Lean and Agile Operations (Part-time) (MSc)
The part-time Lean and Agile Operations MSc is designed for those who want to learn how businesses and industries can work more efficiently. It is perfect if you’ve studied subjects like engineering, manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain management. It’s also a great opportunity for experienced managers who want to update their knowledge and skills while continuing to work.
The course places a strong emphasis on operations management, with a focus on both industrial sectors and service sectors. You will learn how to manage and improve systems and processes that keep industries running smoothly. This is important for businesses that want to be more productive, reduce waste, and adapt quickly to change.
Throughout the programme, you will focus on the practical application of ideas. This means you will be working on solving real issues faced by businesses today. The course is built around the concept of continuous improvement, helping you to constantly find ways to make processes better. As part of the course, you will also gain the skills required for Six Sigma Black Belt certification, which is highly respected in many industries for improving quality and efficiency.
You will also explore key areas such as logistics, supply chain management, and procurement, which are all crucial for managing the movement of goods and services. Understanding the global supply chain is also a major focus, as businesses today operate on an international level, dealing with complex systems and challenges.
In addition to this, you will study project management to help you lead and deliver successful projects. The course also covers modern topics such as digitalisation, which looks at how technology is changing the way industries operate, and innovation, which encourages creative thinking in business processes.
Sustainability and risk management are also key themes of the programme, ensuring that you understand how businesses can operate in a responsible and future-focused way. This is particularly important as industries look to reduce their environmental impact and manage potential risks in a global marketplace.
By the end of the course, you will have the skills and knowledge to work in a wide range of industries, and you will be well-prepared for leadership roles in lean operations and agile operations.
Course details
- On-campus
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Lean and Agile Operations MSc is designed to blend practical skills with academic understanding. We focus on real-world application and continuous improvement, preparing you to manage complex operations efficiently. Through hands-on learning and a focus on innovation, you will develop skills that meet industry demands and shape the future of business.
You’ll begin by studying Procurement and Supply Chain Management, focusing on resource management, and Research Methods for effective analysis. Business Analytics follows, teaching data-driven decision-making.
Later, you’ll tackle Lean Six Sigma, Logistics and International Trade, and Robotics and Automation, gaining expertise in efficiency, global operations, and technology. Finally, Sustainable Operations Management and the Master’s Project let you apply your skills to real-world challenges in lean and agile operations.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(60 credits)
Disclaimer
-
The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
-
2:2 honours degree 
-
or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes 
-
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
-
-
Assessment on the master’s programme is a mixture of written assessments, examinations and presentations. A typical assessment could be asking you to investigate a problem and make suggestions for improvement using tools and techniques you learned in a particular module or across the programme.
-
Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
-
It is possible to complete the course without incurring any additional costs, but students should expect to have to pay for costs incurred through project meetings in companies and student visits.
-
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
-
This programme provides graduates with a wide range of professional skills and competencies that are transferable within business sectors and from sector to sector. Students develop oral and written skills to enable enabling individuals to grow in confidence through the programme of study.
Typical career opportunities are shift manager, production supervisor, engineering manager, quality manager, planning and scheduling manager, operations manager/director.
All our graduates who have studied part-time have received promotion while studying, or after completing their studies, which they have attributed to their qualification.
Younger graduates benefited from enhanced employment prospects and found that they were able to gain employment as a line engineer, quality engineer and supply chain specialist.
A number of major companies have now recognised this course as a key requisite in order to gain promotion or hold a particular role.