Why study this course?
- Improve your career prospects by gaining knowledge and skills about managing people, processes and organisations alongside like-minded students from a wide range of non-business or management-related disciplines
- Gain a strong foundation in contemporary management methods and core business principles
- Study strategic management, corporate finance and accounting, marketing, and human resource management to gain a fundamental understanding of the key aspects of managing organisations
- Benefit from a range of learning experiences, including many practical elements to apply key theoretical concepts to the analysis of real organisations and the opportunity to work on consultancy projects with local organisations
- Collaborate with a welcoming, close-knit, international and diverse Business School community and establish lifelong alumni networks
Teaching
Delivered through lectures, tutorials, workshops, and seminars.
Class sizes
Groups range from 15 to 60 students.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with weekly support.
Assessment
A mix of coursework and exams.
Modules
The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.
You will choose two optional modules, taking one in each semester.
If you choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) instead, finishing the course at the end of the second semester of study.
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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- Managing and Organising for Grand Challenges: Invites students to develop a deep appreciation of grand challenges facing economies and societies, and the ways in which managing and organising are implicated in the challenges and potential responses by organisations.
- Corporate Finance and Accounting: Introduces students to the basic principles and practices of accounting and corporate finance.
- Strategic Management: develops students' knowledge and understanding of the strategy process and develops an appreciation of organisational responses to the rapidly changing global economy.
- Managing Human Resources: reviews the key theoretical and practical aspects involved in managing human resources.
- Reimagining Management and Organisation Studies: Aims to introduce students to the latest innovative theoretical contributions to management and organisation studies by following the trajectory of foundational social theories and their development over time.
- Marketing: Principles and Practice: offers a critical review of current theory and practice and looks at how marketing is evolving in light of changes to the business context, particularly from a managerial perspective.
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- Scenario Thinking and Strategy
- Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
- International Marketing
- Business Ethics
- Leadership in Organisations
- Strategic Innovation Management
- Marketing and Society
- Managing Non-Governmental Organisations
- Financial Technology (FinTech)
- Sustainable Finance
- Financial Systems
- Behavioural Finance
- Risk Management
- Corporate Governance
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Students attend lectures throughout Semesters 1 and 2 to prepare them for conducting the research portion of the dissertation. The dissertation is normally on a specific area of management, however, at the University of St Andrews Business School, you will have the freedom to develop a topic of your own, which is of interest to you and will contribute towards career development or further study goals.
Students are assigned a supervisor based on a research proposal submitted in the second semester. They will then research and write a 15,000-word dissertation over the summer to be submitted on a date specified in August.
What it will lead to
Careers
You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a success of your career in a wide range of sectors. With management and leadership currently considered shortage skills in the UK economy, graduates in this field are in high demand.
Our graduates work in a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, in roles ranging from marketing and brand management, business development and analysis to consulting, sales, finance and investment, policy advice, supply chain management, and much more.
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage of your career you are at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development. The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.
Elevate your career
Graduates from the Masters in Management programme have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors including:
- Credit Suisse Group
- IBM
- KPMG
Further your education
Management graduates can pursue PhDs at St Andrews or beyond. Funding includes ESRC awards and Business School studentships, offering RCUK-level stipends and fee waivers for home and EU students.
Accreditations
This programme is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice and Foundation Chartered Manager status. The CMI promotes excellence in management and leadership. With a Royal Charter they are the only UK organisation able to award Chartered Management status to their members - the gold standard in management. The CMI aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals across its 140,000+ members.
Gaining Foundation Chartered Manager status recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you to stand out from the competition and start your management career journey, with a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager (CMgr) membership. Embracing this dual qualification demonstrates your dedication to excellence, ensuring you are well-placed to excel in the dynamic and competitive landscape of modern business.
Why St Andrews?
Industry connections
The Masters Extra (MX) is a programme of events focused on careers and personal and professional development, designed specifically for taught Masters students in the University of St Andrews Business School. The series of talks, workshops, networking opportunities and activities includes guest lectures from entrepreneurs, experienced managers, and leading researchers.
Alumni
As a graduate of St Andrews, you become part of a prestigious and globally connected alumni community. This lifelong membership offers access to career services, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources. Engaging with the University's worldwide alumni network ensures you remain connected to St Andrews, no matter where your career takes you.
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in a subject other than business or management from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. Students with a background in business or management are advised to consider the International Business (MSc) or the Marketing (MSc)
- If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV
- personal statement explaining why you have chosen the programme, why this subject is important to you and why you have applied to study at the University of St Andrews in particular (500 words)
- one original signed academic reference
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
A sample of academic writing is not required for this programme.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
- UK: £15,590
- Rest of the world: £31,450
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Contact us
- Postgraduate online information events
- The School can help with course content, teaching and other topics: ask the School
- Ask University Admissions about how to apply, fees, scholarships and other topics
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 30 September 2025