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Contents
Welcome to Westerdals Oslo ACT (p. 04)
Master of Information Systems
IS Management and Innovation (p. 06)
Master of Information Systems
Digital Business Systems (p. 08)
Master of Applied Computer Science
Software Integration (p. 10)
Student reviews (p. 14)
Industry testimonials (p. 20)
Academic research (p. 24)
Contact information (p. 26)

Master Programmes 2015

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Introduction to
Westerdals Oslo ACT
Master programmes
—— By programme leader Asle Fagerstrøm
In order to remain competitive, the IT-industry look for
employees with excellent information technology and
business skills. To address this demand, Westerdals
Oslo School of Arts, Communication and
Technology (Westerdals Oslo ACT) offers two
master’s programmes; Information Systems,
and Applied Computer Science.
Both the private and public sectors increasingly
require people with competencies beyond the purely
technical. Analytical and methodical skills are key if
you want to work at a higher level. A master’s degree
from Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication
and Technology will take you there faster.
Today, information technology is not just a driver for
innovation, but also an integral part of strategic and
creative communication. A person with the required
information technology skill set is a much stronger
contender in the job market. Combining strategic,
creative and technological competence, Westerdals
Oslo School of Arts, Communication and
Technology responds to society’s needs for
candidates with interdisciplinary skills. The three
colleges NITH (The Norwegian School of Information
Technology), NISS (Nordic Institute of Stage and
Studio), and Westerdals – all leading institutions in
their respective fields, merged in July 2014.
All existing study programmes are continued.
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We work closely with business and public institutions
to ensure that our research and education is market
relevant. The programmes are research-based, and
our lecturers also conduct active research. As a
master’s student you will be immersed in a research
environment, with close proximity between lecturers
and students.
Instruction is module-based, enabling students to
hold a job while completing a master’s programme.
The second year “Practice Period” topic is designed
as a master’s thesis based in your own company (part
time) or with a client (full time). The study will give you
an analytical and technological approach to
information technology, enabling you to make
decisions that can save the company or organisation
time as well as money.
School facts
A long and proud history precedes Westerdals Oslo
ACT. Westerdals Reklameskole (Westerdals School
of Advertising) was founded in 1965, NISS started
in 1984, as Norsk Lydskole (Norwegian School of
Sound), and NITH started in 1964, as NKI School of
Engineering. Since then, all three branches grew in
size and scope, and the merge of the three schools
into Westerdals Oslo ACT is regarded as one of the
most exciting developments in European education.
 Master of
Information Systems
IS Managment & Innovation
If you are interested in strategic use of information technology,
management of large-scale agile projects, enterprise architecture,
IT security, development of innovative IT solutions and creating
business value with new types of IT applications, IS Management
Course Structure and Innovation is the master’s programme for you. Perhaps
you’ve already worked a few years as a project manager, systems
Year 1 developer, or programmer, and now you want to add a managerial
Introduction to IS Research perspective to your technology competence.
IT Governance
Innovation - Concepts This master’s programme gives you the opportunity to develop
& Perspectives innovative IT solutions. At your chosen workplace, you will help set
IT Strategy and Architecture parameters of innovation and take part in decisions that affect the
Agile project management company’s major future directions.
Social media management
Information risk and security Once you have completed your master’s degree, an IT manager
Service Innovation Networks position should fit like a glove, though this expertise, which
combines technology and business development, will enable you
Year 2 to fill a variety of different jobs.
Consulting and leadership
Research methods Learning outcomes
Dissertation Candidates will acquire practical skills in analysis of complex
information technologies and software platforms, management of
large-scale agile projects, evaluation and planning of IT security,
risk management, implementation of enterprise architectures,
Course Facts planning and execution of IT strategies, planning of social media
strategies, knowledge management practices and more.
Degree Candidates will learn to apply research methods and techniques,
Master as well as to:
Duration
Full time: 2 years / Part-time: 3 years • Describe and discuss key theories on the role of information
technology in business as well as private organisations
Course start • Understand the role of IT in innovation processes and
August 2015 organisational change projects
• Analyse complex and real-life business cases
Tuition fees per semester
• Critically evaluate IT solutions and IT architectures
Full-time: 39.950, - NOK
Part-time: 28.100, - NOK
Career options
Admission requirement Successful solutions require both technology and business
Bachelor degree competence. With a master’s degree in IS Management &
Innovation you can work in a variety of functions, such as; CIO
Langauge (IT Manager), Project manager, IT and Business Consultant,
English Enterprise Architect,Scrum master or functional advisor in agile
software projects, IT security manager.

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Master of
Information Systems
Digital Business Systems

Are you interested in information technology, information systems

and economics? Would you like a career in technology and
business development? Or do you already have a technology or
economics background that you want to develop further? If so,
Course Structure this may be just the master’s programme you are looking for.

Year 1 Once your master’s degree is completed, you will be a highly

Introduction to IS Research relevant candidate for a position as business developer, though
IT Governance with an expertise that intersects business and technology, you
ERP and Supply Chain could fill a number of different jobs. You will be taking on projects
Digital marketing related to the development of business solutions. A vital part of
Agile project management this role is to help assess such concepts as mobile payment
Social media management solutions, social media marketing, or the shops of the future.
Internet of Things in business
Business intelligence Candidates will be responsible for solving complex tasks and
& dashboards conducting a research project of a high standard in an
organisation. This includes the ability to choose the appropriate
Year 2 research approach, select or develop a solution, handle
Consulting and leadership relationships ethically and professionally, and evaluate and
Research methods communicate the results in a systematic way.
Dissertation
Learning outcomes
Candidates will be able to describe and discuss key theories for
how business systems support value creation in organisations,
Course Facts and to understand the role of information technology in business
innovations. Candidates will, in addition to acquiring strong skills
Degree
in the application of research methods and techniques, learn
Master
practical skills in:
Duration
Full time: 2 years / Part-time: 3 years • Analysis of complex IS problems
• Configuration and implementation of key business systems
Course start • Evaluation of business systems solutions
August 2015 • Design or recommendation of digital business solutions
Tuition fees per semester
Full-time: 39.950, - NOK Career options
Part-time: 28.100, - NOK A successful solution requires both technology and business
competence. With a master´s degree in Digital Business Systems
Admission requirement you can work in a variety of functions, such as: CIO (IT Manager),
Bachelor degree Project Manager, Business Analyst, Consultant, Systems
Developer, IT Security Expert.

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 Master of
Applied Computer Science
Software Integration

Applied Computer Science is both a professional discipline and

an academic field, aiming to link the technical capabilities of IT
Course Structure with industry needs.

Year 1 If you are interested in information technology, have a good

Systems development
Big Data
Visual analytics
Service & integration
orientated architecture
Agile project management
Mobile computing
Architecting Internet of Things
Interactive technologies
command of programming, and want to further develop your
expertise in the field of applied computer science, you will want to
consider our Software Integration programme.
You will develop skills and knowledge that enable you to create
the smart IT solutions of tomorrow, and will find yourself building
technical solutions such as GPS localisation of dementia patients,
visual decision support systems for business leaders, or mobile
payment solutions.

Year 2 Learning outcomes

Consulting and leadership Candidates will acquire practical skills in analysing complex
Research methods applied computing problems, designing, recommending or
Dissertation implementing solutions, and in measuring and evaluating results.
Candidates will also have strong skills in applying research
methods and techniques. You will also learn how to:

Course Facts • Analyse and deal critically with complex organisational

problems, research issues and technology innovation
Degree opportunities for software integration
Master • Understand how IT can bridge the gap between academia
and industry
Duration • Analyse existing theories, methods, designs and solutions
Full time: 2 years / Part-time: 3 years from applied computer science
Course start • Carry out independent, limited research or development
August 2015 projects
• Contribute to new thinking and innovation processes
Tuition fees per semester
Full-time: 39.950, - NOK Career options
Part-time: 28.100, - NOK Successful solutions require tools, technology and business
competence. With a master’s degree in MACS Software
Admission requirement Integration, you may find yourself working as:
Bachelor´s degree Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Project Manager, Architect,
Consultant, Systems Developer, or as an IT expert.

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Oslo is the fastest
growing city in Europe.
The city’s new skyline
rises above the fjord,
while the surrounding
forest and hill tops
remain intact.

Oslo offers a unique —— Oslo Barcode area

combination of vibrant
city life and easy
access to the the great
outdoors.
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Student reviews
IDA BERGUM
DIGITAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS STUDENT
Why did you choose to study Digital
Business Systems?
- The course is a specialisation in both business and
IT. That combination is rare and important, both for
the present and future IT-industry. I have a bachelor´s
degree in Digital Marketing and wanted to develop
and expand my skills to a higher level. A master in
Digital Business Systems gives me knowledge,
practical experience and analytical skills within the
leading teachnology field.
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MAGNUS VIERMYR
APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE
STUDENT
Why did you choose to study MACS?
- I’d already worked for a couple of years, and had
found that project managers didn’t understand
programming and development, and, as a result,
projects took too long and the outcome suffered. As
I am passionate about technology, and especially
about software, I decided to go for a master’s degree
in IT.
I haven’t found another school in Norway that provides
a more relevant course offering. Here, you get skilled
lecturers, and an open and social study environment.
In addition, the school has a very good reputation
among business and industry.
What do you like best about your studies?
First and foremost, I learn a lot of useful and exciting
stuff about relevant topics that are of great interest to
me. MACS provides highly proficient lecturers from
around the world, challenging subjects, and a very
wide variety of teaching methods. My programming
skills were self-taught, and I wasn’t sure I could cope
with the master’s programme without a bachelor’s
degree in technology. So I spoke with an advisor here
and decided to have a go. The first two months were
very demanding, but after that it has been
progressively easier; I have had an amazing learning
curve. I really enjoy my time here, and have super-cool
and helpful co-students, which I think is imperative for
learning as much as possible.
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ANTHONY KALINDE
IS MANAGEMENT & INNOVATION
STUDENT
Why did you choose to study IS
Management & Innovation at Westerdals?
- I chose Westerdals because I wanted to take
advantage of the qualified and experienced
professors, as well as the flexible course structure
and most of all, the industry-orientated courses
which I find highly relevant to my career goals and
current industry trends.
Do you have any tips for applicants applying
for this programme?
The studies are intensive and demand a high level of
commitment. The studies are research-based and
as such the direction and depth of the studies are
really up to the student. I believe having a clear goal
at the start will allow one to get the most from the
programme. I would also advised taking advantage
of the highly expert personnel at Westerdals Oslo
ACT, as their knowledge is very useful.
What is it about your studies that you enjoy
the most?
I especially enjoy the instruction by experienced
professors with an industry background. The mix of
academia and industry provides a uniquely nuanced
and prctical perspective into the concepts and
perspectives and their applications.
What is your dream job?
The challenge is to find a role that will consolidate
the skill set I have acquired so far. My dream job is
to be working as an IS consultant in IS Strategy and
Architecture and at the moment I am pursuing a
career in Service Orientated Architecture with a
focus on Innovation.
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 Westerdals Oslo ACT
works closely with
business and public
organisations to ensure
that our research and
education is relevant to
the current market.
—— Bachelor students interning at VG
The programmes are
research-based and
are taught by active
researchers.

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Industry testimonials
MADS MOBÆS
FAGLEDER WEBARKITEKTUR
BEKK CONSULTING
With a master’s degree you are more likely to attract
attention in an application process and in the job
market in general. During the master’s programme
you will acquire many analytical skills that are of vital
importance to be able to work at a higher level. You
need to be able to justify the choices you make, much
in the same way as in a master’s thesis. 90 per cent of
Bekk’s 370 employees have master’s level education.
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MARIUS VOLDEN
SENIOR CONSULTANT
CAPGEMINI NORGE AS
A master’s degree paves a highway into business and
industry, and allows you to approach a broad market.
Careerwise, you can go into project management,
while still working on technology. With a bachelors’s
degree only, you feel less ready to take on large
projects in a major consultancy. I’m an ambitious
person, and after a few years of working, I realized that
a bachelor’s degree was not enough. With a master’s
degree, you can provide input at a higher level.
The study programme gave me a broader business
perspective, and my theoretical knowledge saves us
a lot of testing and failing. I have i.a. worked on a major
IT restructuring, where I helped shape both the
technology and the business processes that enabled
the change. The outcome of this restructuring
streamlined the way they worked, saving the company
major expenses. Some people fear that jobs will
disappear in Norway, as Indian IT consultants can
be obtained at a fraction of the cost of Norwegian
consultants. Because of price pressure in this market,
parts of the industry are migrating from technical
tasks to project management and consulting. In such
projects, communication between business and
outsourcing will be key. How will Indian technicians
understand the Norwegian client’s needs?
I have the technical background to enable me to
understand the technicians and to communicate with
them on behalf of the client, and vice versa. Because
a vital part of my job is about communicating IT to
people that lack the essentials to understand IT.
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“With a master’s degree, you
progress further at a faster
pace, and you are far more
attractive as a job candidate.”
- Eirik Norman Hansen. Creuna.
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EIRIK NORMAN HANSEN
MARKEDSDIREKTØR
CREUNA
I have spoken to students at NITH on several
occasions, and I have always started by
congratulating them on their choice of education –
because it is a smart choice! And as NITH has merged
with Westerdals, their choice has become even
smarter. The ability to understand how to work with
other specialist functions is vital in our industry. That
is precisely what we do in Creuna, the largest digital
agency in the Nordics. We combine strategic, creative
and technological competence.
In a master’s programme, you learn methods, and
you learn to approach new issues, to acquire new
knowledge and to transform this knowledge into an
applicable format, which enables you to solve the
given problems. This may be one of your most
important learnings. The further you get the more
strategy and methodology you learn.
It is obviously important that you learn to be a
proficient designer, developer or whatever discipline
you have chosen, but it is actually also very important
to understand the surrounding landscape of other
disciplines: to be able to survey and find knowledge
of relevance to this specific case. We have seen
numerous people that are self-taught and have
excellent skills in their fields, but they do not measure
up to people with other methodologies or a different
academic background.
While we don’t exclusively hire people with master’s
degrees, we find that master’s candidates show the
most rapid progression. They also are more business
critical both to us and to our clients, because they
have that extra dimension. Individuals with high and
relevant qualifications are the most attractive
candidates us as well as for our clients. With a
master’s degree, you progress further at a faster pace,
and you are far more attractive as a job candidate.
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 Academic Research

Westerdals Oslo School of Arts, Communication and Technology

conducts research and development in several fields in order to: “Technology is nothing. What’s
• Provide an academic basis for innovative and relevant important is that you have a
programmes, in cooperation with the IT industry and employers
• Provide research-based education, in line with the
requirements of the authorities and the Norwegian Agency for
faith in people, that they’re
•
Quality Assurance in Education
Participate in international knowledge networks basically good and smart, and
• Communicate research and findings to the general public
• Recruit and retain proficient lecturers
if you give them tools, they’ll do
Our research is mainly related to the topics Information Systems
and Applied Computer Sciences. Westerdals Oslo School of Arts,
wonderful things with them.”
Communication and Technology conducts research projects in
close collaboration with business and industry, public institutions,
and national and international academic institutions, and the work
of our research staff has been published in numerous international
professional journals and at conferences. - Steve Jobs

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 Contact
information

www.westerdals.no
+47 22 05 75 50
admission@westerdals.no

Address
Campus Galleriet
Schweigaardsgate 14
0185 Oslo

Social media
Facebook: fb.com/woact
Instagram: @westerdalsact
Twitter: @westerdalsact

IMAGES: Westerdals Oslo ACT, Astrid Storkås . PRINT: Fladby AS

All rights reserved subject to printing or pricing errors.

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