Programme Specification for Information and Communication Technologies and Development MSc
|
Final award |
MSc |
|
Intermediate awards available |
Postgraduate Diploma and postgraduate Certificate |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Draws on Computing, Sociology, Politics and International Relations and Economics |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
June 2012 |
Programme content
The MSc Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Development programme at UEL explores the debates around the potential of ICTs to facilitate social economic development within an international context. It forms the basis of critical evaluation of research and practice in the field and provides the opportunity to understand the complex and dynamic relations between the social, economic and political forces that shape ICTs and development processes,
Unique in its offer of a social science perspective, the programme provides a distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum that draws on science, technology and society studies, development studies, economics, geography, anthropology, politics Information technology and other perspectives associated with ICTs and Development:
- Historical perspectives on ICTs and Development
- Global, National and Regional ICT and development Policies
- Society, ICT and Innovation processes
- Methods, design and implementation of ICT systems
- Sustainable ICT Management
- Theoretical and conceptual frameworks that underpin ICTs and socio- economic development processes and practice
Students conduct an original research project and write a research dissertation under supervision and have opportunities to attend research seminars , workshops and events on campus, and in and around London related to both scholarly and public interest
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have a first class or upper second class honours degree in an ICT, development related or social science subject or comparable professional or research experience. Applicants will also normally have some basic ICT skills. Eligibility for students without a degree equivalent qualification will be assessed on the basis of a short essay and successful interview with a member of the programme team. International students may be interviewed by phone or Skype
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.
Programme structure
The programme consists of 4 modules and a dissertation. You will take 2 modules in the Autumn Semester followed by 2 modules in the Spring Semester and the dissertation is completed over the summer. The programme will run in full-time (F/T) and part-time (P/T) mode and will accommodate both a September and a February start.
Learning environment
The programme adopts a variety of teaching methods including Lectures, seminars, practical based workshops, group work and tutorials. We will also be using our online virtual learning environment to supplement the delivery of the programme.
Assessment
Assessments take the form of essays, reports presentations and module projects each module is assessed independently. All modules carry 30 credits except the dissertation which carries 60 credits. One of the core modules has a two hour exam. .
Relevance to work/profession
The programme equips students with transferable skills that are relevant to both the ICT and Development sectors. The independent project or dissertation may also be connected to your work experience or existing professional work. The programme is geared to support students seeking a career in ICT and development –related industries, and with a particular focus on the links between ICT and socio economic growth, ICT and development initiatives, design and management of ICTs in a global context and ICT and development research.
Dissertation/project work
The dissertation is a key element of this programme and as such, carries twice the credit rating of other modules (60 credits). It constitutes a major piece of original research on a theme related to ICTs and development and the student’s professional interest. Students will be required to demonstrate that the research undertaken has been completed to an appropriate level for a Masters award.
Added value
The MSc in ICT and Development draws upon state-of the art knowledge from current research of the teaching staff, guest lecturers and through the opportunities that students have to attend research seminars, symposia, workshops and international conferences at UEL and in the London area
The programme also provides a good foundation for postgraduate research towards M.Phil/PhD qualifications and is supported by research informed teaching.
Your future career
Graduates of the MSc ICTs and Development will go on to develop successful careers in a wide range of occupations in both the public and private sectors. These would include careers in policy development, regulation and management of ICTs and design and implementation of ICTs. The international dimension of the MSC also equips graduates to work across a broad range of national and cultural environments and in careers that involve aspects of international ICT innovation processes. The academic rigour of an MSc with a research dissertation allows students to develop a professional profile that could lead either to PhD study and an academic career or to a career in any ICT and Development related sector.
How we support you
Students are supported by course tutors and by a mix of teaching approaches including interactive lectures, workshops, seminars and student-led presentations. In addition to the academic support programme and course leaders, students will be allocated a personal tutor who will support them throughout the programme. Students will also benefit from UEL’s research seminars and lively intellectual environment in which staff, PhD students and researchers from other universities discuss their work. Also, there is a wide range of personal and counselling services available within UEL.
Bonus factors
- Teaching staff with specialist experience in a range of development contexts and NGOs and in ICTs and innovation
- Interactions with visiting scholars, and on-line discussion fora
- Closeness to Central London, and unrivalled access to creative resources, the British Library, SportsDock and related facilities as well as good transport links.
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the debates around ICTs and development
- Understand the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that underpin the ICT and development discourse
- Develop skills and knowledge required to develop effective ICT systems and initiatives for development
- Situate such work in an advanced understanding of the relationship between ICT, globalisation and development
- Develop research skills relevant to the ICTs for development projects
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- The historical context of ICTs and development
- Key debates in policy and in academia relating to ICT and development
- The theoretical and conceptual frameworks that underpin ICTs and development as a practice, as a subject of research and as a discourse
- The challenges of the information society
Thinking skills
- Application of critical and theoretical approaches to ICTs and development policy and practice
- Evaluation of the socioeconomic and political relationships of ICTs
- Evaluation of case studies of ICT and development
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Analyse, design and implement ICT based applications for development
- Interpret qualitative and quantitative data
- Planning, implementation and management of ICT for development projects and initiatives
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Research skills
- Team working
- Communication
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
0 equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
1 equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
2 equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
3 equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
M equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is
180 for Masters, 120 for PGDip, 60 for PG Cert
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical student registered in a full-time attendance mode will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study one or two modules per semester. The advanced independent research module occurs during the summer period.
What you will study when
The following are the core and optional requirements for this programme
|
Level |
UEL Module Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
Status |
|
M |
AIM201 |
Development in the International Context
|
30 |
Core |
|
M |
IMM027 |
Global Sustainable ICT Management
|
30 |
Option |
|
M |
ISM102 |
Sociotechnical Dynamics of the Information Society
|
30 |
Option |
|
M |
ISM401 |
ICT Systems: Designing for Development
|
30 |
Core |
|
M |
AIM204 |
Qualitative Research Methods (Social Science)
|
30 |
Core |
|
M |
ISM400 |
Dissertation |
60 |
Core |
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.Requirements for gaining an award
- In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M.
- In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for a Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimal points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60%- 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not passed |
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
Thinking skills are developed through
- Tutorials
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Independent research
Practical skills are developed through
- Workshops
- Library and field research
- Presentations (may use mixed media)
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- Essay and report writing
- Presentations
- Independent research
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- Essays
- Reports
- Presentations
- Projects
Thinking skills are assessed by
- Essays
- Projects
Practical skills are assessed by
- Projects
- Database design
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- Essays
- Reports
- Research skills
- Project
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before this programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 2 times a year)
- Informal discussions during classes
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- Circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- Providing details on the programme noticeboard
- UEL Plus
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Questionnaires to former students
- Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
Further information
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The student handbook ()
- Module study guides ()
- UEL Manual of General Regulations http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- School web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/lss/postgraduate/
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
