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Postgraduate course

Management Studies MRES

Enhance your personal and professional abilities, and develop advanced research analysis skills.

On this postgraduate research degree you will explore contemporary issues in social sciences and business management. These issues apply to various aspects of management and business in public and private organisations, regionally, and globally. We will support you to learn through research, as you work with both academic specialists and industry professionals, and pursue independent study.

London campus

  • Duration – 1 Year full time
  • Start date – February 2025, September 2025
  • School – London

Minimum entry requirements

2:2 or above in a related undergraduate degree

Merit or above (or equivalent) in a related master's degree

Tuition fees

    UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time

    International 2024-25 £11,300 full time

Please note that we are currently at capacity for processing international applications for postgraduate research courses. Applications are currently closed for our October 2025 intake. Please check this page again soon for further updates.

Course overview

Your study will include a taught element, making up one third of the course, where you will learn about principles, theories, and data analysis techniques relevant to Management Studies. The remaining two thirds of the course will involve extensive independent research, supported by your tutors.

Through this course, you will:

  • Learn to critically respond to various philosophical approaches, including social constructionism, conventionalism, and postmodernism
  • Gain skills in multiple data collection and analysis techniques
  • Review, discuss, and reflect on contemporary challenges in organisations, management, and businesses

With the knowledge and skills acquired in your taught modules, you will be well prepared to delve into research in your areas of interest. During the independent research stage, you will be supported by a supervisory team of academics and an industry-based adviser to develop your research thesis.

Throughout your studies, you will be assigned a coach and an academic tutor, with additional support from our university wellbeing services. You will have opportunities to work with academic experts who possess international experience and diverse research specialisms.

Regardless of the career path you choose, or the sector you intend to work in, it is essential to apply your knowledge ethically and responsibly, sharing your research to benefit your communities and organisations. The design of this course is guided by the ethical and sustainable principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Course structure

How you will study

The course will take 1 year to complete. You will:

  • Study 2 compulsory taught modules in semester 1
  • Complete your thesis over semesters 2 and 3

You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.

Modules

Credits: 30

Compulsory

On this module you will critically evaluate different schools of thought, including:

  • Social constructionism
  • Conventionalism
  • Postmodernism
  • Structuralism
  • Integralism

Through this you will reflect on ‘how and why’ ideas and concepts are born. These ideas are essential for research in management studies, as part of the wider social sciences. This will prepare you to evaluate ethical issues at each stage of your research, using various methodological techniques. It will also help you to deal with ethical, societal, and environmental challenges relating to management and organisation.

Credits: 30

Compulsory

This module will provide the tools and knowledge needed to implement a variety of theories in an effective literature review. You will learn to critically analyse, evaluate and apply a comprehensive literature review, as well as considering the importance of an effective review. You will explore various types of review techniques including:

  • Narrative review
  • Scoping review
  • Systematic literature review
  • Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis review

At the end of this module, you should be able to critically assess issues within management practice through reflective research, and develop theoretical and practical solutions.

Credits: 120

Compulsory

On this extended Thesis module you will select, define, research, analyse, develop solutions and reach evidence-based conclusions to an issue relevant to your interests. You will do this using principles, theories, and data analysis techniques essential to Management Studies. This is an opportunity to implement your learning from the first 2 modules, and develop your research methodology, through negotiating a research topic with your supervisor. This module is also an opportunity for you to critically reflect on your personal learning experiences on the course.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning

This course will develop various graduate attributes, through inclusive and equitable teaching, learning and assessment. We prioritise active learning approaches, which are practical, authentic, and experiential. Our teaching also ensures you will develop appropriate levels of responsibility, accountability, and autonomy in your research, over time.

We encourage reflection as an aid to learning, and you are likely to bring significant experience and knowledge, that can be shared, and shape the learning environment.

You may not have engaged in conventional education for some time or may never have formally studied a Master of Research at a postgraduate level, and we will work with you to build essential study skills. All modules delivered through range of teaching, learning and assessment techniques, including:

  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Debates
  • Discussion forums
  • Tutorials

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Assessment

By using a range of assessment practices, we ensure an inclusive and individualised experience,. You may be assessed through:

  • Portfolios
  • Presentations
  • Vivas
  • Project-based research

We will provide formative assessment opportunities and feedback, to inform your work before submissions. This feedback will explain how you can develop areas of research, subject knowledge, and professional practice.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

Minimum entry requirements

    2:2 or above in a related undergraduate degree

    Merit or above (or equivalent) in a related master's degree

Further entry requirements

  • You will need to submit a short proposal of up to 1500 words, explaining the research themes that you are interested in focusing on for your thesis
  • You may need to attend an interview

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, but you can provide evidence of relevant professional experience, your application may still be considered.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.5 (with no skill below 6.0) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

 

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

Fees and funding

UK 2024 - 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is £8,000 for full time study.
These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

Funding opportunities

International 2024 - 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is £11,300.

These costs apply to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

International Fees and Funding

Tuition fees

    UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time

    International 2024-25 £11,300 full time

Alumni Scholarships

If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.

Scholarships for alumni

Additional costs and financial support

Course-related costs

While 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

Where could Management Studies MRes take you?

A Management Studies MRes can open doors to a variety of career opportunities, including:

  • Advancing to a PhD and pursuing a role as a lecturer or researcher in academia
  • Serving as a research analyst or consultant
  • Taking on leadership or management roles across various industries such as finance, marketing, human resources, or operations
  • Becoming a management consultant
  • Engaging in policy-making within governmental or non-governmental organisations
  • Launching your own business or joining a startup, utilising your research skills to drive innovation and solve problems
  • Working with global entities like the United Nations, applying your knowledge of ethical and sustainable management practices

Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.

Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market.

Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

  • Employer events
  • LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
  • Workshops on application writing and interview skills
  • Work experience and volunteering opportunities
  • Personalised career advice

This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.

Apply for this course

Applications are not yet open for this course.

Please check back here closer to the time for application links.

When applications do open, you will need to apply to us directly through a link on this page. To complete the online application form you will need to create login details.

Please contact 2 referees before submitting your application. An automated request for a reference will be emailed to them as soon as you submit. Your application will not be reviewed until both references are in place.

Fees and key information

Apply now

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