Master of Science in Information Management Faculty of Economics and Business KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.
Discover KU Leuven. Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of international master s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. Since its founding, KU Leuven has been based in the city that shares its name. Leuven is a pleasant, safe and bustling student town, where centuries-rich history meets cutting-edge science. The university also offers degree programmes at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. The Faculty of Economics and Business has established its place amongst the top business schools in the world by acquiring the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation for its four campuses. The EQUIS accreditation is awarded by the EFMD, recognized globally as an accreditation body of quality in management education with established accreditation services for business schools and business school programmes, corporate universities and technology-enhanced learning programmes. 8 feb.kuleuven.be/home/equis The accreditation affirms FEB's place amongst the select group of accredited schools such as Amsterdam Business School, BI, Copenhagen Business School, Edhec, HEC Paris, IESE, IMD, Insead, Judge, London Business School, Melbourne Business School, RSM, Saïd, Stockholm School of Economics, Tsinghua,... Faculty of Economics and Business, Campus Leuven As one of KU Leuven s 16 faculties, the Faculty of Economics and Business offers bachelor s and master s programmes at four campuses: Leuven, Brussels, Antwerp and Kortrijk. Its activities in Leuven include high-level education, innovative research and service to partners in government and the corporate world. These activities are organised by five research departments: Accountancy, Finance and Insurance Decision Sciences and Information Management Economics Managerial Economics, Strategy and Innovation Marketing and Organisation Studies
The faculty aims to excel by offering research-based education in economics and business science while never losing touch with the corporate world and government circles. The faculty interfaces with business via a Corporate Council and a wide network of Fellows from the corporate world. It maintains an active partnership with Vlerick Business School and regularly organises workshops and discussion platforms with leaders of industry and government, e. g. the European Commission, situated only 30 minutes from the campus. It also cooperates with other faculties at the university, and with partners and institutions all over the world. One of the faculty s most important assets is its vast national and international network. Many alumni work at European institutions, and many staff members act as advisers to various European bodies and international companies. The faculty s worldwide alumni network offers excellent communication channels and networking opportunities with leading figures in industry and politics all over the world. External quality assessments confirm that the Faculty of Economics and Business teaching and research meet the highest international standards. This academic reputation attracts students and scholars from across the globe, creating a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. This international focus is also clear in the faculty's wide international student exchange network. The Faculty of Economics and Business participates extensively in the (intra-eu) Erasmus programme (with 82 partners) and has numerous agreements with leading universities outside the EU A list of all partner universities can be found at: 8 www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng/leuven/students/going-abroad Master of Science in Information Management This programme offers students with a bachelor s or master s degree advanced nontechnical training in information management, with an emphasis on the efficient and effective application and management of information technology in various business contexts (e.g. finance, marketing, HR, production and logistics, etc.). Following basic training in technology, the programme explores specific management issues in greater depth, particularly in order to develop the skills required to analyse information needs, design and manage information systems and fine-tune an IT strategy as an integral part of an overall business strategy. The key focus is the preliminary design needed to develop and set up an information system. In completing your master s thesis, you can apply these skills within a specific business context. Finally, a wide range of electives enables you to either explore specific areas in greater depth or gain a broader understanding through a multidisciplinary approach.
Why KU Leuven? Compared to similar one-year programmes offered at other universities, this programme is less technology-oriented and does not focus on user-centred information technology to the same extent. Instead, it explores the strategic and economic aspects of information technology. The programme s strengths include the interplay between basic and applied research, a broad academic education, a multidisciplinary approach, excellent infrastructure, continuous quality assurance and close collaboration with the corporate world. For instance, in your master s thesis, you will undertake a case study in a particular company or with one of its clients. This will allow you to gain valuable practical experience and enhance your career prospects. Extracurricular activities are also offered (e.g. company visits, cultural events) and you will have the opportunity to be part of an active international community of alumni, professors and researchers (e.g. www.facebook.com/groups/kuleuvenmim). Profile You should be familiar with and interested in the fundamentals of computer science and its business applications. Background knowledge of business economics is useful but not strictly necessary. You will acquire basic knowledge of business information systems and will learn to develop an information strategy aligned with an organisation s corporate strategy. You will also learn to identify information needs and translate these into an information system architecture. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be able to develop, model and manage business processes. Moreover, you will be able to evaluate an information system, assess its economic merits and make appropriate technological choices. Admission requirements For Belgian applicants, who completed their prior education at a Flemish education institution, see: 8 www.feb.kuleuven.be/leuven/student/opleiding/studiekiezer or the admission requirements for the Master (of Science) in het informatiemanagement. For all other applicants, the following requirements apply: Degree requirements The programme is open to holders of a bachelor s or master s degree awarded by a university and providing a basic background in information technology (e.g. office applications, basics of database management, basics of computer hardware, basic knowledge of modelling, etc.) and a sound background in mathematics and statistics. Admission decisions are made by the faculty on the basis of the required documents provided by the applicant through the official online application procedure: 8 www.kuleuven.be/application
Language requirements All applicants must submit a satisfactory score on one of the following internationally-recognised English language proficiency tests: - TOEFL (minimum score 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, 90 internet-based) - IELTS (minimum score 7) No other proficiency tests will be accepted. An exemption from TOEFL or IELTS is only possible for applicants with a university degree or high school degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the United States. The certified degree and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire study was completed in English. Required documents All applicants should provide the following documents: Certified copies of transcripts, degrees and, if available, a ranking indication A curriculum vitae Two recommendation letters, completed, signed, and posted in a sealed envelope signed over the lid by the referee to the Faculty of Economics and Business. Forms not provided in a sealed envelope signed across the lid by the referee will be regarded as void. The recommen dation forms can also be mailed directly by the referee to fbe@econ.kuleuven.be A letter of motivation written and signed by the applicant explaining the choice for Leuven and for this particular programme These documents suffice for applicants with a non-belgian degree from universities that have an exchange agreement with the Faculty of Economics and Business, Campus Leuven universities ranked in the global top 200 in the most recent Times Higher Education or QS rankings Additional information is required for applicants from other universities as it is impossible for us to reliably assess comparability. In those cases a GMAT or GRE result above the 75th percentile on the quantitative part is required. The Faculty evaluates all applications and has the final say on the admissibility of an applicant. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Application procedure Non-EEA citizens must submit a complete application file by 1 March. EEA citizens (or non-eea citizens with a residence permit for Belgium) are strongly advised to submit their application file before 1 June. Tuition fee: +/- 890 EUR (EEA citizens) & 1,750 EUR (Non-EEA citizens) For more information on how to apply, please visit: 8 www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng/edu/prospectivestudent Programme In addition to the master s thesis (15 ECTS), the programme s common core consists of six courses covering the most important aspects of management information systems (36 ECTS). To round off the curriculum, students also select a number of electives (9 ECTS) from the list below. MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 60 ECTS COURSE ECTS CORE COURSES 36 Business Information Systems 6 Principles of Database Management 6 Architecture and Modelling of Management Information Systems 6 ICT Service Management 6 Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence 6 Business Analysis 6 MASTER S THESIS 15 ELECTIVES 9 Students select 15 elective ECTS out of the following groups: Business Intelligence & Data Science - Simulation Theory and Applications 6 - Statistical Software 3 - Machine Learning and Inductive Inference 4 - Data Mining 4 - Text Based Information Retrieval 4 - Survey Methodology 4 Software Engineering - Basic Programming 4 - Human-Computer Interaction 4 or 6 - Ubiquitous Computing Systems 5 - Object Oriented Programming 4 - Usability Design 6 - Project Management 3
COURSE ECTS Management - Innovation Management and Strategy 6 - International Management 6 - Introduction to Management and Strategy 4 - Competitive Analysis and Strategy 6 - Strategic IP Management 3 - Entrepreneurship and New Business Development 6 - Economics of Global Innovation 6 For detailed descriptions of this programme s courses and for the course timetable, please consult www.kuleuven.be/ma/mimel An economist by training, I ended up in the database sector during the techno logical boom at the end of the 1990s. Having gained fifteen years of experience in the IT department of a major bank, I wanted to deepen and broaden my knowledge. Particularly, I intended to complement my techno logical skills in the database and business intelligence domains by exploring recent innovations in the field of (IT) management. I would really recommend this programme to anyone interested in combining a technological and a corporate perspective. As the curriculum offers a choice between either more technical or more managerial electives (in addition to a number of basic courses), the programme is both suitable for those wishing to lead an IT department as a project leader as for analysts primarily interested in techno logy. I found returning to study very rewarding because I was able to link theory to practice. In my experience, there s often a mismatch between business and information technology, usually due to a lack of common ground. This program me enables you to gain a wealth of new knowledge in an exceptionally short time span. Highly recommended for anyone ready to take the next step. (Graduate) Career prospects In the business world, there is a great demand for IT specialists with highly-developed management skills. Our graduates are trained to gain leverage within a company through the strategic use of technology. The analysis and management of information, knowledge, processes and systems, in line with an overall business strategy, play a bridging role between computer science and business. Qualities such as strong communication skills, teamwork and group management are therefore more essential than mere technological expertise. Our graduates pursue careers as information analysts, project leaders and information technology strategists.
KU LEUVEN Oude Markt 13 box 5005 3000 LEUVEN, Belgium onderwijscommunicatie@kuleuven.be www.kuleuven.be Learn more www.kuleuven.be/ma/mimel www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng/edu/prospectivestudent General information www.kuleuven.be/english www.kuleuven.be/internationalprogrammes www.kuleuven.be/admissions www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees Publications www.kuleuven.be/internationalbrochures Faculty of Economics and Business Naamsestraat 69 box 3500 3000 LEUVEN tel. + 32 16 32 66 12 fax + 32 16 32 66 20 www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng www.feb.kuleuven.be/onderwijshelpdesk www.fb.com/leuvenuniversity This brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning this master s programme offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of this programme may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted at www.kuleuven.be/coursecatalogue Last updated: January 2015 v.u.: Isabelle Van Geet, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven