MSc Business Strategy, Leadership and Change

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    Key information

    Location
    Edinburgh
    Mode of delivery
    On-campus
    Delivery type
    Full-time, Part-time
    Start date
    September, January
    Duration
    1 year
    Qualification
    MSc

    Contact

    Contact our enquiries team

    Contact us

    Overview

    Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, this unique Masters degree blends the expertise of leading professors and industry leaders in the areas of Business Strategy, Leadership and Change Management.

    MSc Business Strategy, Leadership and Change has been developed by leading academics within the Edinburgh Business School to provide a forward-thinking, cutting-edge programme of study that focuses on key challenges that leaders and managers face in the modern business environment.

    This is a Conversion MSc

    MSc Business Strategy, Leadership and Change is a conversion degree programme led by academics from Edinburgh Business School. It introduces the study of business and management to graduates and professionals from non-management backgrounds who wish to enhance their careers. 

    This degree introduces vital business knowledge to those with limited academic experience in the subject and provides an opportunity to develop versatile strategic management skills in just one year of study. Coupled with specialist learning in change management and leadership, this programme aims to complement existing knowledge and prepare graduates for a career shift or management role.

    The Edinburgh Business School approach

    An Industry Advisory Board made up of business leaders advise us on the current skill-gaps faced by their organisations to ensure that our course content and teaching is industry-focused. 

    As a result, the courses on this MSc degree will develop key skills in highly employable areas of management including business strategy, leadership, project management, change management, quality management and inventory planning.

    You will learn how to critically evaluate and implement the theories, concepts and techniques of business strategy, leadership and change. By applying this knowledge to practical contexts through industry-focused, case-study led projects, you will learn how to develop successful business strategies, leadership styles and change management programmes.

    Ultimately, this Masters degree will help you understand how to think strategically and be a successful leader. It will equip you with theoretical tools and practical skills you need to forge a successful career as an entrepreneur or in a range of management positions.

    Programme duration

    The full-time MSc business course starts in mid September and lasts one year. The course can also be taken part-time over two years, or as a nine month Postgraduate Diploma.

    • Full-time: 12 months/9 months (MSc/PG Diploma)
    • Part-time: 24 months/21 months (MSc/PG Diploma)

    September 2024 entry

    The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

    Course content

    Year 1

    Semester 1 

    Mandatory courses
    • Competitive Strategy 
    • Strategic Innovation Management 
    • Leadership 
    • Strategic Change 

    Semester 2 

    Mandatory course 
    • Research Philosophy and Practice 
    Optional courses (choose three)
    • Green and Sustainable Logistics
    • International Marketing
    • Quality Management
    • Managing Diversity in Business
    • Project Management
    • Business Start-up
    • System Thinking and Analysis

    Semester 3

    Strategy Dissertation

    Mandatory courses 

    Leadership

    Understand the role of leadership in business, and specifically in commercial projects. Examines the linkages between effective and appropriate leadership and organisational strategy.

    Strategic Change

    Looking at organisational change from a strategic perspective, this course differentiates between the concepts and models of change management and consider their application to a variety of situations and environments.

    Research Philosophy and Practice

    Provides an understanding of the social science research process, as well as theory and approaches to research. Develops practical skills (i.e., quantitative and qualitative techniques) in data analysis to transform the raw data into information that guides marketing management valuations.

    Go Global

    Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees

    Tuition fees
    Status [footnote 1] Full-time Part-time
    UK 9152 4576
    Overseas [footnote 2] 20376 10188

    Footnotes

    1. Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
    2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

    Scholarships and bursaries

    We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

    View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

    Entry requirements

    Entry

    A good Honours degree (first or second class) or its non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.

    English language requirements

    If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

    The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.

    If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:

    • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading & writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking & listening)
    • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

    Why Heriot-Watt?

    Clubs and activities

    At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!

    Edinburgh campus accommodation

    Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union

    Edinburgh Campus facilities

    At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!

    Health and wellbeing

    Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience. From counselling to coaching we'll sure you are fully supported.

    Heriot-Watt Student Union

    There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.

    Living in Edinburgh

    Historic and beautiful, a cultural capital that fuels the senses whether you love the arts or nature, nightlife or study life, Edinburgh is stimulating and inspirational and never, ever boring.

    Sport facilities

    Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability

    Your career

    Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

    We are accredited by the following organisations

    At Heriot-Watt University we develop degrees that are relevant for the world of work. We work with Professional bodies and Institutes to gain appropriate Accreditations and Professional Memberships for your industry. Find out below how this degree aligns to industry.

    Chartered Management Institute (CMI) logo

    Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

    On successful completion of the programme, students will also be awarded the Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership by the CMI - the chartered body for management and leadership in the UK.

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