THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026
Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change

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Degree Programme Specification
MSc in Management
 

MSc in Management
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision.
Awarding institution: The University of Edinburgh
Teaching institution: The University of Edinburgh (Business School)
Programme accredited by: n/a
Final award: MSc/PG Diploma in Management
Programme title: MSc in Management
UCAS code: n/a
Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): n/a
Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: Dr John Glen
Date of production/revision: March 2020
Further Information: View the prospectus entry for this programme

External summary

Good management is central to the functioning of any organisation engaged in business and non-business activities.  Without it, there will be no cohesion, no teamwork, no real sense of direction in an organisation.  The MSc (Management) programme at the University of Edinburgh Business School is designed therefore to provide an insight into the theories and practical skills needed for successful management and through that a successful organisation.  It is especially beneficial for those with non-business backgrounds, perhaps in engineering, sciences, social sciences or the arts. It can be as equally effective for those yet to begin their career as those looking to make significant progress in one already begun.  Blending classic management techniques with the very latest in management thinking, the MSc in Management encompasses international issues and diverse national business characteristics and settings.

This intensive and demanding programme is purposely designed towards practice orientation, supplementing the academic knowledge participants would have already acquired during their studies with a thorough insight into modern management practice.

Participants in the programme will develop the following skills:

  • A knowledge framework that will allow you to understand the complexity of managing an organisation in an ever-changing business environment;
  • An understanding of how basic theoretical knowledge can be put into practice;
  • A critical awareness of discipline based concepts and approaches to analyse and master contemporary management problems;
  •  In-depth knowledge and insights into specific management-related areas
  • The ability to acquire and analyse data and information from a wide range of sources and evaluate their relevance and validity.

Educational aims of programme

The programme aims are:

  • to provide a unique opportunity for students who, with diverse (mainly non-management) educational backgrounds, wish to complement their education with an extensive overview in the key areas of management. 
  • to offer students a fundamental set of management skills and concepts. This knowledge will enhance their opportunities to commence and build successful careers in organisations of all kind.
  • to teach practical skills for real-world learning.
  • to put a strong emphasis on developing life-long learning skills needed for professional management careers. 
  • to take advantage of a range of courses already offered within the Business School.
  • to promote to promote management studies, catering for outstanding students with diverse backgrounds and strengths (both from within the UK and overseas).

The MSc in Management programme draws on a wide range of base disciplines within management studies and focuses on the intellectual challenges posed by the rapid changes in the corporate environment (e.g. technological advances, globalisation). The programme will help students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a general knowledge framework and understanding of key functions in management as applied in practice;
  • Obtain through electives in-depth knowledge and understanding in more specific management related areas;
  • Identify and appreciate the ethical issues in management decision areas;
  • Obtain an understanding of how to undertake qualitative and quantitative research and apply this knowledge in the context of a major independent work (e.g., final dissertation).

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

  • Identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
  • Exercise critical judgement in creating new understanding
  • Critically assess existing understanding and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

  • Identify and apply new ideas, methods and ways of thinking
  • Respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

  • Advance reasoned and factually supported arguments effectively in written work and oral presentation

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

By the end of the programme, students will be able to:

  • Work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills
  • Identify and evaluate social, cultural, global, ethical and environmental responsibilities and issues
  • Demonstrate skills in time management

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

These skills are covered under the headings above.

Programme structure and features

Degree Criteria

MSc full-time (12 months). It consists of 180 SQCF credit points, of which 120 constitutes the

taught portion of the programme with the remaining 60 devoted to the dissertation component of

the degree.

 

Degree Programme Table and Modes of Study:

The Degree Programme Table can be viewed at:

http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/20-21/dpt/drps_bus.htm


Progression and Exit Awards

The programme conforms to the University's taught Assessment Regulations.

https://www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/policies-regulations/regulations/assessment

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

The Business School's strategy in learning and teaching is to deliver a dynamic, engaged, classroom experience that exposes our students to both practical and theoretical perspectives on business issues in ways that stretch and challenge them.

Lectures provide the main focus of teaching and learning within the program usually consisting of 10 two hour sessions. Courses reinforce these with tutorials and seminars. The tutorials and seminars allow students to tackle and discuss issues and problems from the course material and obtain immediate feedback from an academic tutor (usually the course lecturer). Lecturers are available for further feedback and/or to clarify any specific issues students may wish to raise. Case studies are used within the program to emphasise the relevance of taught material and develop skills within a real world context. The dissertation rounds off the learning experience with students being free to choose a topic of specific interest to them. Regular feedback on progress is provided via an academic advisor.

Assessment methods and strategies

The most common form of assessment within the programme is a closed book exam. Here both the assimilation of knowledge and, more importantly, understanding of the variety of course materials will be assessed. Courses will also include a non-exam based assessment with the nature and weighting of this element varied from course to course. The most common form is the individual essay which will require an in-depth examination of a course topic with less focus on knowledge acquisition. Case studies and business plans are used within the assessment of some courses. These provide an opportunity to assess students within a more realistic context and will provide students with more concrete examples of competence for future employers. A key feature throughout the programme is group work whether a report, presentation or business plan. Students will develop practical skills associated with group work and gain an understanding of the issues associated with working as a team in the real world. Finally the programme also includes more innovative forms of assessment such as writing blogs, Wikis and E-Portfolios.

Career opportunities

The MSc Management is especially beneficial for those with non-business backgrounds. In the last year, graduates have gone on to work for a wide variety of organisations, amongst them Apple, Deloite, Siemens and Unilever. No single industry dominates in terms of our graduates' destinations, with strong numbers going into IT and Telecoms, Media and Advertising, Energy and Utilities, Banking and Finance, Consultancy and Consumer Retail.

Other items

Further information

View the prospectus entry for this programme
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