
Management - MSc
- Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
- Entry months
- September, January
- Duration of Study
- 1 year / up to 20 months with entrepreneurship or placement pathway 2 years part-time / up to 24 to 36 months depending on pathway
- Subject Area
- Business and Management
- FEES (2022/23 academic year)
- UK - £10,200
- International - £18,900
Course Overview
If you’re seeking to get a head start in your management career, our career-focused MSc will help you become a well-rounded, thoughtful, active, reflective and practical professional with a genuine appreciation of the strategic and operational challenges in running different organisations. Engaging with businesses through study trips, factory visits, live projects and guest speakers, you’ll relate management theory to real-world practice from day one, putting what you learn into context, while actively developing leadership and other essential management skills through team building, group work, individual assignments, report writing and presentations.
Key facts
- Keele is ranked 3rd in the UK for business by the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES 2019).
- Large choice of optional modules allows you to tailor your studies to match your interests.
- Gain substantial practical experience through a consultancy project or work placement.
- Get paid to work alongside an academic expert on a ‘live’ research project to help local SMEs bring innovative products and services to market quicker through Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP).
- Creative approaches to develop your leadership and management skills have previously featured workshops the New Vic Theatre’s Borderlines, an award-winning initiative using theatre in social context.
- Relate your learning to the real-world through case studies and visits to businesses – on a previous field trip, students took a factory tour of Jaguar Land Rover to see lean manufacturing and corporate social responsibility in action.
- Our students go on to work in the public, private and third sector, for example, in education, local and central government.
*Please note that our students’ health and wellbeing is paramount, therefore contact and work-based activities have been adapted to include remote / virtual approaches, due to the global pandemic.

Bethany Edge, Management graduate
"The consultancy project not only provided me with invaluable ‘hands on’ experience in industry, but I also got paid for my expertise." - read more about Bethany Edge, Management graduate
About the course
With almost 2.5 million untrained ‘accidental managers’ in the UK alone, the need to upskill future business leaders is widely accepted as one of the top organisational priorities. Poor management costs this country around £84bn in lost productivity each year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Grounded in theory and practice, our MSc will equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills and techniques to overcome some of the problems associated with substandard management – low staff morale, loss of talent, inadequate budgeting, reduced productivity and missed commercial opportunities.
Instead, we’ll prepare you to perform executive duties in ways which motivate others and achieve business objectives successfully, with the flexibility to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing and uncertain external environments.
Referring to real-life business examples and hearing direct from businesses, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic and operational challenges that can arise, in areas such as leadership, ethics or sustainability, for example. The Business School’s Grand Challenges lecture series invites key speakers to provide fresh perspectives on the political, ethical and intellectual problems we face as a world today, while our Lunchtime Lectures centre on leadership in the context of complexity and inclusion.
Your final project will give you the opportunity to directly transfer your learning to the workplace by researching a current management topic, responding to a specific business issue or undertaking a ‘live’ work-based project.
Through our focus on ‘real-world’ situations and teaching which proactively relates to contemporary issues, for example, the many management challenges posed by the current global pandemic, we’ll ensure you leave with a greater appreciation of the social, environmental and global implications of business. All of this will help you develop as a responsible manager, averting crises as much as possible and making appropriate contingency plans so that you can promptly resolve problems when they inevitably occur.
Team building, group work, research, presentations and projects will help you develop vital management skills, such as business planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation and time management.
Management skills are needed in all types of jobs and industries – from sport and leisure, the arts and entertainment to social work, engineering and the natural sciences. We therefore welcome applicants from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines; past students have joined us having studied subjects as diverse as music and law, as well as business.
What you’ll learn:
This exciting master’s course aims to equip you with these necessary knowledge, skills and techniques to be able to understand how business is conducted and the various challenges facing managers from a strategic and operational perspective.
Core topics covered on the programme include leadership, international operations and supply chains. A large range of optional modules give you the choice to retain your focus on aspects of business and management, such as accounting, entrepreneurship, people management or strategy, or broaden your scope of study to include computing or sustainability.
Depending on availability, you can also choose to study a modern language as your optional module, from absolute beginners to advanced level in British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Russian. Those for whom English is a second language may also choose Advanced Business English.
100% ONLINE PROGRAMMES
We also offer a suite of 100% online programmes. Our online part-time courses have been specifically designed with the demanding lives of full-time professionals and individuals with family responsibilities in mind. The flexible design of the courses means that you can develop your own study schedule and access academic content at times that suit you. 100% online Management programmes include:
Course structure
You will study a mixture of core and optional taught modules during semesters 1 and 2. After you have completed the taught modules of the course, you will undertake a large project in semester 3 to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of management.
Module structure
Depending on availability, you can also choose to study a modern language as your optional module, from absolute beginners to advanced level in British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Russian. Those for whom English is a second language may also choose Advanced Business English.
SEMESTER 1
Core modules
- Leadership
- International Operations and Supply
Optional modules - you will choose two of the following:
- International Business Context
- Accounting for Decision Making
- Understanding Consumer Behaviour
- Marketing Management in the Digital Age
- Clean and Green: Technologies from Above the Earth
- System Design and Programming
SEMESTER 2
Core modules
- Introduction to Research
- Contemporary Challenges in Global Business
- Elective modules
- You will choose one of the following:
- Creativity and Personal Development
Optional modules - you will choose two of the following modules:
- Branding
- Case Studies in Sustainability
- Cloud Computing
- Collaborative Application Development
- Entrepreneurship
- Green IT
- International HRM
- Strategic HRM
- Strategy and Information Management
- Web Tech and Security
SEMESTER 3
Core modules
- Research methods
Research dissertation
The dissertation is a formal written academic project of between 15,000 and 20,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose a topic to research in management. As an example, previous students have considered how employee performance is influenced by internationalised organisational culture for female NHS workers, how the global 'war on drugs' has affected UK drug policy and the impact of Brexit on the internalisation of SMEs in the UK.
Consultancy
From June to September, you will spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking a management research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. As an example, one previous management student considered organisational change and employee resistance at a local physiotherapy practice, while another conducted a study to find customer segments, value propositions, delivery channels and customer relationships for a new business venture in UK print industry. Another student helped a not-for-profit community interest company develop its strategy to improve health and social care services in Staffordshire.
Please note that participation in the Consultancy Project is only available after a comprehensive selection process.
Entrepreneurship pathway
An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.
The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK and international students. Yet for international students, the availability of the Entrepreneurship pathway is subject due to the latest visa regulations.
Placement pathway
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.
Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.
How the course is taught
Our teaching and learning strategy is wide-ranging and innovative, seeking to give you a rich learning environment that draws actively upon leading edge research, as well as current business practice.
A key strength of our programme is our commitment to developing your critical thinking skills through class debates and team building exercises, which will not only set you apart from other Management graduates, but will benefit you for the rest of your working life. Encouraging you to question, apply and evaluate different theories, creative approaches and techniques, you’ll build confidence, develop sound judgment and become adept at generating ideas and alternative solutions.
You’ll learn from leading researchers and external practitioners, gaining industry insights through guest lectures and field trips. For example, previous students visited the New Vic Theatre as part of the Leadership module to uncover creative ways of leading and team building through working with its award-winning Borderlines programme, a founding partner of CASIC, Keele University’s Community Animation and Social Innovation Centre. It uses theatre to help people find new and positive ways to understand themselves, their communities and their responsibilities.
Teaching schedule
Teaching takes place over the first two semesters. There are no formal group classes during Semester 3, but you consult with supervisors and access the University’s learning and teaching facilities and support services.
- Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the end of January, with an assessment period in January.
- Semester 2 runs from the last week of January to the middle of June, with the assessment period in June.
- Semester 3 runs from June to the end of September.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment is varied and includes the use of essays, skills portfolios, reflective diaries, exams, workbooks, presentations, reports, posters and practical projects. Most modules combine several forms of assessment.
Where possible, assessment is designed to reflect skills and practices in the workplace, including team working, idea generation, meeting deadlines and so on, so you get a feel for the pressures of everyday working life.
Entry Requirements
Academic entry requirements
You will need at least a second class honours degree or overseas equivalent qualification in order to apply to study the programmes. If you have appropriate professional qualifications or relevant work experience you may also be considered.
English Language Entry Requirement for International Students
Anyone applying from a country where English is not the first language is required to take an official test of English language obtaining at least IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each subtest.
PRE-MASTER'S IN BUSINESS
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Business programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate business degree at Keele University.
Please visit the Keele University International College for more information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.
Funding
Some travel costs may be incurred if an external project or placement is undertaken; any such costs will be discussed with the student before the project is confirmed. It may be possible for the student to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.
Living costs
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Scholarships and Funding
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Our expertise
Teaching staff
You will be taught by a range of leading experts in marketing, branding and strategic management, who will share their own professional experiences, which helps to put marketing in the broader context of the business environment. Their specialist expertise spans topics such as: creative methods of engagement; gender, identity and stereotypes; the design and organisation of operations and supply networks; environmental and sustainable accounting; management practices; gender and diversity in organisations; international employment relations; consumers and brands; and consumer behaviour/marketing.
Teaching team:
Facilities
The course is run from Keele Business School’s new home – the Denise Coates Foundation Building – a state-of-the-art facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge.
Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, our Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park. As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.
Our specialist Media Building, which is open 24/7, houses extensive digital media production facilities, including film and photography studios and digital post-production labs, with access to professional media production equipment and software.
If you choose to study business and management modules available, you’ll have access to the Bloomberg Suite with all its economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. You can choose to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certificate free of charge, an eight-hour e-learning, self-paced course which covers economic Indicators, currencies, fixed income and equities.
Based in the heart of England, Keele University is easily accessible by motorway and public transport. You’ll find everything’s on your doorstep, with the most important facilities gathered together at the centre of campus, which, at 600 acres, is one of the biggest in the UK.
Recognised for the highest quality teaching, the University was awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), while 97% of our research is classed as world-leading or of international importance (REF 2014). In the global top 20 for campus sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility underpin the running of our own business and these themes are embedded into our teaching of future professionals and leaders.
Careers
This master’s degree will equip you with a broad knowledge of business, finance, economics and marketing, as well as a range of practical skills and work experience, much sought-after by employers across a large variety of sectors, including the public, private and voluntary. You could pursue careers in management consultancy or specialise in specific areas of business, such as product, retail, risk, sales or human resource management.
Graduates from this programme have gone to pursue a range of managerial and professional careers such as HR consultant, marketing director, sales manager and operations manager. Recent employers include companies in various manufacturing and services sectors and also organisations in public sector, ranging from a restaurant in Birmingham, Whitbread and Xiao Noodle Store to a mobile phone company in China, the Greek Navy, UPS and PDSA.
On completion, you’ll be ideally placed to pursue further postgraduate studies at MPhil or PhD level.
Examples of the roles you might progress to during the course of your career include:
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- Management consultant
- Project manager
- Risk manager
- Sales executive
- Supply chain manager