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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

Digital Business

Entry year
2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2
Duration
1 year (Full-time)
Places available
TBC (Full Time)

The MSc Digital Business is an innovative one-year full-time programme designed to equip students from diverse academic backgrounds with advanced digital skills and leadership capabilities to excel in the digital economy. A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on practical, real-world applications and employability, offering students multiple opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders in digital business. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of contemporary digital business topics, including digital strategy, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and e-commerce, while also addressing critical issues such as sustainability, digital ethics, and global digital governance.

By integrating theory with practice, the programme provides students with hands-on experience in a vibrant, tech-enabled learning environment. It addresses critical digital challenges facing organisations and fosters professional connections with digital pioneers. With access to cutting-edge technology and world-class facilities, students will develop the skills needed to drive digital transformation in a range of industries and sectors. This programme is an ideal foundation for careers in roles such as digital strategy, data analytics, digital marketing, consulting, and technology management in global industries. Students on the programme will study seven core modules and one optional module, each worth 15 CATS, and will undertake a Capstone module worth 60 CATS.

A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on practical, real-world applications and employability, offering students multiple opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders in digital business.

Digital Business highlights

Career Development

While competitor courses prepare graduates for roles such as product manager, client relationships/key accounts manager, digital business practitioner, digital transformation specialist, enterprise system specialist. digital platform specialist, entrepreneur, and consultant, the MSc Digital Business at QBS not only equips students for these roles but goes further by emphasising positions that leverage digital technologies to drive strategic insights and business innovation across diverse business functions.

This programme uniquely integrates digital technologies applications within traditional business roles, moving beyond a purely technical or digital transformation focus to develop professionals who can harness digital technologies’ potential to shape organisational strategy and enhance decision-making.

Internationally Renowned Experts

The MSc Digital Business leverages the school’s established expertise in business and management, analytics, and ethics, aligning with the projected need for ethical, skilled digital business practitioners.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s Business School (QBS) has recently undergone an innovative expansion that establishes a benchmark of global excellence for one of the top business schools in the UK and Ireland. A stunning new 6,000 square metre building has been designed with the latest digital infrastructure for media lecture capture, TED Talk provision and collaborative breakout sessions.

Fostering an enhanced social and educational experience the new state-of-the-art QBS venue boasts a 250-seat tiered educational space; 120-seat Harvard style lecture theatre; 150-seat computer laboratory; breakout study spaces; FinTrU Trading Room; a café, and a Business Engagement and Employability Hub.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/about/student-hub/

Course Structure

The MSc Digital Business is a one-year programme structured across 3 semesters.
Students who successfully complete eight taught modules (120 CATS) and an International Business Capstone module in semester 3 are awarded an MSc in Digital Business.

Exit qualifications are also available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS from taught modules.

Introduction

An MSc in Digital Business will prepare students for a wide range of career paths in areas like digital marketing, e-commerce, data analytics, FinTech, and more. Students will explore the latest technologies shaping the business world, from artificial intelligence and blockchain to big data and machine learning. This programme goes beyond theory. The students will gain hands-on experience through case studies, simulations, and real-world projects, equipping them with the practical skills employers seek. The programme will also feature guest lectures from industry experts, giving students valuable insights and a chance to build connections.

Semester 1 Modules

Digital Business Strategy (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
Organisations, whether born-digital or undergoing digitalisation, are leveraging technologies to transform how they create value. Accordingly, organisations now require strategies that address the demands of being or becoming a digital business. Digital businesses are conceptualised as those that draw on numerous technologies (AI, blockchain, cloud computing, social media) in their operations. This enables organisations to harness data as never before and to automate routines and decisions, innovate faster, and gather deeper insights into themselves and their competitive environment. Against this backdrop, the module explores digital business strategy as both an extension of and a challenge to conventional strategy concepts. The primary aim of the module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to craft and implement strategy in an increasingly digital world. The module is structured around three main strategy challenges: Strategic position (where are we?), strategic decisions (what options do we have?), and strategic practice (what is done). The module draws on strategic management, organisation theory, and information systems to build an understanding of digital business strategy.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Evaluate diverse and multi-layered external factors from global business environments related to digital businesses.
2. Analyse the impact of various stakeholders on firm activities and interdependences within global business environments.
3. Critically apply international business theories to formulate management problems regarding contemporary issues in extensive global business environments.
4. Synthesize different knowledge and perspectives on opportunities and challenges within global business environments to create new management solutions.
5. Evaluate how global CEOs and top management teams can make sense of and navigate uncertainty and complexity.

SKILLS
This module aims to develop specific skills in the form of:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Furnish the capacity to be an ethical and responsible leader that balances economic and societal challenges arising from digital business

Subject-specific
• Critically analyse the challenges of crafting and implementing strategy for digital businesses by applying relevant tools and frameworks

Transferable Skills
• Effectively communicate complex information to address managerial problems


Generative AI & Business Intelligence (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
Integration of Generative AI (Gen AI) with Business Intelligence (BI) is transforming data-driven decision-making and strategic planning. Gen AI technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and data synthesis tools empower organisations to generate valuable insights, refine data analysis, and predict trends. Gen AI’s ability to produce synthetic data, simulate scenarios, and automate reporting helps businesses navigate dynamic markets and make proactive adjustments. However, the application of Gen AI in BI requires a careful approach to ethical considerations, including data privacy, transparency, and potential biases in AI outputs.
This module equips students with foundational skills in data analysis, modelling, and prompt engineering, essential for deriving actionable insights from Gen AI. By covering practical applications (e.g., A/B testing/scenario simulations), students will gain the tools to enhance decision-making, communicate insights clearly, and critically evaluate Gen AI’s impact on BI processes. These competencies support students in mastering Gen AI fundamentals, applying analytical techniques, and understanding the transformative potential and responsibilities that Gen AI brings to BI.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate Gen AI fundamentals and relevant business applications
2. Apply data analysis and modelling techniques to derive business insights
3. Implement prompt engineering strategies
4. Evaluate the impact of Gen AI on BI processes

SKILLS
This module aims to develop the following skills:
Cognitive
• Develop and articulate data-driven strategies using Gen AI and BI tools to address challenging business problems.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant theories and practical applications of Gen AI technologies in BI.

Knowledge and Understanding
• Critically evaluate analytical and prompt engineering techniques to harness Gen AI capabilities in BI solutions for strategic decision-making.

Subject-specific
• Leverage Gen AI tools to develop actionable, data-driven insights and support strategic decision-making.

Transferable
• Critically apply Gen AI and BI techniques to develop sustainable solutions that solve real-world business problems and drive positive impact.
• Communicate Gen AI-driven insights clearly to diverse stakeholders, including non-specialist audiences.

Marketing in the Digital Age (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
Marketing affects everyone. We are all consumers. Most businesses depend on marketing to provide an understanding of the marketplace, to identify opportunities, and to ensure that their brands, products, and services satisfy the needs of customers. Marketing is an important part of today’s society and commerce and must be developed sustainably. Marketing starts with understanding consumer needs, wants, and demands, determining which target markets the organisation can serve best and developing a compelling value proposition by which the organisation can attract and grow valued customers. More than just making a sale, today’s marketers must engage customers and build valuable relationships in which their brands add superior value to consumers’ conversations and lives. In the digital age, marketers have a plethora of channels and options to engage customers, to shape brand conversations, build brand awareness, experiences, and community.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On completion of the module, students will:
1. Critically reflect on the core principles in marketing and their practical application in local and global settings.
2. Evaluate the role and importance of marketing management and digital marketing technologies within a business.
3. Synthesize knowledge of the wider academic literature and practical business sources relevant to marketing and the impact of digital on the marketing mix.
4. Critically apply real-life examples to the discussion of marketing concepts and digital marketing activities.

SKILLS
This module aims to develop specific skills in the form of:
Subject-specific
• Furnish an advanced knowledge of local and international business research and scholarship.

Transferable Skills
• Utilise advanced technologies and software to tackle business and societal challenges.

Technology for Good (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
The emergence of advanced digital technologies, including Digital Platforms, Accelerated Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Fintech, and Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation and societal progress. These technologies enable organisations to greatly improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, create immersive experiences, and potentially address complex social challenges. Shaped by the values and vision of their creators, advanced digital technologies can drive positive impact across various dimensions, contributing to the achievement of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. However, the adoption of these technologies also disrupts traditional organisational structures, raises ethical issues, and introduces new challenges to environmental and social sustainability.

In this context, the module explores the intersection of technology development, digital strategies, and social innovation to explore how firms can organise and develop strategies that leverage advanced digital technologies to synergistically create economic, social, and environmental value.

Throughout the module, students will engage with cutting-edge research, real-world case studies, and practical exercises that challenge them to think critically about the role of technology in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the multifaceted nature of advanced digital technologies, understanding their potential to create and sustain economic, social, and environmental value.
2. Critically examine the positive and negative consequences of deploying advanced digital technologies, considering ethical implications and sustainability concerns.
3. Synthesise insights from current practice and real-world case studies to propose innovative applications of advanced digital technologies for the greater good.

SKILLS
This module aims to develop the following skills:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Critically analyse and assess the potential and limitations of digital technologies in driving multifaceted value creation
• Recognise the complex relationship between technological advancement, social impact, and environmental sustainability

Subject-specific
• Analyse and assess digital technology applications for integrated economic, social, and environmental value creation and addressing complex societal challenges
• Apply strategic design thinking to the development and implementation of technology-driven social impact projects

Transferable
• Critical thinking and problem-solving in complex, multidimensional scenarios
• Competence to conduct a significant piece of independent enquiry
• Ethical reasoning towards the application of digital technologies

Semester 2 Modules

Analytics with AI (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
The module begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of data and how business analytics can be used to conduct research on complex business problems. This is followed by a focus on how leading companies are using analytics with AI to gain competitive advantage, with a specific focus on the use of business intelligence to improve decision-making, and the use of more advanced analytics solutions to drive new products and services in areas such as online advertising, movie recommendation, and automation.

The module then provides students with the opportunity to use cutting-edge analytics software to build analytics solutions that can present complex data in relatively simple visual formats. In doing so, it considers how analytics with AI may serve as a tool for students to enhance their research skills, specifically how they synthesise, analyse and present different data types. The wider ethical and societal implications of the use of data and analytics with AI are considered throughout the module. The module does not require any prior coding or statistical experience and will provide the analytics-based critical thinking and practical skills that are essential for managers to succeed in a data-driven business world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the role of business analytics with artificial intelligence in improving decision-making and driving innovation.
2. Critically evaluate the ethical use of data and analytics with AI in business.
3. Critically evaluate and implement key business analytics techniques such as business intelligence and predictive analytics for solving contemporary management problems at local and global contexts.

SKILLS
This module aims to develop specific skills in the form of:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Enhance the capability for data-driven business changes and implement effective decisions as needed in a dynamic business environment.

Subject Specific Skills
• To get acquainted in using contemporary business analytics software.

Cognitive Skills
• Provide students with the research tools to conduct systematic analysis and rational deduction in addressing business problems.

Transferable Skills
• Effectively communicate complex information in visual formats


Cyber Security & Digital Risk Management (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
This module explores the critical aspects of managing digital threats in business environments, with an emphasis on strategy, operations, and ethics. It explores the digital threat landscape, covering common cyber threats such as phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. Through case studies of cybersecurity incidents, the module examines the financial, operational, and reputational impacts of digital threats, illustrating the importance of proactive risk management. Key approaches to digital risk assessment and prioritisation form a core component of the module.

Techniques for identifying, evaluating, and categorising digital risks are covered, tailored to organisational profiles and vulnerabilities. These risk assessment frameworks enable knowledge of potential risk areas and highlight where heightened security measures are most crucial. In addition, the module covers digital governance and compliance, regulatory frameworks like GDPR and ISO standards and their implications for cybersecurity strategy. This segment provides insight into creating policies that align with legal and industry standards. Incident response planning and crisis management is another focus, detailing the development of response strategies to handle cyber incidents effectively.

Simulations or/and practical exercises will be used to explain response protocols, communication strategies, and continuity plans that help mitigate damage and maintain operational stability. Ethical considerations around issues of data privacy and corporate social responsibility will be discussed, encouraging a reflective approach to digital risk management decisions. Overall, the module prepares future business leaders to incorporate cybersecurity and digital risk management into organisational strategy, fostering resilience and ensuring that risks are effectively identified, assessed, and mitigated in an increasingly digital world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Identify key cybersecurity risks and understand their potential impact on business performance and reputation.
2. Critically evaluate and apply frameworks for assessing, prioritising, and mitigating digital risks within a business context.
3. Develop and implement digital risk management strategies that align with business goals and regulatory requirements.
4. Critically evaluate ethical issues in cybersecurity, including data privacy and corporate social responsibility.

SKILLS
This module aims to develop the following skills:
Cognitive Skills
• Critically analyse the formulation and implementation of cybersecurity strategies in business environments, particularly focusing on proactive risk management.
• Critically evaluate key cybersecurity frameworks to assess their effectiveness and implications for digital risk management within organisational contexts.

Knowledge and Understanding
• Critically assess common cyber threats, risk assessment frameworks, and proactive risk management practices as essential digital innovations, analysing their impact on business strategy, performance, reputation, and societal trust.
• Analyse and assess global and regional regulatory requirements and governance principles to design compliant cybersecurity strategies that align with evolving digital business models and strategies.
• Analyse ethical considerations in cybersecurity within a global and cross-cultural context.

Subject-specific Skills
• Apply various tools and frameworks to identify, categorise, and address digital risks within business contexts.
• Apply cybersecurity strategies that align with organisational goals and compliance requirements to enhance resilience and support competitive advantage.
• Critically evaluate the ethical ramifications of cybersecurity practices in business and society.

Transferable Skills
• Synthesise information from diverse cybersecurity sources, including academic journals, industry reports, case studies, and real-world incident data.
• Communicate cybersecurity concepts and digital risk management insights effectively to a range of audiences, including non-specialist audiences.

Digital Supply Chain Management (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
The module focuses on introducing advanced digital technologies and their implications in operations and supply chain management. A range of advanced information technologies, such as Blockchains, Internet of things, Cloud computing, Artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and Augmented reality/Virtual reality, will be explored. It aims to enable students to get a broad overview of digital technologies and information systems and how they can be used to transform operations and supply chain management. The module covers topics related to the adoption of digital technologies, the application of information systems, digitalization of supply chains.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Identify and critically evaluate a range of advanced information technologies and systems
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the adoption and applications of advanced digital technologies in operations and supply chain management.
3. Analyse the impacts, challenges and opportunities of information technologies to operations and supply chain management, to the organisation, and to wider business and societal contexts.

SKILLS
This module provides opportunities for students to acquire or enhance the following skills:
• Communicate ideas, critique theoretical frameworks and discuss their strengths and shortcomings in a range of strategic business environments. Communication will be in both written and presentational forms.
• Work both independently (summative assessment) and in groups (formative assessment).
• Manage own time and workload effectively.

AI Entrepreneurship & Consulting (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
The AI Entrepreneurship and Consulting module explores the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation, equipping students with the expertise to tackle challenges in AI-driven entrepreneurship and consulting. Students will study strategies for developing AI start-ups, from organisational planning to product strategy design, while examining real-world examples of both successful and struggling ventures. Key topics include building a compelling AI business case, navigating funding and scalability issues, and understanding drivers of start-up profitability.

Students will gain insights into the entire lifecycle of AI entrepreneurship, from ideation and funding to product-market fit and operational resilience. The module also covers essential consulting frameworks and methodologies, with case-based exercises to develop problem-solving and communication skills that address ethical and practical considerations in the AI landscape. By the end of the module, students will be able to generate and assess AI-driven entrepreneurial ideas, apply consulting frameworks to AI-related business challenges, and effectively convey their consulting recommendations to varied stakeholders, preparing them to drive AI innovation and strategic solutions in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate how AI can be leveraged to develop new entrepreneurial ideas
2. Examine the challenges involved in translating AI ideas into successful ventures
3. Develop and apply consulting frameworks and methodologies
4. Effectively communicate consulting findings and recommendations

SKILLS
This module aims to develop the following skills:
Cognitive
• Develop and articulate strategies leveraging both technological and non-technological solutions for AI-driven business challenges.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant theories and solutions related to AI start-up development and consulting frameworks to derive well-founded business insights.

Knowledge and Understanding
• Critically evaluate AI technologies and innovative approaches to inform strategic decision-making and create effective solutions for entrepreneurial and consulting challenges.

Subject-specific
• Integrate innovative approaches and AI-driven models to develop solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by AI start-ups and consulting projects.

Transferable
• Demonstrate effective organisation and time management in project-based and case-driven consulting assignments.
• Synthesise diverse sources of information, including academic literature, data sets, and industry reports, to build well-informed business strategies.
• Communicate AI concepts and consulting recommendations clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders, including non-specialist audiences.

Emerging Technologies for Business (15 credits)
OVERVIEW
The Emerging Technologies for Business module examines a range of breakthrough technologies reshaping the business landscape, including blockchain, the metaverse, and quantum computing. Focusing on the practical applications and strategic potential of these technologies, this module equips students with the knowledge to understand how emerging innovations can drive business performance and fuel future growth.
Throughout the module, students will explore how these technologies create new opportunities for business innovation and operational enhancement. They will delve into blockchain’s potential to revolutionise transactions, the metaverse’s ability to create immersive customer experiences, and quantum computing’s promise for solving computational challenges.

The module also emphasises the role of artificial intelligence in the ecosystem of emerging technologies, highlighting its importance in facilitating new applications and strategic insights.Ethical, legal, and social considerations play a central role, as students critically evaluate the implications of deploying these technologies responsibly. Additionally, students will engage in case studies and workshops that provide hands-on experience, enabling them to assess the feasibility, risks, and benefits of implementing these technologies in various business contexts.

By the end of the module, students will be equipped to critically evaluate emerging technologies, apply practical skills to integrate them, and analyse regulatory frameworks. They will also be able to effectively communicate the strategic business implications of these technologies to diverse stakeholders, preparing them to navigate the complexities of innovation in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate emerging technologies
2. Apply practical skills in integrating emerging technologies
3. Analyse global trends and regulatory frameworks
4. Effectively communicate the business implications of emerging technologies to diverse stakeholders

SKILLS
This module aims to develop the following skills:
Cognitive Skills
• Develop and articulate strategic approaches for integrating emerging technologies to solve challenging business problems.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant theories and practical solutions associated with emerging technologies and their business applications.

Knowledge and Understanding
• Critically assess the transformative role of emerging technologies in driving business performance, innovation, and their broader societal impacts.
• Critically analyse and evaluate the global and cross-cultural implications of deploying emerging technologies in various business contexts.

Subject-specific Skills
• Critically evaluate the ethical and responsible management of emerging technologies in a business environment, considering their implications for business strategy and stakeholder impact.

Transferable Skills
• Synthesise information from academic research, industry reports, and case studies to inform strategic decisions.
• Communicate the strategic and operational implications of emerging technologies clearly to stakeholders, including non-specialist audiences.

Semester 3 Modules

Digital Business Capstone
OVERVIEW
As students approach the final stage of their MSc in Digital Business journey, an engaging opportunity awaits: the capstone project. This culminating endeavour invites students to apply the wealth of knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the programme to a real-world digital business challenge of an organisation.

At its heart, the capstone project explores a question that's central to today's digital-first business world: Why do some organisations thrive in their digital initiatives while others struggle? Through this project, students will investigate the intricate web of factors that differentiate digital success from failure, analyse why similar digital strategies yield vastly different outcomes across organisations, and develop actionable insights to drive digital business performance for the organisation under research. This project serves as a platform for students to showcase their cumulative expertise and develop insights that could shape the future of digital business practices.

Drawing on the rich foundation built through core modules like Digital Strategy, Marketing in the Digital Age, and Technology for Good, students will embark on an independent research journey. This project allows them to synthesise their learning, applying diverse theories to a practical, real-world organisation of their choosing.Throughout this process, students are encouraged to think holistically, considering how various aspects of technology, economy, and society intersect in the digital realm. The capstone project goes beyond a final assessment – it is a launching pad for students’ futures in digital business leadership. It provides them with a unique opportunity to tackle real-world challenges independently, demonstrating their ability to analyse, strategise, and innovate in the ever-evolving landscape of digital business.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Critically analyse the interactive factors and causal mechanisms contributing to success and failure in digital business initiatives.
2. Evaluate and apply relevant digital business theories and frameworks to real-world organisational challenges.
3. Synthesise insights from core modules to develop comprehensive digital business strategies and solutions.
4. Conduct independent research, including data collection and analysis, to support strategic decision-making in digital contexts.
5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex digital business strategies and solutions effectively.

SKILLS
This module aims to develop specific skills in the form of:
Knowledge and Understanding:
• Develop a deep understanding of the interplay between digital technologies and business outcomes.
• Gain proficiency in applying digital business theories to practical scenarios.

Subject-specific:
• Enhance analytical skills in evaluating digital business strategies and their effectiveness.
• Improve capability in conducting independent research on digital business solutions.

Transferable:
• Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills in complex digital business environments.
• Develop holistic thinking capabilities, integrating various aspects of digital business and technology.

Teaching Times

For semesters 1 and 2, students will have 4 classes per week, all 3 hours long.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Teaching Methods

Classes will be delivered as a mix of seminars, lectures and workshops and they will be interactive and discussion-based blending theory with practical examples.
Learning and engagement approaches will involve a range of styles such as case studies, software demonstrations, practical workshops, role plays, groupwork, scenario discussions and organisation visits.
Semester 3 is structured around independent and applied learning through the capstone project. Students are assigned dedicated academic support for these projects.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • There is an emphasis on assessments that are applied and practical in focus where students are encouraged and supported to produce actionable recommendations to address real-world scenarios and problems.
    There is a broad range of assessment types including presentations, reports, podcasts, game-based simulations, analytics practicals, teamwork and business plans. This variety is balanced with a streamlined approach to assessment submissions and feedback across the programme that is manageable for students. Feedback which is tailored and timely is provided to students on all assessments.

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a strong 2.2 honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds so may consider previous managerial work experience alongside lower academic qualifications.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 15th August 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Please note:  international applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure a place on this course.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information.
http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

An MSc. in Digital Business will prepare students for a wide range of career paths in areas like digital marketing, e-commerce, data analytics, FinTech, and more.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)
International £25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)

£6,000 Scholarship available for 2025 entry. Click this link to view the Terms and Conditions.

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Students have the option to undertake a consultancy project for their dissertation and are responsible for funding any travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 

1.2  International applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure their place on the course. The current mandatory tuition fee deposit payment is £1000 International (Non- EU & EU except ROI). 

1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/deposit-refunds-policy/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

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Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

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