About this course

Learn the knowledge and skills to develop and manage new products, services and business models on this Business Strategy and Innovation Management master’s course. You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the latest concepts in strategy and innovation, with a focus on business growth and sustainability issues.

With this master’s in strategic management you can go into any organisation that is interested in developing new products or business models.

On this UK master’s course at the University of Southampton, you’ll explore how different aspects of strategy and innovation can be used to:

help companies become more competitive
drive change in industries
create new business opportunities

You'll also learn about the strategic and management challenges of developing, implementing and marketing new products and services.

Among the latest topics that you’ll cover are:

the sharing economy
disruptive technologies
service innovation concepts
social, environmental and economic sustainability
growth, innovation and technology transfer

You can fit this master’s in strategy and innovation to your own interests or career plans by choosing optional modules on subjects such as marketing, retailing in the digital age, or entrepreneurship and new business venturing.

You’ll also benefit from:

strong links with businesses such as Sainsbury’s and Rolls-Royce
visits to businesses to find out how they innovate
guest lectures by industry partners

The course content is directly informed by the work of academics who are carrying out research into digital innovation, new business models and sustainability through our Centre for Inclusive and Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Course lead

Your course leaders are Dr Dorrie Chao and Dr Hang Do.

Dr Chao is Departmental Head of Teaching in Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and International Exchange Coordinator. Her research interests include academic/sustainable entrepreneurship, university knowledge/technology transfer, and absorptive capacity. Visit Dr Dorrie Chao's staff profile to learn more about her work.

Dr Do is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. Her research interests include international entrepreneurship, innovation management within SMEs and the strategic management of small firms. Visit Dr Hang Do's staff profile to learn more about her work.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

MSc Business Strategy and Innovation Management Taster Lecture

Experience a taster lecture on MSc Business Strategy and Innovation Management from programme leader Dr Shahnaz Ibrahim.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the programme specification

The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.

PDF

Download 2021-22 programme specification

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in one of these areas:

business
economics
science
engineering
management and marketing
communication
education
political science
sociology
IT

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

We do not accept the following subjects:

Language Studies – degrees that focus on learning a language or how to translate, such as 'Business English', 'Applied English', or 'Translation', are not acceptable. However, this restriction does not apply to ‘English’ and ‘English literature’ degrees of the kind taught in the UK.
Art/Design/Vocational Studies – degrees that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, or performance/dance.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.5
writing: 6.5
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s course. Your studies will last a full 12 months, from September to the following September.

For the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll focus on the taught part of the course. Some of your modules will be compulsory, others we will ask you to choose from a list of options.

You’ll have exams at the end of each semester.

For the rest of the course, you’ll work independently on your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Current Trends in Strategy and Innovation Management

This module has been developed to connect cutting-edge research in the field of strategy and innovation to teaching in the classroom. Particularly, this module leverages state-of-the-art research from tutors in the Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurshi...

Dissertation (DSIE)

The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 3000 word of research proposal and a15,000 word dissertation. You will attend 12 sessions where...

Global Strategies for Growth

The aim of this module is to give you a practical grounding in the skills necessary to present a clear and concise business report.

Innovation and Technology Transfer

The UK government has recognised the importance of innovation and technology transfer in sustaining competitive advantage in the global knowledge economy. If successful innovation management is to take place, it is necessary to recognise when technology ...

Service Innovation Management

Much of the debate surrounding innovation and innovation management has focused on products. Yet, services have increasingly become a major driving force for successful businesses and economic growth, not only in advanced economies but also in emerging ma...

Sustainable and Responsible Innovation

In the light of global challenges such as climate change or uneven development, there is an increasing need and demand for products or services that contribute value through enhancing ecological sustainability (e.g. low-carbon or renewable energy) or soci...

You must also choose from the following modules:

Consultancy Skills

This module aims to introduce a range of skills required to successfully engage in management consultancy and to provide opportunities to apply particular skills.

Corporate Finance

This module provides a deep insight in some key theories and topics in Corporate Finance. The module looks at how firms and corporation manage financial investment and decisions in the long term and short term. The module will discuss topics ranging fro...

Digital Business

The emergence of the digital economy has unlocked new opportunities for businesses, while simultaneously creating new modes of competition in both ‘traditional’ and new sectors of the economy. Many organisations are becoming increasingly more ‘digital’, i...

Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and New Business Venturing

The module discusses key elements of new business venturing and provides a broad understanding of the entrepreneurship process.

Family Business

This module recognises the increasing importance of family businesses given their substantial contribution to the economy of each nation across the globe. It responds to the increasing need for scholars and practitioners of developing an awareness and und...

Global Entrepreneurship

This module has been developed to recognise the increasing importance of, and to support, international entrepreneurship. International entrepreneurship is an established sub-domain of the entrepreneurship field. There is a growing recognition of the impo...

International Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics

This module gives an overview of moral philosophy and shows how such ethical theories apply in a business context. This module also covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the terms ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR) in a business co...

Marketing in the Digital Age

This module is a general introduction to ‘Marketing’ as a management function and activity for students not studying marketing as their main discipline. It looks at the role of marketing in enabling organisations to meet their strategic and operational go...

Project Management

The global and rapid growth of managing by projects in every sector, industry, and company type has led to the development of pan-sector theories and bodies of knowledge in project management. The specific nature of projects as temporary and unique activi...

Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing movement and it has attracted an increasing attention nationally and internationally in recent years. Numerous institutions such as international organisations (e.g. World Bank), world-class universities, gover...

Strategic Human Resources Management

This module covers the area of strategic human resource management, offering a comprehensive cover of the advances in the HRM field for PG students.

Strategic Management

Strategic management is central to the operation of a variety of businesses in different sectors and environments. The creation of a strategy and the management of its implementation are important in developing businesses that can create and sustain a com...

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

lectures
seminars
practical exercises
guest speakers
group work
case studies
problem-solving tasks

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

essays
reports
presentations
exams

Dissertation

Over the summer you’ll research and write a 15,000-word dissertation on an industry-relevant topic of your choice, to be agreed with your project coordinator.

The dissertation is a chance for you to develop your research skills and show your expertise in a particular area of business strategy and innovation management. You could also use the dissertation to develop your own business idea.

You’ll have regular support meetings with your supervisor throughout the process.

Academic Support

You’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers

With this degree you’ll be well placed to go into any organisation interested in developing new products or business models. These could be small start-ups or large companies.

You’ll also be great position to continue your studies at PhD level.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £12,608.
EU and international students pay £24,060.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:

UK students: £250
EU and international students: £1,000

Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
Search for the course you want to apply for.
Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
Submit your application.

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.