Course Overview
The NCC Education Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Business IT leading to the University of Portsmouth MSc Strategic Business IT is a full-time programme aimed at candidates from an Information Technology (IT) background. The course provides a thorough knowledge of IT in business and will prepare the individual with the necessary academic skills and credits for the eventual continuation to a Master of Science (MSc) degree. There is a strong IT theme running throughout the course and an opportunity to build on existing technical competencies to an advanced level.

The learning outcome of the course is to equip the candidates with the necessary abilities to analyse the complex and interacting issues of a real world domain, to identify and be capable of analysing alternative approaches to address these issues and to select the most appropriate approach on the basis of experience and disciplined thought.

The specific objectives of this programme are to significantly facilitate students to:

1. Apply knowledge and skills in contributing to the strategic business & ICT management of an organisation.
2. Demonstrate cross-functional abilities in the IT management of a business or significant project.
3. Demonstrate development of a range of transferable skills.
4. Plan the continual personal development and learning necessary for their future careers and reflect on their classroom and work based learning experiences.
5. Respond to changing workplace environments.
6. Relate theoretical knowledge directly into the workplace confidently, together with valuing a practical blend of taking initiative and thinking laterally.
7. Apply learning and research skills to produce a dissertation / research Project.

Course Audience
This course is designed for:

Individuals who wish to build on their existing skills whilst being introduced to a range of business and management issues which will equip them with relevant skills and knowledge to undertake responsibilities

IT personnel who wish to enhance their career opportunities, specifically in the areas of management and strategic business analyses
Individuals who wish to gain credit transfer to a top-up MSc programme
 
The following are the minimum admission requirements for this programme:

- Primary degree in the field of Computing, or any other related field, awarded by a recognised institution / authority
              Or
- Minimum of 5 years work experience in an IT environment together with some management or supervisory experience
- International applicants whose first language is not English must produce an official test score of an internationally recognised English Language proficiency testing system. The minimum English Language test score requirement for this course is 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Official equivalent scores from other internationally recognised English Language tests (for example: TOEFL) will also be accepted.

Course Content
 
Stage 1 – Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Business Information Technology (awarded by NCC Education)

Research in Information Technology - 30 Credits
Enterprise Software and Business Infrastructure - 30 Credits
Strategic Information System Analysis - 30 Credits
Project Management - 30 Credits

Stage 2 – MSc in Strategic Business IT (awarded by the University of Portsmouth, UK)

Research Methodology
Dissertation

Two modules facilitated online by university lecturers
Detailed module descriptions available upon request by directly contacting the college.
 
Accreditation
The Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Business Information Technology course portion is awarded by NCC Education, UK. The MSc in Strategic Business IT is awarded by University of Portsmouth. Both qualifications are recognised and included on the Irish Dept. of Education “Internationalisation Register” of approved Irish colleges and courses.

Duration
Two academic years for both qualifications, and to achieve the MSc in Strategic Business IT. Fourteen months full-time to complete both qualifications, and two years if taken on a part-time basis.

Course Fees
Please contact the college directly to ascertain the course fees.
Medical insurance for Non-EU nationals is compulsory and as part of the Irish Student Visa requirements and can be arranged by CCT for an additional fee of EUR160 for 12 months.