INF5004W :: Master of Commerce in Information Systems Coursework

Why should I do a Master of Commerce in Information Systems Coursework?

If you are currently studying, chances are that youre in the middle of your some research, system development project, studying for tests and exams, writing up seminars and probably trying to squeeze in some money-earning and/or partying time, too. But, however pressured you feel right now with all this work load, just step back for a couple of minutes and think about next year. Take a break and consider the departments full-time taught Masters programme.

• A masters degree is quickly becoming a world-wide requirement as more and more students with honours degrees flood the market. A masters degree significantly increases your marketability both locally and internationally. "Stand out from the crowd". Much has been written about qualification inflation and, while a lot of it is exaggerated, some of it is also true. Twenty years ago, having a degree was relatively unusual, but those days are long gone. Today, having a masters  qualification shows that you have achieved a higher level of academic rigour and could be said to be the modern equivalent to yesterday's degree. More importantly, a postgrad qualification is going to make your CV stand out in an ever-growing pile and should help get you job interviews.

• It is a lot easier to do your masters now, while you dont have financial obligations (bond and car to pay off, living on the same status level as your colleagues), family to look after (partner and kids are very demanding on your time) and your mind is still in academic thinking mode (hey, you can possibly use your ER as a starting point to write your mini-dissertation). And now, with a relatively slack IT labour market, is a good time to take some time off to further your qualifications before the demand-pull in the job market heats up again.

• The skills you learn in our full-time masters degree are valuable in any job: (real) statistical analysis, proper report writing, self-motivation, presentation skills, technology evaluations.

• You increase your earning potential masters get paid more (on average) than honours: just check the latest IT Web RSA salary survey for IT professionals. Not only do you probably start out with a higher salary, there is significant evidence to show that masters degree holders get promoted faster too!

• You finally get all the attention and TLC you deserve: you will be part of a very small, exclusive group (about 10 students), individual supervisor and are almost considered to be on par with other IS staff members (hey, you even get your own personal pigeon-hole and get to use P-4s ;-)

• It gives you more time to think about what you want to do for the next ten or twenty years of your life (however: check out this page on "how to decide" if thats your main reason). Hey, with some luck you may even begin considering becoming an academic for a while. For the joy of it. The purest reason to do a postgraduate course is for the simple academic pleasure it will give you. What could be better than spending between one and three years studying the subject you love in the company of likeminded people? There's a lot to be said for putting off the dreary world of commuting, suit wearing and mortgage-slavery for as long as possible - especially as it now looks as though we'll all be working well into our 70s. (this last one quoted from Miles Brignal)

• There are significant amounts of bursary money and tutoring jobs available to post-graduate students in IS and IT-related fields (see bursaries)