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 UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.
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
- Operations Management and Planning
- Strategies for Managing Supply Chains
- Business Analytics and Big Data
Optional courses:
- Measuring and Managing Risk Performance
- Supply Chain Risk and Adaptation
- Strategic Innovation Management
Operations Management and Planning
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.
Business Analytics and Big Data
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course in Business Analytics will teach you how to use a wide range of analytical tools and techniques to solve real business problems and improve business performance. Increasingly employers expect management graduates to have practical data analysis skills to support decision-making in business.
Semester 2
- Quality Management and Engineering
- Research Philosophy and Practice
- Contemporary Business Technology
Optional courses:
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Big Data Analytics
- Project Management
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.
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.
Contemporary Business Technology
Semester 2 (mandatory)
This course presents students with a core understanding of digital infrastructure of contemporary business and emerging technology. The course explores and covers theoretical concepts relating to IS and ICT, illustrated with real-life examples. The focus will be on the relationships between evolving and developing markets, products, and technologies. The course supports the development of a critical understanding amongst students of the decision-making process concerning the allocation of organisational resources (financial, legal, temporal, skill-related etc.) when implementing IS strategy.
Semester 3
Operations Management Dissertation
Academic Lead
The Academic Lead for this programme is Dr Florian Scheuring, Assistant Professor of Business Management. Before joining Heriot-Watt he has been working in the field of Operations Management for Royal Mail. Prior to these roles he covered roles in Distribution Management and Planning as well as Logistics Operations and Network Planning for Robert Bosch GmbH. His current research interests revolve around continuous improvement of operations and individuals alike by means of relationship performance 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 | £9152 | £4576 | £1144 |
| Overseas | £20376 | £10188 | £2547 |
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.