Postgraduate studies in Information Systems

09 Jul 2020
09 Jul 2020

The Department of Information Systems offers well established and intellectually challenging postgraduate programmes in Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) at all levels for full-time and part-time students.
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Applications are being accepted until 31 October 2020 for the following 2021 programmes:

Part-Time Honours in Management Information Systems

The two year part-time Honours degree is primarily aimed at people working in the IS/IT industry with non-IS qualifications, but at least three years’ working experience. In the absence of tertiary education qualifications, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be used as a criterion for admission.

Students have a choice of four streams in 2021:

  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours specialising in Management Information Systems
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours specialising in Cybersecurity
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours specialising in Business Analysis and Systems Analysis
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours specialising in Enterprise Systems and Business Process Management

In their first year, students complete coursework in modular blocks. In their second year, students complete a
research report. Admission into the second year of the programme is subject to a student’s academic
performance (i.e. at least 65% in the first year). If their academic performance is not at the required level, they
will need to convert to a Postgraduate Diploma.

Further information is available here.

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Information Systems

The two year part-time Postgraduate Diploma is primarily aimed at people working in the IS/IT industry with non-IS qualifications, but at least three years’ working experience. In the absence of tertiary education qualifications, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be used as a criterion for admission. Students have a choice of four streams in 2021:

  • Information Systems Management
  • Cybersecurity
  • Business Analysis and Systems Analysis
  • Enterprise Systems and Business Process Management

In the first year, students complete coursework in modular blocks. In their second year, students complete a work-related project using the knowledge gained in their first year of study. Those with good academic performance (i.e. at least 65% in the first year) may be invited to convert to the Part-Time Honours programme.

Further information is available here.

Full-Time Honours in Information Systems – 1 Year Programme

This highly innovative one-year, full-time Honours programme targets recent graduates majoring in IS (or other relevant fields) and who do not necessarily have any work experience.

The programme focuses on the major contemporary issues in practice and recent research contributions in the field of IS applications and management. Students work closely with academics in their research and systems development projects. Applicants are expected to have obtained an overall credit-weighted average of at least 65% for their third year IS/CS major courses, have programming experience at third year level and have a good overall academic record.

Further information is available here.

Full-Time Honours in Information Systems – Industry Stream (2 years programme)

We would like to encourage applicants who do not have enough programming skills to qualify for the 1 year programme, to apply for the Full Time Honours - Industry Stream.

Please note that this is a different programme to the Part Time Honours in IS.

In order to qualify for the Full Time Honours - Industry Stream, applicants must be employed (e.g. internship). However, they do not require 3 years of work experience. For example, an applicant who recently completed an undergraduate degree in IS (or other relevant fields) and who has a job offer could be considered for the Industry Stream.

Should an applicant be accepted into the programme, they will be required to attend lectures in person and participate in all course activities.

To qualify, applicants are expected to have obtained an overall credit-weighted average of at least 65% for their third year IS/CS major courses, have a good overall academic record and have a job offer.

MCom and MBusSc in Information Systems

The Master’s degree is offered by coursework and dissertation (more popularly) or, in certain circumstances, by dissertation only. It is open to both part-time and full-time students with a good Honours degree in IS (or other relevant fields). Students can complete the programme within 18 months. Students not residing in Cape Town can attend block sessions (official dates will be communicated to successful candidates).

Current research areas include: IS Education and Educational Technology; ICT Innovations, and the Use of ICT for innovation; IS Management/Project Management/Systems Development/Cybersecurity and ICT for Development, among others.

Further information is available here.

PhD in Information Systems

The Doctoral degree is offered by dissertation only. To support preparation for research, candidates are required to participate in a Philosophy of Science course in the first year of the doctoral programme. It is open to both part-time and full-time students with a good Masters degree in IS (or other relevant fields).

Further information is available here.

Please Note: Acceptance of the candidate is at the discretion of the Head of Department and further information may be required from the candidate.

Applications: Applications may be submitted online via https://www.uct.ac.za/apply/applications/forms/