MRes Business and Management

The Dissertation is an independent study module in which students will negotiate, plan, manage and execute a programme of research and analysis. In addition, students will develop skills in critical thinking and report writing. Students will complete a research dissertation within their chosen field of study and present part of their research at a student conference.

This module aims to provide you with an educational forum in which you can examine your own experience of work and take the necessary action based on reflection. The aims of the module will be met when you examine and reflect on your own experience, derive the appropriate theory and then develop action related to both the demands of work and the programme of study. These will be met more fully when you understand the concept of critical reflective practice in relation to action learning and experiential/action learning. The module requires you to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint, explore the implications for professional practice, and ultimately provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development. This module supports the concept of Continuous Professional Development, and you will be expected to keep a CPD reflective learning journal. The purpose of this will be to provide further evidence of self-managed personal improvement and development specifically resulting, from reflection and learning from your work and professional experience.

Making sound corporate financial decisions in an international environment requires a deep understanding of global financial systems, instruments, and strategies. This module equips students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to evaluate international financial markets and apply financial tools to manage risk and create value in multinational contexts. Students will examine the structure and operation of international financial markets, the behaviour of exchange rates, and the conditions that influence global capital flows. The module explores how multinational corporations finance international expansion, appraise cross-border investments, and manage financial risks through hedging strategies using forward contracts, futures, swaps, and options. Emphasis is placed on understanding how corporate decisions and external market events affect the volatility of security prices and the efficiency of financial markets. Students will critically evaluate and apply international financial instruments and strategies to address real-world financial challenges faced by global businesses. By the end of the module, students will have developed the ability to analyse complex international financial scenarios, assess strategic financing decisions, and apply theoretical knowledge to practice, building the expertise required for advanced study or professional roles in international finance and corporate financial management.

This module focuses on the leadership of change in both a local and global context. It will specifically examine the factors that impact an organisations decision to change, and will cover the key skills, knowledge and behaviour to lead change successfully together with how best to lead organisational development (OD) practices to support change. This will involve the use of leadership and change models, understanding and applying different approaches to leadership and cover what leaders need to know, to be, to do whilst integrating and aligning with supportive organisational development practices during change.

This foundational module equips you with the strategic thinking and communication capabilities that employers expect from marketing professionals. You'll learn to develop comprehensive digital marketing strategies and communicate them effectively using professional frameworks like SOSTAC, Porter's Five Forces, and Ansoff Matrix, the same tools used by marketing managers and consultants worldwide. You'll explore how to communicate digital marketing messages across different countries and cultures, understanding the complexities of international markets and cross-cultural consumer behaviour. This global perspective is increasingly essential as businesses operate across borders and engage diverse audiences through multiple digital channels. Throughout the module, you'll analyse real business cases, craft compelling marketing communications, and present your strategies confidently, building the professional communication skills crucial for marketing roles. You'll learn to evaluate digital marketing opportunities, develop content strategies for different platforms and audiences, and create evidence-based plans that balance creativity with analytical rigour. By the end of this module, you'll think strategically about communication rather than just creating content. You'll understand not just what to say, but why and how to say it effectively, enabling you to make strategic communication decisions, justify recommendations to senior stakeholders, and adapt your messaging to different business contexts and audiences. These capabilities prepare you for positions in digital marketing, content strategy, brand communications, and marketing management where strategic communication planning and international awareness are core requirements. Key to Your Success: Effective marketing professionals don't just create content, they strategically plan what to communicate, to whom, when, and through which channels. This module develops that strategic communication mindset.

Strategic Operations Management focuses on how organisations design, manage, and improve their processes to deliver products and services effectively. In this module, you will explore how operations contribute to an organisation’s overall strategy and success. You will improve your knowledge of how decisions about resources, technology, quality, and people shape performance and competitiveness. Through case studies, discussions, and practical tasks, you will examine real-world examples of how operations are managed in different industries. You will develop an understanding of key concepts such as process design, supply chain management, capacity planning, quality improvement, and sustainability. The module encourages you to apply these concepts to your own experiences, helping you connect theory with practice. By the end, you should be able to evaluate operational strategies, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations that enhance efficiency and customer value.