Management - MSc
2025/26 Full-time Postgraduate course
Award:
Master of Science
Faculty:
Ulster University Business School
School:
Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing
Campus:
Belfast campus
Start dates:
September 2025
January 2026
Combining study with practical experience to produce managers that can make a difference.
Are you looking to progress your career in management? Do you want to be a key decision maker who leads with purpose? The MSc Management course combines study with practical experience meaning you will graduate ready to manage, lead and inspire with confidence.
Covering key management skills including marketing, finance, people, operations, innovation and strategy, you will also have the opportunity to work on real life business cases providing you with first hand practical experience, preparing you to make an impact in industry as soon as you graduate.
Taught at Ulster University Business School (UUBS) a forward thinking and well-connected institution (a member of the UK's Chartered Association of Business Schools, the Harvard Business School’s Microeconomics of Competitiveness Affiliate Network, and a collaborator with Babson College, Boston). UUBS is an excellent place to study alongside an international student body providing you with a diverse network to share ideas and experience.
Open to those with or without a business background this extremely practical course goes beyond academic study allowing you to carry out meaningful and relevant tasks getting you ready for the dynamic business world.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
Our MSc Management programme is aimed at students seeking an engaging and transformative educational experience that equips them with the skills, knowledge and capabilities to excel within the field of management and actively participate within wider society.
We value and therefore encourage our students to be independent creative thinkers, who are motivated and adaptable in their approach to decision-making, analytical and problem-solving tasks, individually or as part of a team, within complex and unpredictable circumstances.
We develop ‘future-ready’ managers that can promote business productivity, competitiveness, development and growth in any business context.
The full-time MSc is completed in one year. Full-time participants can also exit with a PgCert after successful completion of one semester (three modules) or alternatively exit with a PgDip after successful completion of two semesters (six modules).
All modules are taught by subject specialists and lectures are interactive and involve active participation of students.
This programme will equip you with conceptual and practical skills, enabling you to analyse and solve challenging management-related problems in turbulent environments.
The programme combines academic rigour and practical relevance. There is a careful balance of teaching and learning, individual and group work. Case study methodology and inquiry-based activities are used to strengthen the conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills of the participants in real situations.
With our lecturers actively engaged in research and industry collaborations you can be assured that you will experience up to date and expert knowledge from business insiders. Visiting speakers and practitioners’ masterclasses will also be used to further develop a sound theoretical understanding of contemporary issues within business and management.
You will be assessed through a combination of both formative and summative assessments, through a variety of individual coursework, class-based activity, group discussion, and reflective tasks.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
The aim of the module is to provide participants with an introduction to the financial issues and techniques involved in managerial decision-making and control. Financial decisions and their implications are required to be considered by all organisations. The accounting function cannot be viewed in isolation from the other key functional areas of management and it is important therefore, that managers understand the integrative nature of financial decision making both at an operational and strategic level.
Year: 1
Status: C
Good managers are not only effective in their use of economic and technical resources, but also in their management of people. Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour are essential prerequisites for effective and efficient people management. This module will introduce students and encourage them to reflect on what is known about how people behave in organisational settings, the theories that inform this knowledge and the practical implications for managers.
Year: 1
Status: C
Managing Operations aims to enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of operational processes and operations management and to be able to apply the tools of operations management to practical problems. The aim is to equip aspiring managers to plan, organize, lead, and control resources more effectively and efficiently to improve operational performance and service delivery.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will examine a range of theoretical and practical issues surrounding business model innovation. This will be important to understanding the concepts of innovation, creativity, value creation and value capture. The development of business model by student teams will immerse students in key methods of innovation and value propositions, that are relevant for contemporary managers as well as aspiring entrepreneurs. This module will combine real world research and applications in the form of several case studies from major EC projects carried out in the Ulster Business School, video and live guest speakers. This will be combined with key theoretical concepts and relevant empirical research studies, concrete business model and innovation methods.
Year: 1
Status: C
All business activities occur within an organisational context, and all organisations require effective and efficient management. This module introduces students to the subject of management, organisational structures and strategy. Students will develop a framework of knowledge from which they can understand and critically analyse the strategic goals of management, appropriate organisational structures and management's role in delivering strategic goals, as well as identify suitable strategies to enable future organisational growth.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides knowledge and critical understanding of project management and project management methodologies/tools. The module covers project management processes, managing projects, the project environment, project teams and budgets.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides knowledge and critical understanding of marketing and how innovation is used to address the challenges of a fast paced dynamic global marketplace. The module is structured into 3 distinct topic areas to allow students to build up their skills and knowledge.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module allows students to showcase the skills developed on their MSc programme to develop a business strategy within a chosen context and function.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This optional module is designed to further enhance the employability and professional development of postgraduate students who are undertaking identified MSc programmes, by giving them internship experience normally of 12 weeks duration. During this internship, students undertake an organisational project and complete a reflective professional development report, which allow them to apply the theoretical concepts encountered on their course to a "live" management issue.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This applied module enhances the practical and employability skills of students by requiring them to undertake consultancy projects for real-life case study clients. The module requires students to draw on relevant theories from previously studied MSc International Business, MBA , MSc Marketing or MSc Management modules, and to apply these in international business contexts, to deliver valuable project outcomes for client companies. The core elements of the module are company and industry specific, however, the international context of the projects will enhance students' development of a global citizenship perspective.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Applicants are usually required to have a second class honours degree in any discipline. We welcome applications from those who have not completed business and management related undergraduate courses and wish to develop their skills in this area to complement their previous studies.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
In this section
The course places a strong focus on enhancing your employment prospects.
Previous alumni have secured positions with large multinational organisations such as Diageo, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Accenture, Deloitte and KPMG as well as small to medium sized enterprises.
Others have used the programme as a valuable springboard to gain a thorough understanding of business and management principles before starting up their own business.
Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2025/26 fees will be announced in due course.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2024/25 entry.
There are a number of sponsored prizes and awards available for outstanding students on this course. Prizes are awarded each year at the annual Department Prize Evening.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
"After completing my undergraduate degree in Business Studies, I decided to enhance my knowledge by completing the MSc Management degree. The course appealed to me as it focused on a number of business areas and offered relevant work experience with its internship module.
The course was a beneficial and challenging experience. The topics covered within the course were interesting and relevant to the business world today. The lecturers are very knowledgeable within their areas of study and are very accommodating to students throughout the process. Overall, I felt the course improved my knowledge in a range of subjects and helped me improve personally as an individual.
Throughout the course, I believe my communication skills, research skills and project management skills have improved significantly as I now have the experience of meeting academic deadlines in a real life working environment. Throughout the internship module, I was able to apply the theoretical concepts I learnt in class to real life situations and scenarios which has helped prepare me for full time employment." Ross O'Donnel, MSc Management Graduate
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
