Systems Thinking in Practice

This MSc has the development of holistic thinking skills and appreciation of multiple perspectives at its core. Systems thinking skills are relevant in many areas, such as business, development, engineering, environment, health, IT, and organisational change. You’ll gain insights into how other people think about situations and learn to apply concepts, tools and techniques developed by systems thinkers. You’ll choose option modules from business management, development management, engineering, environmental management and innovation management. The final project extends your ways of thinking and acting in practice to improve a complex situation of interest to you.

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits.



For module details please see "Course Web Page".

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.



However, some option modules do have entry requirements. We’ll ask you to prove you meet them when you register for any of these modules:



Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815)

Managing in a changing world (B870)

Creating and sustaining value (B872)

Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801)

Advance your independent learning (YXM830)



Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have:



A UK honours degree (or equivalent).

Minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores of:

Reading: 5.5

Writing: 5.5

Speaking: 5.5

Listening: 5.5

Overall: 6.0.

180 credits

3 years part-time study



How long it takes

Most students study the MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice part-time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 12–14 study hours each week.



You must complete the MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice within eight years.

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

Career relevance

Those with both professional interests and responsibilities in managing complex situations will find this masters qualification useful to them in their work. It will also provide the opportunity for those wanting to progress to demonstrate their potential to develop new skills. The flexibility of the choice of module allows you to tailor the content to your needs and can be applicable in a wide range of sectors; including health, education, environment, international development, community engagement, manufacturing, IT and science. The study of systems thinking and practice provides knowledge and understanding that is equally applicable in the public and private sectors. If you are self-employed you may also find the knowledge developed by studying this combination of modules provides the opportunity to take a more objective and innovative view of the systems they have already created and how to change these for the future.