Program Overview

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Digital Strategy and Information Systems (MSc)

About this course

To be competitive in today's digital economy, businesses need to develop a digital strategy. A digital strategy can help organisations effectively manage an ever-increasing range of information systems and organisational resources and analytics capabilities to:

• tap into new sources of data, such as ‘big data’
• produce new insights about their customers or business processes
• design processes and platforms that allow them to share this knowledge among employees

Central to all of this are information systems, i.e., the means or processes by which people and organisations, utilising technologies, create, process, store, use and share management information and organisational knowledge.

The MSc Digital Strategy and Information Systems (DSIS) will enable you to develop in-depth knowledge of the effective development, use and management of information systems in businesses and social organisations.

You’ll learn about the theory and practice of digital strategy and information systems, and examine the technological, managerial and social aspects of the subject.

You’ll learn from academics who underpin their teaching with specialist research and industry knowledge.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

This course is led by Professor Christophe Mues and Dr PK Senyo.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Learn more about this subject area

Business, accounting, finance and marketing

Learn to succeed in business and shape industry practice. At Southampton Business School you'll develop the skills to understand the real-world issues facing businesses, organisations and government.

Facilities

Business study spaces

Explore our dedicated spaces where business students can study, independently or in groups, or catch up over a coffee. This includes our MBA suite, an exclusive teaching space for our students.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

• Download ODT

Entry requirements

Typical Offer

• 2:1 degree

Subjects

• engineering
• humanities
• business
• mathematics
• physical sciences
• information systems
• management
• social sciences

English language requirements

• IELTS score requirements:
  • overall score: 6.5
  • reading: 6.0
  • writing: 6.0
  • speaking: 6.0
  • listening: 6.0

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Course structure

Duration

• 1 year

Course Type

• Full-time

Campus

• Highfield

Next course starts

• September 2025

Apply for this course

• Order a prospectus
• Open days and visits

Modules

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

Data Analytics and Organisational Decision Making

This module is intended to provide you with a blend of theory and current practice in organisational decision making and data management. The module critically discusses the complexity of organisational decision making by identifying key concepts and relevant theories.

Digital Business and Human-Computer Interaction

The first part of this module aims to provide you with some insight into the complexity and diversity of human interaction with technology and user centred design – but it is not simply about computers! Every day we interact with a wide variety of systems.

Dissertation (DSIS)

The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. You will be supported through supervision meetings.

Information Systems Management and Strategy

The purpose of this module is to equip students with a useful grounding in digital strategy and information systems (IS) management. After introducing the characteristics and concepts of systems and IS, the module will provide an overview of strategic planning.

Information Systems and Digital Technologies

The module aims to introduce you to the fields of information systems and the digital aspects of management in contemporary organisations. You will be introduced to the key definitions and conceptualisations of information systems.

Managing Complexity, Uncertainty and Subjectivity

This module addresses the inter-related activities of defining, developing, exploring and working with ill-structured organisational problems. Such activities are often classed as problem structuring activities.

Managing Digital Design and Web Development

In today’s IT and digital marketing landscape, and with the growing popularity of cloud computing, web and mobile applications are often the technologies of choice for organisations to deliver content and services.

You must also choose from the following modules:

Advanced Analytics

Having learnt the basic techniques and principles of business analytics in semester 1 modules, this module will introduce you to a number of advanced applications of business analytics in practice.

Credit Risk & Data Analytics

The module will start by defining the concept of data analytics and demonstrating the processes in three steps: data pre-processing, data mining and post-processing.

Innovation and Technology Transfer

The UK government has recognised the importance of innovation and technology transfer in sustaining competitive advantage in the global knowledge economy.

International Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics

This module gives an overview of moral philosophy and shows how such ethical theories apply in a business context.

Project Management

The global and rapid growth of managing by projects in every sector, industry, and company type has led to the development of pan-sector theories and bodies of knowledge in project management.

Project Risk Management

Project risk management has evolved significantly over many years, but there are conflicting views about what constitutes best practice.

Simulation

This module provides a practical introduction to the theories and techniques of simulation.

Learning and assessment

Learning

You’ll learn in an open, informal environment, where you will have an opportunity to regularly speak with academics.

This course is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, computer workshops and independent study.

You’ll also learn interactively, through group exercises and discussions, with your lecturers using real-world scenarios and current research to develop your skills.

The type of group exercises you will undertake include reading a research paper and addressing a series of questions in a group and presenting your findings.

You’ll learn practical computing skills using industry-standard software packages to extract insights from customer data, and basic web programming.

Guest industry speakers may deliver talks on relevant issues.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary from module to module, these will include:

• exams
• coursework
• group assignments

On some modules you’ll be marked for practical work.

Dissertation

As part of this course, you’ll complete a 15,000 word dissertation project on a topic of your choice.

It is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a specific area to help you achieve your career ambitions.

Previous students studied a wide variety of topics, for example:

• technostress and the dark side of technology
• the concept of ‘connected cars’ as part of the internet of things
• cloud computing
• challenges/opportunities of artificial intelligence
• information security
• issues relating to online privacy

Academic Support

You’ll have access to a range of support services within Southampton Business School and the wider University.

Every student is allocated a personal academic tutor who will advise on course-related matters or direct you to other types of support.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Confidence
• Communication
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model.

When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Consultancy
• Technology
• Business
• Public Sector
• Finance

Careers directly related to this course:

• Market researcher
• Management consultant
• Financial analyst
• Business analyst
• Quantitative analyst
• Business adviser
• Business development manager
• Data analyst
• Risk manager
• Supply chain manager

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Financial manager
• Marketing executive
• Business adviser
• Quantity surveyor
• Policy officer
• Financial risk analyst
• Investment analyst
• External auditor
• Project manager
• Software engineer

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Digital Strategy and Information Systems graduates*:

• Business analyst
• Engineer
• Junior Digital marketing executive
• Junior IT consultant
• Product manager Assistant
• Security officer
• Software designer

See more

Job prospects for MSc Digital Strategy and Information Systems graduates

• £33k: Average professional salary
• 81%: In a skilled profession or further study
• 95%: Graduate employment rate

Source

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential.

Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).

Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you.

This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university.

So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

• UK students pay £15,800.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course.

This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees.

There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course.

Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship

A scholarship is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship

A scholarship of £9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study.

Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application.

It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application.

You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee.

PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt.

Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application.

Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course.

This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days.

If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:
Tel:+44(0)