Study technology and operations management in Groningen and use big data to make the right decisions.
Current challenges of operations management relate to people striving to make the right decisions in complex environments while having easy access to large data repositories and being supported by the latest technologies. This programme will provide knowledge on how to master these decisions from a managerial perspective, having at the same time an understanding of the technology-related implications, opportunities, and limitations. Data analytics is the foundation for making those decisions in the programme, and you will develop competencies highly valued by today's and tomorrow's employers like data analysis, visualization, diagnostics, interpretation, and data-driven decision-making, using programming languages such as Python.
Operations are a core aspect of any business. This programme offers insights from real operational processes and socio-technical systems in areas like logistics, manufacturing, services, energy, healthcare, and governance. You will learn to identify opportunities, analyse, and diagnose operations-related problems, but also to design, develop, and evaluate solutions.
Through the selection of elective courses, you can focus on the impact of technology on operations in specific contexts, for example in energy, healthcare, or digitization and big data use. The programme further offers the opportunity to focus on either the Energy Focus area or the Digital Business Focus area. You can also take the programme as a double degree master's with Newcastle University (17 months).
The compulsory courses within the programme are data analysis and programming for operations management, operations management and control, operations modelling and simulation, and asset management. You also need to choose at least one of the courses: technology-enabled innovation, facility design and planning, sustainable energy supply, smart industry operations and inventory management.
Besides, the mandatory course on research methods provides knowledge and skills in specific research methods used in the field of technology and operations management, such as design science and analytical quantitative research. Next to these courses, you can create your own profile with elective courses. All courses in the master's programme reflect a mix of lectures, practical cases, computer practicals, tutorials, guest lectures, company visits, and experiments with real-life data. In the master's thesis project, you will write an academic piece of work and explore the field of technology and operations management in depth.
| CoursesCourse Catalog > |
|---|
| Asset Management (5 EC) |
| Data Analysis and Programming for Operations Management (5 EC) |
| Elective(s) group A (5 EC) Facility Design and Planning, Smart Industry Operations, Sustainable Energy Supply, Technology-enabled Innovation, Inventory Management. Selection of one of these courses is compulsory, the remaining courses can be selected as an elective. |
| Elective(s) MSc TOM (10 EC) Please see the Ocasys course catalogue. |
| Master's thesis (20 EC) |
| Operations Management and Control (5 EC) |
| Operations Modelling and Simulation (5 EC) |
| Research Methods (5 EC) |
| Programme options |
|---|
| Double Degree Master Operations Management (Newcastle) (specialization) How do you use programming and data analytics to support managerial decision-making in technology management, operations management and supply chain management? The 90 EC programme (in Groningen and at Newcastle University Business School, UK) enables you to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of how to improve business performance and organise competitive advantages in technology-intensive industries. You study operations management in different business environments and cultural contexts.Students get the opportunity to study at two highly respected universities while experiencing two well-renowned European cities. You learn how to analyse operations functions in a network economy, understand various institutional environments and develop a sharp eye for operations management within multinational enterprises.You take the 1st semester in Newcastle, the 2nd semester in Groningen and write your thesis in the 3rd semester. You will graduate with two degrees: an MSc in Technology and Operations Management from Groningen and an MSc Operations and Supply Chain Management from Newcastle. |
| Master Internship (specialization) Opportunity to gain work experience by doing an internship in the second semester of your study. You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the third semester. |
| Energy Focus Area (specialization) Focus your MSc on Energy and open up extra career opportunities. There are two steps to the Energy Focus Area- 1) complete two of four chosen electives 2) write and round off an MSc thesis on an energy topic |
| Digital Business Focus Area (specialization) Focus your MSc on Digital Business and gain specialised knowledge in the field. There are two steps to the Digital Business Focus Area: 1) complete two of eight chosen electives 2) write and round off an MSc thesis on a digital business topic |
Study abroad is compulsory when you choose the Double Degree Master.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Industrial Engineering. To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. |
| other admission requirements |
The information about entry requirements is an indication of your admissibility. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has introduced a 45 EC Pre-Master's programme. Read more: https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration Science | Leiden University |
No additional requirements More information:For students following the profile Economics, Public Administration and Management. |
| Computer Science | Leiden University |
No additional requirements More information:For students following the profile Computer Science & Economics. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Operations Research | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| International Business | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Business Administration | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Industrial Engineering and Management | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Sociology | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Psychologie (NL) | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Economie | Tilburg University | No additional requirements |
| Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation | Tilburg University | No additional requirements |
| Econometrics and Operations Research | Tilburg University | No additional requirements |
| International Business Administration | Tilburg University | No additional requirements |
| Fiscale Economie | Tilburg University |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Fiscale Economie | Maastricht University |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Business Analytics | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| Business Engineering | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| Econometrics and Operations Research | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| Global Studies | Maastricht University |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| International Business | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Econometrics and Data Science | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Actuarial Science | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Business Analytics | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Fiscale Economie | University of Amsterdam |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Operations Research | Erasmus University Rotterdam | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | Erasmus University Rotterdam | No additional requirements |
| International Business Administration | Erasmus University Rotterdam | No additional requirements |
| Business Administration | Erasmus University Rotterdam | No additional requirements |
| Fiscale Economie | Erasmus University Rotterdam |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| International Business Administration | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Econometrics and Operations Research | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Business Administration | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Business Analytics | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Econometrics and Operations Research | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Business Economics | Radboud University Nijmegen | No additional requirements |
| Business Administration | Radboud University Nijmegen | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Business Economics | Utrecht University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Accountancy | Nyenrode New Business School |
Via a pre-master with a maximum of You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. |
| Business Administration | Nyenrode New Business School | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Governance | Wageningen University | No additional requirements |
| Management and Consumer Studies | Wageningen University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| International Business Administration | University of Twente | No additional requirements |
Students with a Dutch diploma can apply directly to Studielink. More information on the steps to apply .
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Economics, Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Industrial Engineering, Technology Management. To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. If you have any questions concerning admission to this programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions. |
| certified competences |
A GMAT/GRE test is required from all candidates who obtained their bachelor's degree from a university in a non-EU/EEA country. For specific scores and exemptions, please see https://www.rug.nl/feb/gmat-gre. |
| language test |
IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 176, Speaking 169, Writing 176). |
| other admission requirements |
Not meeting the pre-education requirements for direct entry? Please read more about our pre-Master programmes. |
Students have to apply via Studielink and the Online Application System (OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
You will be prepared for a career as an operations manager or data analyst in a production, distribution or service environment. You may also pursue a career as a consultant or project manager in the field of process improvement, innovation and technology of products and processes.
Our graduates work in the industry, the public sector, or the health sector. Alternatively, you may opt for an academic career and start a career in research at a university (see also the Research Master programme). As a graduate, your degree will be highly valued in the labour market. The Faculty of Economics and Business is internationally accredited and belongs to the 1% of business schools around the world accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB.
FEB Career Services
When you become a student at the
faculty, we want to
support you
in developing your career and strengthening your employability
skills.
You can count on a
dedicated on-campus
Career Services
team offering you a wide range of courses,
workshops, events and career-related support during your studies.
Everything you need to enter the labour market.
Our education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Also right from the start of your degree programme attention is paid to academic research and pre-professional development. This dual approach - research orientation and professional skills - is not contradictory; any career that a student may aspire to requires an analytical mind and a scientifically critical attitude, along with the problem-solving capabilities necessary in business.
In collaboration with external partners, we conduct research projects on, for instance, smart industries, port-related operations, maintenance, planning/scheduling/simulation, inventory and e-logistics and lean operations, in a variety of sectors (manufacturing, energy, healthcare, logistics, service industries, among others).
Research Institute related to the MSc programme: Operations Management & Operations Research.
I visited the Master’s Day of the faculty and after the presentations, I was certain that I wanted to do this programme. I find the MSc TOM study very practical and mathematical.
For the majority of the courses, I actually work on designing and programming, which I really enjoy. The Master is challenging as it requires a lot of self-responsibility to keep up with all the courses. I have never had experience with programming before but I tried to keep up with the work every week, have a lot of contact with my fellow students and ask for help from the lecturers. Like this, I managed to pass the course without any problems in the end. Overall the programme has shown me that I am particularly interested in working in the operational and technological area in the future.
Groningen is a cosy student city, I have been studying for 6 years now and I still do not want to leave.I like that it’s very easy to make friends in Groningen. (Luuk Platvoet, Dutch | MSc Technology and Operations Management)
Did you know you can study supply chain management in Groningen? Find out more about our MSc Supply Chain Management.
