Best UK Universities to Study Product Management

The demand for product management professionals is increasing hugely. A product manager graduate can expect to earn high salaries once they have completed their degree, and Glassdoor has ranked the position of Product Manager as the eighth-best job in America.

What is product management?

Product management deals with planning, forecasting, production, launching and marketing of the product to maximise sales revenue, market share and profit margins. UK universities have the area of expertise in imparting skills and learning in this field, and you will:

• Earn industry-grade framework, vocabularies and best practices from proficient teachers
• Learn skills & tools of the field to ship products and features that solve real problems of the customers.
• Learn to create a roadmap, business model canvas, Minimum Viable Product, key metrics, personas, wireframing and a stakeholder management plan
• Grow capability to launch viable, market-ready products and predict user needs by making tough decisions and working with stakeholders
• Learn the role and importance of product and innovation management by grasping the concepts, types and measurements of product management

Product management career options

• Chief Product Officer
• Senior Vice President of Product Management
• Vice President of Product Management
• Director of Product Management
• Group Product Manager
• Associate Product Manager
• Product Manager
• Customer representative

Learn more about five great product management degrees at leading UK universities below. If you want to apply or have any further questions about studying product management in the UK, contact SI-UK today.

Best UK Universities to Study Product Management

1. University of Leeds

The Food Product Innovation MSc at the University of Leeds addresses the increasing global demand for qualified experts in the food industry. Focusing on consumer-led product development, the programme covers the entire food product development process, ensuring compliance with processing requirements, quality, and safety standards. 

With an emphasis on scientific knowledge, international regulations, sensory evaluation, and product design, graduates gain a comprehensive skill set valued by employers. Accredited by the Institution of Food Science and Technology, the course offers access to specialised facilities, globally-renowned research, and a supportive team with strong industry links, enhancing career prospects for alumni in prominent companies.

• Suggested course: MSc Food Product Innovation
• Entry requirements: A bachelor's degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in a relevant science subject, usually including modules in food processing and/or engineering.
• International fee: £32,000 (₹33.82 lakhs)

2. University of Liverpool

The MSc in Product Design aims to provide advanced training covering all facets of product design, from conceptualisation to prototyping. Emphasising market appeal, the programme cultivates competence in developing reliable, high-quality products within competitive business constraints. Practical elements, individual/group projects, and access to CAD and rapid prototyping facilities enhance students’ skills.

The curriculum covers innovative development techniques, 3D modelling, materials selection, industrial design, rapid prototyping, total quality management, and marketing. Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the programme integrates additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, eco-design, and entrepreneurship principles, offering a detailed understanding of the design process in manufacturing companies.

• Suggested course: MSc (Eng) Product Design and Management
• Entry requirements: A UK 2.1 or equivalent.
• International fee: £28,000 (₹29.60 lakhs)

3. University of Southampton

The University of Southampton's Fashion Marketing and Branding MA offers a platform to develop vital career skills and industry knowledge. Designed for business, management, or marketing graduates, it's also ideal for creative individuals seeking to enhance their business acumen. Located in an art school, the programme facilitates practical application through collaborative projects with fashion design students.

The programme delves into modern trends, global issues, technological advances, fast fashion, and sustainability. Industry exposure is integral to the course, with guest lectures from renowned brands and London fashion event visits. Customisable modules, an individual project, and a strong employability focus prepare graduates for diverse roles in global fashion marketing and branding or advanced research at the PhD level.

• Suggested course: MA Fashion Marketing and Branding
• Entry requirements: A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject.
• International fee: £26,500 (₹28.01 lakhs)

4. Loughborough University

The Design and Branding MA programme at Loughborough helps you understand the dynamic relationships between design and branding, emphasising their strategic significance. This degree equips students with essential skills and insights into the growing strategic role of design in the marketplace and society. 

The course caters to those seeking to deepen their understanding of design strategy, enhance design skills, and collaborate in multidisciplinary teams. It promotes awareness of design's strategic role, develops collaborative and critical thinking skills, and hones analytical and research abilities through substantial design and branding projects, incorporating theoretical and practical methodologies.

• Suggested course: MA Design and Branding
• Entry requirements: A 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in design (eg engineering design, fashion design, art and design), innovation, business, media, technology or a related subject.
• International fee: £29,750 (₹31.45 lakhs)

5. University of Strathclyde

The MSc in Project Management & Innovation at Strathclyde Business School prepares graduates with fundamental project management skills. This internationally renowned programme is housed in the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and draws on leading academic expertise in project management, innovation, strategy, and organisation. 

Graduates will develop skills to manage complex technology and innovation projects, preparing them for careers in diverse industries, including manufacturing, services, and the public sector. The course includes opportunities to work on real business issues and focuses on managing projects with high uncertainty and innovation. Strathclyde is a twice-awarded Times Higher Education University of the Year.

• Suggested course: MSc Project Management & Innovation
• Entry requirements: Minimum second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in any subject.
• International fee: £28,250 (₹29.86 lakhs)

6. University of Stirling

The MSc Digital Marketing and Brand Management at the University of Stirling offers extensive knowledge of marketing theories with a focus on brand management in various contexts. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the course facilitates easier attainment of a CIM Professional Diploma, waiving two of the four required modules. 

The programme's research-led teaching and practical applications build independent learning and workplace skills. Students engage with academic and practitioner literature and apply concepts to real-world situations, collaborating with diverse organisations. In semester 2, compulsory modules in data analysis and consumer experience are supplemented by an optional module in either omnichannel marketing or visual communication design.

• Suggested course: MSc Digital Marketing and Brand Management
• Entry requirements: minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent.
• International fee: £20,600 (₹30.20 lakhs)

7. University of the Arts London

The BA (Hons) Product and Industrial Design at the University of the Arts London is a three-year course that develops your ability to apply product design processes to diverse contexts. It builds your confidence, creativity, and capacity to handle complex design issues.

Stage 1 covers foundational knowledge and skills, including technical drawing, 2D and 3D sketching, design for manufacture, and sustainability. Stage 2 extends your skills through professional contexts and industry projects, promotes responsibility for your work, and explores design roles in various sectors. Stage 3 focuses on design exploration and implementation, concluding in externally set projects. The course integrates contextual, design, sustainability, and technical studies through projects, lectures, seminars, and workshops.

• Suggested course: BA (Hons) Product and Industrial Design
• Entry requirements: Three A Levels at grades ABC (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design, or Design and Technology)
• International fee: £28,570 (₹ lakhs)

8. Nottingham Trent University

The MSc Design: Products and Technology at Nottingham Trent University offers a multidisciplinary approach, integrating manufacturing, computer science, AI, robotics, project management, and inclusive design. Designed for professionals or graduates, it enhances technological and manufacturing skills, supported by advanced design principles.

The course features contemporary research and industry-applied projects, emphasising user-product relationships in manufacturing contexts. Students benefit from strong industrial connections, expert support, and access to industry-standard facilities. The programme includes student membership in the Chartered Society of Designers, aiding in professional advancement. NTU is recognised as the 2nd most sustainable university globally (UI GreenMetric 2023).

• Suggested course: MSc in Design: Products and Technology
• Entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree in an art and design-related subject.
• International fee: £17,500 (₹18.50 lakhs)

9. Swansea University

The MSc Management (Operations and Supply Management) at Swansea University targets students interested in understanding and improving modern companies' production and distribution processes. This globally-focused course includes modules on global supply chain management and project management alongside core management concepts like financial resources, operations, human resources, and marketing management.

Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the course is open to students from any discipline. Graduates qualify for CMI’s Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. Taught by world-class faculty, the degree is housed in the £22 million School of Management building. It ranks 78th in Business & Management Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

• Suggested course: Management (Operations and Supply Management), MSc
• Entry requirements: A 2:2 in an undergraduate degree.
• International fee: £21,650 (₹22.88 lakhs)

10. Oxford Brookes University

The MSc in Finance (Asset Pricing) at King's Business School enhances understanding of financial instruments determining asset prices and the functioning of complex financial markets. Focused on investment analysis, asset pricing models, optimal investment, and risk management, the course fosters critical thinking within a diverse learning community.

With practitioners contributing real-world insights, regular speakers from financial organisations, and London's central location, the programme offers research-led teaching and industry links. Graduates can apply core finance theory to industry challenges, assess global financial sectors, and utilise various representations of financial concepts.

• Suggested course: Finance (Asset Pricing) MSc
• Entry requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above.
• International fee: £40,140 (₹42.43 lakhs)

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