Overview
NOTE - This programme will not run in September 2025
Introduction
Contemporary Operations Management demands flexibility, creativity and pragmatism. This online programme enables students to grow into senior operations management roles in technology-intensive organisations, in the financial sector, in supply chain management, manufacturing or services organisations, in both the public and private sectors.
Learners will gain a critical awareness of current opportunities and new insights into operations management in varied environments. They will also develop new flexible, transversal skills in business management and be able to apply these to a wide range of business challenges. The programme is designed to provide graduates of different disciplines with a unique opportunity to develop the hybrid, interdisciplinary knowledge and skills considered essential for modern business development and management.
Learners will also develop the range of investigative and analytic skills and techniques required to equip them to assume senior roles within organisations in the public and private sectors.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Graduates of this programme tell us how they have grown in confidence as a result of coming to understand the theory underpinning professional practice brought about by their studies. This confidence, together with their increased understanding and knowledge, has helped them to become more strategic and meaningful contributors in the workplace, with the ability to engage at a more senior level.
As high level academic qualifications are becoming increasingly important to organisations' recruitment and promotion policies, this degree will add long term value to your career.
Graduates of this programme are currently employed in manufacturing and service organisations across a wide range of sectors including the financial services, supply chain, pharmaceutical and electronics industries. Many Graduates are also self-employed.
Entry Requirements
NOTE - This programme will not run in September 2025
For admission to the M.Sc. Management Operations candidates must hold:
• A 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline eg. Engineering, Science, Business or Information Technology, or equivalent international qualification.
OR
• A 2:1 Honours degree in a non-relevant discipline, along with at least 3 years relevant managerial work experience.
• Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in relevant modules on their undergraduate programme.
OR
• A Level 7 qualification in a relevant discipline or non-chartered membership of a professional body, along with at least 3 years relevant managerial work experience.
OR
• Chartered membership of an institution such as the Institute of Engineers of Ireland or a professional body such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
OR
• Evidence of substantial relevant managerial work experience. Such applicants will be required to submit a CV and Personal Statement in support of their application and may be required to attend for interview.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.
Programme Structure
How the programme is delivered:
This postgraduate programme is provided through online distance learning, which means that a working professional can achieve a deeper understanding in a specialist area and provide a sound basis for their long-term career, without disruption to their career or other commitments. For each module you undertake, you are given access to a specially written module text. Most modules require that you acquire additional textbooks. You also get access to the vast range of academic journals and other resources provided by DCU Library and increasing use is being made of these resources on the programme.
Tutorial support on this programme is provided online through the use of discussion forums in a virtual learning environment called Loop. In addition, tutorials will be provided using a web-based tutorial system. Students can partake in web-based tutorials at home, work or anywhere with a reasonable internet connection. Additionally, because the tutorial sessions are recorded, for those who are unable to attend the live tutorial session, they can be viewed later, at a more convenient time for you, the student.
How the programme is assessed:
All modules are assessed via continuous assessment. There are no end-of-year examinations. For the taught modules, the continuous assessment normally takes the form of three assignments per module which have to be submitted at predefined points during the academic year. For the dissertation element, you are required to submit a 20,000-word document which is largely self-directed, but with the guidance of a research supervisor.
Programme Structure:
Project and Operational Change Management - MT5228 (15 Credits)
This module consists of three elements with one assignment per element. In Managing Change, the different models of change are described, and how they assist in understanding and managing resistance to change, building readiness for change, and sustaining change. In Sustainable Transport and Logistics students explore how to manage distribution channels sustainably, transparently, efficiently, and effectively. In Project Management and Risk Assessment, you are introduced to how key project management principles are applied to areas such as project planning, project generation, project feasibility selection and initiation , and project scheduling.
Operations Management - MT5229 (15 Credits)
This module is the core module of the MSc in Management of Operations programme. The aims of this module are to provide an in-depth understanding of the role of services in meeting customer needs, providing customer satisfaction, and developing a firm foundation in the concepts and principles of modern operations management. This module consists of three elements, Management of Operations, Service Management, and Supply Chain
Management.
Sustainable Operations - MT5230 (15 Credits)
The module is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of sustainable operations; what it is, how it aligns with overall organizational strategies, policies, and management, and how to recognize, apply and successfully manage sustainable operational activities to achieve further improvements and benefits and mitigate risk. This module consists of three elements Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Accounting, and Sustainable
Procurement.
Research for Operations - MT5217(5 Credits)
This module examines what it means to conduct research for operations, with the overarching objective to support students in critically evaluating research designs, methodologies and methods appropriate to different research questions and approaches in the field of Operations. This includes devising a research question, conducting a literature review, individual research methods (and how they might work together), and academic
writing skills.
Operational Analytics & Strategy - MT5218 (15 Credits)
This module introduces students to Management Science and spreadsheet modelling in the context of operations, including familiarising students with decision-making and problem-solving using appropriate techniques and methods. Operational Analytics focuses on transforming operational data into better decision-making, and dynamic modelling processes using discrete event simulation towards predicting outcomes and choosing the the best course of action in the face of risk. Operations Strategy focuses on evaluating the
principles and practice of operations strategy development and management and determine a set of approaches and frameworks required to formulate and execute an operations strategy.
Dissertation - MT5219 (25 Credits)
The Dissertation is a major piece of independent work of up to 20,000 words in length and provides the opportunity to bring to bear the techniques and perspectives covered in the taught modules on a specific issue of research interest. An independent and critical appraisal of an issue is essential to successfully complete the dissertation.
Module Syllabi - Subject Outlines:
Project and Operational Change Management - MT5228 (15 Credits)
Operational Change Management
Sustainable Transport and Logistics
Project Management and Risk Assessment
Operations Management (15 credits) MT5229
Management of Operations
Service Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Sustainable Operations - MT5230 (15 Credits)
Sustainable Finance
Sustainable Accounting
Sustainable Procurement
Operational Analytics & Strategy - MT5218 (15 Credits)
Management Science
Operational Analytics
Operations Strategy
Research for Operations - MT5217 (5 Credits)
Conducting Research in an Operations Context
Dissertation - MT5219 (25 Credits)
Capstone Operations-themed thesis
There are no exams on this programme. Student performance is marked by continual
assessment.
Year One
MT5229 - Operations Management (Semester 1)
MT5228 - Project and Operational Change Management (Semester 2)
Year Two
MT5230 - Sustainable Operations (Semester 1)
MT5217 – Research for Operations (Semester 1)
MT5218 - Operational Analytics & Strategy (Semester 2)
MT5219 - Dissertation (Year-long)
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
NOTE - This programme will not run in September 2025
To apply for this programme:
All applicants should apply here.
Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
• Provide Level 8 Academic Transcripts in a relevant discipline (Engineering, Science, Business or Information Technology) from a recognised higher education institution for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
OR
• Provide Chartered membership of an institution such as the Institute of Engineers of Ireland or a professional body such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
OR
• Provide Level 8 qualification in a non-relevant discipline along with a detailed CV detailing at least three years relevant managerial work experience.
OR
• Provide Level 7 qualification in a subject in a relevant discipline or non-chartered membership of a professional body, along with a detailed CV detailing at least three years relevant managerial work experience.
• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Does DCU have partner universities around the world to go to?
Yes, see the full list of the universities you can travel to (depending on your course). For further specific information you should contact the course contact.
For the business courses how big are class sizes like and are there work placements?
There are some large lectures for common modules but these are supported by smaller weekly tutorial groups of approx. 30 people. There are work placements in our Business school.
What are some of the companies that students from the BSc multimedia have gone on to work for?
Some companies include: TV3, BBC, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yahoo, Setanta Sport & independent production companies.
See where your future career could be.