Overview

The details

Course: Management

Start date: October 2021

Study mode: Full-time

Maximum duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

MSc Management has four unique pathways for you to explore and to tailor your Master's in Management to suit your ambitions: Management, International Management, Marketing Management and Advertising and Corporate Communications Management.

Choose your pathway.

MSc Management is perfect if you do not have a first degree in business, or relevant work experience in management. You can become business ready in just one year.

The MSc Management courses from Essex Business School will allow you to develop core management skills and enable you to align your Masters with your career aspirations. If you wish to develop your practical management skills in business strategy, people management and organisational planning then MSc Management is for you.

As one of Essex Business School’s unique Master of management pathways, you will study a core spine of management and organisational issues throughout term one. In addition to this core management spine, during your second term you may choose to specialise in one of the following pathways: International, Marketing or Advertising and Corporate Communications so you’ll graduate with a perfectly tailored Masters degree in management.

If you wish to develop your practical management skills in business strategy, people management and organisational planning then MSc Management is for you.

We ensure that your education in management is both theoretical and practical, allowing you to develop expertise in a chosen area of management. In your last term you’ll have the opportunity to conduct a case study of the performance of an organisation during a short term placement.

At Essex Business School we champion responsible management and sustainable business. We want to change business for the better and empower our students to do this too. By using current research in our teaching, you'll explore the management issues affecting organisations across the globe right now and so you'll graduate with a Masters degree with a real-world focus.

You can chose to study MSc Management full-time over 12 months, or part-time over 24 months.

You may be eligible for scholarships and discounts, including those for students joining us from overseas.

Why we're great.

You can tailor the content of your course in order to fit your interests and aspirations
Our zero-carbon building reflects our commitment to ethical business
Become business ready in one year with a management degree with a real-world focus

THE Awards 2018 - Winner University of the Year

Our expert staff

Our team of academics lead research in business ethics and corporate social responsibility, organisation studies, leadership and strategy, and international management.

Dr Louise Nash has extensive management and marketing industry experience which has influenced her research into the lived experience of work, including the role of gender in the workplace and the culture of organisations.

Dr Ceri Watkins’s research interests include organisation hierarchies and organisational performance with a particular focus on the arts.

This experience is incorporated into our teaching on our MSc Management course to address the issues currently facing organisations across the globe.

Essex Business School is also home to the Centre of Work, Organisation and Society, which organises research seminars that our Masters students may attend.

Specialist facilities

MSc Management is based at Essex Business School, home to the first zero carbon business school building in the UK. Our building provides excellent facilities to learn and socialise, including:

an Eden-style dome and winter garden, which give the building its own micro-climate
study pods and innovation booths for group working
networking opportunities with visiting businesses
Bonds café for meetings and socialising

The building reflects our commitment to championing sustainable business.

Your future

93% of our Essex Business School students are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2020).

With a degree from Essex Business School, you will be an attractive candidate to high-profile employers and can target roles including global CSR consultant, public administrator and management accountant. Our graduates have entered high-profile organisations and exciting SMEs, such as:

Groupon
HP
KPMG
fast-growing digital agency, Footprint Digital

We encourage you to be creative, innovative and consider the ethical implications of business, so you also have an excellent foundation to start your own business, should you wish.

We’re also proud of our student entrepreneurs, including international business incubator 0100Ventures and entrepreneurship website SlovakSTARTUP.

We support you to obtain your dream job by providing advice on work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. Our dedicated employability team works closely with the University’s Student Development Careers Services.

"I chose MSc Management because I wanted to improve my business acumen; I’m now confident I can responsibly manage any team or project after I graduate. I’ve enjoyed learning about the theories and practices involved in managing organisations and how the actions of poor-quality managers can negatively impact society. I’ve learned from experienced researchers and approachable lecturers in the company of students from all over the world. Particular highlights were receiving the Big Essex Award and becoming Vice-President of the Yoga and Meditation Society."

Troy Norbert, MSc Management 2016

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

Teaching and learning disclaimer

Following the impact of the pandemic, we made changes to our teaching and assessment to ensure our current students could continue with their studies uninterrupted and safely. These changes included courses being taught through blended delivery, normally including some face-to-face teaching, online provision, or a combination of both across the year.

The teaching and assessment methods listed show what is currently planned for 2021 entry; changes may be necessary if, by the beginning of this course, we need to adapt the way we’re delivering them due to the external environment, and to allow you to continue to receive the best education possible safely and seamlessly.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Dissertation

(60 CREDITS)

Your dissertation is the culmination of your course, where you apply knowledge gained to produce an extended independent piece of work. You generate an original idea, analyse literature and current knowledge and produce a coherent argument that shows your ability to relate theory to practice. Your dissertation/research project will help you develop vital skills for the workplace, as well as the ability to analyse real problems through an academic lens. You are assigned a supervisor for the duration of your project.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Management and Strategy

(20 CREDITS)

This module is designed to encourage students to reflect on a variety of issues relating to management and business strategy. It will introduce students to the basics of management such as dealing with teams, culture and organisational management structures. It will then introduce students to managing strategically, covering topics that involve the analysis of the external and internal environments of the business as well as avenues for implementation. Consequently, the module offers an insight into a range of current business issues, management dilemmas, ethical considerations, and general governance issues relating to the strategic direction of organisations. Overall, the module provides an introduction to management and strategy and a critical examination of its application in practice.

View Management and Strategy on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

(20 CREDITS)

This module is designed to encourage students to think and reflect upon the nature of managing people and organisations. In particular, it encourages students to consider the main topics of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. Throughout the sessions, the core issues affecting organisational behaviour and outcomes will be discussed and critically analysed. Therefore, it invites participants to consider the tensions emerging from competing views and perspectives. In so doing, the module challenges many of the taken-for-granted assumptions about people management, and provides tools to analyse organisations and to explore the realities of organisational life.

View Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Accounting and Finance for Managers

(20 CREDITS)

It is essential for any manager to be able to analyse the performance of companies and take financial decisions. This module will start by examining how publicly available information can aid in analysing the performance of companies, and critically evaluating the limitations of financial performance measures. This part of the module will cover the contents of the annual report, preparation of main financial statements and evaluating the financial performance of companies based on publicly available information. The second part of the module will critically examine a range of issues that relate to financial and managerial decision-making, including cost behaviour, capital investment decisions, cost volume profit analysis and budgeting.

View Accounting and Finance for Managers on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Research Methods in Management and Marketing Studies

(20 CREDITS)

This module introduces students to the methodology and methods of research in the field of Management and Marketing. Students are acquainted with the nature of the philosophical assumptions that underpin the choice of research design, in particular case studies for data collection and analysis. The module explores a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to illustrate the suitability of these methods for designing research projects. The ethical, practical and legal questions raised by research are explored. Practical aspects of the research process are examined including the skills required to evaluate published research, organise and undertake a research project within the body of relevant knowledge, and make practical and actionable recommendations.

View Research Methods in Management and Marketing Studies on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Operations and Supply Chain Management

(20 CREDITS)

Operations management is how organisations create and deliver goods and services. And since the production of goods and/or services is the reason why organisations exist, it is clear that the effective and efficient management of operations is a central concern for all managers, regardless of the size or sector location of their organisation. Managers should be able to create and maintain the necessary conditions for productive work, often in a climate of resource constraints and increasingly in a global context. This module will also introduce supply chain management – that is, the management of the relationships and flows between different operations processes, both 'locally' and at regional and global scales. The Operations and Supply Chain Management module aims to engage the students in a critical evaluation of the various models of operations and supply chain management and an analysis of the range of processes, skills and competencies required for the successful management of both.

View Operations and Supply Chain Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Marketing and Innovation

(20 CREDITS)

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the theory and practice of marketing. It will present some of the key principles of marketing, particularly useful for those not previously familiar with the subject area. In addition, it will cover some topics important to the contemporary marketing context including consumer behaviour, relationship marketing, and digital marketing. It introduces marketing theories and models while also providing a critical perspective on the effects of these to political, social, and cultural life. Further, the module focuses on the management of innovation activities within a marketing context. It introduces the management of innovation and technology as a multiple perspective approach, which incorporates the key areas of the business and management including innovation and marketing together.

View Marketing and Innovation on our Module Directory

Teaching

Tailor the content of your course to more closely fit your interests and aspirations
Courses focus on practical applications and links with industry
We run an open seminar series

Assessment

Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations.

Dissertation

You will complete a 15,000 word dissertation.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£12,410

International fee

£19,380

EU students commencing their course in the 2021-22 academic year will be liable for the International fee.

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2021 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we’ll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply’ information.

Home to 15,000 students from more than 130 countries, our Colchester Campus is the largest of our three sites, making us one of the most internationally diverse campuses on the planet - we like to think of ourselves as the world in one place.

The Campus is set within 200 acres of beautiful parkland, located two miles from the historic town centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded town. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

How to get to Colchester Campus

Find out more

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Our staff travel the world to speak to people about the courses on offer at Essex. Take a look at our list of exhibition dates to see if we’ll be near you in the future.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

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