Course overview

The MSc Business and Management programme has been developed within the general management/business area of postgraduate study, where we have been running very successful programmes for over twenty years. It is a programme that aims to prepare graduates from any discipline for a career in business and management. It will particularly suit those who:

• wish to pursue a broad-based postgraduate management programme rather than a more specialist management degree
• aim for a career in management, but who have not yet gained sufficient career experience to be considered for an MBA

The programme will provide you with the opportunity to acquire deep knowledge and understanding of key business and management subjects, that are highly relevant for any management career. Units of study include:

• Corporate Strategy
• Doing Business
• Principles of Operations and Marketing Management
• Resources Management
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

Find out more

For further information, please contact our Admissions Team (details above). We also hold regular postgraduate and part-time open evenings at which you can see our facilities, enjoy a guest lecture and meet the academics and current students over drinks and canapés. Applicants will be interested to know that each year Portsmouth Business School offers a number of scholarships for self-funding students.

Course content

You will study the following units:

Principles of Operations and Marketing Management: This unit  introduces the main principles of operations and investigates the key elements of marketing management, including:

• product and service design process and layout
• design capacity and materials management
• supply chain management
• lean principles
• quality project management
• operations improvement techniques

Doing Business: You will be encouraged to critically and competently employ a range of management skills including negotiation, delegation and coordination of the creative nature of entrepreneurial thought and action. This unit will also look to extend your knowledge of:

• information technology
• management skills
• employability and recruitment

Corporate Strategy and Contemporary Issues: This unit  examines the role of management in strategic decision making in organisations. It provides a holistic view of change management and an overview of contemporary challenges and competitive pressures affecting business organisations in a global context.

Resources Management: This unit  looks at developments in the field of human resource management, enabling you to compare approaches to human resource management in the private and public sectors. Subjects explored include:

• strategy and human resource management
• human resource management in the global economy
• recruitment selection, pay and reward
• human resource management in context
• introduction to the annual reports
• interpretation of accounts
• the role of budgeting and budgetary control
• investment appraisal
• performance measurement

Research Methods and Dissertation: Finally, you will undertake a substantial (12,000 words) management research project (dissertation) that combines a review of previous research undertaken in your chosen topic with your own data collection and analysis. The research project provides a unique opportunity for you to demonstrate the subject knowledge you have acquired, as well as your analytical abilities and problem-solving skills - skills which are highly regarded by potential employers.

Teaching and assessment

A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be used within our friendly and supportive environment. Formal classes, such as lectures and seminars will provide the basis for the development of relevant knowledge which is further developed in activity-based case studies. The aim is to enhance the career prospects of course members by putting them into situations where they have to analyse complex problems, explore the uncertainties involved, evaluate possible solutions and plan their implementation.

Career prospects

The MSc in Business and Management will enable you to pursue a broad range of management careers in the private and public sector. It is ideally suited as an early career step into a wide range of management roles and responsibilities. At Portsmouth Business School we have regular discussions with employers and professional bodies to help ensure that all our courses are relevant to their business and recruitment needs.

Our Careers and Employment Service team will support you in developing the skills needed to pursue employment opportunities in your chosen career area.

Facilities and features

• An extensive and friendly induction programme will introduce you to the University, its learning resources and your programme.
• Each student has a Personal Tutor, responsible for pastroral support and guidance.
• Academically qualified and enthusiastic staff with relevant experience including research, consultancy and links with industry.
• Links with companies and organisations willing to provide opportunities for invited speakers and live case studies.
• Excellent library facilities. The University Library is just a few minute’s walk away from Richmond Building.  It is open in term-time from 8am until midnight, seven days a week and provides extensive study and IT facilities.  You will have 24-hour internet access to leading databases, bringing you a wealth of data and information, including academic and practitioner publications. 
• Student programme and unit handbooks provide information about the programme structure and regulations.
• A Student Centre housing our Students’ Union.
• Feedback is provided for all coursework assessments.
• Extensive computer facilitates including personal email accounts and access to the internet.
• Access to wide range of student services.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Business and Management are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Portsmouth Business School
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk