The master’s programme in IT management is designed for those who want to affect the ways in which IT is applied to make a positive change. The programme gives you the opportunity to combine knowledge from your bachelor studies with new insights on IT and its application in private enterprises and public organizations alike. With a master’s degree in IT management, you sit at the crossroads where digital technology, business, and innovation intersect.
The Masters' Programme in IT-Management has been revised and from the autumn of 2025 the programme will be named Master's Programme in Digital Management and Innovation. Information about the new program can be found below:
"The teachers are devoted to help students to express their ideas and help us provide arguments for them."
"Many of the largest industries are international companies so I get colleagues and customers all over the world."
"We see that the IT branch is growing in northern Sweden and we want to be part of it and bring the world to Umeå with our new concept."
"I like my teachers. They give students advices and care individually. I get much help from my teachers and coordinators in this programme."
"We gained a lot of good examples of how businesses and customer meetings in practice. I appreciate that a lot."
"I think this inspiring and innovative environment will enable any ambitious student to achieve his personal goals."
Being a student on the IT management programme means an active search for knowledge, problem solving and critical analyses based on a scientific approach. The working methods vary between individual study work, group work,live cases, seminars and lectures.
The programme is tightly coupled to practice with a strong research component. Our collaboration with partner firms provides you with opportunities to develop your analytical and managerial skills. The programme combines subject knowledge in IT management with strong ties to practice. You learn to work with a scientific approach that is valuable for evaluation work, management, consluting, systems design, business development, and entrepreneurship.
The courses are taught by internationally established researchers all of which are working on IT management issues, and hold extensive experience with collaboration with leading firms.
You take courses in informatics and select a topic and an external partner for your project work. For information or advice regarding these issues please contact the program counselor. The programme is normally given in English. Adequate skills in English writing is important prerequisites for the programme.
Students finishing the program after one year are required to undertake a 15 hp/ECTS thesis in the spring, their second semester, before they graduate. Students studying for two years can choose whether they want to do two 15 hp/ECTS thesis courses, one in the second semester and one in the fourth semester, or only one large 30 hp/ECTS thesis course during the fourth semester.
Students will select a topic and an external partner for your thesis work. The thesis is written under the guidance of a supervisor. In order to pass the Master's thesis the students must not only write and defend their thesis but they must also be opponents of another students thesis.
During semester 3 students choose an elective course on 15 hp/ECTS. The elective course can be any course on undergraduate or advanced level at Umeå university provided that you fullfill the requirements and provided that there are seats available.
(With the possibility of continuing your studies towards a master’s degree)
Semester 1
- Management Information Systems, 15hp
- Business Analytics and Organizational Change, 15 hp
Semester 2
- Digital Innovation, 7,5 hp
- Qualitative Research in Information Systems, 7,5 hp
- Magister Thesis in Informatics with Specialisation in IT Management, 15 hp
If you choose further studies towards a master's degree, you will study the following in the coming year.
Semester 3
- Managing the Digital Enterprise, 15 hp
- Electives, 15 hp
Semester 4
- Master Thesis in Informatics with Specialisation in IT Management I, 15 hp
- Digital Strategy, 15 hp
You have the possibility to study a two-year master's degree from the beginning of your studies. In that case you will follow the structure below:
Semester 1
- Managing Information Systems, 15 hp
- Business Analytics and Organizational Change, 15 hp
Semester 2
- Digital Innovation, 7,5 hp
- Qualitative Research in Information Systems, 7,5 hp
- Digital Strategy, 15 hp
Semester 3
- Managing the Digital Enterprise, 15 hp
- Electives, 15 hp
Semester 4
- Master Thesis in Informatics with Specialisation in IT Management II, 30 hp
The programme prepares the student for qualified tasks in areas such as evaluation work, planning, and development work in a wider range of contexts found in the private- and public sectors. Additionally, IT Management also provides a solid foundation for a career in academia. Having finished the education you can participate in activities such as feasibility studies, design, management and use of IT, and work in managerial positions such as CDO or CIO.
According to the latest prognosis from the Swedish public employment office published in 2021, there will be high demand for systems developers, IT-architects, and systems analysts until at least 2026. A master’s degree in IT Management provides you with the tools needed to seize these career opportunities and excel in IT-based value creation.
Read the entire prognosis here.
Possible careers for a student with an IT Management Master's Degree include:
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits). Main field of study: Informatics. Specialisation: IT Management.
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits). Main field of study: Informatics. Specialisation: IT Management.
When do I need to decide if I will take the one year or two year master exam?
All students are admitted to the two year programme. During the first year you can decide if you want to take the two year exam or finish after the first year with a one year master exam. Accordingly, you don't need to decide this when you apply.
Can I apply for scholarship?
Answer: For more information about applying for scholarship:
www.informatik.umu.se/english/education/international-students/scholarships
