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Original research toward Information Science, supervised by published faculty.
Online or on campus
Doctoral research at the intersection of data, systems and human behaviour — information retrieval, digital libraries, knowledge organisation, and the governance of information infrastructures. The University of Brigant teaches this award to one academic standard whether you study on campus in Edinburgh or on the tuition-free online pathway. Assessment is identity-checked; the marking scheme does not change with your postcode. This is an academic doctoral award; where a field has a licensing or registration route, that remains a matter for your professional body or regulator. You will work through the material as a practitioner-researcher: applied methods, real or anonymised cases, and a supervised capstone or dissertation as the final component. Faculty mark whether you noticed the constraints a slide deck usually hides. PhD Information Science is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3–5 years, and the credit total is 60. Students move from Information Systems Strategy & Governance through Information Systems Strategy & Governance; Enterprise Architecture & Systems Analysis; Cloud, Infrastructure & Platform Foundations; Digital Products, UX & Requirements; IT Project & Portfolio Management; Reliability, Observability & Service Management, and finish on Communicating Technology to the Business. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Lead a platform, product or engineering function Connect technical architecture to business and governance needs Manage cost, reliability and developer experience Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
The programme carries 60 credits, structured as doctoral coursework followed by supervised research. Delivery is tuition-free (£0) on the online pathway. Transcripts use letter grades and a GPA scale consistent with University of Brigant awards. No professional-body logo is used in marketing to imply endorsement.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.
On-campus study
Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71001 | Information Systems Strategy & Governance Information Systems Strategy & Governance (BX71001) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Information Systems Strategy & Governance as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71002 | Enterprise Architecture & Systems Analysis Enterprise Architecture & Systems Analysis (BX71002) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Enterprise Architecture & Systems Analysis as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71003 | Cloud, Infrastructure & Platform Foundations Cloud, Infrastructure & Platform Foundations (BX71003) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Cloud, Infrastructure & Platform Foundations as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71004 | Digital Products, UX & Requirements Digital Products, UX & Requirements (BX71004) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Digital Products, UX & Requirements as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71005 | IT Project & Portfolio Management IT Project & Portfolio Management (BX71005) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can diagnose one organisation and carry a decision through to a recommendation, using IT Project & Portfolio Management as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a case, a short financial extract, and a stakeholder note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a consulting brief a manager could use. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71006 | Reliability, Observability & Service Management Reliability, Observability & Service Management (BX71006) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can diagnose one organisation and carry a decision through to a recommendation, using Reliability, Observability & Service Management as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a case, a short financial extract, and a stakeholder note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a consulting brief a manager could use. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71007 | Information Security, Privacy & Risk Information Security, Privacy & Risk (BX71007) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can map one named system, write a threat model, and specify the controls that would stop the most likely path, using Information Security, Privacy & Risk as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses control catalogues, incident write-ups, and a short technical standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a defensive design with a test plan and a statement of residual risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71008 | Data Platforms & Integration Data Platforms & Integration (BX71008) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can define a measurable question, fit a method that can be checked, and report where it fails, using Data Platforms & Integration as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a dataset description, a methods note, and one published evaluation. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a project note with the question, the method, the result, and the limitation. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71009 | Engineering Management & Developer Experience Engineering Management & Developer Experience (BX71009) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Engineering Management & Developer Experience as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71010 | Cost, FinOps & Capacity Cost, FinOps & Capacity (BX71010) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Cost, FinOps & Capacity as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71011 | AI, Analytics & Enterprise Technology Futures AI, Analytics & Enterprise Technology Futures (BX71011) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can define a measurable question, fit a method that can be checked, and report where it fails, using AI, Analytics & Enterprise Technology Futures as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a dataset description, a methods note, and one published evaluation. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a project note with the question, the method, the result, and the limitation. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71012 | Responsible & Sustainable Technology Responsible & Sustainable Technology (BX71012) is a 3-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Responsible & Sustainable Technology as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71013 | Research Methods for Technology Management Research Methods for Technology Management (BX71013) is a 12-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 120 notional learning hours. By the end, students can diagnose one organisation and carry a decision through to a recommendation, using Research Methods for Technology Management as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a case, a short financial extract, and a stakeholder note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a consulting brief a manager could use. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 12 · 120 h |
| BX71014 | Communicating Technology to the Business Communicating Technology to the Business (BX71014) is a 12-credit course on PhD Information Science, with 120 notional learning hours. By the end, students can diagnose one organisation and carry a decision through to a recommendation, using Communicating Technology to the Business as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a case, a short financial extract, and a stakeholder note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a consulting brief a manager could use. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 12 · 120 h |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3–5 years. Teaching language: English (dual pathway: Edinburgh campus or tuition-free online; one academic standard). Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents, research). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.
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