Overview
Start date: September 2026
Duration: 12 months (Full-time only)
Fees: Fees for the 2026/27 cohort to be confirmed. Scholarships available.
Application deadline: Applications for the 2026/27 cycle will open in October 2025.
Entry: An undergraduate degree at 2:1 Honours (or equivalent) from a recognised university. Applicants are also required to meet the Level 2 English Language requirements. Learn more
Location: This programme is delivered at our Canary Wharf campus
Programme
The MSc Digital Innovation explores how emerging technologies can be used to create new value-transforming products, services, processes, and organisations. Digital innovation is the use of digital technologies to drive meaningful change, whether through improving customer experiences, enhancing operations, or creating entirely new business models. This programme equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to lead that change in a fast-moving digital world.
You’ll begin by building a strong understanding of key digital technologies- from data analytics and artificial intelligence to cloud systems and digital platforms- and how they are applied in real-world business innovation. You’ll then explore the theoretical frameworks that underpin digital transformation, giving you the tools to understand not just how digital change happens, but why.
The programme prepares you to make informed, strategic decisions about how to innovate in an organisation. You’ll learn how to use data, technology, and research to develop innovative products and services, design more efficient processes, and reshape organisational structures. Alongside this, you’ll gain hands-on experience with digital tools and software, as well as sharpen your ability to communicate insights clearly and effectively.
Designed for students seeking academic depth and practical relevance, the MSc draws on the UCL School of Management’s world-leading expertise in technology, innovation, data analytics, and entrepreneurship. The programme also benefits from strong industry connections, offering valuable exposure to real challenges and best practices in digital innovation.
Programme Structure
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and class discussions based on case studies and other in-class activities. Students will take four taught modules in Term 1, and four taught modules in Term 2. A dissertation/research project spans Terms 1, 2, 3 and the Summer Term.
Central to the programme is a deep understanding of technology. The Digital Technologies & Infrastructures and Artificial Intelligence Practices modules delve into key digital technologies for modern organisations. The Competing in Digital Markets module explores strategic approaches for success in digital businesses, while the Digital Marketing & Business Economics module explores the economic logic behind the success and failure of digital innovation.
The Innovation & Project Management module helps students understand how to identify the best results in the context of innovation investments; meanwhile Digital Product & Service Design focuses specifically on digital innovation in products and services. The Change Management module explores the impacts of digital innovation, and the Ethics & Governance in Digital Businesses module explores the choices organisations, societies and governments must make. For their Digital Innovation Project, students can conduct research to solve a digital problem, or to prepare a business plan for a digital innovation proposal.
Each taught module has 15 credits, with 30 contact hours each. The other 120 hours per module are spent in independent study, preparing assessments, revising for exams, and consultations in office hours. The dissertation/research project (60 credits) has 60 contact hours and 4 hours of individual supervision; the remaining hours will consist of independent study and preparing independent project work.
Programme for Students Starting in September 2026
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Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Across Terms 1, 2 and 3 |
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Compulsory |
Compulsory |
Compulsory |
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Digital Technologies & Infrastructures |
Digital Product & Service Design |
Digital Innovation Project
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Digital Marketing & Business Economics |
Artificial Intelligence Practices |
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Innovation & Project Management |
Ethics & Governance in Digital Businesses |
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Competing in Digital Markets |
Change Management |
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How is the programme unique?
The MSc Digital Innovation stands out due to its cutting-edge curriculum, links to industry and support from renowned academic staff to help students dig deeper into their interests.
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Cutting-edge Curriculum: The MSc Digital Innovation combines engaging content and practical exercises, providing students with a balanced foundation in theory, research and application. The programme provides students with a solid understanding of the digital technologies disrupting organisations and gives them the analytical skills to think critically and future-proof organisations.
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Industry Relevance: UCL School of Management maintains robust partnerships with firms, from global corporations to start-ups, to facilitate connections between students and companies and help students achieve their goals. Industry professionals will visit the campus, allowing students to learn from real-life practitioners.
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An Opportunity To Specialise: The final Digital Innovation Project allows students to hone their knowledge in their area of interest, either researching digital innovation problems and solutions, or developing a business plan for a digital innovation project. Supervisors will provide full support, guiding students in the choice of their projects for a better match with their career plans and professional aspirations.
Applications
We are looking for students who are passionate about mastering the latest digital innovation theories and practices and using them in their future careers. Students may have a first degree in a subject including, but not limited to: management, economics, statistics, engineering, computer science, psychology and other natural and social sciences. Evidence of work experience in digital businesses is also useful.
Students are expected to have a strong analytical mindset, the capacity to learn how to use digital tools and software packages, and a desire to innovate and lead in a digital-related industry. We expect students to show rigour in their work, embrace innovation, and demonstrate adaptability as they face new challenges.
Application process
Please check back here soon for application deadlines for 2026 entry. Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to the competition for places.
Academic Entry Requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree (2:1) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants can come with a variety of degrees including but not limited to management, economics, statistics, engineering, computer science, psychology, and other natural and social sciences. International students can find their international equivalency on the UCL international students website.
Strong evidence of work experience in digital businesses may be accepted for students with a lower second-class UK Bachelor’s degree (2:2) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. In this case, the candidate must show evidence of having created a successful company in digital businesses or of having worked for substantial amount of time in a relevant digital business (e.g. Alibaba, Alphabet, Baidu, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA or similar) in the innovation of products, services, process or organisation design, with evidence of successful and relevant impact. The decision on what constitutes strong evidence of work experience is to be made by the Admissions team and cannot be appealed.
English Language Requirements
- The English language level for this programme is: Level 2.
- Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
Applications for MSc Digitial Innovation are assessed in 4 stages:
Stage 1 - Initial assessment
Once we have received your application and reference from your nominated referee, we will check to ensure that you meet the minimum academic requirements for the programme. Unfortunately, due to the competition for places, we are unable to progress applicants to stage 2 unless they have met the minimum requirement for the programme.
A list of the standard entry requirements and their international equivalents can be found on the UCL page for International Students. Please note that UCL uses weighted averages to measure applicants’ current academic level.
Stage 2 - Completion of an interview
If you meet the minimum requirement for this programme, your application will move to stage 2. During stage 2, your application will be considered further. Most candidates with profiles of interest may be emailed an interview invitation. You will have a deadline by which to complete the online interview. Failure to do so will lead to your application being unsuccessful.
Stage 3 - Post interview selection
After completion of the interview, your interview and application will be considered further. During this stage, we will rate applications on their interview responses, academic profile, career aspirations and international profile. We are looking for students with drive, talent, intelligence, vigour, critical thinking and analytical skills.
If your application is at the lower end of the ranked applications, your application will be deemed unsuccessful, and you will be informed of this on the application portal. If your application is at the high end, an offer recommendation will be forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office for processing.
Alternatively, if your application is ranked in the middle range, your application will be moved to stage 4.
Stage 4 - Holding
During this stage, applications are held and regularly reviewed. When they are reviewed, the Programme Director will consider all applications currently at stage 4 and recommend offers to the strongest candidates until all places are filled.
Please note that those who enter stage 4 may not receive a decision before August 2026.
UCL aims to complete stages 1-2 within 12 weeks. Stage 3 will begin from January 2026 onwards. Applicants who enter stage 4 may not receive a decision before August 2026.
Meet us at an event
If you’re considering applying to one of our programmes and would like to discuss your eligibility, you can meet a member of the Student Recruitment Team at an event in a city near you.
Click below for upcoming events, booking 1:1 appointments with the Student Recruitment Team, and how you can connect with us.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition Fees
The 2025-26 fees will be published in Autumn 2025. Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships are available through UCL for all years of study. Competition for scholarships is fierce, however, and to stand a chance of being chosen you will need to show evidence of commitment and the potential for high achievement.
Deposit
Additional Costs
This programme may include opportunities for students to undertake optional international study trips. The costs of such trips are usually covered by students although some elements may be subsidised or grants available depending on the destination, organisational and support responsibilities. On average, costs would be around £1,000 to £1,750 depending on the trip location, personal flight preferences and spending habits as well as the prevailing exchange rates.
Careers
MSc Digital Innovation graduates are expected to pursue careers in organisations that need to succeed in projects of digital innovation. The programme will prepare graduates for careers in diverse fields and sectors worldwide, and we expect that graduates will find jobs in consultancies, banks, retail companies and digital business companies. Depending on priour work experience, Roles could include:
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Business Analyst
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Digital Product Manager
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Digital Transformation Consultant
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Digital Strategy Consultant
In time, MSc Digital Innovation graduates could progress to careers in leadership, as Digital Innovation Leads or Directors, or Heads of Digital Transformation. Some of these roles will naturally depend on prior work experience. Additionally, some professionals may find opportunities to work in international organisations, to develop solutions, policies and regulations to manage the impacts of digital innovation.
The UCL School of Management has strong connections with companies and organisations, offering graduates a range of highly sought-after skills, such as leading digital innovation, managing change, and leveraging emerging technologies to create new business opportunities.
The UCL School of Management Careers team will provide graduates with exclusive careers support, including coaching and guidance via 1:1s and group workshops, and by facilitating connections with employers and alumni both in the UK and globally via bespoke employer event programmes. The UCL School of Management maintains robust partnerships with firms, from global corporations to start-ups, to facilitate connections between students and companies. This is an essential complement to our academic programme, enabling us to best prepare you for your future careers and support you to identify and achieve your goals. The programme is delivered at the Canary Wharf campus, nestled in London’s financial and commercial heart and offering many opportunities for professional networking.
Canary Wharf campus
The programme is taught at the UCL School of Management’s home in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s business and finance hub. The strategic location provides access to a network of large organisations in the immediate surroundings. You will also be able to network with UCL School of Management alumni while you study and attend various events organised by the Careers team to build a strong foundational network.
Want to experience student life from our campus in the clouds?
Grab your spot on one of our upcoming Canary Wharf Campus Tours!
We recommend you register early as spaces are limited.
Contact
For further queries regarding admissions please see the UCL Postgraduate Admissions Webpage.
Please contact our Programme Administration team here: mgmt-di@ucl.ac.uk
Register for more information
FAQs
You may apply now for a place on a programme without a current English test as long as you send your qualification as soon as you receive it. If you are offered a place, it will be conditional on you providing evidence of meeting UCL’s English Language Requirements before the start of the programme.