Overview
Our contemporary Digital Business MSc prepares you for the complex and ever-changing digital landscape.
Digital technologies have changed the way organisations conduct business. They afford new ways of working and new opportunities. However, they also present new challenges for businesses.
Demand for digital business professionals is high. Throughout this programme, employability activities and coaching are purposely interwoven into learning. This will help to set you up for a career in multiple areas of the digital business industry.
It covers the core components of digital business, including:
- leading-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics
- consultancy based practice to support real clients
- identifying and planning for digital startups
- long-term business strategies
- innovation management
- business processes involving customers and suppliers
- business analytics to inform decision‑making
- digital marketing
- project management
- the alignment of people behaviour for digital benefits realisation
E-commerce pathway
The Digital Business MSc programme is also available as a specialist E-commerce pathway. This programme focuses specifically on digital commerce.
To find out more about this pathway, view the course page.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You’ll cover the core components of digital business, which include:
- how systems are built on disruptive technologies and create strategic advantages
- how to foster innovation and analyse the potential of new ventures
- business processes, data analytics, and their functional and technical connections
- project management methods
- change management following the introduction of digital systems
- employability, career paths, and career development in the digital business world
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
All candidates shall take the following compulsory modules (140 credits):
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 60 |
| Research Methods | 20 |
| Data Analytics for Managers | 10 |
| Strategy, Management and Information Systems | 20 |
| E-Business | 10 |
| Digital Start-up | 10 |
| Digital Marketing | 10 |
| Technology Change and Innovation Management | 10 |
| Project Management | 10 |
| Realising value from digital business | 10 |
All candidates shall take one elective module of 10 credits from the list below, which all are from Semester 2.
| Elective Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Digital Transformation for Social Good | 10 |
| Artificial Intelligence in Business | 10 |
How you’ll learn
This Digital Business Master’s degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Design or creative project
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
This course has strong links with industry. Our staff are world-class researchers. Several have been successful entrepreneurs, consultants or top level managers. They have worked in government agencies or corporations such as:
They have worked in government agencies or corporations such as:
- IBM
- Oracle
- Philips
You’ll be taught by:
- Dr Arturo Vega (Degree Programme Director)
- Dr Ajinkya Tanksale
- Dr Josephine Go Jefferies
- Dr Paul Richter
- Dr Dan Millard
- Dr Rebecca Casey
- Nick Howey
- Dr Yin Liang
- Liucen Pan
- Professor Savvas Papagiannidis
- Dinara Davlembayeva
- Dr Jungho Kim
- Sohel Ahmed
- Davit Marikyan
Your development
Professional skills
Through the course you’ll:
- gain the skills to lead digital business initiatives in organisations from beginning to end
- address business problems and opportunities through digital systems
- experience real-life practice as you develop a digital start-up
- develop your employability and professional skills in this industry
You’ll also:
- develop valuable soft skills such as analytical power, critical analysis, teamwork, time management, and professional writing
- understand people management in organisations as a key factor for the success of digital systems
- use industry-standard software to analyse data
Newcastle Helix
Benefit from connections with Newcastle’s £350 million flagship project the Newcastle Helix. This brings together:
- academic
- the public sector
- communities
- business
- industry
This ambitious project is stimulating far-reaching networks in technology and systems innovation. Find out more about Newcastle Helix.
Study abroad
Experience another culture, improve your language skills and enhance your global graduate outcomes. This course enables you to take a non-credit bearing exchange opportunity at an international partner university. This can last for up to five months and takes place at the end of your course.
Your future
Graduate destinations
Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles, including:
- Software Engineer
- Founder/ Co-Founder
- Business Analyst
- Senior Digital Media Specialist
- Professional Systems Engineer
- Senior Account Manager
- Senior Software Engineer
- IT Business Analyst
- Lead Analyst
- Product Manager
- Data Analyst
- Project manager
- Client Development Director
- Sales Consultant
- Digital Adoption Specialist
- Digital Transformation Manager
- Head Of Data
Careers
This course prepares you for a wide range of careers with employers, such as:
- Deloitte
- Greggs
- Pulsant
- BNY Mellon
- Mediacom
- PepsiCo
- PwC
- Salesforce
- Dentsu
- Accenture
- Meta
- Nissan Motor Corporation
- Hewlett-Packard
- Puma
- IBM
- KPMG
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 200 for Business and Management Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
Newcastle University Business School accreditation
Newcastle University Business School is accredited by the:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
- Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Only 1% of business schools worldwide hold this triple crown. Our accreditations reflect the investments we make for our students through providing a high quality teaching environment, innovative programming and active engagement with industry.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in any subject.
