In recent years, Electronic Commerce has experienced continual growth around the world and in Ireland. The ever increasing popularity of E-commerce and the emergence of data analytics technologies creates new opportunities and challenges for organisations to compete online, develop innovative consumer experiences and processes and harness consumer data in meaningful ways.

The MSc in Electronic Commerce is designed for graduates of business and computing degrees who want to advance their careers in the growing ICT industry in Ireland and abroad. The programme is designed to develop participants’ knowledge of emerging trends in E-commerce and the ability to harness digital technologies to create engaging online customer experiences.

Graduates from the programme will be equipped with knowledge and practical skills in a host of digital technologies fostered through working on applied and client-based projects in electronic commerce and digital marketing.

Accreditation

The DCU MSc Electronic Commerce is accredited by the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors (IMCA) and has been designed to meet their criteria. Students of the MSc Electronic Commerce are entitled to free Graduate membership of the Institute for the duration of their course of study and for 12 months following completion. After this period they are entitled to transfer to Associate membership for a further year at a preferential rate.

Why do this course? 

• This programme is ranked in the top 10 Master’s in Electronic Commerce and Digital Marketing in Western Europe by Eduniversal 
• Designed and delivered in conjunction with both leading industry and academic experts.
• Choose between a dissertation or an applied research project for a live client
• Opportunity to complete industry recognised certificates such as Google Adwords
• DCU Business School, accredited by AACSB, has an established international reputation for high quality graduates

André Bastié, CEO & Co-Founder, Happy Scribe Ltd.

“This Masters has helped develop my career and I apply the knowledge and skills I gained from the programme to my work on a daily basis. I would definitely recommend the MSc in Electronic Commerce to anyone with an interest in the ICT industry. To anyone who is considering it, be ready to dedicate all your energy to this programme. It requires a lot, but it might be the best investment you make.”

DCU Business School is ranked in the top 90 Business Schools in Europe in the 2020 Financial Times Ranking, one of only three Irish Business Schools to achieve this ranking.  The Financial Times Ranking for Business Schools is one of the most highly acknowledged and widely cited authorities on quality and performance of institutions globally.

The programme focuses on providing students with an in-depth understanding of the prevailing processes and trends in Electronic Commerce and the skills required to reach, attract and retain customers in the digital space. Students will undertake a number of modules with a specific focus on Electronic Commerce including 6 year-long modules and 2 semester-long modules.

In Semester one, Digital Business equips students with a strong conceptual foundation by studying in detail the concepts underpinning the electronic marketplace and the associated business, technological and societal implications. This foundational knowledge is built upon in the eBusiness Management module which leverages the expertise of industry professionals and enables students to deliver and manage tactical digital marketing and e-commerce campaigns and projects. Students will develop the requisite technical knowledge and skills to author and communicate brand messaging using common and emerging digital marketing technologies in Digital Marketing Mechanics and Authorship. Students will develop their understanding of the privacy, security and risk based challenges managers encounter in the E-commerce context and gives them the ability to analyse and make informed business decisions in managing the digital enterprise in the Information Risk and Regulation module.

Data Analytics equips students with the knowledge of a variety of data visualisation techniques and statistical techniques to make sense of the emergence and exponential growth of big data. Students are introduced to the tools and techniques for constructing, optimising and maintaining E-commerce enabled websites as part of the Applied Web Design & Development module, addressing web usability, design guidelines and user experience. In Semester two, students will have the unique opportunity to engage with a high-tech start-up to practice the skills and expertise involved in the successful commercialisation of new ICT technologies by developing a commercialisation plan in Innovation and High Technology Entrepreneurship.

Both the Dissertation and Practicum affords students the opportunity to exercise their creative, questioning, analytic, and writing skills in a focused and practical manner. Whereas the dissertation is a critical evaluation of a research question primarily from an academic perspective, the practicum is intended to expose the student to an analysis of a real-world problem. While their focus is different (primarily academic or applied) they must each contain a substantial piece of primary research and students are expected to put into practice the theoretical materials covered in earlier modules.

*This programme will run subject to sufficient numbers of students enrolled

Graduates have pursued a variety of careers in the information economy as managers, entrepreneurs, business analysts, digital marketing specialists and e-business technologists. Graduates have found work in the growing multinationals based in Dublin including Google, Facebook, Linkedin and Adroll. Other graduates are working in specialist e-commerce organisations such as Amazon and eShopworld. Other students have developed their entrepreneurial talents and have won awards for their work.

Top Current Employers

2019 graduates work in the following companies:

• Deloitte
• PWC
• Verizon
• Oracle
• Happy Scribe
• IBM
• Bank of Ireland
• Amazon

The University has launched a new student application portal. Applications for entry to this course can be made here.

GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For admission to the M.Sc. in Electronic Commerce (Business) candidates must hold –

A 2.1 Honours degree in a Business discipline, or equivalent international qualification

OR

A 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant non-business discipline eg. Computer Applications, Enterprise Computing, Social Science, Humanities, or equivalent international qualification.

Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in relevant modules on their undergraduate programme. 

International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about English language requirements for DCU Business School can be found here.

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