Management MSc/Postgraduate Diploma

www.manmsc.stir.ac.uk

The University has developed an enviable reputation for delivering world-class business and management programmes and for undertaking internationally recognised research. Students are supported by expert staff who seek to maintain Stirling’s position as a leader in producing excellent business graduates.

Programme Objectives

MSc in Management gives graduates an insight into modern management practice and develop the skills required for managing a business.

The main elements of this are:

• An examination of the functional areas of management and their inter-relationship in organisations.
• Exploring topical issues in management, comparing different management techniques.
• Developing expertise in the use of key management tools, for example techniques for operations management and modern business software.
• Developing generic skills relevant to management, such as report writing, presentation, problem-solving and group working skills.

Entrance Requirements

A good Honours degree or equivalent in arts, social science, engineering, technology or business subjects from a university or college recognised by the University.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5 in each skill) or TOEFL 550/213/79-80 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

Support for the Diploma element of the programme is available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible Scottish and EU students on a quota basis. Details are available from www.saas.org.uk. To be eligible for SAAS awards applicants must be normally resident in Scotland or be non-British EU residents.

For further information on possible sources of funding, visit: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Full-time: MSc: 1 year; Diploma: 9 months

Programme Start Date

September

Programme Director

Gillian Mould

 

Business & Organisation Division

Structure and Content

The programme consists of two elements: two 15-week semesters of taught programmes and a three-month dissertation period. Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, or allows you to continue for the award of the MSc in Management.

In the Autumn Semester you will take:

• Personnel Management: Provides a broad overview of personnel management.
• International Business: You will be provided with the means to understand and manage changes in the international business environment.
• Quantitative Management Techniques: You will be introduced to basic quantitative techniques used in business decision-taking and the role of modelling in business.
• Research Methods and Dissertation Planning (Part 1): This is a two-semester module in which you will be introduced to research methods in the field of business and management and be shown how these methods can be used in practice in preparing for your dissertation.

Plus one elective from:

• Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice*: The module improves understanding of the development of entrepreneurship as an area of study and to enhance awareness of the processes of research and scholarship in the entrepreneurship field.
• Marketing Management: The module will provide an understanding of the nature of marketing and marketing management and focus on the key activities of market analysis and product development.
• Accounting and Finance**: The accounting section examines published accounting information from a user’s perspective; the corporate finance section explores the major issues involved in making corporate investment and financial decisions.
• Information Systems Management & Analysis: This module is an introduction to managerial issues that form the management of Information Systems. It introduces systems analysis as a tool for understanding organisational systems.

In the Spring semester you will take:

• Enterprise Planning/Operations Management: This module examines the importance of operations management in production and service industries.
• Project Management***: The first part of the module considers the evaluation and selection of projects, while the second part examines their management. The techniques are illustrated with examples from a variety of case studies.
• New Venture Management*: Requires the student to write a business plan for a new start-up.
• Strategic Management: The module provides an overall understanding of the needs, contexts and processes involved in strategic management within organisations. You will examine the main underlying approaches to strategic management.
• Research Methods and Dissertation Planning (Part 2): The second half of the module develops the work of the first semester and includes the preparation and submission of an individual research proposal that may form the basis of your dissertation topic.

Plus one elective from the following:

• Strategic Planning for Information Systems Management
• International Human Resource Management
• Research for Enterprise

* core module in Innovation & Entrepreneurship variant degree
**core module in Project Management variant degree
***core module in Information Systems variant degree

Delivery and Assessment

Delivery takes the form of lectures, practical case studies and workshops, followed by a three-month dissertation period. Assessment is by a mixture of examination and coursework, including written assignments and presentations. The MSc award requires you to complete a 15,000-word dissertation.

Timetable

Contact the Division for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

A sound knowledge of management practice and competence in the skills needed to be an effective manager will open up a wide variety of career opportunities in the manufacturing, commercial and service sectors.

Research Opportunities

Staff conduct and publish original, rigorous and significant research work with a direct impact on, and benefit for, society and the economy. A multitude of user communities are served: managers, practitioners and policy-makers, private and public organisations, academics and students. Research output and achievements are disseminated to this wide audience through research articles, applied output, practitioner and academic conference presentations, policy advice and guidance, research monographs, books and media coverage.

An important indicator of the quality of the support environment is the fact that the Management subject area has been awarded 1+3 and +3 recognition by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

For additional information on the Division’s research activity and achievements, visit: www.management.stir.ac.uk/business/

Research Proposal

Research proposals, focusing on topics which fall into the areas of research expertise of current staff in the School, should include the following: executive summary, importance of the proposed research, prior relevant research and literature review, research questions and methodology, any limitations or particular requirements for the research.

There is no specified word limit for Business & Organisation or Stirling Institute for Socio-Management research proposals.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.