Management N2P109 September 2025

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Course details

Our MSc in Management is designed to equip you with the latest tools, techniques and knowledge, as well as the skills and confidence that are essential to becoming a successful manager in the changing and often complex world of business.

The course is taught over one year full-time and consists of core and optional modules which are delivered in a supportive learning environment by subject specialists who will challenge you to achieve your best.

Core modules include topics such as business strategy, business analytics, organisational behaviour, supply chain management, and marketing. You also choose a number of further modules from a wide range of options so whether your interests lie in ethical leadership or heritage management, employee relations or decision making you will find something to meet your needs. Finally, you can choose between a research-based dissertation or a practical business project on a subject of particular interest to you.

We are in an elite group of UK institutions accredited by all three major business accreditation bodies, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System, which reflects our reputation for the high academic quality of teaching in the Business School.

As well as learning in the formal teaching framework, you will also be able to take part in business related events such as the Durham Speaker Series, providing the opportunity to network with senior business leaders, staff and alumni and the Blueprint competition which will encourage you to create ideas for new businesses and to pitch for investment.

World class Business Education

8th (UK) 35th (Europe) 50th (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Management 2025

Course structure

Core modules:

Strategy aims to explain business success or lack of success by looking at a firm’s resources and capabilities in relation to the commercial opportunities that arise. This module considers both the relationship between a firm’s strategy and the external environment and with its own internal set-up.

Business Analytics will develop critical insights into the decision-making processes essential for contemporary business and management. This module is designed to develop your capabilities in data analytics, covering descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive methods, and provides hands-on experience with real-world business challenges.

Organisational Behaviour focuses on key issues concerning the behaviour of individuals in organisations and will include subjects such as personal and mental ability, management of attitudes and work motivation, leading others and corporate social responsibility.

Operations and Supply Chain Management explains the complexities of managing operations and supply chains with an emphasis on critically evaluating the principal processes which add value, primarily in manufacturing but also in service sectors.

Strategic Marketing Management offers a full introduction to strategic management, marketing planning and professional marketing practice and will give you the skills needed to develop a professional strategic marketing plan.

Research Methods and Dissertation (General Management or International or Business Project route) provides the necessary training to undertake advanced-level research. You will investigate a relevant topic, and, using material from core and optional modules, complete a dissertation or business project. Dissertation can be undertaken here at Durham or abroad at a partner university.

You have the option to choose between a traditional dissertation format or a business project. The business project involves working with an external organization to carry out a business issue-led investigation, addressing specific management challenges across a range of organizations. This practical approach allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, gaining invaluable experience and insights.

This module will introduce you to a variety of research methods in the social sciences, including both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn to review research studies, understand their theoretical principles, and evaluate their methods and findings, equipping you with the skills necessary for conducting rigorous academic or applied research.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
Change Management
Competitive Strategies and Organisational Fitness
Consulting
Decision Making and Business Option Modelling
Designing and Marketing Services
Digital Marketing
East Asian Business and Management
Employee Relations
Employee Reward Strategy
Financial Management
Global Business
Global Sport Business
Global Supply Chain Leadership
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Human Resource Development
International Study Tour
New Venture Creation
Project Management
Retail Marketing Management
The Science of Leadership
Thinking Entrepreneurially
Work and Society
A language module such as those offered by the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study

Careers and employability

The academic rigour of the course coupled with the highest standards of teaching and our triple business school accreditation means that, on completion, graduates are well-placed to launch successful and rewarding careers in the exciting and sometimes challenging business world. As a result, many of our graduates are employed by prestigious employers across the globe including international banks, publishers, media agencies, financial organisations and in government.

The strong international element to the course has contributed hugely to our alumni network, numbering around 36,000 across 140 countries, and you will be able to take advantage of networking opportunities as you look to take your next step in your professional business career.

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Entry requirements

Application Deadline:

October 2025 start

Please note: The application process will open 1st October for entry the following academic year.

There is a high demand for places on these programmes. To maximise your chances of being offered one of these places, we recommend that you submit your application to the University as early as possible.

We aim to have a diverse student body and recognise that we can only offer places to a finite number of applicants. To help achieve our aim, we look to ensure we offer places to applicants from all nationalities and close applications when we receive the allocated numbers.

The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.

Masters in Management programmes are intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in business or management is necessary. For example, in the past we have had graduates from a diverse range of degrees such as Music, Anthropology, Medicine and Geography. Business and Management undergraduate students may find some content overlaps with their first degree.

This programme is intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in management is necessary. Please note, however, management undergraduate students or students who have completed a professional management qualification may find some content on this programme overlaps with their prior learning.

What do I need first?

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an online application form.

Please note you can only apply for one Masters Management programme.

>>Fill out the online application form

To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.

Official transcript of marks
Copy of degree certificate (if available)
Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

Note:Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.

Application fee

Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.

You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.

Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.

*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Economics programme.

College membership

All students of Durham University will become a member of one of our Colleges. Here is more information about what college membership means to our students. Once you have accepted your postgraduate offer, the Accommodation and Allocations Office will contact you with further information regarding how to express college preferences. You can also apply for college accommodation if you wish to.

Admissions process

Here are the steps in the admissions process:

We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme.

Please note: You must let us know your own personal email address when applying. Please do not use a university-linked email which may stop working once you complete your bachelor degree.

English language requirements