IT MSc

Stripe

Stripe

Stripe

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28 Aug 2005
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So I've pretty much decided if I don't land this graduate job I'm going for that I'm going to go back to university and do an MSc in IT or a related field.

I just wondered, does anyone know of any universities that have especially good courses in this field? I like the look of york's programme but just wondered if there was anywhere else in particular I should check out.

edit: I'd quite like a course that had a module or at least a section on UNIX.
 
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To be honest, I've recruited plenty of IT staff in my time and would choose a candidate with a technology specific qualification, e.g. MCSD, CCNA, CCIE far above an MSc any day.

Computer Science Masters is more for if you want to get into academic computing in my opinion, I wouldn't hire anyone on the basis of it.
 
I did my IT MSc at Brighton, who have a very good reputation for such courses. At the time (1999) it was worthwhile, it definitely helped me get my first job in computing. If I was in the same situtation now, I wouldn't bother with it, as academic qualifications don't mean much in IT - it's the vocational on-the-job stuff that counts.
 
hmm, I guess it seems like it wouldn't be that useful then. But if you look at IT graduate jobs they all ask for experience in c++, Java, SQL etc.

I don't see how I could gain any formal qualifications in these without doing something like an MSc as I'd surely need a job in IT for on the job training.

I think I want to work outdoors anyway.
 
Garrett said:
To be honest, I've recruited plenty of IT staff in my time and would choose a candidate with a technology specific qualification, e.g. MCSD, CCNA, CCIE far above an MSc any day.

Computer Science Masters is more for if you want to get into academic computing in my opinion, I wouldn't hire anyone on the basis of it.
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There are two sides to IT though. Those who just use the software made by others. And those who actually write the software that your employees use.

So it really depends if the OP wants to be a IT techie robot who goes around visiting customer sites and installing stuff and all the late nights that go along with it, or if he wants to be behind a desk writing the code for the next big thing!
 
take a look at bolton uni, it has a very good modern it suite there with good industry conections, before family probs got in the way i was going to apply myself.

they have good courses on games programming and numerous hardware courses/networking ect. you will also find its one of the cheaper areas to live which will be an important factor to consider
 
MSc are academic rather than a practical qualification

If you want to take an MSc first decide exactly what type of course you want to take. Then find a university with the best reuptation. This isn't as easy for post-grad as it is for undergrad, the best way of judging them is to...

1) Check out the RAE 2001 a study designed to benchmark the quality of research from various institutions in the UK...

2) Once you have narrowed your search check through the faculty, including the qualifications, interests, published work and visiting guest lecturers from the department in question...

3) Visit the place, talk to lecturers. You can also contact them via e-mail, or at leasts its worth a shot
 
York have a good computer science department, you could pick much worse (bolton :)). You want to look at research rankings for the universitys. I honestly think an IT MSc is waste of time, if you want to be an IT monkey look at doing M$/cisco qualifications. If your thinking about going into academia you may well be better off going straight on to do a Phd, but a masters can provide needed skills for something like bioinformatics research which you dont gain from your undergrad degree. Any specific area?
 
Remember, a MSc will certainly not be cheap. My university offers a MSc with professional training including CCNA, MSCE etc. I strongly feel that many individuals are given the opportunity in taking these vendor qualifications which are just dished out like sweets. I would speak to your careers advisor at University. Remember, as a graduate, you are not going to get a job straight away, especially if you didn't do entirely well. I suppose it really depends on what you would like to do. Just stick it out searching for jobs :) Am sure something will come along.
 
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