Master of Science (MSc) NCC Education and the University of Portsmouth 1 year ú6,450

Introduction:
This programme is a two stage process and prepares IT professionals and university graduates for senior business roles.

Stage 1 is the Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Strategic Business IT, studied at LSBM and awarded by NCC Education. This stage consists of four taught modules and provides students with relevant management skills and an understanding of the strategic issues associated with businesses operating in an IT environment. This stage is normaly completed in nine monthshe but student has up to one year to finish the PgD.

Stage 2 is the Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Business IT and consists of two modules: Research Methodology and Dissertation, studied on-line with University of Portsmouth lecturers. The MSc is awarded by the University of Portsmouth. This MSc merges the real world of IT with valuable business training and the best examples of work practice. The student may complete this stage from anywhere in the world or remain in London and they should allow at least six months to complete this portion of their MSc.

Who is this programme for?
*Recent graduates who wish to build on their existing IT skills and develop the skills and knowledge to successfully undertake business management responsibilities.
*IT professionals who wish to reinforce their skills and experience
*Graduate professionals who wish to obtain senior business roles

Course Aims:
The course is intended for graduates from an IT discipline. This course aims to prepare students for a career as knowledge managers in a wide range of information environments. It is designed to provide students with relevant skills enabling them to work as effective and creative knowledge officers, managers, and researchers within organisations in both the public and private sectors. It seeks to develop the student's understanding of ways in which intellectual capital is created, shared, and built upon, with particular emphasis on the role of information in supporting corporate strategy.

How is the programme structured?
The first four modules of the programme are taught full time at the London School of Business and Management over a nine month period. The total programme comprises six separate components delivered over three 13 week academic semesters.  The academic content of modules 1- 4 is provided by NCC Education and delivered directly by LSBM. Successfull completion of these modules will result in the award of the PgD in SBIT from NCC Education. These must be completed successfully before candidates progress to modules 5 and 6.  The latter modules are delivered on-line by the University of Portsmouth supported on site by LSBM. The modules are:

     Module 1 - IT Principles of Inquiry - the next 5 years
     Module 2 - Task Management
     Module 3 - Strategic Business Analysis
     Module 4 - Computer Networking and Management
     ----------------------------------------------------------
     Module 5 - Research Methods 
     Module 6 - Project

Successful completion of the first four modules taken in semesters one and two leads to the NCC Education Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Business IT.  Successful completion of semester three, comprising modules 5 and 6, then leads to the MSc award from the University of Portsmouth.  All modules are challenging and intensive, and designed to reflect the emerging professional standards of the changing environment to which graduates will return. 

Support Facilities:
LSBM recognizes that the physical facilities of an educational institution play an important role in establishing a successful learning environment. As a result we have tried to create the best possible physical environment for our students while maintaining accessibility to needed resources in London.
LSBM has arranged with Birkbeck College in the Bloomsbury area of central London to make available broadband IT  and teaching resources, many of which are state of the art and have 24 hour availability.

Career Opportunities:
As the knowledge society continues to grow there will be an increasingly wide range of opportunities for graduates properly equipped with a broad range of managerial, professional, and technical skills. This course aims to provide students with a blend of skills that will enable them to relate strategic business IT techniques to organizational functions such as strategic planning, decision making and forecasting. Graduates will be well prepared for a variety of roles involving: The design of electronic information management systems; developing IT solutions including intranets and extranets; researching, analyzing and communicating information; training others to develop essential information literacy.
Electronic Information Management skills are required in many different types of organizations both in the public and private sectors. Strategic business IT activities can be undertaken within a wide spectrum of corporate functions, including: human resources, marketing, supply management, project management, and information management.
In particular Electronic Information Management has been most successfully implemented in the financial and business service sectors. The expectation is that these job opportunities will continue to grow.

Entry Requirements:
Generally, applicants must have a relevant IT undergraduate degree and have met the school's English language requirements. (Please see English Language Requirements in the main LSBM brochure) Applications are invited from graduates in any discipline. However, all other factors being equal, preference will be given to applicants who have obtained their undergraduate degree in a relevant IT field or have relevant working experience. Students will be expected to have a sound knowledge of basic IT applications. If not they will be required to take the IT modules of the DMS programme. Specifically students must have:
     *A relevant Bachelors degree in IT or equivalent from a recognized institution, or;
     *A non - IT degree with a minimum four years of work experience in an IT environment with some management or supervisory experience, or:
     *A non - IT degree and completion of the LSBM Diploma in Management studies and two years work experience, or:
     *Six years of work experience in a relevant IT environment with management or supervisory experience.
     *If the student's first language is not English, a minimum TOEL score of 550 (or its equivalent) is required.

Start Date:
There are three start dates per year in February, June, and October. There is no formal closing date, but places may be limited and early application is advised.

Mode/Place of Study:
Full-time in London

Fees:
The tuition fee for the MSc in Strategic Business IT is ú6450. This amount does not include living expenses, travel, or course materials. Students or their employers will be expected to pay their full tuition fees before starting the course.
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English Language Proficiency:
If you can provide evidence of your language ability which satisfies the admissions requirements you can start your academic studies immediately. If you are unsure if your level of English is adequate you will need to take an English test upon arrival.
Our usual English language requirements are: 
     * A TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS score of 6.0 is required or in the absence of these  we can consider the following: 
     * Successful completion of at least two years of study in a secondary school where English was the language of tuition, or... 
     * A British system æOÆ Level/GCSE in English Language with a grade of æCÆ or above.
Alternatively, successful completion of any post secondary / college/professional course of at least two years duration may be accepted as proof of English proficiency, or...
UCLES certificate of proficiency in English (grade æCÆ or better).