Aston Business School

MSc Business and Management

Programme overview

The MSc in Business and Management is appropriate for graduates whose undergraduate degree is from a non-business subject area. This programme provides a comprehensive focus on key areas of business education and will, therefore, complement the first degree for students of engineering, the sciences and humanities.

Outline of programme

Core modules taught on this MSc will enable you to develop a wide range of business and transferable skills and knowledge demanded by graduate employers. These include interpreting financial statements, developing marketing and pricing strategies, and understanding strategy and innovation processes. The wide range of elective modules available on this programme enables students to develop skills across a range of business functions including Marketing, HR, Finance and Operations. Complete outlines for all compulsory and elective modules are available online.... [-]

MSc Entrepreneurship

Programme overview

Entrepreneurial and innovation-driven firms from mature and emerging economies are increasingly taking advantage of global markets and seeking to improve their international strategies and operations. Therefore, development of entrepreneurial skills, combined with an understanding of the international business environment, are increasingly important for those entering a career in business.

Outline of programme

The programme aims to develop students’ understanding of the global business environment and the factors that should inform both entrepreneurial business decisions and business organisation conducive to experimentation and change. It also develops the analytical and strategic skills needed to set up and manage new enterprises in the national and international contexts and the knowledge required for innovation-based business strategies.... [-]

MSc Finance and Investments

Programme overview

This high-quality teaching programme blends finance theory with practical applications and research tools. The knowledge and the skills developed enable students to complete a research-led dissertation on a specialist topic in the field of finance. In the summer term, students have the option of attending preparation and revision classes for the CFA Level One programme. The programme is recognised as having equivalence to the CISI Diploma and Aston Business School supports students in gaining full membership of the CISI as part of their studies. The facilities and equipment used in the programme are of the highest standard, giving you access to the most innovative tools available. These include a dedicated Reuters trading room facility, asset market trading simulations and a range of databases.... [-]

MSc Human Resource Management and Business

Programme overview

The programme aims to develop your understanding of the theory and practice of people management in work organisations, addressing the skills required for effective analysis and policy formation. The course is distinctive in grounding the study of HRM within the broader study of management, with an emphasis on change management and strategy. Module outlines are available online.

Outline of programme

Our excellently rated MSc programme is fully accredited by the largest internationally recognised HR professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), providing you with the ideal qualification for developing your career in HR.... [-]

MSc Accounting and Finance

Programme overview

This programme provides students with a solid understanding of accounting and finance principles. It has been designed for graduates from any academic discipline who wish to become senior business managers or seek a career in accounting and finance.

Outline of programme

The taught modules will give you a clear understanding of the joint role of accounting and finance in ensuring successful operations in a range of business settings, including financial, non-financial and public sector organisations and in providing information to interested parties.

Modules

Core Modules

MSc Information Systems and Business Analysis

Programme overview

This programme is designed to give you an expert understanding of how information systems support the business and its operations. Through its specialist career pathway, the programme gives you in-depth knowledge and experience to prepare you for a range of careers in IS consultancy, business analysis and management.

Outline of programme

The programme equips students with the technical, organisational and people skills needed to develop business systems and manage Information Systems projects in practice. A core workshop module allows students the opportunity to act as consultants, creating a fully working information system within a realistic but supportive environment. Complete outlines for all modules are available online.... [-]

MSc International Business

Programme overview

This MSc International Business focuses on the links between major business functions and their role in international business and commerce. Students will develop knowledge of the special requirements for successfully conducting business activities across national boundaries, alongside an understanding of relevant theories and their application in business. You will have an opportunity to visit one of our European partner institutions. The study visit programme typically includes lectures by staff from the partner institution and company visits.

Outline of programme

The programme covers core areas of international business, strategic management and business economics. The wide range of elective modules offered in addition enables students to develop skills in a specific business function linked to international business (finance, marketing, or operations management) or pursue other related areas such as entrepreneurial strategies and business sustainability. Complete outlines for all modules are available online.... [-]

MSc Investment Analysis

Programme overview

This programme will provide students with knowledge, understanding and the skills appropriate for careers in the financial sector, particularly in banking or investment management. The programme has a strong focus on practical application of finance within a trading or corporate setting. In the summer term, students have the option of attending preparation and revision classes for the CFA Level One programme. The programme culminates in a financial analyst evaluation of a UK listed company for your 60 credit final project.

Outline of programme

You will study equity, debt and derivative markets in domestic and international sectors. You will discover how to undertake security valuation and portfolio management as well as learning about the key techniques used by financial traders. The knowledge and skills from the taught modules will be blended together for the final investment analysis project. Students are encouraged to complete the Reuters Certification – a recognised professional qualification.... [-]

MSc Work Psychology and Business

Programme overview

Work Psychology is a topic at the core of our understanding of healthy and effective organisations and employees. The programme is designed for graduates with a good first degree in psychology who strive for a career as work or occupational psychologists or want to gain some wider business awareness. It gives psychologists a unique opportunity to study business alongside specialist work psychology modules and will enable students to operate within a global workplace.

Outline of programme

This programme emphasises the study of practical, real-world organisational and business issues, combined with the academic and scientific rigour of occupational psychology as an applied science. The Business School context provides an excellent perspective on the application of occupational psychology in organisations and gives the programme an applied and relevant focus. Complete outlines for all modules are available online.... [-]

MSc Organisational Behaviour

Programme overview

Organisational Behaviour involves the study of individuals and groups within organisational and social contexts and the study of internal processes and practices as they affect those individuals and groups. Our MSc programme is relevant to students looking to develop careers either as general managers or organisational consultants and provides an excellent grounding for an academic or research-based career. In addition, we offer the opportunity to complete Level A and B Psychometric Testing Training as defined by the British Psychological Society.

Outline of programme

This programme is designed for graduates from diverse backgrounds providing both a theoretical and practical grounding in Organisational Behaviour. It will develop knowledge, understanding and skills relating to human behaviour in the workplace, the well-being of employees, HRM and organisation effectiveness. Core modules address topics in organisational behaviour and work psychology, and students select two additional modules from those available within the Aston Business School MSc.... [-]

MSc Strategic Marketing Management

Programme overview

This MSc Strategic Marketing Management is designed to meet the needs of graduates who have not previously specialised in marketing but now wish to do so. The programme features specialist marketing modules, an understanding and appreciation of other business functions within organisations are also developed. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), enabling direct entry onto the CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing.

Outline of programme

Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of marketing processes and procedures, including marketing research, marketing planning and strategy, marketing communications and brand portfolio building. In addition, modules taught will enable students to develop a wide range of technical and transferable skills demanded by graduate employers.... [-]

MSc Strategy and International Business

Programme overview

With the increasing globalisation of business and the revolution in information and communications technologies, no company can afford to ignore the international dimension of strategy. Most, if not all, companies require internationalisation strategies, be they simple export or franchising arrangements, or complex and risky international joint ventures and/or foreign direct investment. These activities require knowledge and skills in understanding the international business environment. The MSc Strategy and International Business provide a rigorous and comprehensive coverage of strategy and international business issues in both developed and developing countries.... [-]

MSc Supply Chain Management

Programme overview

On successful completion of this programme, you are expected to have knowledge and understanding of:

-Theoretical and applied perspectives of Supply Chain Management and Logistics -Specific areas of Supply Chain Management through the study of specialist modules. These areas include: relationships, partnering, ERP, simulation, purchasing, contracts, planning and optimisation... [-]