Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
1 year full-time, 3 years part-timeStart date
September 2023Accredited
Yes
Overview
If you want to work in business but are unsure which area suits you, this MSc Business and Management course is for you.
Our course starts by providing you with a broad overview of the key business disciplines and then gives you the opportunity to specialise in a specific management area of your choice later in the course.
You’ll explore topics including international marketing, management development, finance, and corporate strategy, and graduate with a solid understanding of business management practices. You’ll choose to specialise in HRM, innovation, systems, or management as part of your final project. With many opportunities to put your learning into practice through real world case studies and simulations, we'll ensure you have both the skills and knowledge to succeed in your business career.
Whether you hold an undergraduate degree in business or any other subject, this degree will develop your management skills and prepare you for a range of roles in business. The course builds on your previous learning and the skills you’ve gained in your studies and career.
This MSc Business and Management course is accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). This shows that your learning will have an international outlook, that you'll learn about ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and that you’ll engage with employers during the course.
You’ll graduate ready to have an impact on a range of sectors and industries.
Want to start this course in January?
If you’re an international student who is interested in starting this course in January, take a look at MSc International Business and Management. This course covers similar topics to MSc Business and Management with a more international focus.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Explore business in a national and international context
- Specialise in specific areas of management, such as HRM, innovation, systems, or management
- Use real world case studies
- Take part in business simulations
- Learn from staff with experience in industry
- Hear from industry guest speakers
- Develop your management and research skills
- Study a European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) accredited degree
Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). This accreditation shows that your learning will have an international outlook, that you'll engage with employers and that you'll learn about ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
What you'll study on this MSc Business and Management degree course
Full-time
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Critically evaluate current strategic management theory and practice, through the theoretical and practical exploration of concepts and practical implementation of models and tools related to strategy
-
Critically analyse and evaluate complex and dynamic organisational challenges, and contextual and competitive pressures affecting organisations in a local and global context
-
Critically evaluate the value of ethical and sustainable strategic management (in financial, HRM, environmental, and social terms) and of the responsible business agenda, towards the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage
-
Critically evaluate change management and corporate turnaround in organisations, and evaluate diverse perspectives regarding the complexity of issues involved in different national and international business contexts
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Evaluate key economic theories and principles
-
Formulate business decisions by application of economic theory
-
Synthesise and communicate arguments effectively based on economic theory
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Evaluate the purpose of a company's annual report, and its relationship with financial reporting and regulatory framework in the UK and internationally
-
Analyse and critically interpret company information having developed an understanding of the limitations of such information
-
Utilise management accounting tools and techniques to solve management control/performance measurement problems within organisational contexts
-
Evaluate sources, uses and management of finance
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully you'll be able to:
-
Critically analyse the various roles of HR professionals within an organisation
-
Critically evaluate contemporary HR practices employed by organisations
-
Reflect on your own practice and/or that of others to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Understand and critically evaluate the key concepts of marketing
-
Demonstrate the ability to apply marketing concepts in an international context
-
Identify and critically appraise appropriate academic concepts and business information to evaluate the choices facing a company in entering an international market and apply that to their market entry or growth strategy and communications mix
-
Demonstrate the ability to identify and critically evaluate academic or business evidence, applying that to the choices facing companies in a globalised and connected world, with particular reference to the ideas of standardisation/adaptation in the context of marketing
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Apply theory critically to analyse professional experience
-
Develop skills necessary to succeed in a multicultural and complex management environment
-
Critically evaluate cross-cultural and ethical management
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Analyse and interpret company information, from annual reports and other relevant sources, in order to analyse business problems and apply appropriate decision making, planning and control techniques
-
Critically evaluate the major principles of operations management
-
Apply the principles of operations management in a national and international strategic context
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
To develop the ability to critically evaluate management research and utilise this knowledge to extend thinking about a particular management problem
-
To identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out business research
-
To present research plans in a clear and consistent format at Masters level for effective data collection and analysis whilst adhering to ethical principles
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Critically review innovation management theories, models and concepts
-
Critically evaluate the important role played by entrepreneurship in the management of innovation
-
Demonstrate the capability of examining innovation management and entrepreneurship related techniques and practices at different scopes and contexts
-
Integrate theoretical models, practical information and their own practice to analyse firms or sectors to critically evaluate how innovation management and entrepreneurship can lead to sustainable organisational or industrial success
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Demonstrate how strategic HRD can impact on the strategic processes driving organisations
-
Understand and evaluate how strategic HR policies and practices can contribute to the strategic objectives of organisations
-
Provide analytical frameworks enabling students to recognise, identify and evaluate complex HRD issues critically impacting on the strategic effectiveness of organisations
-
Provide analytical frameworks enabling students to recognise, identify and evaluate complex HR issues critically affecting `human factors' of organisations in a local and international
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Establish and critically evaluate a range of contemporary issues shaping Business Systems theory and practice
-
Offer credible, business focused solutions to Business Systems problems in modern work organisations in a format suitable for a managerial audience
-
Suggest and evaluate Business Systems strategies to effect organisational change and development
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Critically examine management frameworks and models for scanning the international business contexts
-
Apply relevant management knowledge to complex management issues
-
Evaluate the process of organisational management intervention
-
Synthesise solutions to complex management problem situations
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
-
To undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
To analyse and critically review aspects of strategic and business management in relation to organisations in changing international landscapes
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
-
To undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
To analyse and critically review aspects of business systems management in relation to organisations in changing international landscapes
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
-
Undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
Analyse and critically review aspects of strategic and business management in relation to organisations in changing international landscapes
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Develop the ability to critically evaluate management research and to plan an effective research project
-
Develop the ability to use and interpret evidence in appropriate contexts
-
Explore and critically review `current areas of interest' in innovation management, new product development, and entrepreneurship research and topics receiving attention from senior management practitioners
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out a research project
-
Undertake and present research into a management problem or issue in a clear and consistent format at Masters
-
Manage the project to completion through agreeing project outputs, planning and managing the project, analyse and synthesise (primary) data or explore and critically review `a current area of interest' (using secondary data) in management research or practice
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out a research project
-
Undertake and present research into a management problem or issue in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
Analyse and critically review aspects of an organisation's management in relation to changing practice and environment
Part-time
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Apply theory critically to analyse professional experience
-
Develop skills necessary to succeed in a multicultural and complex management environment
-
Critically evaluate cross-cultural and ethical management
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Evaluate key economic theories and principles
-
Formulate business decisions by application of economic theory
-
Synthesise and communicate arguments effectively based on economic theory
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully you'll be able to:
-
Critically analyse the various roles of HR professionals within an organisation
-
Critically evaluate contemporary HR practices employed by organisations
-
Reflect on your own practice and/or that of others to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Critically evaluate current strategic management theory and practice, through the theoretical and practical exploration of concepts and practical implementation of models and tools related to strategy
-
Critically analyse and evaluate complex and dynamic organisational challenges, and contextual and competitive pressures affecting organisations in a local and global context
-
Critically evaluate the value of ethical and sustainable strategic management (in financial, HRM, environmental, and social terms) and of the responsible business agenda, towards the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage
-
Critically evaluate change management and corporate turnaround in organisations, and evaluate diverse perspectives regarding the complexity of issues involved in different national and international business contexts
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Evaluate the purpose of a company's annual report, and its relationship with financial reporting and regulatory framework in the UK and internationally
-
Analyse and critically interpret company information having developed an understanding of the limitations of such information
-
Utilise management accounting tools and techniques to solve management control/performance measurement problems within organisational contexts
-
Evaluate sources, uses and management of finance
All modules on this MSc Business and Management Master's are core.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Understand and critically evaluate the key concepts of marketing
-
Demonstrate the ability to apply marketing concepts in an international context
-
Identify and critically appraise appropriate academic concepts and business information to evaluate the choices facing a company in entering an international market and apply that to their market entry or growth strategy and communications mix
-
Demonstrate the ability to identify and critically evaluate academic or business evidence, applying that to the choices facing companies in a globalised and connected world, with particular reference to the ideas of standardisation/adaptation in the context of marketing
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Analyse and interpret company information, from annual reports and other relevant sources, in order to analyse business problems and apply appropriate decision making, planning and control techniques
-
Critically evaluate the major principles of operations management
-
Apply the principles of operations management in a national and international strategic context
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
To develop the ability to critically evaluate management research and utilise this knowledge to extend thinking about a particular management problem
-
To identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out business research
-
To present research plans in a clear and consistent format at Masters level for effective data collection and analysis whilst adhering to ethical principles
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Critically review innovation management theories, models and concepts
-
Critically evaluate the important role played by entrepreneurship in the management of innovation
-
Demonstrate the capability of examining innovation management and entrepreneurship related techniques and practices at different scopes and contexts
-
Integrate theoretical models, practical information and their own practice to analyse firms or sectors to critically evaluate how innovation management and entrepreneurship can lead to sustainable organisational or industrial success
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Demonstrate how strategic HRD can impact on the strategic processes driving organisations
-
Understand and evaluate how strategic HR policies and practices can contribute to the strategic objectives of organisations
-
Provide analytical frameworks enabling students to recognise, identify and evaluate complex HRD issues critically impacting on the strategic effectiveness of organisations
-
Provide analytical frameworks enabling students to recognise, identify and evaluate complex HR issues critically affecting `human factors' of organisations in a local and international
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Establish and critically evaluate a range of contemporary issues shaping Business Systems theory and practice
-
Offer credible, business focused solutions to Business Systems problems in modern work organisations in a format suitable for a managerial audience
-
Suggest and evaluate Business Systems strategies to effect organisational change and development
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Critically examine management frameworks and models for scanning the international business contexts
-
Apply relevant management knowledge to complex management issues
-
Evaluate the process of organisational management intervention
-
Synthesise solutions to complex management problem situations
All modules on this MSc Business and Management Master's are core.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
-
To undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
To analyse and critically review aspects of strategic and business management in relation to organisations in changing international landscapes
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
-
To undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
To analyse and critically review aspects of business systems management in relation to organisations in changing international landscapes
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Identify and evaluate the ethical and methodological issues that can arise in carrying out research
-
Undertake and present research in a clear and consistent format at Masters level whilst adhering to ethical principles and drawing realistic and appropriate conclusions and recommendations
-
Analyse and critically review aspects of strategic and business management in relation to organisations in changing international landscapes
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Develop the ability to critically evaluate management research and to plan an effective research project
-
Develop the ability to use and interpret evidence in appropriate contexts
-
Explore and critically review `current areas of interest' in innovation management, new product development, and entrepreneurship research and topics receiving attention from senior management practitioners
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
You'll graduate from this MSc Business and Management degree with an in-depth understanding of business and management practice and theory, and be able to pursue a range of business careers globally. During the course you'll have opportunities to network with other industry professionals and students.
Globally, some of our graduates have gone on to jobs as:
- Financial Analyst
- Site Manager
- Royals Marines Officer
- Director and Co-Founder/Marketing Consultancy
- Project and Commercialisation Manager
- QA Co-ordinator
- Graduate Account Executive
- Sales Representative
- Restaurateur
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Business Analyst Manager
- Product Manager
- Account Manager
- Business Development Executive
- HR Assistant (also PhD)
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
The comprehensive curriculum exposed me to different facets of Business and Management e.g., HR, Finance, Information Technology and Project management.
This played a vital role when navigating my career journey especially with traditional roles becoming more hybrid. I was equipped to adapt quickly and find myself in a wide range of roles. This set the road map for an exciting career in project management.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
It is our expectation that all international students will join us here on campus in Portsmouth.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year full-time, from September to September
- 3 years part-time
You can expect:
- to study independently for 30 hours per week
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- one-on-one tutorials
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- coursework
- exams
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Joining us an as international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Facilities
Bloomberg Suite
Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023)
- Full time: £11,400
- Part time: £3,800 per year
- Full time: £11,400
- Part time: £3,800 per year
- Full time: £20,600
- Part time: £5,970 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2023
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2023
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year or 2 years with optional work placement
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.