Master of Arts (Hons) in IT Management for Business with Graduate Apprenticeships

at Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Campus United Kingdom

Our MSc Information Technology (Business) offers analytical, practical and theoretical courses that combine study of business management and software engineering. They cover the design and development of IT systems, the management of data and IT, business organisation and strategy, project leadership and e-commerce.

The programme does not emphasise computer programming but instead seeks to develop graduates with well developed analytical and project management skills that help them become effective communicators / managers working between software developers and business strategists.

In some cases, the MSc project can be carried out in collaboration with an outside industrial or academic organisation.

Graduates from the programme would be suitable for employment with IT companies, company R&D divisions, financial services organisations, defence contractors or government IT agencies or could register for a PhD.

At Heriot Watt, we are delivering a new MSc programme in Subsurface Energy Systems (SES) that will edcate you about unlocking energy resources with a low carbon footprint. This will be a stepping stone for your career in industry, government, non-government organisations (NGOs) or academia.

The programme addresses key concepts in subsurface energy and CO2 storage, geothermal energy or transitional gas while integrating geoscience, engineering, political and societal aspects. It will appeal to geoscientists, reservoir engineers, governmental stakeholders and all those interested in the management of subsurface reservoirs used to switch from a fossil fuel-driven economy to a decarbonised one, using natural gas as a transitional energy resource. Its production from unconventional reservoirs comes with environmental risks that we have to assess and control. This degree is delivered jointly by The Lyell Centre and the Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering.

The recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts serious consequences from further emitting CO2 into the atmosphere, thereby accelerating man-made climate change. This requires a drastic decarbonisation of our economies by switching from fossil fuels to renewable energies like wind, solar, hydro, or geothermal or by implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) at scale. Renewable energies can readily be used in the form of electrical power. When electricity production exceeds the demand, electricity can be stored in grids or batteries at limited capacity. At larger scale, electricity can be stored in the subsurface after conversion to, for example, hydrogen, thermal energy, or compressed air until needed, allowing for back-production within short and longer time scales of hours to years.

In comparison to temporary energy storage, CCS aims at safe and permanent storage. The UK and especially offshore storage sites in Scotland are attractive targets for CCS and considered to extend the lifetime of oil and gas reservoirs significantly, thereby strengthening the related industrial sectors. The combined technologies of geothermal energy production, subsurface energy storage or CCS refer to the geoengineering aspects of subsurface energy systems (SES). In this context, SES rather refers to the integration of geoenergy applications with energy production at the surface as well as economic, societal and policy aspects.

There is a significant demand globally for research and training in these technologies, given that many small and large integrated oil and gas companies are decarbonising their assets, which at the same time, needs to be monitored and regulated by governmental bodies. Councils across the UK and Europe are increasingly looking at the subsurface for storing or producing energy.

Our MSc in Economics, Banking and Finance will give you the chance to develop specialist expertise across three inter-connected and highly influential subject areas. The degree is informed by recent developments in Heriot-Watt’s sector leading research in Economics and Finance.

Heriot-Watt University is ranked as the number 1 university in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK, for studying both Economics and Finance in the Guardian University League Tables 2018.

As Heriot-Watt University is situated on the edge of Edinburgh, we have excellent links to the financial sector of Scotland’s capital city, the UK’s second biggest financial and economics hub. We also have close ties to the London Stock Exchange and Bloomberg which provide excellent industry-focused learning opportunities.

This masters degree in Economics, Banking and Finance is designed to give you practical, specialist knowledge whilst fine-tuning your professional skills, your research skills and your advanced communication skills. During this course, you will lead on an independent research project of your own and gain insight into the world of international finance.

The MSc in Economics, Banking and Finance is structured to give you access to a range of professions and managerial careers. These include roles in banks, businesses, non-government organisations and government institutions.

This programme combines the core principles and techniques of international finance. It develops student knowledge and understanding of academic finance and of the financial sector, including theory, empirical research and practical issues. It is designed for those who wish to pursue a professional career which calls for familiarity with the financial world.

The programme is also designed to provide the knowledge base and the analytical and research skills necessary for doctoral study in finance. Many graduates pursue careers in the financial sector, some within Edinburgh, a major centre for fund management, and home to two of the world’s largest banks.

The programme enables students to understand core theories and concepts in finance; understand and use a range analytical techniques, for example the analysis of a company's financial statements or the application of models to value financial assets; evaluate methods of empirical research and empirical findings; develop practical knowledge of financial markets and institutions and financial decisions within companies; carry out original research via a dissertation; and develop transferable skills, particularly in analytical techniques, communication and teamwork, relevant to employment in the financial sector or in academic research.

This programme of study responds to the global demand for graduates with science or engineering backgrounds who can provide technical consultation and deliver specialist solutions to improve sustainability. 

Graduates from MSc Global Sustainability Engineering will work at the forefront of sustainable development. They will be able to call on engineering knowledge to identify existing unsustainable processes and practices and implement strategies for improvement. 

Programme aims

In developing this degree, Heriot-Watt University has built on over 30 years of experience in researching and teaching sustainable engineering. We have taken inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and want our graduates to be advocates of change; to understand how both incremental and disruptive approaches can be harnessed for effective sustainable development.

Courses will break down the barriers between disciplines and promote synergy between different branches of learning so that a holistic view of problems and solutions can be developed.

The IT Management for Business Graduate Apprenticeship degree develops specific skills and knowledge of information technology, to enable the participants to play a key role in the management of ICT infrastructure, strategy, operations and projects of their organisation.

Key areas of the programme:
The primary focus of the IT Management for Business Graduate Apprenticeship Programme is on developing the knowledge, understanding and skills outcomes sought by employers.

• Business
• Technology
• Personal and interpersonal
• Software project and delivery management

Each of the four key content areas is combined to deliver a holistic learning experience.

Graduates’ skillset:
The IT Management for Business Graduate Apprenticeship programme aims to produce MA (Hons) graduates equipped with knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:

• A broad background of business operations, procedures and culture applicable to a career in IT in a business environment
• Sufficient technical knowledge to play a key role in an IT related environment
• Personal and interpersonal skills enabling them to work closely and communicate with employees in non-IT related areas of an organisation
• A set of problem-solving and modelling skills appropriate to IT related business operations
• Sufficient management and business knowledge to play a management role in an IT project
• Project delivery experience in a business oriented environment

This Construction Project Management course equips you with the theoretical knowledge and practical and technical skills to manage people and projects within the construction industry.

Construction Project Management at Heriot-Watt University is one of the longest-running courses of its kind in the UK, equipping graduates with the theoretical knowledge and practical and technical skills to manage people and projects within the construction industry.

A range of core modules covering management, procurement and technology-related subjects will give you a foundation in management principles while providing practical skills relevant to professional practice in construction.

You will also choose an optional module from a range of subjects drawn from our built environment courses, providing you with a broader understanding of built environment issues and an opportunity to tailor your studies to fit your interests and professional needs.

The Business and Finance course is a specialist joint degree with equal emphasis given to the subject areas of business and finance. The degree is particularly suited to students who wish to gain a firm grounding in business and management coupled with an insight into the finance and financial operations of businesses and organisations.

Students on this degree can study at our campuses in Dubai and Malysia for one semester or more through Heriot-Watt's Go Global project.

You will have the opportunity to learn hands-on financial skills in our Bloomberg Trading Lab with 16 state-of-the-art industry standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals.

We are ranked 5th in the UK for Town and Country Planning in the Complete University Guide 2021.

Studying urban planning and property development at Heriot-Watt prepares you for a professional career in real estate investment, development, or urban planning and design. It brings together theoretical, practical and policy content from both town planning and real estate.

Our Urban Planning and Property Development course combines real estate management with urban and regional planning and design to provide a broad knowledge of the sector. You will learn key field work skills in surveying, mapping and key research skills whilst learning core modules in statistics and data analysis. Cross disciplinary working helps students acquire a mutual understanding between professions.

Sandwich year:

• A sandwich year option is available, giving students the opportunity to spend one year in a paid placement before completing the final year of study.

Data Scientists are one of the highest sought after roles within all industries. A brand new undergraduate programme for 2021/22.

From Finance to Social Media, the world revolves around Data! In order to remain relevant and competitive in all industries, businesses today must rely on data scientists to analyse their large sets of data and draw out performance boosting insights. In fact, data scientists are so highly sought after that In 2020 alone, there is expected to be nearly 3 million new job postings for professionals with data science and analytic skills.

This BSc (Hons) Data Sciences programme, will help you to get a head start in this innovative career. You will learn the technical and analytical skills to navigate through this data field and how to extract valuable insight from the vast amounts of data available to you.