Management (MSc)

You’ll need a 2.1 degree at undergraduate level but this programme isn't recommended for anyone with an existing Business or Management degree.

We do not accept pure vocational subjects that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. 
These include degrees in art and design, graphic design, animation, photography, radio and TV directing, theatre, film and TV.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This course runs for a full 12 months. The first 9 months focus on taught modules across 2 semesters. The final 3 months are dedicated to your dissertation.

Semester 1 overview

In your first semester you'll study the foundations of management through modules covering strategy, marketing, accounting and people management.

You'll have 4 compulsory modules.

Semester 2 overview

Your second semester will include 2 compulsory modules and 2 optional modules. This is when you'll develop more specialist management knowledge and research skills in preparation for your final project.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

On this Management course you'll learn through a combination of:

• lectures 
• seminars 
• practical exercises 
• guest speakers 
• group work 
• case studies 
• problem-solving tasks
• independent study

Assessment

The types of assessments you'll take will vary depending on your modules but you can expect a combination of:

• written exams
• individual case studies, reports and essays
• group presentations, exercises and reports
• a dissertation project

Some of these assessments may be practical, with the option to work with real organisations.

Dissertation

During your last 3 months of study, you'll investigate a topic of your choice and complete a 15,000-word dissertation describing your work. 

Your dissertation should be related to a particular organisation context or a generic management issue and may take the form of:

• a critical literature review
• theoretical development of a technique or issue
• empirical work and qualitative analysis of data
• a survey of a business practice in context
• a case study of a firm or industry of your choice
• a study of a problem you have identified in an organisation or industry

You'll be supported by a supervisor throughout the project.

Academic Support

You’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor as well as a dissertation supervisor.

MSc Management prepares you for a career across a wide range of sectors, in roles including:

• human resource and industrial relations officer
• business and financial project management professional
• management consultant
• business analyst
• business sales executive

Wherever you want to go, we'll give you the tools and knowledge to succeed in a fast-paced and evolving business world.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £15,800.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000