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Business Information Systems (HDip)
Course Overview
The worlds of business and digital technology have become inseparable. Almost all organisations now depend upon business information systems (BIS) to control and manage their data, which means that the demand for graduates with technological proficiency and business know-how is at an all-time high. Studying BIS involves, among other things, learning how to design and build ICT systems, as well as understanding how to exploit the business opportunities provided by the ever increasing digitisation of society. To do this, we must develop an intricate understanding of how organisations work, the business processes that generate and consume information, the roles of people and working groups in these processes, and the efficiency of these processes.
The main goal of Higher Diploma in BIS is to prepare graduates for employment in an ICT-related business context. This course will introduce students to the principles, methods, tools and architectures used in the development and management of ICT. Upon graduating, course participants will be equipped to manage digital technology across all industry sectors and in a range of business functions.
The employment prospects for graduates of this course are extremely good. Graduates may take up positions as systems or business analysts, technology consultants, computer programmers, network administrators, in a range of business functions, including marketing, logistics, production, finance and general business administration.
Graduates of this course will be able to:
- Use a range of ICT skills and display mature literacy and comprehension of business, technology, and technology management subject matter that compares favourably with national and international peers.
- Identify, analyse and solve business, technology, and technology management problems in applied and other settings.
- Effectively manage the ICT resource in international contexts, and therefore demonstrate an understanding of the roles and management of ICT in organisations.
Applications and Selections
Application via Springboard Courses website.
Who Teaches this Course
Lecturers on this programme (to be confirmed):

Business Info Systems Group
J.E Cairnes School Of Business
& Economics, Room 361
NUI Galway
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J.E.Cairnes School of Business & Economics
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E: jonathan.levie@universityofgalway.ie
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E: SHARON.COTTER@nuigalway.ie
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J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics
University of Galway
Galway
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Requirements and Assessment
Semester One exams: December.
Semester Two exams: April/May.
A range of assessment methods are applied throughout the programme. These include essays, projects, reports, presentations and case studies.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
The programme is open to degree holders from a university or other recognised degree-awarding body. Applicants should hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification or equivalent; IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2023
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
NFQ level
Mode of study
Blended Learning
ECTS weighting
60
Award
CAO
Course code
Course Outline
Modules for Higher Diploma in Business Information Systems
Semester 1
MS873: Management Information Systems I—5 credits [core]
AY5123: Accounting and Financial Analysis—5 credits [optional]
MG524: Management—5 credits [optional]
MK204: Marketing Principles—5 credits [optional]
AY872: Financial Management I—5 credits [optional]
EC5113: Principles of Economics for Business — 5 credits [optional]
MS111: Business Application Development [optional]
MS222: Decision Modelling and Analytics - 5 credits [optional]
Semester 2
MG3109: Innovation: Creativity and Enterprise—5 credits [core]
MS2100: Cybersecurity—5 credits [optional]
MS4101: Implementing Digital Innovation—5 credits [optional]
MS319: Enterprise Systems—5 credits [optional]
MS112: Business Application Development 2—5 credits [optional]
MS412: Information Systems Innovation—5 credits [optional]
MS119: Business Data Communications—5 credits [optional]
MS2101: Managing Digital Transformations—5 credits [optional]
MS4100: Advanced Research Topics in Information systems 5 credits [optional]
MS4101: Implementing Digital Innovation - 5 credits [optional]
Semester 1 & 2
MS5116 Major Project (Digital Transformation Company Project) —10 credits [core]
Download Module Descriptions Document here.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
Optional AY5123: Accounting and Financial Analysis - 5 Credits - Semester 1Optional AY872: Financial Management I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC5133: Principles of Economics for Business - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MG524: Management - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MK204: Marketing Principles - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MS111: Business Application Development I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MS222: Decision Modelling and Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MS5123: Seminars in Cybersecurity - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS5116: Major Project - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS873: Management Information Systems I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL030: Recognised Prior Learning - 30 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL025: Recognised Prior Learning - 25 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL020: Recognised Prior Learning - 20 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL015: Recognised Prior Learning - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL005: Recognised Prior Learning - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MS112: Business Application Development II - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS119: Business Data Communications - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS2100: Cybersecurity - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS2101: Managing Digital Transformation - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS319: Enterprise Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS4100: Advanced Research Topics in Information Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS4101: Implementing Digital Innovation - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MG3109: Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates get jobs in a diverse range of industries, such as marketing, financial services, information systems and human resources. Graduates have been employed by Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Central Bank of Ireland, AVIVA and Jameson. Every year a number of graduates pursue further postgraduate study at master’s level, such as the MSc Marketing Practice, MSc Information Systems Management, MSc International Management and MSc Human Resources Management.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
*A 10% course fee contribution (€600) for graduate conversion courses is applicable for employed participants and recent graduates.
The formerly self-employed not in receipt of a DEASP payment must also pay 10%. This is payable directly to the provider.
There are no tuition fees for DEASP customers or Returners but any subsequent costs such as travel, and course materials must be borne by the participant
For further details see https://springboardcourses.ie/faq
Find out More
Further information on how to apply here
Contact us:
E: HCIBusiness@universityofgalway.ie

Robert O'Donnell | Higher Diploma in Business Information Systems
I took the Higher Diploma in BIS in 2020/21 as part of a conversion course to technology management. The entirety of the course was online, however this did not detract from its delivery. The semesters were balanced and manageable. I did 6 modules in Semester 1 and 5 in Semester 2. My background in accountancy meant the financial modules came easy to me. I especially enjoyed the Cybersecurity module. I found Managing Digital Transformation most pertinent. During lockdown, I took a fervour to coding. The Business App Development modules enabled me to develop my coding (C#) skills further. In the age of Covid and a changing digital landscape, I would recommend this course.