About us
The UNSW School of Information Systems & Technology Management is one of the largest and most established schools in Australia
UNSW School of Information Systems & Technology Management (ISTM) is ranked first in Australia, second in the Asia-Pacific region and tenth worldwide, in recent rankings by the Association for Information Systems (AIS). Our research is positioned at the forefront of the discipline and has highly developed local and international links.
Industry associations & accreditations
The School is accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
EQUIS accreditation benchmarks business and management schools against international standards in terms of governance, programs, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility and sustainability, and corporate engagement. There are only 173 accredited institutions worldwide, including London Business School, INSEAD France/Singapore and Peking University, China.
AACSB is a member organisation that provides quality assurance, business education intelligence and professional services. Its accredited members are committed to making a difference, using diverse perspectives and a global mindset to inspire innovation and improve the quality of business education worldwide.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has awarded professional level accreditation to ISTM’s bachelor degrees (Information Systems, Information Systems (Co-op) and Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Information Systems double degree), ensuring students are workplace-ready upon graduation.
Welcome from the Head of School
Will generative AI enhance human capabilities or substitute for the tacit knowledge that makes professionals valuable? Will AI empower less specialised employees to perform expert tasks, or will it create new forms of inequality? These are the defining questions of our time, and the answers are not predetermined. Instead, they depend entirely on the choices we make today in how we design technology integration and educational frameworks. Unlike previous technological shifts that primarily affected job markets or educational tools, we are experiencing an AI revolution that is requiring us to completely rethink our approach to education. AI is reshaping the skills you need to succeed as industry demands and AI technologies continue to evolve.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report offers a striking validation: Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS) graduates are already mastering the skills that will define the next decade. While industries scramble to find workers with analytical thinking capabilities (the number one skill demanded by 69% of employers), our students are developing these competencies as core to their education. What sets BIS apart is our focus on the distinctly human capabilities that become exponentially more valuable as machines handle routine tasks: developingleadership, empathy, systems thinking, foresight and global perspective that no algorithm can replicate. This combination positions our graduates as professionals who can harness AI to amplify their uniquely human strengths and lead in partnership with technology.
Building on our strong foundations, we are committed to continuously grow and evolve. The School of ISTM is embarking on a comprehensive redesign of our educational approach, leveraging cutting-edge university initiatives like Program Level Assessment (which measures student achievement across entire degree programs) and competency-based assessments to ensure mastery of essential skills prior to progression. We are adopting a systematic approach to reimagining our curriculum: carefully defining what competencies our graduates truly need, rethinking how we can most effectively develop these capabilities, and strategically sequencing when students encounter these critical skills throughout their journey with us. This represents strategic rethinking and purposeful transformation designed to prepare students for effective human-machine collaboration rather than simply refreshing curriculum content.
This brings me to critical calls for action: Although our commitment to co-creation with industry partners is central to this redesign, you (the BIS student cohorts) are equally important stakeholders as we embark on the next transformation of the BIS. Your insights help us understand your capabilities and aspirations, ensuring thattechnology enhances rather than displaces human potential. More importantly, we need your voice in this process because you are co-creators of the future workplace. The future of work is being shaped right now, and you have the power to influence its direction. Your decisions, even early in your career, the ways you choose to integrate AI, and the ethical leadership you demonstrate will determine whether we create a future where technology elevates human potential or diminishes it. Your dedicationto responsible technology will define the future of work for generations. You have the opportunity to be architects of a world where AI serves as foundational driver of progress for all.
As we undertake this educational transformation, we remain grounded in what we call a pedagogy of kindness (ensuring our thoughtfully designed programs create inclusive, supportive environments where every student can thrive). We are also embracing educability and lifelong learning as essential capabilities in a world where the only constant is change. As our world becomes more technologically sophisticated, these human-centred values become the true differentiator.
The strength of the UNSW network has never been more vital. As we navigate this unprecedented transformation together, the connections you build with fellow students, faculty, and our broader community will be your foundation for continued growth and mutual support. Our alumni network represents a dynamic community of professionals who are actively giving back and contributing to how technology impacts society. Staying engaged with this community means you'll have ongoing access to insights, opportunities, and the collective wisdom of those who are leading this transformation across industries.
We stand at a unique moment in history where AI is simultaneously transforming what students need to learn as industry demands evolve and redefining how we should teach and assess those capabilities. By reimagining how we prepare students for an AI-integrated world, we are actively shaping a future where human creativity, empathy, and wisdom remain at the centre-of-progress.
The future is now, and it's in your hands.
Associate Professor Sam Kirshner
Head of School
School of Information Systems & Technology Management
Why Information Systems?
Behind every digital innovation is an information system — it’s what drives businesses to launch and thrive. As the global business environment evolves, so too do the systems that support it. Studying Information Systems & Technology Management gives you the opportunity to develop a solid understanding of the technical and material knowledge needed to effectively manage this technology in organisations.
The career path for information systems and IT professionals is varied and graduates could be employed as a Business Analyst, IT Infrastructure or Network Developer or an e-Commerce specialist or Business Developer.
Study with us
Our School has a five-star rating for graduate salaries and full-time employment in the latest Good Universities Guide. Our programs equip students to respond to the evolving needs of industry in diverse areas, including business analytics, cyber security and agile software development.
What do Information Systems & Technology Management courses cover?
You’ll learn how to design, develop, incorporate and use technology in business operations, supporting both operations and decision-making. Our students develop the skills to understand on a high level, both the technical and business side of operations.
The topics covered are wide ranging and extend from business system analysis and design through to program development, enterprise systems, cyber security, big data management and business intelligence.