MRes Business and Management
A specialised, research-based Masters course that will provide you with the skills to carry out high-quality research into business, management, organisations and other related areas.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MRes, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2024
- Duration MRes full-time: 12 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
Accreditations
Economic and Social Research Council and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science
Overview
Our Master of Research (MRes) in Business and Management is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science for the training of PhD students.
You'll learn how to:
- undertake doctoral research in business and management,
- equip yourself for an academic or research-intensive commercial career in business and management research, and
- undertake, evaluate, commission or manage research in the commercial, public, or voluntary sectors.
The Master of Research course has a strong practical focus and trains you in the advanced skills necessary for business, management, economic and policy research. Our aim is to help you to become a researcher who is:
- reflective and aware of the assumptions, strengths and limitations of your research,
- highly skilled in a multitude of management and organisational research techniques, and
- readily able to apply this knowledge in new and diverse domains.
When you graduate, you will be able to apply specialist knowledge to a wide variety of situations and will be able to:
- understand the assumptions made by different approaches to research, their limitations and their implications for answering research questions using an appropriate research design,
- use qualitative, quantitative and experimental techniques to collect and analyse data to an advanced level,
- apply this knowledge to the design, conduct and reporting of research projects, and
- critically analyse the methodologies used to conduct empirical research projects.
Learn from the experts
You’ll work closely with lecturers and supervisors, who are internationally recognised research experts, with strong track records in publishing findings of global significance. Our teaching team have a proven track record of securing research funding, including from the UK research councils and the European Union. They also regularly advise governmental and policy bodies.
The University of Stirling Management School
At the University of Stirling Management School, the principle of responsible business, policy and practice is central to everything we do. This vision helps us to equip our students effectively with the skills to act as global citizens, capable of addressing the needs of society.
As a member of the Chartered Association for Business Schools, we have strong links with industry and were recently awarded the Small Business Charter for engagement with local and regional enterprise.
Rankings
We're ranked Top 5 in Scotland for Business, Management and Marketing (The Guardian University Guide 2022)
88% overall student satisfaction for Business and Management - Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2022
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
Our Master of Research course is also the generic entry point for the University of Stirling Management School Doctoral Programme. The Stirling Management School is a member institution of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Scottish Doctoral Training Centre. They welcome applications for doctoral studentships in Accounting and Finance, and Business and Management.
The Master of Research in Business and Management is part of our suite of highly prestigious courses approved by the ESRC for use in general research training of ESRC sponsored students undertaking PhD research.
Developing Business Leaders of the Future
Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms, we also focus on your personal and professional development.
Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations and manage conflict. Find out more about Flying Start.
Professional accreditation
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS).
The Master of Research in Business and Management is accredited by the ESRC and the SGSSS for training of PhD students.
Research overview
In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The Master of Research in Business and Management is a one-year course that will prepare you to enter a research career that contributes to society. Your taught component will help you to develop skills necessary for conducting robust and impactful research. You will then have the opportunity to conduct your own research project, in the form of a dissertation, across the summer semester. This will be done under the guidance and support of a Stirling Management School academic supervisor.
In the Autumn semester you will be enrolled in two core modules that will equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills you need to understand what business and management research is, and how it is done. For the third module, you can choose to focus your knowledge in a specific subject area. In the Spring semester you will be enrolled in one core module that helps you develop a review of the literature in your chosen subject area and you will choose two modules from a set of options that develop advanced knowledge in methods and in a subject-specific area. Around these core modules, you will have the opportunity to select a suite of other learning that best supports your previous background and forward interests.
In the summer months you will work closely with your supervisor to complete a research project, drawing on this research to complete a 15,000 word dissertation.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2023). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars and practical classes. There are also opportunities for independent learning and exploration.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by coursework, including written assignments and presentations, as well as the dissertation. Some modules also have an examination element.
Course director
Key staff
Published experts from Stirling Management School will give guest lectures in the Masters course's core modules and students enrolled in this course can participate in school research activities,
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £7,600 | £8,000 |
| International (including EU) students | £17,775 | £18,700 |
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding
The Master of Research in Business and Management is part of the application for the Doctoral Training Centre for Scotland by a consortium of Scottish universities and replaces the prior recognition by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) under its 1+3 and +3 awards scheme. Under the Doctoral Training Scheme, UK students can apply to the ESRC for funded studentships that will cover fees and maintenance for the four-year course (including the Master of Research), leading to the award of a PhD.
Further details of ESRC funding for postgraduates are available on the ESRC website.
Stirling Management School postgraduate scholarships
Stirling Management School is committed to investing in academically talented students, helping them to further their education with one of our Masters courses. There are various categories of funding available to support the cost of your studies.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career.
Our Master of Research in Business and Management is ideally suited to you if you want to pursue a career in a research intensive role or undertake a PhD.
This course can also help to kick-start your academic or commercial career in business, management and related research. Additionally, the course is invaluable for those working in public policy areas who need to conduct, analyse and commission research. Employers of research specialists include:
- universities
- research institutes
- policy-making organisations
- governments
- large corporations and market
- research consultancies
The University of Stirling Management School has a dedicated Employability Manager and from the very beginning of the course your career is our focus.
HigherEd Global Talent Portal
As a Management School student, you have access to the HigherEd Global Talent Portal where you’ll find internship, trainee positions, apprenticeships and graduate positions from companies around the world. It helps international students looking for placements back at home and local students who want to explore an international experience.
This global talent portal comes as an addition to all other existing initiatives and resources you have access to at Stirling through the Careers Service and the Target Connect vacancy and events system.
Employability skills
At the University of Stirling Management School, we are committed to ensuring that every single one of our students realises their potential. Take a look at our video to hear more from our staff and how they can help you to enhance your employability.
What our students said
Colombia
MRes Business and Management
Read Carolina's storyProfessors who teach this course have a vast expertise, and the University offers classes in different research software. Thus, I learned qualitative and quantitative research methods, applying technology in order to improve the quality of the research.
Bangladesh
MRes Business and Management
Read Muhammad's storyI now feel better equipped to pursue my doctoral level research work, which I was not very confident about before doing my Master of Research in Stirling.