Showing content for section Overview
Overview
If you're a graduate looking to build a career in business strategy and quality management – or you're an experienced professional wanting to further develop your knowledge and understanding of the field – this MSc Strategic Quality Management Course is the perfect choice for you.
This part-time, distance learning course introduces you to current theory and best practice around operational, functional and strategic quality management. You'll learn how to contribute to an organisation's strategic vision for success, as well as how to implement policies to improve customer relations and business effectiveness.
When you complete this course, you'll have finely-honed quality, organisational and people management skills, and you'll be ready for roles in quality management, training and development, and other related fields.
Recognised by:
Portsmouth Business School is a member of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and the British Quality Foundation (BQF). When you complete the course, you can use this MSc qualification as part of your portfolio of evidence to apply for individual membership of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI).
Contact Information
Contact Student Recruitment CentreWhat you'll experience
On this course you'll:
- Learn how to effectively implement policies to achieve customer focus and continuous improvement
- Network via staff with research and consultancy experience, and industry links
Resources for the course are available via the university’s intranet online learning system – you'll need a fast, reliable Internet connection. You'll be able to join in web-based interactive sessions with lecturers and other students and our University Library has extensive online resources that can be accessed via the internet at any time.
Read more about our excellent research in Area StudiesThe University of Portsmouth is ranked the number 1 modern university for research quality in Area Studies
Careers and opportunities
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry.
What can you do with a Strategic Quality Management (Distance Learning) degree?
Previous graduates have gone on to work in:
- quality management roles
- operations management
- training and development
- auditing and business process improvement
Some graduates have set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Work experience and career planning
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.
We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your portfolio.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits, and you'll need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits.
Modules studied
- Business Operations - The Quality Management Perspective - 30 credits
- Business Transformation Through Quality Management - 30 credits
- Business Improvement and Research Methods - 30 credits
- Dissertation - 60 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching methods include:
- online resources and activities
- online tutorials
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed entirely through coursework.
Entry requirements
MSc Strategic Quality Management (Distance Learning) Master's degree entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Working professionals without an honours degree who have substantial relevant experience and the academic potential to achieve the award will also be considered.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2024 start)
- Part-time distance learning: £4,450 a year (subject to annual increase)
- Part-time distance learning: £4,450 a year (subject to annual increase) (including Transition Scholarship)
- Part-time distance learning: £4,450 a year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Tuition fees terms and conditions
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional course costs
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
Starting in September 2024
- Distance learning part-time study (27 months)
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us (above) or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.