Please be aware that this course is temporarily suspended for the 2027-28 academic year.
What is the MSc Management degree?
The MSc Management can be studied over 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time and is designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to manage people and organisations effectively.
Management focuses on how organisations are led, structured and developed. You'll explore areas including business strategy, people management, organisational behaviour and planning, developing both theoretical knowledge and practical management skills.
You don't need a first degree in business or previous management experience, making this course suitable if you're looking to move into a career in management.
Why this course
Develop a broad understanding of contemporary management and the skills needed to respond to challenges within modern organisations.
You'll combine management theory with practical application, while developing expertise in areas that align with your interests and career ambitions.
You'll also explore responsible management and sustainable business, considering the wider impact of management decisions on organisations and society.
Who should apply
Those looking to move into management without a first degree in business
Those without previous management experience who want to develop their knowledge and skills
Future managers interested in leadership, strategy and organisational development
Those interested in responsible management and sustainable business
What you'll learn
Management strategy: Explore how organisations develop and implement strategies to achieve their objectives
Organisational behaviour: Understand how people and groups behave within organisations
Supply chain management: Explore how organisations manage the flow of goods, services and resources
People management: Develop your understanding of managing and supporting people within organisations
Responsible management: Consider the ethical and wider implications of business and management decisions
Your learning experience
Theory and practice: Develop management knowledge that you can apply to practical organisational challenges
Strategic thinking: Build your ability to understand organisational priorities and make informed management decisions
People and organisations: Explore how people influence organisations and how they can be managed effectively
Contemporary management: Consider current issues affecting organisations and managers
Responsible business: Explore the role of ethics and sustainability in management
Careers and outcomes
The MSc Management develops a broad range of management and business skills that can support careers across different organisations and sectors.
Career opportunities can include areas such as:
Management
Business strategy
Public administration
Corporate social responsibility
Management accounting
The course can also provide a foundation for those interested in developing their own business.
Employers of Management graduates
Graduates have progressed to organisations including:
They can help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities, as well as providing access to employer talks on campus.
We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support students looking to develop their own business ideas.
Why we're great.
Study all the fundamental topics of business that you need to know for a successful management career.
We believe in management with a social conscience so you can champion ethical business in the workplace.
This course is perfect if you do not have a first degree in business, or relevant work experience in management, but want to become business-ready fast.
"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
"While I was at Essex I developed an interest in academic work and I am pursuing a PhD now. Before I did my Masters the plan was to go straight to industry. At Essex, the lecturers fostered my interest for science and I decided to follow the next step for an academic career and I am very happy with my decision.
I would advise student to be open about your further career plans. Even though you are at a Business School, it does not mean you have to go straight into " a business" afterwards. Research can be done everywhere and also in Management Sciences it is important to do research and thereby foster innovation."
Carolin Welser, MSc Management
Course content
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 following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
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:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
This module develops your ability to conduct independent business and management research, using a range of methodologies for data collection and analysis. You learn how to plan, conduct and manage original research in an area of your choice and communicate your findings through a 9,000 word dissertation. The project gives you the chance to apply your business knowledge and strategic management skills.
Matching the ability to supply a product or service with customer demand is vital for any organisation. Excess supply can lead to wastage and increased costs, but too little can irritate customers and result in lost revenue. Supply chain management is a complex and challenging task, but, done right, it can create significant competitive advantage. This module explores how organisations manage their product range and operations to best align supply with demand in a global environment, categorised by expanding product variety, increasing outsourcing, and continuous advances in business analytics. You explore areas such as industry competition, resource allocation, organisational learning and competitive dynamics.
Examine past and new approaches in relation to the study of organisations and draw relevant connections between organisational theory and practice and other sub-disciplines of management, sociology, and economics, where issues of learning, collaboration and networks are given particular attention. You explore the role of people and human behaviour alongside the study of systems, functions, and models.
This module focuses on the impact of 'digital' on the world of Marketing. You explore the changing nature of business and consumer behaviour, communication, and market research. You will investigate current practical and theoretical issues within Digital Marketing and Social Media.
You will study the academic field concerned with marketing and digital media and the challenges and opportunities it affords to marketers, consumers, organisations and society at large. Marketing practices have dramatically changed with the rise of social media, mobile apps and new technological developments in devices, platforms, and applications.
We will explore together the rapid evolution of the digital environment presents new opportunities and challenges for marketers.
Gain the key skills and competencies to carry out management research or prepare a comprehensive business plan, suitable for the completion of a Masters level programme. You address the philosophical issues underlying management research, and discover how to select methods and judge the quality and value of research outcomes.
This module explores how organisations use innovation to gain a competitive advantage by capitalising on organisational, market and technological change. You examine how innovation strategies are developed and managed and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to manage innovation at operational and strategic levels.
This module explores how to develop profitable business strategies. You learn how to analyse a firm’s external environment, including examining the economy and its competitors, assess its internal resources and set objectives. You examine the differences between corporate, competitive and functional business strategies and develop your decision making and analytical skills. By the end of the module, you understand how a manger can shape a firm’s direction to meet its goals and stakeholder expectations.
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.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.
You may also be considered with a lower class degree, where you have at least one year’s relevant work experience in a field such as: Management or Project Management (please provide your CV).
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 contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
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.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
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.
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.
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.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
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 our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
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.
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. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and
Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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