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Start dates
Degree type

MSc

Course length

1 year full-time

Location

Durham City

Program code

N2P109

Business School Programmes
1

Course details

Our MSc Management is designed to provide you with the tools, techniques and knowledge to succeed in business.

The programme consists of a set of core and elective modules, culminating in a practice-based business project or a research-based dissertation.

Our focused MSc in Management is designed to prepare you for becoming a successful manager. You will cover at an advanced level, the fundamental subjects needed to manage a business within a complex changing environment.

World-class Business Education

  • 7th (UK) - Financial Times; Masters in Management 2022
  • 8th (UK) 40th (Europe) 55th (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Management 2023

Core and elective modules:

  • Business Economics and Accounting
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Strategic Marketing Management
  • Strategy
  • Research Methods and Dissertation

You’ll then choose three elective modules. The list of modules may vary from year to year, but has typically included: Consulting, East Asian Business and Management, Employee Reward Strategy, Competitive Strategies & Organisational Fitness, Global Marketing, Innovation and Technology Management.

Dissertation

In the third term, you will carry out an original research project. This may be an independent piece of work or, alternatively, you may decide to develop a more applied project with an appropriate organisation. Supervised by a faculty member with relevant experience, you’ll investigate in greater detail a subject that you’ve already studied as part of your programme. This is an opportunity for you to develop your business insight and present your analysis and ideas in a scholarly and professional manner.

Adding to your experience

International Experience

Our strong international connections and activities aim at providing you with an inside perspective of global business. During the International Study Tour elective, we take a group of students to a European destination, typically Geneva for a week. This self-funded competitive activity has given our students the opportunity not only to visit a series of prestigious global businesses but also to analyse them using a structured learning approach. As such this activity provides an excellent opportunity to be exposed to the challenges of global business, make new contacts, to stand out in the competitive jobs market, while having fun. Our expanding global network of University and business partners also gives you the opportunity to undertake part or all of your dissertation or business abroad. .

Guest Speakers

As part of your programme, you will be invited to presentations by leading international academics and practitioners within your chosen area of interest. Past speakers have included representatives of major global multinationals and leading scholars combining critical and progressive thinking with practical insights.

Dragons’ Den and Blueprint

You can become your own boss on our programme. The School’s heritage as a centre of expertise in entrepreneurship is reflected in two competitions seeking ideas for new businesses. Students on the Masters programme compete to win the School’s Dragon’s Den-style competition to pitch for investment, as well as the University’s Blueprint competition.

Learning

The programme is mainly delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars. Lectures provide key contents of a particular topic. Occasionally lectures might be delivered by guest speakers who are internationally recognised academic experts or practitioners in their field. Students can also attend the Durham Speaker Series, providing the opportunity to network with senior business leaders, staff and alumni.

Seminars provide the opportunity for smaller groups of students to solve problems, discuss and debate issues based on knowledge gained through lectures and independent study.

Students study 6 core modules including a 12,000 word dissertation or business project, and select 3 elective modules which enables them to undertake more in-depth study of particular topics. The dissertation allows students to carry out independent research and develop their skills in analysis and scholarly expression, using an appropriate theoretical framework. The business project usually involves an external organisation and gives students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the course to solve a real life problem.

In both cases, students are supported in writing their dissertation or business project through the study of a research methods module, and working with an allocated supervisor.

Academic Support:

Throughout the year, students may have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities e.g. networking events, interpersonal skills development, etc. They also have the opportunity to attend an International Study Week at an overseas location at the end of Term 2. This self-funded competitive activity gives students the opportunity to visit a series of prestigious organisations but also to analyse them using a structured learning approach.

Learning Resource:

Outside of timetabled contact hours, students are expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study in preparation for teaching sessions, assignments and other forms of assessment including exams, and general background reading to broaden their subject knowledge. All students have an Academic Adviser who is able to provide general advice on academic matters. Teaching staff are also available to provide additional support on a one-to-one basis via weekly consultation hours.

Students also have access to the facilities available at Mill Hill Lane including dedicated postgraduate working spaces, an onsite library and IT helpdesk.

Entry requirements

Application Deadline:

October 2023 start

**Applications are now closed to all overseas applicants for 2023.**

Please note: The application process will open 1st October for entry the following academic year. Our application deadline dates for this programme are:

  • Applications from individuals resident in Mainland China must be received by 23.59hrs, 31 March 2023.

There is a high demand for places on these programmes. To maximise your chances of being offered one of these places, we recommend that you submit your application to the University as early as possible.

We aim to have a diverse student body and recognise that we can only offer places to a finite number of applicants. To help achieve our aim, we look to ensure we offer places to applicants from all nationalities and close applications when we receive the allocated numbers.

The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.

Masters in Management programmes are intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in business or management is necessary. For example, in the past we have had graduates from a diverse range of degrees such as Music, Anthropology, Medicine and Geography. Business and Management undergraduate students may find some content overlaps with their first degree.

This programme is intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in management is necessary. Please note, however, management undergraduate students or students who have completed a professional management qualification may find some content on this programme overlaps with their prior learning.

What do I need first?

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an online application form.

Please note you can only apply for one Masters Management programme.

>>Fill out the online application form

To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.

  • Official transcript of marks
  • Copy of degree certificate (if available)
  • Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

Note:Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.

Application fee

Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.

You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.

Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.

*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Economics programme.

College membership

All students of Durham University will become a member of one of our Colleges. Here is more information about what college membership means to our students. Once you have accepted your postgraduate offer, the Accommodation and Allocations Office will contact you with further information regarding how to express college preferences. You can also apply for college accommodation if you wish to.

Admissions process

Here are the steps in the admissions process:

  1. We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
  2. Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
  3. If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
  4. You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
  5. International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme.

Please note: You must let us know your own personal email address when applying. Please do not use a university-linked email which may stop working once you complete your bachelor degree.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students £13,900 per year
EU students £29,500 per year
Island students £13,900 per year
International students £29,500 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Find Out More

Career opportunities

Business School

Department information

Business School

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Our Events

Join one of our virtual events, webinars, open events or recruitment fairs.

Durham Business School Postgraduate Events
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Find out more
Self-Guided Tours
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 16:00
Find out more

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