Information Systems for Business Performance - Conversion Course

Course Outline

Our MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP) programme is a conversion course offered by the Cork University Business School at UCC. It is designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development (e.g. Business Information Systems, Computer Science, and Software Development) or who have not more than two years of work experience in these fields.



The MSc programme provides you with a coherent set of skills that are essential in building, managing, and leveraging effective and efficient information systems (IS) for organisations. Our ISBP graduates will acquire the skills necessary to manage and leverage information systems for problem-solving, value-generation and cost savings,



This is a 12-month intensive course with industrially mentored collaborative projects. Students are taught from beginner level and prepared to take up business analyst/programmer and management positions in IT departments in small, medium or large organisations, whether public or private, in the financial services, manufacturing or any sector.



We have been awarded the GradIreland Postgraduate Course of the Year for seven consecutive years and our graduates have an excellent employment record.

Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I and complete a research project to the value of 30 credits in Part II.



Part I

Core Modules

IS6121 Digital Leadership Seminars (5 credits)

IS6136 Professional Practice Skills and Ethics (5 credits)

IS6137 IT Project Management (5 credits)

IS6138 Digital Governance and Compliance (5 credits)

IS6139 Business Decision Support (5 credits)

IS6140 An Introduction to Business Intelligence and Analytics (5 credits)

IS6150 Sustainable Digital Business Models (5 credits)

IS6151 Business Models for Disruptive Technology (5 credits)

IS6152 Systems Analysis (5 credits)

IS6153 Application Design (5 credits)

IS6155 Database Analysis and Design (5 credits)

IS6156 Databases for Management Information Systems (5 credits)



Part II

IS6056 Collaborative Industry Research Project (30 credits)

Part II consists of an industry research project that allows for practical experience of a research project in a business context. This collaborative project will allow groups of students to specialise in an assigned industry sector (e.g. financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, government, retail/distribution) in the context of a research project carried out under the supervision of an industry expert and an academic specialist. Groups will develop a proposal and carry out fieldwork in order to produce a report on their topic.

The MSc in Information Systems for Business Performance is a conversion course designed for applicants who have not previously studied high levels of software development (e.g. Business Information Systems, Computer Science and Software Development) or who have not more than 2 years work experience in these fields.



Applicants must hold a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8).



Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the above academic entry requirements. Each application will be reviewed by programme directors and is subject to approval by the Head of relevant Discipline within 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.

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.

The assessment methods vary in order to facilitate group and individual applied learning. Report writing, presentations, development projects and in-class exams are examples of the types of assessments used.

90 credits

1 year full-time.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Our MSc ISBP graduates are employed nationally and internationally as business analysts, programmers, managers, web and database developers, project managers, auditors, researchers, business intelligence consultants, marketing managers, and consultants in industry sectors reliant on IS. In recent years our graduating classes have achieved virtually 100% employment.