Design & Development of Digital Business

Course Outline

Our MSc Design & Development of Digital Business is a 12-month (full-time) taught master’s degree course. This intensive and innovative course is aimed at creatively minded honours graduates from non-technical backgrounds. The program provides students with the design skills and technical knowledge to explore interesting, real-world problems and create innovative digital products and services. The course aims to provide students with a world-class student experience and excellent employment opportunities. The course places an emphasis on applying an agile, design thinking approach to problem solving. You will gain both the practical skills, and an approach to working, that is collaborative, creative and impactful.



Programme content

In Part I of the course, you will work closely with our staff in lectures, seminars, and tutorials to acquire and hone the knowledge and skills that underpin contemporary digital businesses. Modules focus on providing students with expertise across four key areas: analysis, design, strategy, and implementation. Technical and design subjects are grounded in business and societal contexts, empowering you to create digital solutions with impact. Part 1 modules include software development and database design, interaction design, business model innovation, digital business strategy and service design. Technical modules are designed for students with little or no prior experience in computing technology.



In Part II, you work in small groups with a mentor to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical way – by developing an idea for a new, innovative digital business solution. The project groups work in sprints, to research the problem area and ideate innovative solutions. In later sprints, groups transform their initial concepts into a fully articulated business plan, culminating in the implementation of a functional proof-of-concept prototype system.

In total students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I

IS6100 Sustainable Digital Business Models (5 Credits)

IS6124 Business Models for Disruptive Technology (5 Credits)

IS6127 Systems Analysis (5 Credits)

IS6130 Internationalisation and Digital Business Strategy (5 Credits)

IS6131 Web Development for Global Markets (5 Credits)

IS6132 Web Development for Digital Business (5 Credits)

IS6133 Interaction Design for a Global Audience (5 Credits)

IS6143 Foundations of Object-Oriented Programming (5 Credits)

IS6144 Introduction to Mobile Application Development (5 Credits)

IS6145 Database Analysis and Design (5 Credits)

IS6146 Databases for Management Information Systems (5 Credits)

IS6147 Service Design Thinking (5 Credits)



Part II

IS6057 Digital Design and Development Project (30 credits)

Requirements:

To apply for this course, you will have:

- at least a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline except those with high levels of software development content (e.g. computer science, business information systems, etc.)

or

- expect to graduate in the year of entry with at least a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline except those with high levels of software development content



Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria but who have relevant professional experience, subject to approval by the School of Business.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Assessment is performed through a number of methods: by examinations at the end of teaching Part 1 (up to Christmas) and Part 2 (usually the following May), set class assignments, and continuous assessment.


The course is taught by staff from the Department of Business Information Systems (seven modules) and from the Department of Electrical Engineering (one module).

1 year full-time.

Start Date: 8th September 2025.

Skills and Careers Information

On this programme you can expect to gain both technical and commercial skills. The technical skills include programming for the web and mobile devices, data modelling, and database management. The commercial skills learned include electronic business models, business systems analysis, and electronic commerce. You will have the know-how to start your own e-business or seek a position in an established company.



Our graduates have secured positions as business analysts, systems analysts, programmers, consultants, etc. with a variety of indigenous and multinational companies in fields as diverse as business consultancy, IT, telecommunications, banking, insurance, and pharmaceuticals.