Start date: September Duration: 1 year full-time or 2/3 years part-time Programme codes: MSc: INFT101 (full-time), INFT110 (3yr part-time), INFT161 (2yr part-time)
Postgraduate Diploma: INFT111 (full-time), INFT112 (part-time)
Postgraduate Certificate: INFT118 (full-time), INFT119 (part-time) Accreditation: MSc & Diploma accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
This course is also available as a Professional Enhancement course - see bottom of 'Overview' page.
Overview
The Information Management MSc will equip you for a wide variety of organisational and consultancy roles that demand expertise in information and knowledge management.
Why should I take this course?
The emphasis of the programme is on developing your knowledge, skills and experience of design, implementation, management and governance effective information environments. This includes examining their purposes, functions and processes; and mediating between information users, resources and systems in both organizational and networked contexts. You will also acquire practical experience in the use of new information and communications technologies, and develop personal awareness and skills relevant to information management in a variety of workplace roles.
What will I gain?
The Information Management MSc aims to equip you with an understanding of the core concepts and principles related to the systematic design and implementation of information, knowledge and data environments in organizational and networked contexts. It will enable you to develop your practical skills in handling and designing the technologies for creating, storing, distributing and using information for the benefit of managers, professionals and others.
What will I learn?
The information management course at the Information School University of Sheffield is situated within the Faculty of Social Sciences. The basic foundations of information management concern the systematic acquisition, storage, retrieval, processing and use of data, information and knowledge, in support of decision-making, sense-making, and organisational goals. At the same time there is also an interest in and concern with contextualizing these processes in relation to the broader conditions and consequences of data and information processing for individuals, e.g. citizens consumers and patients, for the economy, and for society.
More specialised modules in areas such as business intelligence, e-business and e-commerce, information retrieval: principles and management of search technology information governance and ethics, researching social media, enable you to tailor the curriculum to your own interests and career aspirations.
You will be expected to complete a dissertation on a subject of your choice by September, so the second semester includes a research methods and dissertation preparation module to help you with your research over the summer.
How will I be taught and assessed?
The Information School has an international reputation for teaching and research in information management, and the latest ideas are fed directly into the MSc Information Management.
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 strong emphasis on problem-solving and individual aspects of learning, with the expectation that you will engage in independent study, reading and research in support of your coursework.
Assessments vary depending on the modules you choose 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 your choice. You may choose to carry out your dissertation with an external organisation, for instance if you are a Professional Enhancement student, your project could be directly related to your own work situation. In the past, students who have carried out such dissertations have welcomed the opportunity to tackle 'real-life' problems.
In addition, an important element of the course is the acquisition and development of the transferable skills needed in today’s workplace. These include skills in oral and written communication, developed through doing presentations and report writing as part of assessed work. Organisational and teamworking skills are developed through group work. We seek to develop your management and leadership capabilities on the course too.
Where will I study?
Our campus and how we use it
We timetable teaching across the whole of our campus, the details of which can be found on our campus map. Teaching may take place in a student’s home department, but may also be timetabled to take place within other departments or central teaching space.
Professional Enhancement Course
Information Management MSc (Professional Enhancement)
Start date: September Duration: 1 year full-time or 2-3 years part-time Programme codes: INFT144 (full-time), INFT147 (part-time)
This programme is specifically designed for you if you have two or more years' relevant work experience in the information sector and wish to study for a higher degree to develop your knowledge and skills.
Modules
To obtain an MSc you must take modules totaling 180 Credits from the following, including the Core, Dissertation, and Dissertation Preparation modules.
Students shall attend organised visits as prescribed by the Head of Department during the programme of study.
an undergraduate degree in any subject discipline and at least 2 years' relevant work experience, or
an undergraduate degree in any subject together with an acceptable relevant professional qualification and at least 2 years' relevant work experience, or
an undergraduate degree in any subject area, and at least 5 years' relevant work experienc.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree but have other qualifications and substantial relevant work experience you may be considered for entry onto the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma courses.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is current and relevant. Individual modules may be updated or withdrawn in response to discoveries through our world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, curriculum review, staff availability, and variations in student numbers. In the event of a material change the University will inform students in good time and will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Other Professional Enhancement courses
Postgraduate Certificate requires a total of 60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma requires a total of 120 Credits
Other courses
Postgraduate Certificate requires a total of 60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma requires a total of 120 Credits
Professional Enhancement
Modules
The full-time Information Management MSc is a 12 month programme, running from September to September. Teaching consists of two 15-week semesters, from late September to the following June. You will then write your dissertation and finish in mid-September.
Students studying part time will complete their course over two years.
Modules have a value of credits: 180 credits are required for graduation. Details are below.
Postgraduate Certificate requires a total of 60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma requires a total of 120 Credits
Professional Enhancement
Entry Requirements
You are normally expected to have at least a 2:1 honours degree.
We encourage you to apply if you want to pursue a career in this field but have little (up to one year) or no previous relevant work experience.
English Language Entry Requirements
If your first language is not English you need to provide documentary evidence of English Language competence. You must meet the following minimum requirements:
If your application is successful you may need to attend an English Language class in the University before or during the course.
Staged admissions process
Applications to this course are assessed using our staged admissions process
Stage
For applications received by:
We aim to return decisions by:
A
14 October 2019
28 October 2019
B
30 November 2019
14 December 2019
C
14 January 2019
28 January 2020
D
29 February 2020
14 March 2020
E
14 April 2020
28 April 2020
F
31 May 2020
14 June 2020
G
14 July 2020
28 July 2020
In some cases, because of the high volume of applications we receive, we may need more time to assess your application. If this is the case, we will assess your application in the next stage. We will let you know if we intend to do this.
Study places are offered subject to availability. Given the popularity of these courses, places may not be available if you apply later in the cycle.
If we offer you a place, we will ask you to accept the offer and pay a tuition fee deposit (relevant International students only). If you do not accept the offer and pay the deposit within four weeks of the date of the offer letter, we may withdraw our offer.
You can find information about the process on our staged admissions web page:
If your application is successful we will invite you to attend an Open Day at the School. We hold these several times a year, and will inform you of possible dates when we contact you. Attendance at an open day is optional but will give you the opportunity to see our facilities and to meet the academic staff and current students.
There is currently no closing date for applications for the coming academic year, but we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Careers
Your career prospects
Management of diverse forms of information is increasingly important in business today. Our Information Management MSc degree will help prepare students for a wide range of career options within information management.
What people are saying about careers in information management
The rapid pace of technological change and globalisation means that organisations are placing more emphasis on the value of information. In a fast paced environment there is a need for individuals who have the analytical skills to store and display information effectively. Information managers also need the skills to understand and manage the complex relationships between information resources, users and their organisational context. Our Information Management MSc degree equips students with skills to meet this need in industry.
Who is employing graduates?
Recent graduates work for national and international organisations, including:
Accenture
Ernst & Young
Pearson Education
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
BBC Information and Archives
House of Commons Library
University of Leeds
University of London Library
New South Wales Bar Association Library
Hang Seng Bank
Uniper Technologies
Webcertain Group
Job titles
Our graduates progress into a number of roles in the information management profession including:
Information Officer
Business Intelligence Consultant
Information Advisor
Knowledge Management Officer
Consultant
Systems Analyst
Web Projects Manager
Researcher
Course Team
The course tutors in the department are all research active, and many have a professional background, so have first-hand experience. We also invite guest lecturers who are leading thinkers and practitioners in the field, so you will have a chance to talk with professionals about real-life problems and solutions, as well as making contacts to build your professional network.
Course Coordinator
“I currently coordinate the Information Architecture module, and I also teach on Information Systems in Organisations, Information and Knowledge Management, Information Systems Change Management, Information Management in the Learning Organisation, and Digital Technologies in Organisations.
In terms of my teaching philosophy, I follow experiential learning approaches and I am committed to creating learning situations where students can directly participate in engaging activities such as role play and case studies.”
What are the factors that a student should consider before applying for the Information Management MSc?
Information management is an area of study that is of relevance to a range of disciplines and fields of study across the humanities, social sciences and sciences. It is also of great practical relevance to organizations in a range of sectors, including business, government, health, education, research, and not-for-profit organizations. However, prospective applicants should also reflect both on the ways in which information management can extend their previous studies, or how it fits their future career aspirations, and the job market.
Is work experience necessary/preferred for the Information Management MSc course?
It is not necessary to have work experience in order to apply for our courses; and successful students will always benefit not only from the content of the course, but also from the interactive way in which the content is taught via seminars, case studies, discussion, lab work, problem-solving etc. However, if applicants do have work experience this will undoubtedly be of benefit, by providing a practical context within which to apply the ideas taught and acquired on the course.
What kind of research avenues can one explore in this field? How can international students approach the School for research opportunities?
Masters level students will conduct a practical piece of research, as a normal part of their program. Depending on their interest and aptitude, there are further opportunities for studying and conducting research at doctoral level. Staff members research interests are widely publicized via research group and individual web pages, which are available via the Information School website.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our 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 we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.