MSc Design and Development of Digital Business

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)

In this program, you can expect to gain technical, design, and commercial skills. The technical skills include programming for the web and mobile devices, data modeling, and database management. The design skills include design thinking, interaction design, and service design. The commercial skills learned include digital business models, business systems analysis, and e-commerce. You will have the know-how to start your own digital business or seek a position in an established company.

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