Engineering Management Heriot-Watt University

Overview

MSc Engineering Management equips you with the technical and managerial expertise needed to lead in today’s fast-evolving engineering and technology sectors. This programme blends advanced engineering principles with applied business and leadership skills, preparing you to manage complex projects and teams in global industries.

You will gain a deep understanding of engineering systems alongside strategic decision-making, project management and delivery, resilience building, team management, and organisational leadership. The programme offers specialised pathways that allow you to tailor your learning to contemporary challenges. Options include energy transition, robotics, and sustainable supply chain management, enabling you to develop expertise in areas that align with your career ambitions and industry needs.

Upon completion, you will be able to combine technical insight with management capability, making you highly employable in engineering firms, technology-driven industries, and construction sectors worldwide.

Our expertise

Your learning will be shaped by Heriot-Watt University’s globally recognised strengths in engineering, infrastructure, and business education. The programme is underpinned by world-class research, with 96% of our engineering research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021, placing us first in Scotland and third in the UK through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.

Teaching is delivered by experts from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, and Edinburgh Business School, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach that reflects the complexity of modern engineering challenges. Case-based learning and applied projects will help keep your studies relevant to current industry needs and future developments.

Heriot-Watt University also produces the highest percentage of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Managing Directors (MDs) in Scotland, with 4.57% of our graduates going on to achieve these leadership roles. Our management studies are globally recognised, further strengthening your ability to combine technical expertise with strategic leadership.

You will benefit from direct access to cutting-edge research and innovation centres, including Energy Transition expertise in the Net Zero Global Research Institute, robotics from the National Robotarium, and national hubs hosted by Edinburgh Business School such as Transit - the National Digital Twinning for Decarbonisation Research hub. We also house a centre of excellence in Photovoltaics, ensuring your studies are informed by the latest advances in sustainable energy and technology.

Your learning environment

The MSc Engineering Management is taught through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based learning. Assessment is through coursework, exams, and a major dissertation, with continuous feedback and support throughout your studies. 

You’ll also benefit from access to Heriot-Watt’s specialist facilities and digital resources, alongside opportunities to engage with peers and academic staff in a collaborative learning environment. 

Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Accounting and Finance Society which holds regular social events, provides networking opportunities and insights into accounting career opportunities by working closely with the support of the academic tutors.

Customise your learning

The MSc Engineering Management programme combines six core courses with two optional modules and a dissertation, giving you a strong foundation in leadership, strategy, and data-driven decision-making. 

Core courses focus on areas such as organisational strategy, effective leadership, transition engineering, supply chain resilience, and data management. 

You can personalise your degree by selecting two optional courses from a focused range of specialist topics, including energy transition, robotics, renewable energy technologies, carbon solutions, and low-carbon design. This flexibility allows you to align your studies with your interests and career goals. 

In addition, placements can be sought through our partnership with the Practice Excellence Network at Edinburgh Business School for short projects, as well as through Interface Scotland, providing valuable opportunities to apply your learning in real-world contexts and build industry connections.