Top Up MSc Management

Course Content

The MSc Management from University of South Wales provides Management practitioners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to perform more effectively at all levels within an organisation. The MSc is a rigorous ten-module course which will normally take part-time students 3 years to complete: however, it is available, via Management Development Centre Limited, to experienced Management professionals who are members of one of the industry-recognised professional institutes, as a part-time, one year course. In offering this, the University recognises the levels of knowledge attained in the profession and the value of practical experience in management. Candidates can gain a major academic qualification whilst still in their jobs, as teaching takes place over two residential weekends.

Candidates will attend two taught residential weekends, held at Moor Hall in Maidenhead. Unlike the professional qualifications, there are no examinations: each weekend module is assessed by means of assignments in the region of 6,000 words: following these, students are required to develop a formal Research Proposal. The final stage of the MSc programme involves a detailed research project: taking between 6 months and a year to complete, this is then written up as a dissertation of 18,000 words.

 

Course Content

Module 1 - Leadership & Management Theories

This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of a range of leadership and management theories and their contemporary application in a range of organisational settings. It also aims to provide a theoretical framework to support the development of critically reflective leadership and management practice. It prepares individuals for and/or development of a career in business and management. This may be achieved by creating opportunities to understand and critically evaluate the role leadership and management has in contributing to the achievement or organisational objectives.

Synopsis of module content:

• The development of management theory (Clasical, HR, Contingency, Systems etc.)
• Management versus Leadership?
• Leadership Styles
• Leadership Theory (eg transactional v transformational, servant leadership)
• Leading and managing people (eg motivational theories, employee engagement, emotional intelligence)

Following the first weekend students will complete a 6,000 word assignment which will consist of a critical evaluation of leadership and/or management theory in a contemporary setting, and relevant to the student’s discipline.

 

Module 2 - Research Methods

This module aims to develop the student’s understanding and skills of research in a management and/or professional development context, and will critically review a range of research methodologies and methods of providing management information for decision making.

Synopsis of module content:

This module will cover both the qualitative and quantitative approaches to carrying out research in addition to difference science philosophies.  The topics covered will include:

• Understanding research philosophies 
• Reviewing literature: conducting a literature review, identifying relevant theories, models and perspectives, developing information literacy to evaluate the usefulness of knowledge gained from the extant literature
• Data collection methods
• Research quality: reliability, validity, generalisability
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Practical issues: access to data, time management, ethics in business research
• Data analysis: principles, reporting and presenting results, use of software and social media

Assessment will be by means of an individual portfolio (6,000 words) where students will have selected an appropriate research aim, formulated a relevant specific research question, identified, clearly described and justified the methods they will use to answer the research question and then conduct a small scale research project.  The portfolio will also contain a reflective log, reflecting on the individual’s experience of the research process (1000 words).

 

The Dissertation

The final stage of the MSc is the dissertation, usually based around a problem or issue within the student’s own organisation, which is to be submitted within twelve months of the date of the second module. During this phase, students will work with a supervisor towards the final product; this will consist of a dissertation of 18,000 words, which should demonstrate originality, understanding and the use of appropriate methodology. Although many dissertations involve exploratory research in fairly abstract areas, more applied research sets out clear recommendations for action, adoption or otherwise.