The Institute for the Management of Information Systems

The IMIS, one of the leading professional associations in the Information Technology (IT) sector. It offers courses at three stages:

• Foundation Diploma Stage
• Diploma Stage
• Higher Diploma Stage

Course Aims and Objectives:

To provide students with:

• An in-depth knowledge of the use of information systems to support and promote management decisions in the context of the modern work environment and the ability to apply such knowledge to address management related issues.
• An understanding and ability to evaluate and apply appropriate techniques, which achieves successful project management and implementation that is socially desirable and legally compliant.
• An opportunity to demonstrate how to apply appropriate technological systems and infrastructures to support s business information systems solution.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course the students will be able to:

• Evaluate a range of information systems solutions.
• Respond to a requirements specification by analyzing and designing contextually relevant solutions.
• Determine effective strategies for managing information systems development.

Foundation Diploma Stage

Commencement : January, July and September

Duration: One year

The course is designed for those who do not have the normal entry qualification of 4 GCSE passes at grade C or above. It may also be taken by mature students, over the age of 21 years, with two years-approved experience.

Course Structure - 6 modules
• F01 Communication Skills
• F02 Arithmetic
• F03 Computing Awareness
• F04 Use of Packages
• F05 Book-Keeping
• F06 Office Practice

Assessment: By a single 2 1/2 hour externally set examination paper.

Module F04 is assessed by the internal completion of a checklist defining the skills identified in the objectives which follow. Candidates will be expected to be able to demonstrate their mastery of these skills to an external assessor.

In order to achieve a pass grade the candidate will be expected to demonstrate competence in ALL Level 1 objectives. To achieve a merit grade the candidate will be expected to demonstrate competence in ALL the Level 1 objectives BUT ALSO to demonstrate competence in at least 50% of Level 2 objectives in each of Wordprocessing, Spreadsheet, and Database sections.

Diploma Stage

Commencement: January, July and September

Duration: One Year

The Diploma course is a natural progression from the Foundation level. Candidates who have relevant entry requirements may also take it. Successful completion leads to the award of a Diploma, which equates to a National Certificate.

Entry Qualifications
a) Completion of the Core and Mandatory Modules at Foundation level
b) 4 GCSE passes at grade C or above, including English and a numerate subject. Candidates of 21 years of age and over, with 2 years’ relevant work experience.

Course Structure - 6 modules
• D21 Information Systems Practice
• D22 Business Fundamentals
• D23 Communications and Business Technology
• D24 Programming and Web Applications
• D25 Business Information Systems
• D26 Information Systems Building

Assessment: By a single 3-hour externally set examination paper

Higher Diploma Stage

Commencement: January, July and September

Duration: One year

The Higher Diploma course extends and compliments the Diploma course, giving students a comprehensive knowledge of the entire field of operations, programming, systems analysis and design and computer management. The Higher Diploma award equates with the Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND).

Entry Qualifications
One of the following is required:
Successful completion of the Diploma level examinations, BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Computing or computing related subject, with a significant computing element. 5 GCSE passes at grade C or above including Mathematics and English and 2 'A\ level, one of, which must be in a computing subject. Candidates over 21 years of age must have 4 years computing experience or, in a related field.

Course Structure - 6 modules
• H31 Management Information Systems
• H32 Information Systems Strategy
• H33 Contemporary Information Systems Development
• H34 Database Development
• H35 Project Management
• H36 Business Information Systems Project

Assessment: By a single 3-hour externally set examination paper

Please note that holders of the IMIS Higher Diploma are eligible for a direct entry to the final year Bachelor's degree at a number of UK universities.

The following UK Universities will consider IMIS Higher Diploma for entry to a final year degree qualification.

De Montfort University, Leicester http://www.dmu.ac.uk
Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk

University of Greenwich, London http://www.gre.ac.uk

University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire http://www.herts.ac.uk

University of Sunderland, Sunderland http://www.sunderland.ac.uk

University of the West of England, Bristol http://www.uwe.ac.uk