About this course

This MSc Digital Business master’s degree will give you vital insights into the digital economy. You'll explore the latest business strategies and technology, informed by our academics' research.

This course is well suited for students who would like to create their own digital business or advance their careers in tech companies.

Applications for 2022 entry to this course are now closed to all international applicants. View our available courses.

Platforms like Uber and Airbnb, along with new and emerging technology, have changed the way we do business.

This master's programme will explore these new innovations and business strategies. You'll learn how to create a successful digital start-up, and help organisations adopt digital technology.

You'll focus on operational and technical aspects of the digital economy and study topics like:

digital business
web applications
digitally enabled venture strategies
entrepreneurship

You can also specialise your studies with optional modules that fit your academic and professional profile, interests and career goals.

The programme will give you all the knowledge and practical skills that employers look for. We use novel and unique modules taught by Southampton Business School.

We welcome applicants from a range of academic and professional backgrounds. The University of Southampton is a world leader in business studies, with students from across the world choosing to study with us.

Course lead

Dr Heli Helanummi-Cole is a business leader with 15 years' experience in business development, financial and operational management, and luxury retail and product development.

Heli's research interests include entrepreneurial systems, innovation, technology strategy and venture failure. Visit Dr Helanummi Cole's staff profile to learn more about her work.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2021-22 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree.

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

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

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...

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...

Digital Entrepreneurship

The emergence of the digital economy has unlocked new opportunities for entrepreneurs, leading to the creation of new business models, innovations and value in data driven sectors. The digital economy initially stemmed from the technology sector, but as n...

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 1,500-word research proposal and a 15,000- word dissertation. You will attend 12 sessions where ...

Managing Digital Design and Web Development

In today’s IT and digital marketing landscape, and with the growing popularity of cloud computing, web and mobile applications are often the technologies of choice for organisations to deliver content and services, either externally or internally. The ai...

You must also choose from the following modules:

Consultancy Skills

Consulting is a major global industry and understanding how consulting works is important both for students who might be interested in a consulting career and also for students who may need to purchase consulting and work with consultants in their career....

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 and Human-Computer Interaction

The first part of this module aims to provide you with some insight into the complexity and diversity of human interaction with technology and user centred design – but it is not simply about computers! Every day we interact with a wide variety of system...

Information Systems Management and Strategy

The purpose of this module is to equip students with a useful grounding in digital strategy and information systems (IS) management. After introducing the characteristics and concepts of systems and IS, the module will provide an overview of strategic pl...

Information Systems and Digital Technologies

The module aims to introduce you to the fields of information systems and the digital aspects of management in contemporary organisations. You will be introduced to the key definitions and conceptualisations of information systems. The distinction b...

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 ...

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...

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...

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £13,000.
EU and international students pay £25,000.

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

You must submit your application by the end of the day on 31 July 2021. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

We cannot guarantee you'll be able to start your course if you do not meet these deadlines.

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, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, 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.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

academic achievements
relevant professional experience
personal statement
academic references

We'll aim to get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

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

Digital Business (MSc)