Computing and IT Management (MSc)

Why study this course

Designed for graduates who want to move into computing from another discipline, this one year programme provides broad technical knowledge and a sound business context for managing IT systems.

Designed for graduates who want to move into computing from another discipline, the MSc Computing and IT Management provides you with a broad technical knowledge and a sound business context for managing IT systems.

Through this course you will learn the skills needed to develop business applications through a fundamental understanding of software and web development, e-commerce and database management. You will also gain an understanding of the professional skills required to lead IT managers by working as a part of a team on a business change project.

You will have the option of learning about new and emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, that are radically changing the opportunities and threats for the provision of IT systems. You may also opt for human-centric computing which focuses on defining and delivering effective information systems from a human-centric perspective. You also have the option of learning the knowledge and skills required to create interactive visualisations and explanations of data.

On successful completion of the taught phase you will move to the dissertation phase. This provides the opportunity of developing your research skills and applying technical and management concepts and techniques to solve a complex computing problem.

This one-year course offers a balanced combination of theory and practice, and can serve either as preparation for a career as an IT professional, doctoral research, or as a self-contained advanced qualification in its own right.

Distinctive features

The distinctive features of this course include:

The opportunity to undertake a conversion course in Computing and IT.
Designed for those who wish to move into computing and IT management from another discipline.
Professionally accredited by the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
The opportunity to learn the technical knowledge and skills needed to develop business applications.
Working in a team on a business change project to develop IT management skills.
The ability to tailor the course to your interests through a range of advanced option modules.
You will be provided with a laptop during induction week that will remain with you throughout the duration of the course.

Accreditations

"BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT"

Where you'll study

School of Computer Science and Informatics

Our degree programmes are shaped by multidisciplinary research, making them relevant to today's employers and well placed to take advantage of tomorrow's developments.

Get in touch
Senghennydd Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4AG

Admissions criteria

This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path. No prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.

In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.

With your online application you will need to provide:

A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.

If you do not have a degree your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.

Application Deadline

We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.

Selection process

We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

Criminal convictions

You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.

If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

access to computers or devices that can store images
use of internet and communication tools/devices
curfews
freedom of movement
contact with people related to Cardiff University.

Course structure

You will study core modules to a total of 160 credits, with an optional module worth 20 credits. Students will also undertake an individual project and dissertation.

This is a full-time course undertaken over one calendar year. It is also available as a part-time course over three years, and with placement.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2024/25 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.

Core modules for year one

Module title	Module code	Credits
Computational Thinking	CMT119	10 credits
Fundamentals of Programming	CMT120	30 credits
Databases and Modelling	CMT220	20 credits
Topics, Research and Skills in Computing and IT Management	CMT222	10 credits
IT Management, Change and Innovation	CMT312	30 credits
Computing and IT Management Dissertation	CMT404	60 credits

Optional modules for year one

Module title	Module code	Credits
Distributed and Cloud Computing	CMT202	20 credits
Human Centric Computing	CMT206	20 credits
Data Visualisation	CMT218	20 credits
Algorithms, Data Structures and Programming	CMT219	20 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard and received an excellent report in the most recent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review.

A diverse range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the MSc in Computing and IT Management. Students will attend lectures, participate in seminars, workshops and tutorials, and carry out practical and laboratory work.

Students obtain support materials usually via Learning Central (Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment).

Students will also undertake a project and independent study to enable them to complete their dissertation. Dissertation topics may be suggested by the student or chosen from a list of options proposed by academic staff reflecting their current interest.

How will I be assessed?

The taught modules within the courses are assessed through examinations and a wide range of in-course assessments, such as written reports, extended essays, practical assignments and oral presentations.

The individual project and dissertation will enable students to demonstrate their ability to build upon and exploit knowledge and skills gained to exhibit critical and original thinking based on a period of independent study and learning.

How will I be supported?

As a School, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your personal development planning. You will see your Personal Tutor at least once each semester.

Our Senior Personal Tutor can also advise and respond to any personal matters as they arise. The School also has a formal student-staff panel to discuss topics or issues of mutual interest.

Feedback

Feedback on coursework may be provided via written comments on work submitted, by provision of ‘model’ answers and/or through discussion in contact sessions.

What skills will I practise and develop?

You will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’, such as being able to:

Critically analyse and evaluate current issues in the application of computing.
Clearly communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written, diagrammatic and practical means.
Demonstrate self-direction, initiative, professionalism, critical judgement and planning skills in tackling and solving computing problems using appropriate technologies.
Design, using appropriate tools, a simple information system or selected part of a larger system.
Apply technical and management concepts and techniques to the solution of computing problems.
Develop valuable research skills through completion of the dissertation.

Furthermore, graduates will be expected to demonstrate:

A systematic understanding of general computing concepts, both theoretical and practical.
Understanding of the nature of organisations and their use of information for business purposes.
Understanding of the methods, techniques, and tools available to specify, design, implement and manage computer based systems for organisations.
Understanding of the principles and characteristics of computer and communications hardware and software and of how these support the development of computer systems.
Critical awareness of current trends in selected research areas of computing, and discuss their contribution to developing computer based systems.

Tuition fees for 2024 entry

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.

Learn how we decide your fee status

Fees for home status

Year	Tuition fee	Deposit
Year one	£11,700	None

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2024/25 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.

Fees for island status

Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Fees for overseas status

Year	Tuition fee	Deposit
Year one	£30,200	£2,500

More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.

Financial support

Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.

Additional costs

Living costs

We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Funding

Master's Scholarships

An award open to UK students intending to study one of our taught master’s degrees.

Postgraduate loans

If you are starting your master’s degree in September 2024 or later, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study at Cardiff University.

Alumni Discount

The alumni discount is available for Cardiff University graduates who are planning to start an eligible master's in 2024/25.

Career prospects

Recent graduates from the MSc Computing and IT Management course have gained employment in roles such as systems and business analysts, quality assurance testers, IT consultants and project managers.

Graduates are employed by organisations of all sizes locally, nationally, and internationally.

Next steps

Open Day visits

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Make an enquiry

Contact us for more information about this course.

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Computing and IT Management with Placement (MSc)