MSc Business Informatics

Informatics Research Centre

University of Reading

OVERVIEW
MSc Business Informatics is a specialist course within MSc Applied Informatics. Business informatics focuses on information management and information processing in organisations to bring added-value to the business. This course places an emphasis on the understanding of the critical role of information in relation to business strategies, business processes, and decision-making. It develops students’ knowledge and skills for business intelligence and business performance analysis using information management and processing techniques. The chosen case studies will expose students to the best practice on business applications and technical solutions. This course will appeal to students from a wide range of backgrounds, including business and management, information systems, science, engineering, and humanities. It will prepare graduates to take on challenging information management and leadership roles in competitive business environments.

STRUCTURE
This course is delivered in a flexible and modular framework. There are two exit points: a Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) and an MSc degree.

A student is required to complete 6 taught modules, including common and specialist modules, followed by a dissertation project. A taught module is delivered in a block of 5 working days. The dissertation is normally relevant to a practical problem and the student is encouraged to conduct applied research relevant to practical problems in industry.

CAREERS
Graduates from this course will be able to work in industries and academia. Potential job areas include:
• Management consultant • Business application consultant/architect • Information resource manager/consultant • Project manager • Information specialist/advisor • Knowledge management specialist • Software engineer • IT operations manager • Systems analyst/developer • Leading to a PhD study

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are expected to hold a good honours degree in a related science field, or in a social science with basic IT knowledge and skills. Relevant industry experience is also acceptable, subject to the University of Reading’s APEL rules. For more information on these please see: www.reading.ac.uk/Handbooks/Teaching_and_Learning/apel.htm
Applicants whose first language is not English are expected to have obtained IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 570. We provide a free pre-sessional English course for those who have achieved IELTS 5.5 with excellent academic results.

COMPULSORY MODULES
• Applied informatics
• Research methods
• Dissertation

SPECIALIST MODULES
• Business domain and requirements analysis
• Organisational design and management information

COMMON OPTIONAL MODULES
• IT project management
• Business communications and negotiations
• Business intelligence and data mining
• Social and legal issues in computers and communication
• Dependable information systems
• Enterprise resource planning systems