Business in Technology - MSc
2023/24 Part-time Postgraduate course
Award:
Master of Science
Faculty:
Ulster University Business School
School:
The Business Institute
Campus:
Belfast campus
Start date:
September 2023
Overview
Advancing business and leadership capability in a tech-led world.
Summary
The first of its kind in the UK, the MSc Business in Technology (MBT) was created to meet the increasing demand for technology professionals to lead, influence and develop transformation and organisational growth. The course has been co-designed with industry, with the shared goal of enhancing business acumen and technical capability for aspiring tech leaders. It has been formulated to provide real-world practical experience through project-based learning, industry-based scenarios and live case studies.
This course is ideal for people who want to progress in senior management and leadership careers in the technology or professional services sector.
We’d love to hear from you!
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
- Course specific information
- Fees and Finance
- Admissions
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
About this course
In this section
About
The MSc Business in Technology is built around a triangle of business understanding, human insights, and technical capability. You will cover topics such as business analysis, structured problem solving, stakeholder and client management, influencing and leadership, transformation management and tech and data science. You’ll graduate with advanced business and leadership skills that are highly relevant to organisations engaging with technology-led transformation and innovation.
The course uses a mix of applied theory, practical teaching and ‘real world’ project-based learning to develop the business acumen and leadership skills required to manage and lead transformation and sustainable change. This course encourages collaboration and building a community of learners, providing the opportunity to explore ideas, network, and learn with like-minded people.
There is also an option to apply to our PGCert Business Analysis and Consulting (which forms part of this Masters degree).
Attendance
This is a 3-year part-time course that requires you to attend a 1 x 3-hour weekly class and study pre-recorded video tutorials in your own time.
Start dates
- September 2023
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The course utilises a unique blended delivery mode, combining on-campus teaching with online learning. Online sessions will take the form of pre-recorded lectures and prepared resources that students can access in their own time to suit their individual circumstances.
This course is also available to study fully online with intakes in January, March, May, July, September and November.
The programme offers the opportunity to apply the learning and assessments to real-life projects, industry and work-based scenarios.
Assessments will take the form of reports and business case writing, professional conversations, business simulation tasks, online presentations and learning logs.
Assessment is 100% via coursework – both individual and group work.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
- the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
- the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
- the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Belfast campus
Belfast Campus Location
The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
Accommodation
High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.
Find out more - information about accommodation
Student Wellbeing
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year one
Business Analysis and Consulting
Year: 1
Status: C
The aim of this module is to provide the skills and capabilities required to undertake effective business analysis to manage and implement change. It focuses on developing the practical, evaluative and analytical skills required to influence and develop strategy and performance that achieve sustainable outcomes. Subjects covered in include business analysis tools and processes, understanding and evaluating business needs, business problem solving, benefits realisation and impact measurement.
Stakeholder and Client Management
Year: 1
Status: C
This module aims to enable participants to apply the principles and practices of effective stakeholder and client management, particularly in implementing sustainable change and delivering sustainable outcomes. The module will develop the skills and capabilities required to influence and manage key stakeholders and manage clients. Subjects covered include stakeholder analysis, client and stakeholder management and influencing and negotiating.
Year two
Consultancy in Practice
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to develop and apply valuable business analysis and consulting skills; in particular, business investigation and analysis, reporting, benefits realisation and stakeholder and client management. The module uses project-based learning methodologies to provide students with an understanding of how business analysis and consulting skills and knowledge can be applied to a 'real life' consulting project. This is particularly relevant to students requiring an understanding of business analysis to strengthen their progression on a management career path within the Business Analyst/Consulting sector.
Transformation in Practice
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides an opportunity for students to apply the principles and practices of transformation management and leadership through a live consulting project. The module uses work-based learning to provide students with real-life work experiences where they can apply transformation management and leadership theories, concepts and tools. The module also explores the role and application of tech and data in transformation.
Leadership and Transformation
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides students with in-depth knowledge of leading transformation within the organisational context. It will equip students with an in-depth understanding and ability to critique and appreciate the key concepts and theories of leadership development in the context of transformation management and building and leading teams for effective transformation execution.
Strategy and Transformation
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of strategy and transformation in a range of organisational contexts. It will provide students with an understanding of how tools and techniques can be applied in the planning and implementation of strategy and transformation.
Capstone Transformation Project
Year: 2
Status: C
The Transformation Project enables students to apply the theoretical concepts encountered on the MSc Business and Technology (MBT) to a "live" management issue. In doing so they choose appropriate research methodologies, gather data and make conclusions and recommendations to the host organisation.
Tech and Data Science in Consulting
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to explore a variety of data storage, management and analysis paradigms in order to enables students to effectively understand the OSEMN data science pipeline.
Within this module, the OSEMN pipeline will be applied to obtaining meaning and insights from an array of disparate data sources which align to the definition of big data.
Tech Operations in Transformation
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to explore a range of modern development and deployment concepts in the context of scalable cloud computing infrastructure such as AWS and Azure.
Within this module concepts such as containerisation, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, cloud architectures and infrastructure will be explored.
Year three
Business Research Skills
Year: 3
Status: C
Research is imperative for implementing change, transformation management and making informed business decision making. The aim of this module is to facilitate an understanding of the main concepts and principles of research in a leadership, change and transformation context. The module develops the student's understanding of how to source, interpret and analyse business information and data. It considers how the information is reported and utilised for the purposes of business or organisational development.
Complex Project Management
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides an understanding of project management and project management
methods. The module covers four the project management process, managing complex projects, processes, the project environment, project teams and budgets.
Transformation Consultancy Project
Year: 3
Status: C
The Transformation Project enables students to apply the theoretical concepts encountered on the MSc Business and Technology (MBT) to a "live" management issue. In doing so they choose appropriate research methodologies, gather data, develop a project plan and make conclusions and recommendations to the host organisation.
Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
(ii) an equivalent standard in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent);
In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Careers & opportunities
In this section
Career options
The MSc Business in Technology programme is highly relevant in today’s marketplace with an increasing demand for technology professionals with business and leadership skills. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to transition to senior management and leadership roles, particularly in the technology and professional services sector.
Apply
Start dates
- September 2023
Fees and funding
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
Additional mandatory costs
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
Contact
We’d love to hear from you!
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
- Course specific information
- Fees and Finance
- Admissions
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
For more information visit
Disclaimer
- Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
- If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
- The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
- The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
Testimonials
“My experience of the MBT has been totally positive. I’ve learned so much in such a short space of time, and I’m already reaping the benefits; I have a strong group of individuals to lean upon in my cohort who I’ve learned so much from, I’ve strengthened my own position in my immediate team, and I’m already carving out new career opportunities as a result of the MBT. I’m really looking forward to what the rest of the course has to offer, and I’m in no doubt it will prove hugely beneficial in the years to come.”
Maria Marsella (PwC)