Electronic Commerce MSc

Overview

Our Electronic Commerce MSc programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for leadership roles in electronic commerce.

The programme covers a range of areas relating to electronic commerce, including:

• leading edge technologies
• business planning and start-ups
• data analytics
• business strategies
• online selling strategies
• digital marketing
• business processes
• strategic service management

These skills and knowledge are applicable to real-world challenges and opportunities in the field of electronic commerce.

Our programme enables you to tackle the complex issues that arise in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce. By choosing our e-commerce programme, you will position yourself for a future in electronic commerce. You will have the skills and expertise required to thrive in this competitive and exciting industry.

Our programme will provide you with the tools to drive innovation and success in your career. You will have access to bespoke career support - designed specifically for those on this programme - to get you ready for the digital business world.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

You will:

• study the evolving world of ecommerce and online consumer behaviour
• gain insights into the infrastructure and technologies that power e-commerce platforms
• discover how to use the latest digital marketing tactics and tools to promote products and services effectively online
• learn the ropes of launching and managing a digital start-up
• learn to use the power of data analytics to make informed business decisions
• explore strategies for delivering exceptional digital services

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Electronic Commerce MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Digital Business (E-Commerce) Programme Community	0
Dissertation	60
Research Methods	20
Data Analytics for Managers	10
Strategy, Management and Information Systems	20
E-Business	10
Digital Start-up	10
Digital Marketing	10
E-commerce Management	10
Ecommerce Infrastructure	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Web and Social Media Analytics	10
Digital Logistics and Supply Chain Management	10
Strategic Service Management	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The Electronic Commerce MSc programme offers a stimulating curriculum. You'll develop your knowledge and skills in a supportive teaching and learning environment.

You will:

• engage in interactive lectures, seminars and tutorials. These cover the core concepts and principles of digital business
• take part in in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and critical thinking
• join in practical sessions, such as group discussions, computing exercises, and problem-solving activities
• complete coursework tasks. You will be able to show your understanding and apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios
• work on group projects with your peers. Together you will address practical issues and gain hands-on experience
• develop your self-directed learning skills. You will be able to explore reading lists, review literature, and critically analyse research papers

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Thesis
• Written exercise

Student Support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

This course has strong links with industry. Our staff are world-class researchers. Several have been successful entrepreneurs, consultants or top level managers. They have worked in government agencies or corporations such as:

They have worked in government agencies or corporations such as:

• IBM
• Oracle
• Philips

You'll be taught by:

• Dr Arturo Vega (Degree Programme Director)
• Professor Savvas Papagiannidis
• Nick Howey
• Dr Yin Liang
• Liucen Pan
• Dr Dinara Davlembayeva
• Dr Haiyan Lu
• Dr Xiaotian Xie
• Sohel Ahmed
• Dr Mengyun Hu
• Dr Ajinkya Tanksale

Your development

Professional skills

Through the course you'll:

• prepare for your career in electronic commerce
• develop your employability and professional skills
• benefit from the city’s innovation community, the Newcastle Helix
• address organisational problems and opportunities in the area of e-commerce

You'll also:

• experience real-life practice as you develop an e-commerce start-up
• connect with, and hear from, digital and tech innovation leaders through guest lectures
• explore how to discover value and access challenges from emerging business and technology

Postgraduate Study Abroad

Dual Award with Grenoble École de Management

Our new Dual Award programme allows you to spend an additional academic year at Grenoble École de Management in Grenoble, France.

After completing your postgraduate studies with us, you would join the last year of their Grande École programme, Masters in Management - M2 year.

On successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded:

• your Newcastle University degree
• an MSc in Management from Grenoble

As part of the Grenoble programme, you will need to either:

• complete an internship (minimum duration 13 weeks, full time), or
• provide evidence of equivalent work experience, either in France or in another country

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Semester abroad

The Postgraduate Semester Abroad is an opportunity to study a complementary subject for one semester at a European partner university. You would study with the partner university on an exchange basis.

The experience takes place at the end of your studies, once you have submitted your dissertation/final project. You'll develop new skills to set you apart from other graduates.

Studies undertaken at a partner university will not count towards a double/dual degree award. However, you'll receive a transcript from your host university evidencing your achievements.

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Your future

As a graduate of this programme, you will be well-equipped to thrive in a variety of professional settings in digital business and e-commerce. You will have a diverse range of career opportunities. They will continue to grow as the digital business landscape evolves. Your enhanced skills and knowledge will make you a valuable asset to a wide range of industries and organisations.

E-commerce companies

You will be prepared for a wide range of careers with e-commerce companies, from retail giants to smaller, niche e-commerce platforms. You'll be able to manage various aspects of online commerce, from product management to digital marketing.

Typical employers could include:

• Amazon
• Alibaba
• eBay
• Etsy
• Fashion retailers, such Asos or Next
• Furniture retailers, such Ikea
• Flipkart
• Shopify
• Supermarkets such as Tesco

Retail and "bricks-and-mortar" stores

Traditional retailers are increasingly expanding their online presence. Electronic Commerce graduates are much sought-after for roles related to:

• omnichannel strategies
• online sales
• digital customer experiences

Digital marketing agencies

Many graduates find their niche in digital marketing agencies. You can contribute to the success of e-commerce clients by developing and executing digital marketing strategies.

Consulting firms

E-commerce consultants provide valuable insights to businesses who want to optimise their:

• online presence
• e-commerce strategy
• customer engagement

Technology and software companies

Tech companies regularly create e-commerce platforms, payment gateways, and e-commerce-related software. They are always in need of skilled professionals who understand the e-commerce landscape.

Start-ups

Entrepreneurial graduates might venture into the world of e-commerce start-ups. You may choose to:

• launch your own businesses, or
• join early-stage companies, where you can have a significant impact

Careers support

Career development and employability are woven throughout our teaching, learning and student experience.

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces in the School to support our students on their career journey both during their studies and for up to three years after they finish.

Find out more about our employability offer

Business School students get access to both the wider University careers service and exclusive Business School events and resources for students. This means you'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• one-to-one career support
• industry-specific career events
• online career learning tools
• career planning and information sessions
• an annual careers week, where careers activity takes place during a gap in classes
• networking opportunities
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's careers consultants
• the chance to apply for various work experience opportunities while studying with us

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academe

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events