Key information
Edinburgh Business School's MSc Strategic Project Management is designed and taught by experts in strategy, management, and organisational performance. It will equip you with the skills to become a successful leader in a global project-based environment.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- January 2026
Our MSc Strategic Project Management is an industry-focused programme designed to give you the knowledge and practical skills to design, implement and manage complex projects that deliver real business value. It is suitable for graduates from any discipline and introduces essential concepts in project and strategic management.
You will explore contemporary practices such as portfolio and programme management, project governance and strategic tools for sustainable competitive advantage. The programme shows how corporate strategy translates into actionable projects while helping you develop leadership skills for planning and implementation. Alongside technical expertise, you will build transferable skills in communication, teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, presentation skills, and critical thinking, preparing you for success across industries.
Throughout your studies, you will gain experience with industry-standard tools, AI applications and research databases, as well as quantitative techniques for cost, quality and risk management. You can tailor your learning through optional courses in areas such as leadership, systems thinking, innovation, operations, strategic change and diversity management. Finally, your dissertation will allow you to carry out original research aligned with your interests, supporting lifelong learning and professional development.
Your student experience
Your learning will be guided by research-active academics whose work shapes global sustainability and influences government policy and industry practice. Their expertise contributes to the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability, driving the transition to Net Zero and improving operations for major organisations including:
- Tesco
- Coca-Cola
- John Lewis
- DHL
- Sainsbury’s.
Heriot-Watt University is a recognised leader in logistics and sustainability research, delivering insights into transport benchmarking, environmental impact and operational reform. This research is translated into practical tools and techniques that are widely adopted by industry, ensuring your learning is informed by real-world challenges and solutions.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Leadership
- Strategic Project Management
Optional September
- Competitive Strategy
- Strategic Innovation Management
- Operations Management
- Strategic Change
- Organisational Behaviour
Mandatory January
- Research Philosophy and Practice
- Project Management
Optional January
- Managing Diversity in Business
- Green and Sustainable Logistics
- Quality Management
- Hacking for MoD (Ministry of Defence)
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Business Start-up
Mandatory May
- Strategic Project Management Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
January Semester Mandatory
- Research Philosophy and Practice
- Project Management
January Semester Optional
- Quality Management
- Green and Sustainable Logistics
- Managing Diversity in Business
- Business Start-up
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
September Semester Mandatory
- Strategic Project Management
- Leadership
September Semester Optional
- Strategic Change
- Competitive Strategy
- Operations Management
- Strategic Innovation Management
- Organisational Behaviour
Second January Semester Mandatory
- Strategic Project Management Dissertation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,344 | £6,172 |
| International | £24,176 | £12,088 |
- Tuition fees are subject to revision each year. For students starting in September 2026 or later, refer to the table below.
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,744 | £6,372 |
| International | £24,952 | £12,476 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in any academic subject provided that it includes evidence of essay writing and use of critical thinking.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Student life
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