MSc Operations Management
The course
- Delivery
- Full-time, Part-time, Per course
- Course type
- Taught
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Entry date
- September
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Knowledge in operations management is an important requirement of managers across all business functions and there is an increasing demand for operations management specialists in every type of organisation.
This is a specialist MSc
MSc Operations Management is a specialist MSc programme led by academics at the Edinburgh Business School. As a specialist masters, this degree gives those who have worked in industry or studied a similar subject previously, the chance to expand, refine and enhance their knowledge.
This 1-year masters programme focuses almost entirely on the area of operations management. It blends cutting-edge academic thinking with best practice from industry to give graduates and professionals the opportunity to advance with a highly employable skillset.
The Edinburgh Business School approach
MSc Operations Management from the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University develops critical understanding of the role operations management plays in relation to organisational performance and competitiveness.
This masters degree will build knowledge of operations management principles and concepts, and explore how they can be applied across different organisational functions including finance, sales, marketing, human resource management and design.
It will develop expertise in the use of various quality, process and supply chain management tools and techniques for analysing and improving operations in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, services, the public sector and the third sector.
On completion of the programme students are able to identify, conceptualise and define new problems and issues and have the ability to contribute towards the competitiveness of any organisation.
Programme duration
| Mode of Study | MSc | PG Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 12 months | 9 months |
| Part-time | 24 months | 21 months |
September 2023 entry
The deadline for applications from Scottish and RUK students is 31st August 2023. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 1st August 2023.
Accreditation
MSc Operations Management is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport through its operations management sector.
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Course content
| Semester 1 (Sept - Dec) | Semester 2 (Jan - April) |
|---|---|
| Operations Management | Quality Management and Engineering |
| Strategies for Managing Supply Chains | System Thinking and Analysis |
Two optional Courses Semester 1:
|
One optional course Semester 2:
|
|
Research Philosophy and Practice |
The MSc dissertation is undertaken between May - August.
Global Purchasing and Supply
Semester 1 (mandatory)
Purchasing processes and activities; the role of contracts; negotiation; theory and the make or buy decision; category management and supplier sourcing; supplier performance and relationship management; supplier development, innovation and purchasing's role in NPD; procuring complex performance; power, politics and partnership; ethics, social responsibility and supplier selection
Operations Management
Semester 1 (mandatory)
To understand the scope and importance of operations management, the role of operations managers and appreciate the interaction of operations on the
organisation, employees and customers. Key areas of focus include the linkages between process and operations design, business strategy and globalisation; the different elements of operations and how to analyse an operational environment in terms of these elements; and the challenges facing the operations manager to exploit innovative practices (e.g. ‘lean') and technologies and deal with changing attitudes (e.g. CSR).
Strategies for Managing Supply Chains
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course sets out the evolution of supply chain thinking and identifies the challenges faced by organisations. The nature and means of formulating business strategy is first identified before looking at the scope of supply chain strategic planning and the different perspectives of producers, retailers and logistics service providers.
Quality Management and Engineering
Semester 2 (mandatory)
Provides in-depth understanding of the principles, concepts, tools and techniques of quality management, quality engineering and continuous improvement together with awareness of how in practice these could be integrated to design and deliver an integrated continuous improvement programme. The module also aims to introduce students how to statistically plan, design and execute industrial experiments for process understanding and improvement in both manufacturing and service environments.
Systems Thinking and Analysis
Semester 2 (mandatory)
Examines theories and principles behind systems thinking, modelling and analysis. Also introduces the methods, tools and techniques for modelling, analysing, improving and designing technical and social systems in a variety of organisations, including industrial, commercial and public sector.
Research Philosophy and Practice
Semester 2 (mandatory)
Provides an understanding of the social science research process, as well as theory and approaches to research. Develops practical skills (i.e. quantitative and qualitative techniques) in data analysis to transform the raw data into information that guides marketing management valuations.
Academic Lead
The Academic Lead for this programme is Florian Scheuring, Assistant Professor of Business Management. His current research includes the influence of social capital in triadic business relationship settings and beyond on triad and system performance. He has presented his work on the influence of social capital in collaborative port relationships at academic and practitioner conferences. Most recently his curiosity of performance management in e-sports teams lead to co-authoring a journal publication for Tourism Management.
Entry requirements
A good Honours degree (first or second class) or its non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.
Global College - successful completion of our one-year Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Business Studies or the four-month Pre-Masters (Accelerated).
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.
If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:
- 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)
Fees
| Status | Full-time | Part-time | Per course |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | £8320 | £4160 | £1040 |
| Overseas | £18520 | £9260 | £2315 |
Footnotes
- Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
- Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.
- Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.