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.
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.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Dr. Sunyu Chai is a Lecturer in Digital Entrepreneurship. She earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston (2022) and has been conducting continuous research, exploring the dynamic relationships between work, organisation, and technology in contemporary society.
As the leader of the MSc Digital Business programme, she aims to foster creative and practical discussions on the evolving digital landscape, which is bringing both material and cultural transformations in our organisational lives.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Learn more about this subject area
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.
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.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
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. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.
This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options. Every student will learn about:
- new digital business creation
- growth and strategy
- digital entrepreneurship
You’ll also attend talks and masterclasses, learn current industry thinking, practical skills and explore different perspectives on digital issues.
In the second semester you’ll choose from a range of optional modules. These will enable you to enhance your business knowledge.
During semester 2 you’ll begin preparing for your dissertation.
For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write 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
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2024 to 2025
Year 1 modules
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 15,000- word dissertation. You will attend 12 sessions where you will work through the different...
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...
Managing Global Challenges
This module provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the global challenges confronting businesses and societies today. From social class, culture, education and technology, to aging population, migration, health and environment, this module provides a...
Marketing in the Digital Age for Business
The focus of Marketing in the Digital Age is on the evolution of marketing in the context of today’s rapidly changing digital business environment. It examines how digital technologies have combined with advanced practitioner thinking to challenge and cha...
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 environmental, social, and technological sustainability. This module ha...
Learning and assessment
Learning
You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, group assignments, case studies and independent study.
As part of your learning, you’ll take part in debates, class activities and problem solving exercises to discuss methods and apply theory to practical situations. These activities will help you understand how business theory and practice are used to apply digital technologies.
Assessment
We’ll assess you through:
- written assessments
- group work exercises
- presentations
- coursework
Dissertation
As part of this course you’ll need to submit a 15,000 word dissertation project.
Academic Support
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
You’ll have many career prospects from studying this master’s degree in digital business. Graduates are employed in private, public and third sector organisations in many industries, such as:
- services
- retail
- consultancy
- digital businesses
Other possible next steps include working for a digital consultancy, joining an industry research team or continuing your studies at PhD level.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team 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 £15,000.
- EU and international students pay £28,900.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for 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.
Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship
A scholarship of £7,000 is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship
A scholarship of £9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Southampton Business School Excellence in English Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau who are studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business Excellence in English Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and 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.
For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
There are different deadlines for this course. Depending on which country you permanently reside in, applications are expected to close:
- Applicants permanently resident in China: Monday 29 July 2024, midday UK time
- Applicants permanently resident in other countries: Monday 29 July 2024, midday UK time
- Applicants permanently resident in the UK: Friday 30 August 2024, midday UK time
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Our admissions process for this course means that we look at batches of applications together. We send offers to applicants on a continuous basis. Due to the high number of applications, we may not be able to make you an offer, even if you meet the course criteria.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. 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 certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. 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
References are not required for this programme.
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.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
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
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