Subject

Business and management

Impatient to become a business leader?

Business and management
At Essex, we inspire you to be analytical and innovative, so you can solve business challenges for the good of organisations and society. 

In our courses, you’ll study business with a real-world focus and experience a research-led education from world-renowned academics, meaning you’ll benefit from the latest thinking in an ever-changing industry.

You’ll explore the current issues affecting our global economy and gain a rich understanding of how organisations function and thrive, enabling you to graduate with the knowledge and skills needed for the future you desire.

Whether your aiming to launch your own business or to climb the career ladder – the opportunities for an Essex business and management graduate are endless. 

Why study here?
  • Our business and management courses offer an interdisciplinary approach which includes elements of sociology, psychology, history, politics, language, culture and communication to give you a solid education in business and management, coupled with an understanding of the societal context in which businesses operate.
  • Essex is ranked in the Top 150 for Business and Economics in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
  • A placement or study abroad year is available with the majority of our courses. Recent placement years have been taken at BMW on their Finance scheme, Nissan on their Management scheme and Lloyds Bank on their Risk Management scheme.
Two female students discussing ideas at an ipad
Discover where a degree in business and management could take you

A degree in business and management opens the door to almost every sector and industry. Businesses and organisations strive to manage their people, data, operations and products, meaning that graduate roles in business consultancy, analytics and management schemes are widely available, but still competitive.

Find out more
Dr Stephen Murphy, Lecturer in MAnagement and Marketing at Essex Business School, sits in the winter garden.
"My lectures are about engaging students and allowing them to encounter the material in practical ways, this means that within the classroom a lot of what we do is about developing group exercises, discussion points and debates so we’re not just learning the material, we’re experiencing the material first hand and are thinking about the type of concepts we’re encountering and thinking about how they can be used to solve problems."
Dr Stephen Murphy LECTURER IN MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING ESSEX BUSINESS SCHOOL
Managing in today's global economy requires creativity, holistic thinking and a clear strategy.

At Essex, you explore more than just how organisations work and the best ways to manage them. Our Masters programmes promote critical reflection on the roles organisations have within different countries and cultures, as well as the impact they can have upon individuals. 

You’ll be working alongside our world-renowned academics and practitioners, who are producing work with a global impact. We’ll nurture your ambition, encourage you to challenge the boundaries of knowledge and empower you to address the current issues organisations face independently. You’ll graduate with a degree that equips you with the understanding and skill to become a leader who can help both business and society to innovate and thrive.

Why study here?
  • We don't just prepare you for a successful career; we help you shape the world you want to live in.
  • Whether you're new to studying business or are looking to extend your knowledge in a specialist programme, we've got the course for you.
  • Be taught by internationally recognised social scientists and management experts.
“Gaining practical experience while studying part-time has helped me to expand my knowledge in Human Resources Management which I have been able to apply to my course. Equally, the knowledge and experience gained during my internship as an HR Assistant and by working as an HR administrator in workforce planning at the NHS really helped me during my studies. I am proud to say that working around my studies has opened so many career opportunities for me. ”
Mariam Nakiboneka  MSc Human Resource Management (Part -time) essex business school
Today’s managers face dwindling consumer confidence, difficulties retaining talent and demand for greater social and environmental responsibility. Could your research help them to navigate these challenges? 

At Essex, you can join the next generation of social science researchers shaping theory, policy and practice in the fields of management studies and business analytics. By studying for your PhD with us, you benefit from working in an academically rigorous and professionally supportive environment at a business school where 100% of our business and management research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

You can choose to undertake research in a number of areas, including human resource management, international management, marketing and brand management and work and organisation studies.

Throughout, our supervisors will support the development of your research expertise and professional skills. With more than 100 doctoral students, totalling around 40 nationalities, Essex Business School is the place to launch your international research career.

Our Research Groups

Our Research Centres

Why study here?
  • Join our vibrant research community and challenge conventional business thinking to shape the organisations of the future.
  • We also have courses for those without a Masters degree or limited research training.
  • At Essex Business School, you can hear from scholars from around the world at regular networking seminars.
Student reading in a library and taking notes
What lies at the heart of a successful PhD?

Magda Oldziejewska, who is studying for a PhD in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management, explains why the thesis is not the only thing at the heart of her PhD: "I don’t think it can be overstated how important it is to find the right fit for you and your research – in terms of the supervisor and the wider School and University community – before embarking on a PhD. I consider myself very lucky."

Read more

Our research

As research in management at Essex Business School spans three of our academic groups and several of our research centres, we take an interdisciplinary approach to management themes.

Below, our academic staff discuss aspects of their research and how this impacts the world beyond the classroom.

Student holding books next to the library at Colchester Campus
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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. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.