Program Overview

Information Systems MSc

The Information Systems MSc is a postgraduate degree offered by the School of Information, Journalism and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences. This course is aimed at graduates from any discipline and will teach students to design and implement information systems and effective project management techniques alongside practical computing skills, including computer programming. The MSc award is CILIP accredited.

Course Details

• Start date: September 2026
• Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 3 years part-time
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Accredited: Yes
• Course fee:
  • Home (2026 annual fee): £11,905
  • Overseas (2026 annual fee): £30,625

Course Description

By the end of the course, students will have an in-depth understanding of information systems within an organisational context, emphasizing issues related to information, people, information technologies, and the business environment. Students will gain practical skills related to the design and analysis of information systems. The knowledge and skills gained will be highly valued in industry, commerce, and academia.

The course focuses on core topics in information systems, including information systems modeling, project management, and the impact of information systems on organisations and society. These are complemented by practical skills in computer programming and the study of professional issues in computing.

Modules

• Core modules:
  • Professional Issues
  • Information Systems Modelling
  • Information Systems in Organisations
  • Project Management
  • Information Systems and the Information Society
  • Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation
  • Dissertation
• Optional modules:
  • Foundations of Object Oriented Programming
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Information Governance and Ethics
  • Database Design
  • User-Centred Design and Human-Computer Interaction
  • AI in Organisations
  • Digital Business

Teaching and Assessment

A variety of teaching methods are used, combining lectures from academic staff and professional practitioners with seminars, tutorials, small-group work, and computer laboratory sessions. There is a strong emphasis on problem-solving and individual aspects of learning, with the expectation that students will engage in independent study, reading, and research in support of their coursework.

Assessments vary depending on the modules chosen but may include essays, report writing, oral presentations, in-class tests, and group projects. There is also a dissertation of 10–15,000 words, which provides the opportunity, under one-to-one supervision, to focus in depth on a topic of the student's choice.

Career Prospects

After completing the course, students will be equipped to pursue a variety of roles across a wide range of industries. Examples of organisations that have employed graduates include Fosun International, Huawei Technologies, Price Waterhouse Coopers, CBRE, and China Unicom. Graduates are employed in roles such as Product Manager, Civil Servant, Risk Associate, Senior Analyst, IT Project Manager, and Information System Auditor.

School

The School of Information, Journalism and Communication is ranked number one in the world for library and information management in the QS World University Rankings by subject 2025. The school has been at the forefront of developments in the information field for more than fifty years, with a distinctive, interdisciplinary focus on the interactions between people, information, and digital technologies.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in any subject.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.

Fees and Funding

• Home (2026 annual fee): £11,905
• Overseas (2026 annual fee): £30,625
• £3,000 scholarships for international students
• Save up to £2,500 on course fees for Sheffield graduates

Additional Information

The content of the courses is reviewed annually to ensure it is up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews, and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change, students will be informed and reasonable steps will be taken to minimize disruption.