MSc in Management

Our MSc will give you an understanding of contemporary management issues in an ever-changing business environment, and the chance to apply your knowledge to real-life management challenges. This programme, ranked in the top 5 in the UK in 2022 by the Financial Times, is valuable to both those starting out in business, and those looking to progress in their existing careers.

This programme runs for one academic year, starting in mid-September and ending in August.

A comprehensive Welcome Week provides an introduction to the programme, the School, and the University. Designed to be both informative and fun, it enables you to get acquainted with your classmates.

Through the selection of various option courses in semesters 1 and 2, you can tailor your studies towards your career interests.

Finally, your MSc dissertation brings all of the year’s learning together in a piece of work unique to each student.

To give you an idea of what the programme structure and courses might consist of, the below information details the structure and courses for this programme in 2021/22.

• Semester 1 - September–December
  • Compulsory course
    • Corporate Responsibility
  • Option courses (Group 1)* - Choose 0 or 1
    • Organisational Behaviour
  • Option courses (Group 2)* - Choose 0, 1 or 2
    • Accounting Information for Decision-Making
    • Economic Analysis for Business
    • Strategies for Internationalisation
  • Option courses (Group 3)* - Choose 1, 2, or 3
    • Financial Analysis
    • Introduction to Business Analytics
    • Marketing Management
• Semester 2 - January–May
  • Option courses (Group 1)* - Choose 1
    • Qualitative Research Methods
    • Quantitative Research Methods
  • Option courses (Group 2)* - Choose 3 or 4
    • Change Management
    • Digital Business: Transforming Organisations in the Digital Era
    • Family Business Management
    • Global Creative Industries
    • Human Resource Management
    • Marketing Communications
    • Organising for Social Change
    • Project Management in Business Analysis
    • Service Management
    • Strategic Management as Practice
    • Sustainable Knowledge-Based Business
    • Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation
• Summer - June–August
  • Dissertation

*We will notify applicants of any changes to the programme structure and courses by 15 June in the year of entry to the course. We cannot guarantee that all option courses will run each year and occasionally there will be last-minute amendments after this date due to unforeseen circumstances such as staff illness.

The content of individual courses and the programme for any given degree are under constant academic review in light of current circumstances and may change from time to time, with some programmes and courses being modified, discontinued, or replaced.

Due to high demand, we cannot guarantee students a place on the optional course of their preference. Equally, if there is not enough interest in a given year for an option course then it may not be viable for us to run that particular option course. Some combinations of option courses may not be possible due to scheduling constraints.

Rankings

• 52ndin the FT Rankings for Management 2021
• 16thin the QS World University Rankings 2022

Learning Outcomes

The programme places a strong emphasis on the practical skills essential to successful management careers. As well as core and option courses, students will participate in tutorials, workshops and management simulation exercises.

This will give you the opportunity to go beyond purely theoretical knowledge to gain a more practical understanding of real-life management problems. It will also provide invaluable opportunities to engage in teamwork and problem-solving strategies.

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)

Graduate Attributes

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 a new understanding
• Critically assess existing understanding and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
• Identify and apply new ideas, methods and ways of thinking
• Respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
• Advance reasoned and factually supported arguments effectively in written work and oral presentation
• 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

Career Development

Management graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly sought after globally. Our dedicated Student Development Team within the Business School will be an integral part of your student experience from day one. We are here to help you become equipped to maximise your potential in the global market.

Graduate Employment

The MSc in Management is geared towards providing an integrative understanding and a flexible approach to important management tasks. This will enable students to acquire expertise and skills related to their interests and their intended career trajectory.

This programme is also purposely oriented towards practice, supplementing the knowledge participants have acquired in their undergraduate studies with a thorough insight into modern management practice.

Graduates in this programme will typically pursue roles in:

• Audit
• Business Development
• Finance
• Management Consulting
• Management/Leadership
• Marketing/PR
• Project Management
• Strategy Consulting