Postgraduate course
Leadership & Management MSc
Seeking a dynamic programme to build the skills you need to thrive in a leadership position?

This course explores the concept of leadership and you will learn about functional topics including corporate social responsibility, coaching and data analytics. You will learn about strategic planning and learn how to lead transformation and change. Engaging with the latest contemporary research in leadership and management, you will develop your critical thinking skills and apply them.
York campus
- Duration – 1 year full-time | 2 years part-time
- Start date – January 2021, September 2021
- School – York Business School
Minimum Entry Requirements
2:2 Undergraduate degree from a UK or NARIC listed institution
Experience current or recent work experience in a related discipline
Tuition Fees
UK and EU 2020-21 £6,500 full time
International 2020-21 £12,750 full time
Course overview
The course brings together relevant contemporary academic theory and research with a practical understanding of how organisations operate. Through the development of an understanding of contemporary business and management issues, the programme involves you in a demanding process of personal and professional development.
A distinctive element of the programme is the opportunity to gain professional accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) alongside the academic award.
This programme:
- Supports the development of international marketing skills.
- Uses assessment methods which mirror organisation-based activities.
- Provides a supportive platform for critical reflection through the application of academic theories to real scenarios.
- Involves participation in active and supportive forums drawing on practical expertise.
- Will give you excellent personal and academic support. You will be allocated an academic tutor to support you throughout the programme.
Course structure
Level 1
Modules
15 credits
Compulsory
The research and study of business in contemporary society requires a critical understanding of a range of pervasive and interconnected topics. This module aims to develop your understanding of a range of contemporary business issues. Alongside this, you will gain experience of the research and scholarly expectations of postgraduate study and develop a critical awareness of the research process and research design. Throughout the module you will develop your understanding of research skills and an interest in a topic area related to your programme of study.
15 credits
Compulsory
This module explores the theory and practice of leadership at different levels in organisations. It complements the modules on People Management, Leadership and Management Coaching, and Organisational Development and Design, by focusing on the dynamics of decision-making, influence and support, which enable individuals and groups to work together to achieve results.
15 credits
Compulsory
This module introduces you to key international business (IB) theories and concepts. It examines the process of globalisation, the role of transnational firms (TNCs) as the primary movers and shapers of the global economic system and the principal institutional and organisational macrostructures of the global econom. You will evaluate the impact of the diverse national business systems operating within the world’s major regional groupings. You will also develop a comprehensive appreciation of the theories, frameworks and methodologies that complement and intersect with mainstream IB thinking and challenges.
15 credits
Compulsory
On this module you will build your cognitive skills and computational thinking. You will also consider the relevance of these skills to business concepts, critical evaluation and professional considerations. You will develop a deep understanding of the impact and meaning of data. It is also an opportunity to examine data analytics technique in term of problem solving, predicting and decision-making in business context.
15 credits
Compulsory
This module explores traditional and critical schools of thought to appreciate the changing nature of and understanding of people at work. We will expose you to contemporary and historical debates as they relate to different perspectives and approaching to managing people in the workplace. You will be exposed to the dominant managerial ideologies that have driven a range of approaches to people management, and a number of managerial concepts to understand the practices and principles of contemporary ‘people management’. You will be required to develop a critical approach to considering the role of people and the self within the context of ‘people management.’
15 credits
Compulsory
This module builds on the work done about Leadership and helps with understanding organisational culture. Coaching skills are increasingly employed as a management style. This module aims to enable participants to acquire, practise and critically evaluate the skills, processes and techniques of Coaching and Mentoring in a range of settings and to understand and critically reflect on the ethical and practical challenges of employing either Coaching or Mentoring approach in the workplace. The skills developed here can be deployed in the development and enaction of the capstone project. They also increase the strength of the learning community by building links and trust between the participants.
15 credits
Compuslory
The speed of change, and the need to change, varies from industry to industry, but it is often important for managers and professionals within an organisation to understand theories relating to change processes, and to be able to apply them in order to lead change. The values, beliefs and repeated behaviours that comprise the culture of a group have an impact on various aspects of organisational performance, including the ability of an organisation to change. Organisational and national cultures can greatly influence the regular, day-to-day transactions within organisations, and the success of any attempts to change the nature or the processes of activities.
60 credits Compulsory
We have designed this project to build on your learning throughout the programme. It gives you the opportunity to apply everything you have learnt to a current digital marketing issue. In this module you will define, research and analyse a topic of your choice, identifying potential solutions and reaching evidence-based conclusions. Your capstone project can take the form of either an academic dissertation or an applied business consultancy project.
Teaching and assessment
You will explore issues that have significant impact on organisations by working with others and building on both your personal experiences and those of your fellow cohort members. You will carry out projects and assignments designed to help you apply the theories, tools and techniques you learn. Much of the learning is developed through the establishment of collaborative learning communities of programme participants and tutors.
A range of assessment tools are used including presentations, critical essays, portfolios, reflective journals and case study work. Each module tutor will provide opportunities for formative assessment feedback to inform your work prior to submission.
You will receive detailed feedback on assessment to help you develop and continuously improve your performance. Advice will be provided in relation to development, further areas for research and guidance on how to enhance your subject knowledge.
You will receive study support including academic writing and research skills to enhance employability and career development in the field of business management.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum Entry Requirements
2:2 Undergraduate degree from a UK or NARIC listed institution
Experience current or recent work experience in a related discipline
Qualifications
Entry onto this postgraduate course requires a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree in a related discipline from a UK or NARIC listed institution.
If your undergraduate honours degree is not in a related discipline but you can demonstrate extensive professional experience in the subject, your application will be considered.
International Students
If you're an international student, you'll need to demonstrate experience, or qualifications equivalent to those above.
If your first language is not English you must show evidence of English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
Experience
Entry onto this postgraduate course will require you to demonstrate current or recent work experience. This will enable you to fully engage with the course.
APEL policy
If you can't meet these minimum requirments it may be possible to take into account evidence of Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) as an alternative method of meeting the programme’s entry requirements. In such a case, appropriate references and records of employment might be presented to support the applicant’s case for admission.
Fees and Funding
UK & EU 2020 - 21
The tuition fee for 2020 entry to this postgraduate course is £6,500 for full-time UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
For UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students studying part time, the tuition fee for 2020 entry to this postgraduate course is £3,250 per year.
If you choose to study this course with a Year in Industry, the tuition fee for full time UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students would be £7,475.
Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about postgraduate funding opportunities.
International (non-EU) 2020 - 21
The tuition fee for 2020 entry to this postgraduate course is £12,750 for international students.
If you choose to study this course with a Year in Industry, the tuition fee for full time international students would be £14,663.
Due to immigration laws, international students on a Student Visa must be studying full-time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
More information about funding your studies is available on our International Fees and Funding page.
Tuition Fees
UK and EU 2020-21 £6,500 full time
International 2020-21 £12,750 full time
Alumni Scholarships
If you are an alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
COURSE-RELATED COSTS
Whilst studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING COSTS
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Career outcomes
Our staff and students are ambitious, and work together to develop learners as creative thinking, global citizens that are equipped to secure highly skilled employment. We're proud to be in the top 25 universities in the country for employment. (DLHE 2017)
Innovative, specialist modules such as Data Analytics and the Blockchain will give you the industry-ready, transferable skills needed for a competitive edge in the marketplace.
The programme will enable you to improve your ability to work in diverse groups and teams and enhance your project management and decision-making capabilities, which is crucial when leading in business.
You might consider starting your own business. The leadership and negotiation skills you develop during your MSc, as well as your contacts and knowledge, will put you in a great position to take this leap. Our dedicated start-up programme Grad2Director is available alongside this programme where you can work with our specialist team and apply for funding opportunities to start your own company. The Grad2Freelancer programme is also available for those who wish to work on a freelance or consultancy basis.
The course could also lead you to undertake further Postgraduate study through an MPhil or PhD.
Apply for this course
We're now taking applications for both full time and part time study, for September 2021 entry.
Apply now: full time Apply now: part time
With a year in industry:
Why choose Postgraduate study?
Success Lab
To further enhance your employability we have our dedicated York Business School 'Success Lab' which offers additional workshops, accreditations and short courses that will supplement your degree, expand your areas of expertise and give you evidence of your practical skills to employers. All Success Lab activities are free and available to any York Business School student.
York Business School Business Consultancy Clinic
Develop your practical skills and industry links by gaining live project experience as a Business Consultant in your specialist area through our Business Consultancy Clinic. Tackle real business problems and develop innovative solutions, either as an added value project or instead of a traditional dissertation.
Business-engaged
We are always working to build and maintain links with local and national businesses for the benefit of our students. We are a driving force in York Business Week and host the annual Top 100 York Business Awards. This puts us at the heart of business and development in York and connects us with top companies. We use these connections for live project work and guest speaker opportunities. Recently we have worked with Hiscox, Nestle, Yorkshire Tea, Mini, Pandora and many more.