Global Operations and Service Management MSc - Postgraduate MA/MSc courses

The latest events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed companies to look at their global operations and supply chains more strategically, including how to digitise their products, advance towards services, and produce more sustainably, and as a result global operations and service management have quickly become business-critical areas of expertise in modern business.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Our masters in Global Operations and Service Management will prepare you for a global approach to business operations and the growing service sector. This includes rethinking the role of globalisation on multi-national business models, particularly when it comes to strategy, location, supply chains, logistics, sustainability, and product design and innovation.

Attracting students from all over the world, this course is a great opportunity to mix with people from different cultures and with diverse backgrounds. Youll enhance your communication, teamwork and management skills, all whilst building a network of international contacts. It will also help you to appreciate the various approaches to manage operations and services in multicultural environments.

How will my skills develop?

As well as developing an in-depth understanding of advanced strategic operations on a global scale, youll learn how to apply theories and techniques in diverse socio-economic contexts, industrial sectors and cultural environments when designing, producing, transporting and selling a product or a service for a global market.

This course will help you to become critically aware of key issues such as sustainability, globalisation, digitisation, advanced manufacturing services and the impact of emerging technologies.

Youll study The Aston Global Advantage module which focuses on professional development and employability, helping you to apply the key skills that you will gain throughout the year.

During The Aston Global Advantage youll also have the opportunity to study abroad with one of our international partners, undertake an internship placement in the UK or overseas or get involved in a global business challenge simulation.

Practical experience

Youll use recent real-world cases and practical experiences to bring your learning to life.

From critically evaluating key concepts of global operations and service management and learning how to formulate and communicate context-specific strategies, to gaining invaluable experience through The Aston Global Advantage and investigating a topic of your interest for your dissertation.

As well as a range of core modules, the specialist modules you can choose from, such as sustainable operations management, big data for decision making and services marketing, allow you to tailor your learning and practical experience towards areas that interest you most.

As well as lectures, seminars, and presentations, youll also learn from leading academics whove carried out detailed research in this field and give you a deeper understanding the challenge businesses are facing and the skills required to drive more efficient and effective strategies.

How will this course help my career?

This course is designed to enhance your employability prospects. As well as being developed with industry experts through our advisory board, we also ensure you gain exposure to opportunities throughout your studies. In your third term youll have the choice of studying abroad or pursuing an internship.

Our courses offer a range of opportunities to gain practical experience through things such as, consultancy projects and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The course concludes with a Business Project or Dissertation, giving you the opportunity to analyse a business problem and practically apply the knowledge and skills developed during the course to outline your recommendations. This will also help to show prospective employers how you are able to impact their business.

This course offers an opportunity to study a second degree at one of our international partner institutions once you have completed your year at Aston.

Modules

One of the following:

• A good UK honours degree (2:1 and above)
• Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University

As well as:

• Two professional references - at least one must be from an academic referee
• An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
• A completed application form.

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Password
• Duolingo English Test (for entry onto Pre-Sessional English programmes, and direct entry courses starting in January 2022 and September 2022, excluding Aston Medical School, OSPAP, and Postgraduate Research degree programmes).
• Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) 

We have a track record for providing companies with highly skilled staff.

Our recent graduates have gone on to secure roles with prestigious international companies such as:

• Amazon
• Facebook
• PwC
• Deloitte
• IBM
• Hewlett Packard
• General Electric
• Jaguar Land Rover.

Our strong links with industry have enabled us to tailor the course to meet the needs of employers looking for highly skilled graduates. Thanks to their input, we can help you gain a competitive advantage over other graduates and ensure that you hit the ground running when you secure your ideal role.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham its also a great place to live.

Ask one of our International alumni about their time studying with us. They will be happy to share their thoughts on moving to Birmingham to study their course and answer any of your questions from their own experiences.

Find out more

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new immigration route which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. The new post-study work visa will apply to international students starting undergraduate and postgraduate courses from 2020. 

Find out more information on post-work visas.

Aston University was recognised as the 'Best University Careers/Employability Service'.

The Careers and Placements team at Aston University won the 'Best University Careers/Employability Service' category at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2020 for its use of innovative ideas to engage a high number of students with the service in order to support them with their career planning.

Aston University has strong links with national and international organisations with over 200 employers interacting with students on campus each year.