Business Management MSc



Explore the issues facing contemporary businesses, while developing your management skills and enhancing your qualifications

Overview

Are you contemplating a career in business or looking to enhance your qualifications?

Our MSc Business Management program will equip you with the practical skills needed to advance your career. Whether you're new to the field or currently working, we prepare you for the real world by helping you develop crucial skills such as presenting arguments and building cases underpinned by evidence and rigor.

Imagine developing a deep understanding of a broad range of business management disciplines, with the opportunity to broaden your skill base in a chosen specialism. Our course is designed to enhance your personal and professional skills, making you stand out in the competitive business world.

Typical entry points to this course are in January and September. Enquire now for more information and take the first step towards advancing your career with our MSc Business Management program.

Photo of Edinburgh Napier University students meeting industry contacts at a business event

Mode of Study:

Full-time

(available as online-learning)

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

JanSep

Course details

Our practical course is based on real issues faced by businesses today, covering topics ranging from creativity in business to global economics, strategic management and organisational change management.

You’ll learn to creatively address issues such as competition and sustainability and acquire knowledge of the global economic and business environment. You’ll develop leadership and team development skills and an understanding of management and organisational methods. Guest speakers add value to this course, which is updated regularly to reflect current business issues.

You may also choose to introduce a specialism to your course to reflect your area of interest. For example, Entrepreneurship.  

Recent graduates, continuing students, management practitioners, business professionals, international applicants and aspiring entrepreneurs can all benefit from our MSc Business Management, which is intended to appeal to people of all ages and from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experience.

Lead Academic

Dr Miles Weaver - Programme Leader for MSc Business Management and teaches modules in Purpose-driven Organisations, Sustainability Strategy & Supply Chain Management. He also leads The Business Schools' efforts towards PRME (the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Business in Management) and at a university level.

How will my degree reflect sustainability and sustainable development?

The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) – established under the UN Global Compact – places a clear onus on Higher Education to ‘transform management education and develop the responsible decision-makers of tomorrow to advance sustainable development’. The Business School is a PRME signatory, and we seek to influence professional practice and policy nationally and internationally, helping to drive key societal, economic and environmental impacts.

Our mission is ‘to empower communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact’ and we work constantly to embed practical actions into our curriculum, to promote sustainability and relate these to the key ideas of sustainability, as reflected in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes now reflect one or more of the SDG, and our research is targeted to solve real world problems, mapped against the criteria used in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Ranking. 

The most recent annual league table for Sustainability - compiled by People & Planet, the UK’s largest student campaigning network - again places Edinburgh Napier in a top 3 position among Scotland’s 19 universities. This reflects their assessment of our performance across a range of environmental and ethical considerations, which include carbon reduction and management, and education.

What is distinct about equality, diversity and inclusion?

Edinburgh Napier University is enriched by the diversity of perspectives, cultures and backgrounds brought by all within our global community. We are committed to a positive environment where diversity and inclusiveness is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status or whether pregnant or on maternity leave. We commit ourselves to providing a learning, working and social environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation, stigmatisation and all forms of harassment and bullying.

The Business School's vision: 'To be the Business School for empowerment, enterprise and employability for all'.

Our mission statement: 'Empowering our communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact'.


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    How you’ll be taught

     You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, guest lectures, tutorials and independent study.

    This is a full-time course and is split up into three trimesters. You can choose to start in either January or September.

    Duration:

    • September starts: 12 months
    • January starts: 18 months with a three-month break over the summer (after the first taught trimester)
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    Assessments

    Assessments for this course include:

    • Report writing
    • Case-study assignments
    • Oral presentation
    • Research proposal
    • Examinations
    • Dissertation

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Business Economics and Finance in a Global Environment ( SOE11146 )

This module will teach you the most essential analytical tools required for economic decision makingsuch as: the concepts of economic systems, profit and utility maximisation, demand elasticity, marketequilibrium, market structures, macroeconomic objectives, government policies (monetary, fiscal andtrade policies) tools and their impact on businesses. You will also learn how to evaluate theadvantages and disadvantages to the business of a range of sources of finance, how managers reporton the financial affairs and financial position of the business, and how to analyse financial reports inorder to evaluate business performance.

Further information

Contemporary Issues in Strategic Management ( SOE11105 )

This module looks into the workings of Strategic Management and offers a thorough insight into its significance and core elements. During the module, you will investigate the business landscape by examining macro level influences, industry patterns, and competitor actions. This overview forms the basis for assessing assets and capabilities that are crucial in crafting successful strategies. The Role and Nature of Strategic Management explores these fundamentals, leading into a detailed analysis of the External Environment, covering macro-environment, industry and competitor analysis. This connects directly to analysing internal resources, capabilities and core competencies, followed by examination of business level and corporate level strategy. The module then moves to International business strategy, while dealing with routes to competitive advantage through Strategic development, including mergers and acquisitions, alliances and joint ventures. It equips you with knowledge and abilities in overseeing corporate connections and expansions. Finally, it addresses strategy implementation by examining structure, culture, and change, giving you insight into executing strategy by adjusting structures, nurturing a conducive environment culture, and handling strategic organisational change.

Further information

Creating Business Excellence and Marketing ( SOE11112 )

This module focuses on the interconnected nature of business and the importance of achieving and maintaining business excellence in a global environment.We will begin by examining internal business processes and asking what a business should excel at. You'll learn tools and models to measure an organisation's success, like the Balanced Scorecard and EFQM. These help you get a quick, comprehensive view of the business before covering lean thinking, operations/supply chain management, quality management, business improvement, and sustainability within the context of a circular economy. Secondly, we focus on customer/stakeholder relationships and ask how customers view the business. We focus on marketing, sales, stakeholder relationship management, market entry and development strategies, and digital communications. Additionally, we will seek to understand consumer journeys and broader societal concerns like responsible consumption and diversity.Both themes will underpin theory and practical discussions on emerging issues in sustainability. To include the latest thinking and trends in sustainability, decarbonisation and the circular economy. Discussions will draw on taking a systems thinking approach to sustainability and framing within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and how to engage multiple stakeholders meaningfully in creating sustainable value with impact.

Further information

Dissertation ( TBS11130 )

In this module you will work with your assigned supervisor to complete your MSc dissertation. The focus of this module is to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills to prepare you for your professional career.The module will utilise the research methods content from the previous Research Methods module. The topic chosen for the dissertation should align with your degree pathway but the focus is decided by you. The research can be qualitative, quantitative or mixed. There are no lectures within the MSc Dissertation module format, instead there will be meetings and guidance from your supervisor.

Further information

Leadership, Strategy and Innovation ( HRM11119 )

Leadership, Strategy and Innovation covers a range of topics that address and explore contemporary approaches to leadership, innovation, and strategic decision-making processes, in business organisations. You will have the opportunity to learn and explore the role of leaders in encouraging and inspiring creativity in organisations. As corporations seek to increase and stimulate creativity and innovation across all their hierarchical levels, this module focuses on factors and processes that enable leadership and strategic thinking to generate transformational change. You will learn how organisations can efficiently and effectively harness the resources and the variety of creative talents available within their structures and systems to attain their goals. This module will also give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and deepen your understanding of the role and importance of strategy, decision making and leadership processes in supporting creativity and innovation. This module includes relevant theoretical models to examine more closely the role that leaders play in setting the strategic directions of their organisations. You will explore leadership processes and critically analyse how leadership fosters creativity and innovation. Both the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ aspects of leadership are explored in this module, which also gives you the opportunity to critically consider how leaders interact with their followers and promote a culture of innovation in organisations.

Further information

Managing Innovation ( ENT11107 )

One of the most significant issues a manager faces when attempting to create a successful organisation in today?s fast changing technologically driven business environment is the management of innovation. This module is about the management of innovation and in this module you will learn how to manage it in a practical way. You will do this by examining, discussing and critically evaluating, in detail, both the theory and practice of innovation management in some of the world?s most innovative organisations. You will, during this learning process, in addition to honing your analytical skills, be encouraged to create an extensive ‘toolkit? which you could use when managing innovation in your future career.

Further information

Organisational Change and Management ( HRM11118 )

This module focuses on the behaviour of people at work by placing an emphasis on understanding the vital importance of managing change and culture. It covers two broad areas, namely: 1. Organisational Behaviour: attitudes; perception; motivation; groups and teams; leadership; management of transformational change; power, politics and conflict; and 2. Managerial Process and Skills: activities designed to develop skills relating to the management of people, including corporate social responsibilityBy the end of the module you will have developed an appreciation of the dynamics of working organisations in a rapidly evolving business environment by planning and carrying forward system-wide change programmes.

Further information

Research Methods ( SOE11131 )

The focus of this module is for you to develop an understanding of research method approaches. The emphasis is on developing research skills that will equip you with the expertise to undertake relevant and topical research required for your future dissertation. The module will work logically through the techniques for writing a critical literature review Then offer sound insights into methodological considerations, along with the importance of the research design elements and ethics. The data gathering for both qualitative and quantitative will be explored, along with appropriate analysis techniques. Lastly, there will be a focus on how to evaluate and communicate your research.

Further information

Research Skills ( TBS11109 )

This proposal is for the development of a new Research Methods/Skills module that will provide you with an alternative 20 credit module to the existing SOE11131: Research Methods. This would be taught during a your second trimester and will develop skills and knowledge in: literature reviewing, secondary data gathering and analysis, approaches to personal reflection, business/research ethics, use of artificial intelligence, sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), etc.

Further information

Skills for Success ( TBS11108 )

Module is designed to ensure you are equipped with a longitudinal induction which ensures ‘How to be here’ foundation moves through Professionalism in classroom and beyond to Careers awareness and guidance as part of pass/fail attended module. This ‘levelling-up’ will provide an you with an enhanced experience if you have an identified skills gaps, and provide more skills balances for you within individual cohorts.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Business Management?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Business Management based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £8,715 £9,160
Overseas and EU £18,800 £19,750
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

What can you do with a Business Management Degree?

  

By studying and MSc in Business Management at Edinburgh Napier University, you will have developed a professional attitude and business mindset, allowing you to develop the practical skills to plan and analyse business strategies and come up with solutions to business problems.  You will be able to communicate effectively and be a team player, with sound decision making skills. If you are a good problem solver, and enjoy presenting and collaborating with others, then this might be the right course for you. Careers you may pursue on completion of this degree will likely be in starting your own business or working in the commercial or public sector in financial services, sales and marketing, operations or human resources.  

  

What does an Operations Manager do?

  

As an operations manager, you will be responsible for ensuring different departments of the organisation work collaboratively in order to achieve the successful daily operations and output of each business function. You will have excellent communication and leadership skills and be a team player.

Daily tasks and responsibilities within this role will likely include:

  • Strategic planning
  • Resource management
  • Process Improvement
  • Managing budgets
  • Tracking KPIs
  • Supplier management
  • Ensuring compliance
International business student smiling whilst listening to someone speak