How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Management

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

Management requires organised professionals who take a passionate interest in leadership and professional development. Practical skills in business strategy, people management and organisational planning are key to succeeding as a manager in a modern organisation.

This course is designed to train you in high-level management principles and is perfect if you do not have a first degree in business, or relevant work experience in management. You can become business ready in just one year.

MSc Management covers contemporary management issues, such as:

Supply chain management
Management strategy
Organisational behaviour

We ensure that your education in management is both theoretical and practical, allowing you to develop expertise in a chosen area of management.

MSc Management is one of four unique Masters in Management specialisms which allow you to pursue your specific career ambitions, the others are: MSc Management (International), MSc Management (Social Economy), and MSc Management (Marketing).

At Essex Business School we champion responsible management and sustainable business. We want to change business for the better and empower our students to do this too. By using current research in our teaching, you'll explore the management issues affecting organisations across the globe right now and so you'll graduate with a Masters degree with a real-world focus.

Why we're great.

Study all the fundamental topics of business that you need to know for a successful management career.
We believe in management with a social conscience so you can champion ethical business in the workplace.
This course is perfect if you do not have a first degree in business, or relevant work experience in management, but want to become business-ready fast.

Our expert staff

Management and marketing research at Essex Business School is very diverse but can best be described as exploring business with a social conscience. For example, our research investigates workplace ethics, corporate social responsibility and the lived experience of work in the global economy.

One of the academics that you may meet during your course Dr Juneho Um is leading on a management knowledge transfer partnership (mKTP) with Laser24, a laser cutting firm, to increase the firm's efficiency and performance .

mKTPs aim to support universities to share the expertise of their academics with businesses searching for solutions to specific organisational challenges. Dr Um has substantial experience in business strategy in a variety of commercial industries. He is putting that knowledge to effective use by supporting Laser 24 to develop a comprehensive strategy to streamline processes, increase efficiency and upskill staff. This will enable the business to meet the increasing demand for its products, expand the product range and reduce waste.

The research activities of academics in our Management and Marketing Group is supported by the COVER (Commons Organising Values Equalities and Resilience). The Centre is made up of an interdisciplinary set of scholars whose research aims to promote collaborative advantage, collective intelligence and “open source” problem solving both within communities and globally.

Specialist facilities

MSc Management is based at our Colchester Campus.

You'll be studying at Essex Business School, home to the first zero carbon business school in the UK – demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand. Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you'll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again' recording to aid your study
access to Mintel Academic for consumer and market intelligence reports and data and UK Data Service to access high-quality social and economic data
utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You'll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub and a cutting-edge media centre.

Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, home to some of the region's most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.

Your future

With a degree from Essex Business School, you will be an attractive candidate to high-profile employers and can target roles including global CSR consultant, public administrator and management accountant. Our graduates have entered high-profile organisations and exciting SMEs, such as:

HM Treasury
Groupon
HP
KPMG
fast-growing digital agency, Footprint Digital

We encourage you to be creative, innovative and consider the ethical implications of business, so you also have an excellent foundation to start your own business, should you wish.

Our Student Support team work closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

"I chose MSc Management because I wanted to improve my business acumen; I’m now confident I can responsibly manage any team or project after I graduate. I’ve enjoyed learning about the theories and practices involved in managing organisations and how the actions of poor-quality managers can negatively impact society. I’ve learned from experienced researchers and approachable lecturers in the company of students from all over the world. Particular highlights were receiving the Big Essex Award and becoming Vice-President of the Yoga and Meditation Society."

Troy Norbert, MSc Management

"While I was at Essex I developed an interest in academic work and I am pursuing a PhD now. Before I did my Masters the plan was to go straight to industry. At Essex, the lecturers fostered my interest for science and I decided to follow the next step for an academic career and I am very happy with my decision.

I would advise student to be open about your further career plans. Even though you are at a Business School, it does not mean you have to go straight into " a business" afterwards. Research can be done everywhere and also in Management Sciences it is important to do research and thereby foster innovation."

Carolin Welser, MSc Management

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

You may also be considered with a lower class degree, where you have at least one year’s relevant work experience in a field such as: Management or Project Management (please provide your CV).

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE WITH OPTIONS

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Management and Strategy

(20 CREDITS)

This module is designed to encourage students to reflect on a variety of issues relating to management and business strategy. It will introduce students to the basics of management such as dealing with teams, culture and organisational management structures. It will then introduce students to managing strategically, covering topics that involve the analysis of the external and internal environments of the business as well as avenues for implementation. Consequently, the module offers an insight into a range of current business issues, management dilemmas, ethical considerations, and general governance issues relating to the strategic direction of organisations. Overall, the module provides an introduction to management and strategy and a critical examination of its application in practice.

View Management and Strategy on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

(20 CREDITS)

This module is designed to encourage students to think and reflect upon the nature of managing people and organisations. In particular, it encourages students to consider the main topics of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. Throughout the sessions, the core issues affecting organisational behaviour and outcomes will be discussed and critically analysed. Therefore, it invites participants to consider the tensions emerging from competing views and perspectives. In so doing, the module challenges many of the taken-for-granted assumptions about people management, and provides tools to analyse organisations and to explore the realities of organisational life.

View Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Accounting and Finance for Managers

(20 CREDITS)

It is essential for any manager to be able to analyse the performance of companies and take financial decisions. This module will start by examining how publicly available information can aid in analysing the performance of companies, and critically evaluating the limitations of financial performance measures. This part of the module will cover the contents of the annual report, preparation of main financial statements and evaluating the financial performance of companies based on publicly available information. The second part of the module will critically examine a range of issues that relate to financial and managerial decision-making, including cost behaviour, capital investment decisions, cost volume profit analysis and budgeting.

View Accounting and Finance for Managers on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Research Methods in Management

(20 CREDITS)

This module introduces students to the methodology and methods of research in the field of Management. Students are acquainted with the nature of the philosophical assumptions that underpin the choice of research design, in particular case studies for data collection and analysis. The module explores a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to illustrate the suitability of these methods for designing research projects. The ethical, practical and legal questions raised by research are explored. Practical aspects of the research process are examined including the skills required to evaluate published research, organise and undertake a research project within the body of relevant knowledge, and make practical and actionable recommendations.

View Research Methods in Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(20 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(20 CREDITS)

Teaching

Courses focus on practical applications and links with industry
We run an open seminar series

Assessment

Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations.

Dissertation

You will complete a 15,000 word dissertation.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£15,000

International fee

£23,500

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.