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Degree type

MSc

Course length

1 year full-time

Location

Durham City

Program code

N2PA09

Business School Programmes
1

Course details

Our one year full-time MSc in Management programmes are designed to provide you with the tools, techniques and knowledge to succeed in business.

Effective management of human resources is vital to business success. The MSc Management (HRM) will develop your knowledge of human resource management and can help you prepare for a career in human resources. This programme is intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in business or management is necessary.

Our MSc Management (HRM) is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). The CIPD is the largest professional body of HR and Learning and Development professionals with some 140,000 members across the globe. As a student on the MSc Management programme you have the option to join the CIPD (additional fee applies). Upon successful completion of your MSc (in line with the requirements of the CIPD) you will be eligible for the award of the CIPD’s Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management; your CIPD membership will be automatically updated to Associate Member, confirming your credentials as prospective HR professional.

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

Core and elective modules:

You will study:

  • Business Economics and Accounting
  • Employee Relations
  • Human Resource Management
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Strategy
  • Work and Society.

You will then choose two elective modules to complement your core modules. The list of modules may vary from year to year, but has typically included: Human Resource Development, Consulting, Employee Reward Strategy and Competitive Strategies and Organisational Fitness.

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 optional activities are an integral part of the programme and aim at providing you with the experiential learning needed to acquire an inside perspective of operating globally.

International Study Tours

During the International Study Tours, groups of students visit at least one European destination (Athens, Geneva, Mannheim, Stockholm) for around a week; some (e.g. Geneva) are offered as electives, others as part of wider experience. These partially self-funded competitive activities provide you with an opportunity to visit a series of prestigious global businesses and to analyse them using a structured learning approach. As such the International Study tours are designed to expose you to the challenges of global business, help you make new contacts, and equip you with the international awareness needed to stand out in a competitive job market. All of this while having fun!

Summer Schools

During the summer you will be able to participate in a summer school at one of our global network of university and business partners, e.g. Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, Kedge in France, and CUFE in China. These partially self-funded competitive activities, normally one week-long intensive courses, cover a wide range of topics and aim to complement the knowledge you receive during your time in Durham whilst contextualising it in an international setting.

Dissertation Abroad

During the dissertation abroad (for which in some cases there is Erasmus funding available) you will be able to undertake part or all of your dissertation/business project in one of our partner institutions.

Practitioner Insights

An integral part of the programme is the engagement with the world of practice. Across most modules you will hear directly from guest speakers who practice what we teach. In addition to your lectures, you will hear from consultants on the consulting modules, marketers and social media analysts on the marketing modules, leadership experts on the human resource management module, operations / supply chain managers on the supply chain management modules and entrepreneurs on the entrepreneurship modules. Examples of organisations who have contributed to the programme in the past include: IBM, Caterpillar, PWC, P&G, Atom Bank, Ford Engineering Group and Th_nk.

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 7 core modules including a 12,000 word dissertation or business project, and select 2 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 deadlines

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 on 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.

Should you miss the deadlines specified above, then it may be possible for the University to add your application to a waiting list, which may be consulted in the event that following review and processing of all applications received prior to the deadlines, vacant places remain available on the programme.

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.

Consideration of any application received by the University after expiry of the deadlines specified herein, shall be made at the sole discretion of the University.

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

If you’re applying for a full-time programme you’ll need to become a member of one of our Colleges as well as being accepted by a department. Here’s more information about how the college system works. Once you accept your programme offer, the College Postgraduate Office will get in touch with you to arrange accommodation. Please note that demand for college accommodation usually exceeds availability, so please try to arrange it as soon as possible.

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

Key to your career

Whatever your interests, you’ll find our careers team is one of the most useful resources to support you on your way to your target career. Now more than ever, it’s the skills you’re able to demonstrate in addition to your academic abilities that will make you shine in a fiercely competitive jobs market.

That’s why our facilities and services are designed to complement your course and help you develop essential professional and practical skills – from personal resilience and self-awareness to CV writing and interview techniques.

We work in partnership with the University's Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre to connect you with events, organisations or individuals to help kick-start your career.

One-to-one career support

As a Business School Masters student, you can take advantage of one-to-one appointments with a specialist Masters Career Consultant to help you with specific issues, from finding a route into your career to applying for your dream role.

Career development programme

Our Career Development Programme has been designed alongside our core academic programme to help you achieve your career goals and develop the skills that employers are looking for.

This starts at the beginning of Term One with our Careers Weekend. This weekend will provide insight and enable the development of essential career management skills. Covering a wide range of topics, the event will support career planning, facilitate skills development and enhance your knowledge of the full recruitment cycle. The weekend will be actively focused on identifying, preparing and securing employment opportunities throughout your studies.

Sector specific presentations

Our Career Insights sessions are delivered by external professionals with expertise and knowledge of their particular sector which provide insights into working in areas that are popular with our students.

Previous guest speakers have delivered presentations on working in banking, professional services, and management development programmes within international companies.

Business Projects and Placements

The business project or placement is a great way to gain practical work experience and develop consultancy skills. We can help you choose from a range of regional, national and international organisations of different sizes in different sectors or you can source your own project – some target an organisation they’d like to work for. However you tailor the project, it will help you to put new knowledge and skills into practice and influence real life business issues.

International opportunities

We’re proud of our strong international connections. Helping you get an inside perspective on global business is a key part of the programme. That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to go on the optional International Study Tour to a European destination in March/April. This self-funded, one-week programme is a great way to immerse yourself in the country’s business environment, providing the chance to make new contacts and helping you stand out in the competitive jobs market.

If you are interested in carrying out research or a business project in an international location for your dissertation, we may also be able to connect you with our international partner institutions.

Support for International Students

We recognise that many of our students will progress their careers outside of the UK once they finish their studies, and our career development programme is designed with this in mind. We offer events focused on career opportunities in China and are continually developing relationships with international recruiters.

If you’re an international student interested in working in the UK after your studies, the careers team works closely with Durham University's Student Immigration & Financial Support Office to provide you with information related to immigration. Their advisers are dedicated to helping our students understand the requirements and restrictions of their visas during their studies and can provide limited advice on post-study visa requirements.

You can access English language support from English Language Centre.

Online resources

Through the Career Development Programme you will have access to a huge range of career resources including an interview simulator with a bank of interview questions, a CV builder, and our international Jobs Board.

Alumni career support

You can continue to make the most of our specialist career development advice after you graduate, including on-going one-to-one support from our Masters Career Consultants, workshops in our key locations, and continued access to our online career resources.

Department information

Business School

Our Master's programmes consistently appear in top independent rankings for both quality and reputation. Taught by a world-class faculty and supported by international-quality research, these intensive one-year, full-time programmes help you develop the analytical and practical skills employers value. Study with us and you’ll be part of an elite business school with triple accreditation.

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Business School website.

Research Excellence Framework

  • Ranked joint 1st in the UK for Internationally Excellent and World-leading research impact (REF 2014).

Facilities

You will be taught at Durham University Business School, one of the longest established business schools in the UK, in state-of-the-art facilities. The School is also one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major business accreditation bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business(AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

Our Events

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

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Conference
  • Date: 12/05/2023
  • Time: 12:00 - 12:15
Register for open day
Durham MBA Online Information Session
  • Date: 11/05/2023
  • Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Register for open day