Information Management Postgraduate Taught - September 2024/25* Entry

This programme is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Students of this programme will graduate with the dual award of a Bangor University Masters and a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

Effective information management is key to the success of any organisation. The MBA Information Management develops knowledgeable and capable executives who will become managers in the IT / computing industry, or in companies in other sectors. The aim of the programme is to provide graduates with a range of management knowledge and skills, together with a thorough foundation in information management, information technology, and its commercial applications. The programme includes topical case studies, and reflects contemporary developments within the sector. The course is suitable for graduates in a wide range of disciplines, including Engineering, Finance, Social Sciences and other subjects. 

PLEASE NOTE: This course is designed for students with little or no background in Computer Science. Applicants who hold a Bachelor degree in Computer Science (or a closely related subject) are advised to apply for one of the Masters programmes in the School of Computer Science.

What will you study on this course?

Compulsory Modules:

Organisations and People: This module examines key issues arising from contemporary research in organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM). It provides an integrated analysis of management, organisations and people, developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts. Specific topics include:

• The nature of organisations
• Organisation structures: strategy, design and function, job design
• Organisation cultures: values, ethics, norms of behaviour
• Theories and models of management: classical and contemporary
• Individual differences: perception, learning, motivation, equality and diversity
• Groups and teams in the organisation
• Managing relationships: power, conflict, communication, engagement
• Managers as leaders, people developers, coaches
• Managing job satisfaction and performance

International Strategic Management: This module analyses strategic decision-making within business. You will develop a critical understanding of the strategic processes of business management, the interconnections with the functional domains of marketing, human resource management and corporate finance, and the management of knowledge systems. Specific topics include:

• Concepts of strategic management applicable to business
• Prescriptive and emergent strategies
• Strategy implementation through capacity building and resource allocation
• Managing, monitoring and reviewing strategic change
• Organisational designs for strategic advantage
• Human resources strategy, marketing and corporate financial strategy
• Organisational learning and knowledge management

Management Research: This module analyses the philosophical basis for research in the management sciences, and examines a number of key methodological issues and approaches. Research designs for both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are developed, including interviews, case studies, focus groups, surveys and experiments. Specific topics include:

• Research methodologies and philosophy: positivism and interpretivism
• Qualitative research methods and the search for meaning
• Selecting a research strategy and design
• Data gathering, documentary records, triangulation and mixed methods
• Content analysis, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, grounded theory
• Quantitative research design and methodologies
• Univariate and multivariate analysis, factor, cluster and discriminant analysis

Web Technologies: This module provides an understanding of the basic technologies and structures for developing web applications, including internet resource creation, search techniques and programming languages for creating web content. You will create and use multimedia content in web applications, and gain familiarity with technologies for creating secure web applications. Specific topics include:

• Internet concepts; networks; ISO 7 layer model; basic network architecture; routing; domain names; email; ftp; telnet; HTTP
• WWW concepts; Internet resources; URI, and URI resolution, URL, URN; relation to XML namespaces; search engines; search algorithms; search engine optimisation
• JavaScript; PHP; CSS; programming tools and environments
• Multimedia; WWW support for multimedia; file compression
• Internet Security; Cryptography; standards for the Internet; public key systems; signatures; authentication; trust management; electronic cash; security issues; firewalls
• Web programming; HTML; XML; form input; CGI scripting; Perl programming  

Finance for Managers: This module is designed for those who aim to achieve a basic understanding of financial management and control, and who require an understanding of finance in order to manage an organisation effectively. Financial planning and control are central themes, as well as the appraisal techniques of investment projects. Specific topics include: 

• Principles underlying the preparation of accounting information
• Recording business transactions
• Preparation and analysis of financial statements
• Preparation of budgets, financial planning and control
• Costing methods, uses and interpretation of cost data
• Investment appraisal techniques

Databases: This module shows how to design a database and intelligently query a database using SQL; and provides an introductory level of understanding in database systems. A mini project is carried out towards the end of the module. This project allows you to complete the entire development process, from informal user requirements, to ER/EER modelling, transformation into relations, normalisation, and finally to the SQL commands to create and query the database. Specific topics include:

• Characteristics of a relational database
• ER/EER modelling of simple applications
• Relational model and relational algebra
• Transformation of an ER/EER model into a relational database
• Normalisation techniques
• Uses of SQL language to create and query a database

Technologies for Internet Systems: This module introduces technologies and tools for Internet Systems and e-commerce systems.  Technologies and structures for developing web applications are examined. Technical issues for implementing an e-system, and commonly-available technology components, are covered. You will implement a practical web based e-commerce system using relevant technologies, taking into account current market implementation. Specific topics include:

• e-commerce ideas and concepts
• Internet concepts;  networks; basic network architecture; routing; domain names; email; telnet; HTTP
• Architectures and technologies, e-payment, e-commerce software and hardware, e-security, auctions
• Design and implementation: HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, DOM, SVG
• Research awareness: agent-based e-commerce; web services; grid computing; virtual organisations

Information Systems: This module examines the major types and components of Information Systems, their functions, benefits and limitations. The theoretical underpinnings of Information Systems are analysed. You will study the main business and personal uses of Information Systems, and how such systems are developed, procured and deployed. Specific topics include:

• Understanding the nature of organisations and the people within them, and their use of information for strategic business purposes
• The influence of human and organisational factors on the successful introduction of information systems
• Methods and techniques involved in project and programme management
• The importance of business processes and techniques for process modelling

Part 2:

For MBA Information Management, you MUST:

• Complete two of the following Applied Business Projects: Business Planning; e-Business and Chain Value; Human Resource Management; International Business; Operations Management; Investment and Private Banking.
• Write a Computing project, Software Hut. Software Hut is a project in which students (in groups) analyse, design and implement a software product for an organisation.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Information Management Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

Entry to the MBA in Information Management programme requires a 2(ii) undergradute degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Business or Science from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification and relevant practical experience may also be accepted. In general, however, applicants are judged on their individual merits and age, work experience and other factors are also considered. For MBA degrees, whilst work experience is desirable, it is not essential.

If your native language is not English, you must provide satisfactory evidence that you have an adequate knowledge and understanding of written and spoken English:

• IELTS: 6.0 (with no element below 5.5)
• Pearson PTE: a score of 56 (with no element lower than 51)
• Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 169 (with no element lower than 162)

It may be necessary for applicants falling short of this minimum standard to attend an intensive English Language course before registering for the academic programme. Such a course is available at Bangor, and full details and an application form may be obtained here.