This programme is designed to meet the rising demands for digital transformation expertise across varying industries. You will work on real business challenges through interactive classes, workshops, and industry projects. Alongside your studies, you will have the chance to attend industry events, network with professionals, and explore future career paths in roles such as Digital Transformation Manager, Technology Project Manager, or Innovation Consultant.
The MSc Digital Transformation Management consists of eight carefully designed modules that blend strategic insight with real-world application:
Introduction to Digital Transformation (20 credits)
This module outlines the core themes and developments that influence digital transformation across organisations. It provides a starting point for further study and discussion throughout the programme.
Project Management for Digital Transformation (20 credits)
You will explore how to plan, manage, and deliver digital projects. The module introduces standard tools and frameworks while encouraging a reflective approach to leadership and teamwork.
Orchestrating Innovation Ecosystems (20 credits)
Discover how organisations collaborate within complex innovation ecosystems to drive change and create value. This module explores the roles of different actors—including businesses, governments, and communities—and the strategies used to coordinate innovation across sectors such as technology, health, education, and the creative industries.
Leading Digital Transformation (20 credits)
Focusing on strategic decision-making, this module examines how leadership practices influence digital change. It considers both organisational goals and the human factors involved in change processes.
Data Governance and Ethics (20 credits)
Understand data-driven innovation, ethical technology use, and governance frameworks. Learn how to apply responsible practices in complex digital environments.
Policies and Regulations of Digital Transformation (20 credits)
You will examine how laws, institutions, and public policy relate to digital transformation. The module covers national and international examples, and includes discussion of future policy challenges.
Final Project Development (20 credits)
This module supports the preparation of your final project. You will define your research question or business focus, consider relevant methods, and develop a structured plan for implementation.
Digital Transformation Management – Final Project (40 credits)
Undertake a major project aligned to your interests or career goals, applying your learning to a real-world digital transformation challenge. The module includes supervision and feedback from staff.
Academic team
The programme is led by Dr Paul Oliver, a Lecturer in Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship with over 15 years of experience in research and teaching, focusing on innovation ecosystems, responsible AI, creative entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial learning, and intellectual property management.
Dr Paolo Gerli is an Associate Professor of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship whose research examines digital transformation, technology adoption, and regional development, with a focus on smart places and grassroots innovation.
Dr Fabio Da Rocha Neves, a Lecturer in Digital Transformation, brings over 25 years of industry experience in IT leadership roles and now researches digital platforms, entrepreneurship, and business transformation.
Dr Huong Nguyen is a Lecturer in Urban Innovation, researching governance in innovation systems, citizen engagement, and the transition from Triple- to Quadruple-Helix models in urban development.
Dr Neculai Cristian Surubaru is a Lecturer in Public Administration, specialising in public policy, governance, and sustainability transitions, with experience in consultancy projects for the EU and national governments.
Dr Clare McTigue, a Lecturer in Public Sector Innovation, focuses on transport policy, urban mobility, and sustainable innovation, having worked on projects including hydrogen-powered regional transport.
How will my degree reflect sustainability and sustainable development?
The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) – established under the UN Global Compact – places a clear onus on Higher Education to ‘transform management education and develop the responsible decision-makers of tomorrow to advance sustainable development’. The Business School is a PRME signatory, and we seek to influence professional practice and policy nationally and internationally, helping to drive key societal, economic and environmental impacts.
Our mission is ‘to empower communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact’ and we work constantly to embed practical actions into our curriculum, to promote sustainability and relate these to the key ideas of sustainability, as reflected in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes now reflect one or more of the SDG, and our research is targeted to solve real world problems, mapped against the criteria used in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Ranking.
The most recent annual league table for Sustainability - compiled by People & Planet, the UK’s largest student campaigning network - again places Edinburgh Napier in a top 3 position among Scotland’s 19 universities. This reflects their assessment of our performance across a range of environmental and ethical considerations, which include carbon reduction and management, and education.
What is distinct about equality, diversity and inclusion?
Edinburgh Napier University is enriched by the diversity of perspectives, cultures and backgrounds brought by all within our global community. We are committed to a positive environment where diversity and inclusiveness is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status or whether pregnant or on maternity leave. We commit ourselves to providing a learning, working and social environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation, stigmatisation and all forms of harassment and bullying.
The Business School's vision: 'To be the Business School for empowerment, enterprise and employability for all'.
Our mission statement: 'Empowering our communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact'.