Why study this course?
- Take a step towards a career in management roles in a course designed for those who haven't studied a business-related degree at undergraduate level.
- Gain a strong foundation in contemporary management methods and core business principles.
- Develop essential skills in strategic management, marketing fundamentals and corporate finance to advance a career in leadership.
- Benefit from a range of learning experiences, including visits from industry speakers, opportunities to take part in consultancy projects, and team activities.
- Collaborate with a welcoming, close-knit, international and diverse Business School community and establish lifelong alumni networks.
Teaching
Delivered through lectures, tutorials, workshops, and seminars.
Class sizes
Groups range from 15 to 60 students.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with weekly support.
Assessment
A mix of coursework and exams.
Modules
Modules are delivered through three to five contact hours per week including lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials. Assessment is either entirely by coursework or through a combination of coursework (50%) and a two-hour end-of-semester examination (50%).
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
-
- Strategic Management: develops students' knowledge and understanding of the strategy process and develops an appreciation of organisational responses to the rapidly changing global economy.
- Marketing: Principles and Practice: offers a critical review of current theory and practice and looks at how marketing is evolving in light of changes to the business context, particularly from a managerial perspective.
- Reimagining Management and Organisation Studies: introduces the latest theoretical contributions to management and organisation studies and innovative ways of thinking, providing a roadmap for understanding the powerful socioeconomic systems that shape modern society, as well as challenging assumptions and providing a guide to navigating complexity in management and organisational life.
- Managing and Organising for Grand Challenges: develops an appreciation of the grand challenges facing economies and societies and potential responses from organisations, demonstrating the centrality of these challenges and ‘wicked problems’ to contemporary organisations and management professionals.
- Managing Human Resources: reviews the key theoretical and practical aspects involved in managing human resources.
- Corporate Finance and Accounting: introduces students to the basic principles and practices of accounting and corporate finance.
-
Students choose two optional modules, taking one in each semester. For the latest optional module information, see the module catalogue.
Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered:
- Behavioural Finance
- Entrepreneurship and Business Development
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity
- Financial Systems
- International Financial Management
- International Marketing
- Leadership in Organisations
- Managing People in Global Markets
- Marketing and Society
- Managing Non-Governmental Organisations
- Risk Management
- Scenario Thinking and Strategy
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students.
-
Students attend lectures throughout Semesters 1 and 2 to prepare them for conducting the research portion of the dissertation. The dissertation is normally on a specific area of management, however, at the University of St Andrews Business School, you will have the freedom to develop a topic of your own, which is of interest to you and will contribute towards career development or further study goals.
Students are assigned a supervisor based on a research proposal submitted in the second semester. They will then research and write a 15,000-word dissertation over the summer to be submitted on a date specified in August.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for their Masters degree (MLitt), there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a postgraduate diploma (PGDip). By choosing an exit award, you will receive a PGDip instead of a MLitt.
What it will lead to
Careers
You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a success of your career in a wide range of sectors. With management and leadership currently considered shortage skills in the UK economy, graduates in this field are in high demand.
Our graduates work in a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, in roles ranging from marketing and brand management, business development and analysis to consulting, sales, finance and investment, policy advice, supply chain management, and much more.
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage of your career you are at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development. The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.
Elevate your career
Graduates from the Masters in Management programme have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors including:
- Credit Suisse Group
- IBM
- KPMG
Further your education
Management graduates can pursue PhDs at St Andrews or beyond. Funding includes ESRC awards and Business School studentships, offering RCUK-level stipends and fee waivers for home and EU students.
Accreditations
Graduates are eligible to apply to receive accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute.
Why St Andrews?
Industry connections
The Masters Extra (MX) is a programme of events focused on careers and personal and professional development, designed specifically for taught Masters students in the University of St Andrews Business School. The series of talks, workshops, networking opportunities and activities includes guest lectures from entrepreneurs, experienced managers, and leading researchers.
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews, you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in a subject other than business or management from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. Students with a background in business or management are advised to consider the MLitt International Business, the MLitt Marketing
- If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
- personal statement explaining why you have chosen the programme, why this subject is important to you and why you have applied to study at the University of St Andrews Business School in particular (500 words)
- one original signed academic reference
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
- UK: £14,850
- Rest of the world: £29,990
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 19 December 2024