Technology

Master of Science in Applied Information Technology

The Master of Science in Applied Information Technology is a postgraduate programme that blends technical IT abilities with business understanding to prepare students for leadership roles in IT-related sectors. The programme focuses on the practical application of information technology across various business domains.

Core areas include research methods, entrepreneurship and innovation, project management, data analytics, information systems security and audit, emerging IT technologies, information and knowledge management, ethics and legal issues in IT, and technical writing. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical IT applications.

The programme is offered by Africa Nazarene University through its School of Science and Technology and Department of Computer and Information Technology. ANU has partnered with IBM, Cisco, and EMC to provide hands-on skills relevant to the job market. The programme offers three concentrations: Data Analytics, Systems Security and Audit, and Information Systems Management.

Students develop competencies in data analytics, information systems management, IT security, project management, emerging technologies, and IT research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory sessions, an MSc project, and examinations. The programme spans four semesters with 15 total units, including concentration units and a project.

The programme is delivered over two years with trimester scheduling in year two. ANU offers the programme through its School of Science and Technology with practical lab work and real-life IT solutions. The programme is designed for IT professionals seeking to advance to leadership positions.

Graduates pursue careers as IT managers, data analysts, systems security specialists, information systems managers, IT consultants, and technology entrepreneurs in various organisations and industries.

Skills Required

Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Information Systems Security and Audit
IT Project Management
Information Systems Management
Emerging IT Technologies
Data Mining and Visualisation
IT Risk Management and Compliance
Business Process Management
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in IT
Technical Writing and Research Methods

Key Subjects

Research Methods in IT
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Project Management
Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Information Systems Security and Audit
Emerging IT Technologies
Information and Knowledge Management
Ethics and Legal Issues in IT
Technical Writing
IT Service Management

Certifications

IBM Data Analytics Certification
Cisco CCNA/CCNP Certification
ISACA CISA/CISM Certification

Specializations

Data Analytics

Focuses on data analytics, machine learning, data mining, text analytics, data visualisation, and applying data analytics to organisational decision-making.

Systems Security and Audit

Examines IT security, cyber-attack prevention, computer forensics, cryptography, risk management, compliance, and developing information security strategies and policies.

Information Systems Management

Covers information systems management, IT policy and strategy, data management, business intelligence, business process management, and IT service management.

IT Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Examines IT entrepreneurship, startup creation, innovation management, venture development, and applying IT innovation to create technology businesses.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 256,200
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Research Methods in IT
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Project Management
Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Information Systems Security and Audit
Emerging IT Technologies
Information and Knowledge Management
Ethics and Legal Issues in IT
Technical Writing
IT Service Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methods for IT, research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting IT research, preparing students for their MSc project.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers entrepreneurship and innovation in IT, startup creation, innovation management, and applying IT to business opportunities.
Project Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines IT project management, project planning, execution, monitoring, evaluation, and managing IT projects effectively.
Introduction to Data Analytics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers data analytics fundamentals, data analysis techniques, statistical methods, and introducing data analytics for business applications.
Information and Knowledge Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines information and knowledge management, knowledge systems, information architecture, and managing organisational knowledge.
Information Systems Security and Audit
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers information systems security, audit, risk assessment, security controls, and ensuring IT security in organisations.
Emerging IT Technologies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines emerging IT technologies, cloud computing, AI, blockchain, IoT, and understanding and applying new technologies in business.
Ethics and Legal Issues in IT
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers ethics and legal issues in IT, data protection, privacy, intellectual property, cyber law, and ethical IT practice.
Concentration Units
Year 2Semester 112 creditsCore
Concentration units in Data Analytics, Systems Security and Audit, or Information Systems Management, covering specialised topics in the chosen concentration.
Technical Writing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers technical writing for IT, documentation, project reports, research papers, and communicating technical information effectively.
MSc Project Part I
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
First part of the MSc project, involving project proposal, literature review, methodology, and initial project work on an applied IT topic.
MSc Project Part II
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Second part of the MSc project, involving project implementation, analysis, results, and final project report on an applied IT topic.

Specialisations

Data Analytics
Focuses on data analytics, machine learning, data mining, text analytics, data visualisation, and applying data analytics to organisational decision-making.
Systems Security and Audit
Examines IT security, cyber-attack prevention, computer forensics, cryptography, risk management, compliance, and developing information security strategies and policies.
Information Systems Management
Covers information systems management, IT policy and strategy, data management, business intelligence, business process management, and IT service management.
IT Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Examines IT entrepreneurship, startup creation, innovation management, venture development, and applying IT innovation to create technology businesses.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Applied Information Technology programme at ANU begins with morning lectures on research methods, project management, or data analytics. Students engage in theoretical discussions on IT management, emerging technologies, and business-IT alignment. Laboratory sessions involve hands-on work with data analytics tools, security software, and IT management platforms. Data analytics sessions cover machine learning, data mining, text analytics, and data visualisation using modern analytics tools. Security sessions examine IT risk management, computer forensics, cryptography, and developing security strategies. Information systems management sessions cover IT policy, business process management, and IT service management. Emerging technology sessions explore cloud computing, AI, blockchain, IoT, and other cutting-edge technologies. Entrepreneurship sessions examine innovation, startup creation, and applying IT to business opportunities. Project management sessions cover IT project planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation. The programme includes boot camps and short courses sponsored by industry partners IBM, Cisco, and EMC, providing additional hands-on skills. Technical writing sessions prepare students for their MSc project documentation. The MSc project spans two trimesters in year two, allowing students to apply their learning to a real-world IT problem. The programme blends technical abilities with business understanding, preparing graduates for IT leadership roles.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offers three specialised concentrations in Data Analytics, Systems Security and Audit, and Information Systems Management.
ANU partners with IBM, Cisco, and EMC to provide industry-standard hands-on skills and certification opportunities.
Programme blends technical IT abilities with business understanding, preparing graduates for IT leadership roles.
Strong demand for IT professionals with advanced skills in data analytics, security, and systems management in Kenya.

Against it

Only offered at one university (ANU), limiting geographic access and programme choice for prospective students.
ANU's specific fee structure for MSc Applied IT could not be independently verified from the official website.
Programme may be less known than IT programmes at larger universities like Strathmore or JKUAT.
Trimester scheduling in year two may be intensive, requiring rapid completion of concentration units and project.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public254k to 256k

254k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology256k at Technical University of Kenya

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT MSc IT ~254K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). TUK ICT ~256K/yr (eafinder.com). ANU: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IBM Africa provides technology grants and training support. ANU offers financial aid for qualifying students. The programme's industry partnerships with IBM, Cisco, and EMC provide additional training opportunities.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
IBM Africa Grants
ANU Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate IT studies at recognised universities.
IBM Africa Grants
GrantKsh 300,000
IBM Africa provides technology grants and training support for IT capacity building in Africa, supporting postgraduate IT training.
ANU Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Africa Nazarene University offers financial aid for qualifying postgraduate students demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for IT professionals seeking leadership positions. Two-year programme with trimester scheduling in year two. Four semesters with 15 total units including concentration units and MSc project. ANU offers three concentrations: Data Analytics, Systems Security and Audit, and Information Systems Management. The programme blends technical abilities with business understanding.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical lab work, data analytics exercises, security audits, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering IT management, security, data analytics, and emerging technologies, conducted at end of each semester.
MSc Project
Project30% of the mark
MSc project on an applied IT topic, demonstrating mastery of IT concepts and practical application, assessed through project report and presentation.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Africa Nazarene University offers MSc in Applied IT through its School of Science and Technology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate IT and computing training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Africa Nazarene University offers MSc in Applied IT through its School of Science and Technology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate IT and computing training.
IBM Academic Initiative
Industry accreditation
ANU partners with IBM through the IBM Academic Initiative, providing industry-standard technology training, certification, and hands-on skills in cloud, AI, and data analytics.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

IT Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages IT operations and teams, overseeing technology infrastructure, systems, projects, and aligning IT with business objectives.
Data Analyst
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses organisational data, applying machine learning, data mining, and visualisation techniques to support data-driven decision-making.
Systems Security Specialist
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages IT security, conducting risk assessments, implementing security controls, and protecting organisational information systems.
Information Systems Manager
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages information systems, overseeing IT policy, strategy, business processes, and IT service management in organisations.
IT Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consults on IT strategy, systems, security, and technology solutions, advising organisations on IT investments and implementation.
Technology Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 800,000
Creates and runs technology ventures, applying IT innovation, entrepreneurship, and business skills to build technology startups.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as IT managers, data analysts, systems security specialists, and information systems managers in various organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Python for Data Analytics
SoftwarePrimary
Programming language for data analytics, machine learning, data mining, and data visualisation using libraries like pandas, scikit-learn, and matplotlib.
IBM Watson Analytics
SoftwarePrimary
IBM's AI and analytics platform for data analysis, machine learning, and business intelligence, available through ANU's IBM partnership.
Cisco Network Security Tools
Software
Cisco network security tools for firewall management, intrusion detection, VPN, and network security, available through ANU's Cisco partnership.
Tableau
Software
Data visualisation software for creating interactive dashboards, reports, and visualising data for decision-making.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Applied IT is just about programming.
Applied IT encompasses data analytics, security, systems management, project management, and business-IT alignment, far beyond programming.
An IT master's is unnecessary since technology changes quickly.
A master's provides foundational knowledge, management skills, and strategic thinking that remain valuable despite technology changes.
This programme is only for IT professionals.
The programme accepts graduates from computer science, business information technology, and related IT fields, with career paths in management, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
Data analytics and security are separate fields not covered in one programme.
This programme offers both as concentration areas, allowing students to specialise while gaining broad IT knowledge.
Online IT courses make a master's degree irrelevant.
A master's provides structured learning, industry partnerships, research skills, and recognised credentials that online courses alone cannot offer.
ANU is too small for a quality IT programme.
ANU partners with IBM, Cisco, and EMC, providing industry-standard training and hands-on skills that rival larger institutions.