MSc/PgDip Information Management
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September
- Accreditation: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and The Chartered Institute of Library and Information
- Study mode and duration: MSc: 12 months full-time; PgDip: 9 months full-time
No. of places: 60
Study with us
- full accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
- accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional
- delivered by one of the leading information science schools in the UK, this is the only dual-recognised information management degree providing graduates with direct entry to two internationally-affiliated professional bodies
Why this course?
In the era of big data, our professional graduates are driving the information society and digital economy. They're working as leaders, innovators, and managers in the areas of business, data, and technology.
This professionally accredited course has been developed in consultation with industry practitioners and professional bodies. It's suitable for those who are new to the subject and also those looking to enhance their existing knowledge and gain a professional qualification.
Core subjects include business systems analysis, data analytics, strategy, information law and an introduction to cutting-edge technologies.
The course is delivered by the Department of Computer & Information Sciences. The Department is an iSchool member, a partnership of the world's leading information science departments. Our staff are regular contributors to the leading international Information Science Index (ISI) ranked library and information science journals. They're also directly engaged in professional practice.
Course video
Watch our video to find out more from the Head of Department, Professor Martin Halvey, and our students and graduates.
What you'll study
Spanning computer and information sciences, business, and management science, thiscourse will give you the professional skills and knowledge to successfully:
- identify and analyse organisational business information needs
- contribute to the strategic development of information management capabilities within an organisation
- develop and deploy emerging information and communication technologies
- manage high-value enterprise information resources
On completion, you'll have gained:
- high demand business, data, and technology knowledge and skills
- direct entry to the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
- valuable transferable skills, for example, how to present effectively and write research reports. These will further enhance your skills as an information leader
Dissertation
An individual research project on an approved topic allows you to pursue an area of specific interest, providing scope for original thought, research and presentation.
Accreditation
The MSc Information Management is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
Graduates are entitled to become associate members of CILIP and are eligible for chartership leading to the award of MCLIP.
Useful information
A laptop is required for this course.
Minimum and recommended specifications for laptop:
- minimum spec: i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, HDD
- preferred spec: i5 CPU, 16GB RAM, SSD
When you're registered, you'll have automatic access to an Introduction to Python through our online learning platform.
Chat to a student ambassador
Want to know more about what it’s like to be a Science student at the University of Strathclyde? A selection of our current students are here to help!
Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all your questions about courses and studying at Strathclyde and offer insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.
Our students
Wethaka Wannatawee
What I liked the most was a group coding session which allowed students to share ideas and get to know others as well as create connections. I had no previous experience in coding and have learnt a lot throughout the course with support from friends and professors.
Jianhong Yao
My favourite part of the course was the business analysis module taught. I learnt a lot of business analysis methods and was able to use the knowledge I gained in my final dissertation project.
Akomolafe Oluwatosin Kehinde
To anyone thinking of coming to study at Strathclyde, I would say you should not delay and you should expect a great leaning experience that will change your career.
Learning & teaching
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and practical laboratories. Dissertation is by supervision.
Assessment
Coursework assignments involve:
- individual work
- group projects
- exams
- practical work in computer laboratories
For the award of the MSc, you’ll be required to complete an individual project under supervision. This should contain an element of original research.
Facilities
The Department of Computer & Information Sciences is based on levels 11 to 14 of the Livingstone Tower in our city-centre campus. We have a spacious quiet study zone and a social zone for working on group activities.
We have three computer laboratories, each with state-of-the-art equipment including over 175 dual-boot Windows and Linux machines. Each lab machine is equipped with up-to-date software.
All departmental machines are linked by a high-speed local area network and operate under a single network file system so you can access your files from any of our machines. High-speed wireless access is also available throughout the department.
The University has a large modern library which contains all the materials that you need for your course. Many of the books are also available online electronically meaning they are available to all students at all times.
Information Law (10 credits)
This module aims to help you:
- understand the laws relating to the delivery of information services
- be aware of the implications for society of the various legal issues related to information and computing work
- understand the legal framework in which criminal investigations involving digital evidence are carried out
Information Retrieval (10 credits)
You'll learn to:
- critically examine a number of influential information-seeking models
- provide an understanding of research methodologies for studying human information behaviour
- examine important concepts, such as relevance, in the context of information seeking and retrieval
- examine how findings from information seeking theory and practise can inform the design of information access systems
- outline the theory and technology used to construct modern Information Retrieval and Access systems
- critically evaluate the assumptions behind the evaluation of Information Retrieval systems
Big Data Technologies (20 credits)
This module will provide you with:
- an understanding of the new challenges posed by the advent for big data, as they refer to its modelling, storage, and access
- an understanding of the key algorithms and techniques which are embodied in data analytics solutions
- exposure to a number of different big data technologies and techniques, showing how they can achieve efficiency and scalability, while also addressing design trade-offs and their impacts
Computer Security Fundamentals (10 credits)
This module will help you to:
- develop an understanding of the fundamentals of cybersecurity
- differentiate between secure communication solutions to determine an appropriate solution for a given context
- evaluate an existing or proposed system in terms of potential security vulnerabilities and recommend the most appropriate security solution to apply
- critique the security of a given network scenario
- contribute to analysis of cyber risk and threat modelling
Database & Web Systems Development (20 credits)
This module aims to help you:
- display knowledge of the process of designing a database system, starting from an informal specification
- display skill in formulating database queries using SQL
- show an appreciation of the facilities and services which a fully featured database management system should provide
- demonstrate knowledge of commonly occurring data models
- demonstrate experience of using a relational database management system in a client-server environment
- display knowledge of potential future developments in database technology
- to understand the typical topology of internet applications
- to develop simple internet-based applications that make use of:
- server-side technologies
- back-end technologies for storing server-side data
Research Methods (10 credits)
This module will enable you to:
- appreciate the nature and application of selected statistical and quantitative methods
- appreciate the range of qualitative research methods
- be able to develop a research methodology for a given research problem
- be able to undertake a research risk assessment including the identification of management procedures
- understand how to write a research proposal for your dissertation project.
Business Analysis (10 credits)
On completion of this module, you'll be able to:
- communicate and apply principles of good business analysis practice
- select tools and techniques for the analysis and design of business information systems
- undertake business analysis as part of system development
- undertake business process modelling and design
Machine Learning for Data Analytics (20 credits)
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- understand the aims and fundamental principles of machine learning
- understand a range of the essential core algorithms and approaches to machine learning
- apply the algorithms covered on substantial data sets using Python and Scikit-learn and interpret the outcomes
- understand the applicability of the algorithms to different types of data and problems along with their strengths and limitations
- understand the limitations of basic approaches to deep learning and the need for advanced strategies
- understand and apply a range of advanced algorithms and approaches to deep learning and machine learning using artificial neural networks and interpret the outcomes
Dissertation (60 credits)
After completing a dissertation you'll be able to:
- undertake individual research
- demonstrate a deeper understanding of their research topic
- demonstrate advanced research skills
- demonstrate an understanding of how to manage research to completion, including management of risk
You can choose one of three types of dissertation:
Case study-based (such as identifying, studying, discussing, observing and describing cases to ascertain how different approaches, solutions, methodologies, etc., have been applied or pertain, assessing their relative strengths and weaknesses, and forming conclusions and recommendations based on this analysis). This type of dissertation must focus on IT systems within a named institution.
Application-based (such as analysing, specifying, building and evaluating a prototype application or demonstrator, and forming recommendations and conclusions on the relative merits of the technologies involved and the methodologies used). This type of dissertation must include software development.
Experiment (such as designing an experiment to test the performance of system or system component, analysing the data collected, and forming recommendations and conclusions based on this analysis).
Entry requirements
| Academic requirements | Minimum second-class (2.2) Honours degree, or international equivalent in any subject. |
|---|---|
| English language requirements | You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5). We offer comprehensive English language courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.0. Please see our English Language Teaching for full details. As a university, we now accept many more English language tests in addition to IELTS for overseas applicants, for example, TOEFL and PTE Cambridge. View the full list of accepted English language tests. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually. The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year.
| Scotland | £11,900 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £11,900 |
| Republic of Ireland |
If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process. |
| International | £28,700 |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
| Additional costs | If you are an international student, you may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Careers
Our highly skilled graduates are employed in a variety of roles across a wide range of industries. Among these roles are:
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Database Administrator/Analyst (DBA)
- Enterprise Architect
- Information Security Manager
- IT Test Manager
- Web Developer
Previous employers of our graduates include:
- Arthur Anderson
- Cap Gemini
- Price Waterhouse Coopers
- Sun Microsystems
- IBM
- Compaq
- Tesco
- Ericsson
- Analysys
- Glaxo
- Standard Life
- British Council
- Ministry of Defence
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- ThinkAnalytics
- Capita
The University provides a range of professional development services, including career support services introduced during induction and offered throughout the period of study and after graduation, to help our students achieve their career ambitions.
Apply
There is currently no deadline for submitting applications. However, we encourage you to apply early as we consider applications on a first come, first served basis, and may introduce an application deadline due to high demand.
Start date: Sep 2025
Information Management
Contact us
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Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
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