managers, Chief Information Officers and business consultants
• Access to an IS and business alumni of over 2,000 professionals

Skills and Careers Information

Our MSc ISBP graduates are employed nationally and internationally as business analysts, programmers, managers, web and database developers, project managers, auditors, researchers, business intelligence consultants, marketing managers, and consultants in industry sectors reliant on IS. In recent years our graduating classes have achieved virtually 100% employment.

Requirements

The MSc in Information Systems for Business Performance is a conversion course designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development (e.g. Business Information Systems, Computer Science and Software Development) or who have not more than 2 years work experience in these fields.

Applicants must hold a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8).

Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the above academic entry requirements. Each application will be reviewed by programme directors and is subject to approval by the Head of relevant Discipline within the School of Business.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How To Apply

1. Check dates
2. Gather documents
3. Apply online

Contact Details For This Course

• Dr Wendy Rowan
• Dr Stephen Treacy

Similar Courses

• MSc Business Analytics
• MSc Data Science & Analytics

Programme Structure

Part I

• IS6121 Digital Leadership Seminars (5 credits)
• IS6136 Professional Practice Skills and Ethics (5 credits)
• IS6137 IT Project Management (5 credits)
• IS6138 Digital Governance and Compliance (5 credits)
• IS6139 Business Decision Support (5 credits)
• IS6140 An Introduction to Business Intelligence and Analytics (5 credits)
• IS6150 Sustainable Digital Business Models (5 credits)
• IS6151 Business Models for Disruptive Technology (5 credits)
• IS6152 Systems Analysis (5 credits)
• IS6153 Application Design (5 credits)
• IS6155 Database Analysis and Design (5 credits)
• IS6156 Databases for Management Information Systems (5 credits)

Part II

• IS6056 The Capstone Consultancy Project (30 credits)

Part II consists of an industry research project that allows for practical experience of a research project in a business context. This collaborative project will allow groups of students to specialise in an assigned industry sector (e.g. financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, government, retail/distribution) in the context of a research project carried out under the supervision of an industry expert and an academic specialist. Groups will develop a proposal and carry out fieldwork in order to produce a report on their topic.