Management MA

Course summary

Successful managers need to know how people behave, the nature of leadership and sources of power and influence within the workplace. They must also plan, prioritise, develop new processes and identify new opportunities. That’s why our MA provides a broad understanding of business – from finance and people management to operations, communications and marketing. You’ll graduate with the all-round expertise and decision-making capabilities required to lead modern organisations.

Whether you aim to be self-employed, head your own company or work for private businesses, not-for-profits or government agencies, this course is designed to develop the general management skills you need in the rapidly changing economic environment.

Blending theory and practice, our teaching is designed to equip you with the knowledge, competencies, analytical and problem-solving skills around the management of organisations and how to apply this to management problems and situations. As the course progresses, the emphasis evolves from operational and tactical to a more strategic approach.

You’ll study other organisations’ processes and practices through a variety of real-life case study analysis, which helps you understand why companies have been successful or have experienced turmoil over the years. You’ll have access to a wide range of electronic and online media resources, as well as traditional face-to-face teaching and opportunities to learn from each other.

A highlight for many students is the Management Residential – a weekend away combining presentations and workshops with great opportunities to network, get to know your fellow students and learn from each other’s experiences. You’ll be given a series of tasks designed to develop essential skills, such as team building, leadership, delegation and communications.

When you graduate you’ll have the core management skills needed to give you flexibility to pursue a career in general management or specialist areas of business, including financial services, operations, human resources, sales and marketing. Our graduates are employed in companies such as Accenture, Procter and Gamble and Unilever, as well as the NHS and local councils, while others have set up their own companies.

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). We do not specify a required degree subject with cohorts ranging across the degree disciplines. Previous cohorts have seen a range of degree subjects ranging from philosophy and history through business studies to computing or engineering. The primary requirement is the aptitude and motivation to engage with subject areas that are new, allied to an appreciation that some subject areas may require greater engagement than others in order to successfully complete the course. We will also consider applicants with alternative professional qualifications and Continuing Professional Development records. And similarly, we would those with at least three to five years’ relevant professional experience to qualify on this basis, you will need to be able to demonstrate clear career progression with an upward trajectory. This should include increasing responsibilities, particularly the control of resources, people, and finance. Applicants relying on work experience for admission will be interviewed to determine their suitability, motivation and aptitude for study on the courses within the programme. For non-standard entry, the course leadership team may interview applicants who may be required to complete a written piece of work.