Overview
- Start dateSeptember/January
- DurationMSc: 11 months full-time, up to five years part-time. PgDip : Up to 11 months full-time, up to four years part-time. PgCert: Upto 11 months full-time, up to 3 years part-time
- DeliverySpread throughout the programme and includes coursework, group presentations and examinations during the taught phase and for the MSc a research based dissertation.
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield University at Shrivenham
Who is it for?
Students from Government departments, industry and other organisations within the UK and internationally come together to study and discuss issues and develop skills that will enable solutions now and in the future.
Key goals of the course are to provide students with the knowledge to:
- Develop in individuals an awareness of the management, user and supplier communities
- Recognise the stakeholder roles, needs and expectations within these communities
- Enable effective communication and a shared understanding between these stakeholders in order to meet capability objectives
- Master the principles and practice that underlie the delivery of effective, efficient and secure systems in various business spaces that exploit information in order to provide strategic benefit.
Why this course?
There is a need to understand the strategic importance of information and develop agile, effective and secure ways to exploit it to its full potential. To do this, effective information capability management must be developed throughout the organisation so that the right information is available to the right people at the right time in an effective, efficient and secure manner.
The internationally recognised Information Capability Management (ICM) MSc has been developed to address these important issues.Skilled professionals are needed to enable organisations to realise the strategic benefits that successfully exploiting information can provide. Success in business of all types and in all sectors, both public and private, is dependant on:
- Understanding the value of information as a strategic asset
- Developing agile, effective and efficient systems that make this information available
- Countering cyber threats with appropriate cyber security.
Informed by Industry
The Information Capability Management MSc has an External Advisory Panel that is made up of senior stakeholders from Government, industry, academia and professional bodies that meet to provide input regarding the strategic direction of the course.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by two professional bodies, the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), completion of the course can lead to chartered professional status.
Course details
MSc students must complete a taught phase consisting of twelve modules followed by an individual dissertation in a relevant topic.
PgDip students are required to undertake the same taught phase as the MSc, without the individual dissertation. PgCert students must complete the core module (Foundations of Information Systems) together with five other modules.
Individual project
The individual project is the opportunity for a student to utilise and demonstrate their understanding of the taught phase of the course by applying their learning to a real world problem. It is also an opportunity to develop skills and achieve a greater level of understanding in a specific area or areas of relevance to the course. Students are allocated a supervisor and have access to subject matter experts to support them in the project phase.
Assessment
Spread throughout the programme and includes coursework, group presentations and examinations during the taught phase and for the MSc a research based dissertation.University Disclaimer
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory modules and (where applicable) some elective modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2018–2019. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2019 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Cyber Security and Information Assurance
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To enable students to understand the field of Cyber Security & Information Assurance (IA), to be able to make use of the concepts that underpin the subject and to appreciate the dependencies between them. |
| Syllabus |
• Foundations of cyber security and IA,
• risk theory and practice, • strategy, • threats and vulnerabilities, • governance and management, • socio-technical perspectives. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a diligent student should be able to:
|
Emerging Technology Monitoring
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To enable students to identify and assess new and emerging technology defence and security in order to provide an on-going assessment of their relevance and potential to defence and security.
|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Foundations of Information Systems
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
• To review and update core vocabulary and concepts required as a foundation for the other elements of the course • Development of academic study skills |
| Syllabus |
• Course structure and the information profession
• Information systems overview • Enabling technologies overview • Information systems modelling • Research methods, learning and study skills |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: • Appraise the key academic concepts and language of current IS foundation knowledge, research and practice Skills • Critically evaluate published research |
Methods and Tools for Information Systems Development
| Aim |
To equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand and apply appropriate models, methods, tools, techniques and approaches to develop information systems at the strategic level.
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
|
Organisation Development
| Aim |
To provide the basis for considering the implementation of information systems within the wider organisational context by taking a systems thinking approach. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
|
Professional Issues
| Aim |
To promote awareness of legal and regulatory issues which affect information systems professionals; to introduce the professional bodies of relevance to such professionals, and to encourage debate on some of the major issues of concern to the information systems world. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
|
Programme and Project Management for Information Systems
| Aim |
To develop knowledge and skills in the key academic concepts of the management of resources in order to plan, estimate and carry out programmes of information systems development work to time, budget and quality targets and in accordance with appropriate standards.
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
|
Software Engineering (IS)
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
|
Digital Business Strategy
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To equip students with the knowledge and skills to develop or review an information systems strategy to support an organisation’s business goals and the development of plans to drive forward and manage that strategy within an organisational, professional and legislative framework. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
This Module can be taken as a Short Course for Credit Points. This means that a delegate must take and successfully pass the assessment. It is not available as a stand-alone Short Course
|
Systems Architecture
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To enable students to contribute to the specification of systems architectures, identifying the components needed to meet the present and future requirements of the business as a whole, and the interrelationships between these components.
|
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
Skills
|
Data Led Decision Support
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
|
| Syllabus |
• Information visualisation |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to: • Design appropriate visualisations based on user requirements |
Data Modelling, Storage and Management
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
The aim of this module is to lead the student through the different approaches to data modelling, in addition to understanding competing technologies for storage and management. |
| Syllabus |
• Data, information and knowledge |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to: • Differentiate between data, information and knowledge in business contexts |
Dissertation
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To enable students to develop and demonstrate their expertise, independent learning abilities, and critical appraisal skills to research and analyse a relevant information systems issue, challenge or opportunity, with practical application, in a 20,000 – 25,000 word evidence-based dissertation.
|
| Syllabus |
Students work independently but with guidance from a supervisor to apply the knowledge acquired during the taught phase of the course to a relevant information management and technology problem, which should fulfill the requirements of the British Computer Society accreditation. This dissertation provides an opportunity for students to carry out an in-depth specialised study of a topic of personal and/or professional interest. It enables the integration of the theoretical and practical aspects of a topic, revealing an understanding of theoretical principles and how they can be applied in the chosen area of research. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should have: Knowledge • Critically appraise and integrate a large body of published research Skills |
Teaching team
You will be taught by Cranfield's leading experts with many years' industrial experience, including:
Fees and funding
European Union students applying for university places in the 2019 to 2020 academic year will still have access to student funding support. Please see the UK Government’s announcement (24 July 2018).
Cranfield University welcomes applications from students from all over the world for our postgraduate programmes. The Home/EU student fees listed continue to apply to EU students.
| MSc Full-time | £19,000 |
| MSc Part-time | £19,000 * |
| PgDip Full-time | £15,300 |
| PgDip Part-time | £15,300 * |
| PgCert Full-time | £7,650 |
| PgCert Part-time | £7,650 * |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- For self-funded applicants a non-refundable £500 deposit is payable on offer acceptance and will be deducted from your overall tuition fee.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
| MSc Full-time | £19,000 |
| MSc Part-time | £19,000 * |
| PgDip Full-time | £15,300 |
| PgDip Part-time | £15,300 * |
| PgCert Full-time | £7,650 |
| PgCert Part-time | £7,650 * |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- For self-funded applicants a non-refundable £500 deposit is payable on offer acceptance and will be deducted from your overall tuition fee.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
Funding Opportunities
To help students find and secure appropriate funding, we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Visit the funding finder.
Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)
Cranfield offers competitive scholarships for Mexican students in conjunction with Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in science, technology and engineering.
Postgraduate Loan from Student Finance England
A Postgraduate Loan is now available for UK and EU applicants to help you pay for your Master’s course. You can apply for a loan at GOV.UK
Santander MSc Scholarship
The Santander Scholarship at Cranfield University is worth £5,000 towards tuition fees for full-time master's courses. Check the scholarship page to find out if you are from an eligible Santander Universities programme country.
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at Cranfield university. The scholarship includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)
The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based MSc courses.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Countries
Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Future Finance Student Loans
Future Finance offer student loans of up to £40,000 that can cover living costs and tuition fees for all student at Cranfield University.
To find out about funding for UK MOD staff, please visit the MOD funding and eligibility page.
For all other applicants please contact cdsadmissionsoffice@cranfield.ac.uk for more information.
Entry requirements
A first or second class Honours degree or equivalent in science, engineering or mathematics. Alternatively, a lesser qualification together with appropriate work experience may be acceptable.
English Language
If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows:
- IELTS Academic - 7
- TOEFL - 100
- Pearson PTE Academic - 68
- Cambridge English Scale - 190
- Cambridge English: Advanced - C
- Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English III - minimum overall score of pass
In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.
We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).
Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.
Security clearance for Shrivenham
Some Cranfield University courses are delivered at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham which is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site. All applicants to courses that are wholly or partially delivered at Shrivenham must complete the BPSS (HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard V4 April 2014) prior to registration on the course or must already hold a security clearance to this level or higher.
Please visit our security clearance page for further information.
Your career
Takes you on to further senior career opportunities and to become one of the next generation of senior professionals delivering business benefit through exploitation of information with skills in appropriate areas including business analysis, strategy development and implementation, information assurance, cyber security, organisational development and strategic application of information systems.
How to apply
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview. Applicants based outside of the UK may be interviewed either by telephone or video conference.
