School of Computing

Degree Information:

The MSc in Electronic Commerce is the ideal postgraduate programme for graduates of business and computing degrees who are seeking to advance their careers by obtaining a leading postgraduate qualification in Ireland.

Delivered jointly by DCU Business School and the DCU School of Computing, this e-commerce Masters programme features a common core curriculum with two distinct streams - business and technical.

With major fee support for most EU candidates and a strong practical focus, the course has a wealth of attractive features for those wishing to make their mark in the fields of electronic and mobile commerce.

The programme has been awarded the prestigious EPAS accreditation. The accreditation recognises the quality of alumni of the programme and their career progression, the market positioning of the programme nationally and internationally, the curriculum content and delivery system, the extent to which the programme has an international focus, its balance between academic and managerial dimensions, and the appropriateness of the faculty who deliver the programme.

Note: MSc in Electronic Commerce (Business), is closely aligned with four other different programmes, MSc in Management (Strategy, Digital Marketing, Cloud Computing or Business), though some modules and programme content are shared between the five programmes, they are very different, the fundamental chosen programme will define the area of business you are interested in gaining significant knowledge and expertise.

Aims and Objectives:

The one-year Masters programme is designed to produce the kind of e-business technologists, managers, entrepreneurs and innovators in greatest demand by the information economy. It does this by providing students on each stream with a powerful combination of technological and business skills of relevance to electronic commerce applications. A strong collaborative ethos across the business and technical streams is fostered through the extensive shared curriculum, interactive teaching modes and overall entrepreneurial and innovative orientation.

Programme Structure:

The Masters in Electronic Commerce programme is delivered on a full-time basis over 12 months.

Students on both streams take a core set of modules such as web design, business modelling and process innovation, information access and e-commerce infrastructure in the first two semesters. Students on the business stream take modules in advanced business topics as well as some fundamental modules in computing. Students with a technical background on the business stream take additional business modules in lieu of the fundamental modules in computing. Students on the technical stream take modules in advanced security and encryption.

NGM Credits 20 NGM weighting 400 Practicum credits 20. Practicum weighting 400. All other subjects 5 credits. All other subjects weighting 100.

Examination 120 minutes UG* Business - must take OO Programming & Networks & Internet modules. UG Technical* - must take Accounting & Finance modules

Next Generation Management

The MSc in Electronic Commerce (Business) is part of DCU Business School's Next Generation Management initiative. Starting with a weeklong immersion course, this initiative provides students with a unique and flexible learning opportunity to develop the competencies required for successful management careers and to contribute to business success. Particular emphasis is placed on refective and critical thinking, collaborating with people, creating and sharing knowledge and dealing with complexity.

The module is structured around the major personal, organisational and contextual challenges in modern management and focuses on four key themes: personal and career development; leadership, teamwork and corporate accountability; global and societal awareness; and research, media and communication.

Putting Knowledge into Practice

Throughout the programme, students will be given the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-world projects. This may involve running an online marketing campaign, researching a commercial opportunity or international market entry strategy, compiling a business plan or applying some other business process or toolset.

As well as undertaking these projects for individual modules, students have the opportunity of working together in a group to complete a major practical project which is submitted and presented in August. In addition to business research, this typically entails the prototyping of an e-commerce system or development of a software application. Projects are sourced from DCU's research centres, corporate clients, or may be based on students' own insights and ideas.

Starting Date

The programme commences with a compulsory Immersion Week, which takes place from 17th September - 21st September (i.e. one week before the standard University commencement date).

EPAS Accreditation
DCU's MSc in Electronic Commerce programme has been awarded the prestigious EPAS accreditation. The accreditation recognises the quality of alumni of the programme and their career progression, the market positioning of the programme nationally and internationally, the curriculum content and delivery system, the extent to which the programme has an international focus, its balance between academic and managerial dimensions, and the appropriateness of the faculty who deliver the programme.

EPAS is an international programme accreditation system operated by EFMD, the European Foundation for Management Development. EPAS aims to evaluate the quality of business and management programmes that have an international perspective and, where of an appropriately high quality, to accredit them. The accreditation seeks to make the global market for degree programmes more transparent for employers and students alike.

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)

Fees Reduction
This programme is supported by the HEA under the Graduate Skills Conversion Programme resulting in a reduced fee for European Union Students. This is subject to review each year, but in 2009/2010 the fees payable per annum by most EU students were reduced to €2,000.

What Our Graduates Say

"I found this Masters to be extremely interesting as it combined nicely with my background in computer science but also provided me with transferable skills, which I have found very beneficial when looking for a job.

Links to the corporate world were facilitated by numerous guest speakers. This provided an excellent insight into organisations and as a result of one guest speaker in particular I developed a keen interest in the area of performance improvement. I have since gained a job in PWC in performance improvement.

I really feel that everything I learned in the last year will stand to me and aid me in my transition from college to the working world."

Kate McSwiney
PricewaterhouseCoopers

"The year I spent doing the M.Sc. in Electronic Commerce was fulfilling and stimulating, both socially and intellectually. The course material was innovative, demanding and well structured; this coupled with a diverse class group truly made for a vibrant and compelling year of study.

The culmination of the year with an IBM led practicum was immense. The practicum gave me and my group the chance to showcase our knowledge and skills. The ability to work on campus at the IBM global centre of excellence was an incredibly valuable experience.

The short year I spent at DCU was a once in a lifetime experience, where I achieved both academic learning and life learning that I will never forget."

Warren Lynam
Project Manager (Innovation Centre), Big Green Innovations, IBM

Want to find out more?
Download the MSc in Electronic Commerce (Business) Factsheet (pdf-188kb)

Career Prospects:

Graduates have pusued a variety of careers in the information economy as managers, entrepreneurs, business analysts, e-marketing specialists and e-business technologists. Graduates have found work in specialist e-commerce organisations and in traditional industry which has begun to innovate its systems and processes to compete in the new economy. Other students have developed their entrepreneurial talents and have won awards for their work.

Employers of our graduates include Accenture, An Post, Cambridge University Press, Google, Heinz, IBM, Mars, Nike, Oracle, PA Consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Unilever and Vodafone.

Entry Requirements:

The minimum entry requirements for the programme are:

• A second class honours grade 1 degree in Business, Computing or a related discipline, or an equivalent international qualification

OR

• A primary degree in some other discipline, combined with significant professional experience in e-commerce or the ICT sector.

If you have achieved a second class honours grade 2 honours degree in one of the above mentional subjects, you may still obtain a place. This will depend on the availability of places. You may be invited for interview.

If, as is normally the case, demand from qualified applicants exceeds available places, applicants will be ranked for admission purposes on the basis of prior academic performace, professional experience and, where relevant, performance at interview. Candidates who have not received their degree results by the application closing date may receive conditional offers.

International Applications

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.

Dates for Submission of Applications 2013

EU Applicants
We have added a limited number of extra places to this programme, apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 23rd August 2013.

Non-EU Applicants
Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (www.pac.ie/dcu) by 12th July 2013 if living outside Ireland and 31st July 2013 if currently living in Ireland. Applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of gaining entry into Ireland are advised to apply as early as possible.

Applying through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (www.pac.ie/dcu)
When applying for this programme use the PAC code DC506. Please submit a C.V. along with other supporting documentation to PAC.

Queries on Completed Applications
Queries on completed applications can be made by e-mail to registry.pac@dcu.ie

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Fee information

Indicative Timetable
(Weeks 20-31)