Masters by Research in Business and Management

Entry requirements

Please see the university website course page for information on entry requirements for this course.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The Master’s by Research (MRes) is a flexible research training course designed to provide graduates with a foundation for a career in research, business, third-sector, government or academia. It is designed as a research-led programme that uniquely bridges the gap between taught Master’s qualifications and doctoral study (such as PhD or DBA).

You will benefit from high quality training in the methods and practice of research, focusing on methodological rigour, the development of independent research capabilities, and applied research experience, as well as gaining relevant transferable skills to take into your career in business and management.

The course offers plenty of opportunities to craft your learning to your needs, along with the chance to specialise in a particular business sub-discipline, with a broad interpretation of Business and Management research (based on the guidance of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework).

Fields of research include, but are not limited to: accounting; banking; business analytics; business and industrial economics; business ethics; business history; consumer behaviour; corporate governance; corporate social responsibility; critical management studies; employment relations; entrepreneurship; finance; human resource management; information systems management; innovation management; international business; leadership; management education; management science; marketing; operations management; organisational psychology; organisational studies; project management; public policy; public sector management; risk management; service management; small firms; strategic management; supply chain management; sustainability; technology management; third sector management; and any other field or sub-field aligned to business and management.

You will explore a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques which can be used to provide insight your chosen subject area and benefit from being able to work within, and study alongside, a multidisciplinary team of experienced researchers and business practitioners.

The course is suitable for learners from diverse backgrounds, but some prior understanding of business and management is required, either through a first degree in a business field, or relevant business and management experience. In collaboration with your supervisor, you will design and undertake a non-credit bearing programme of supporting studies to meet your specific needs.

As an MRes student at BCU, you will be part of a vibrant hub for advanced research training and join a growing community of emerging researchers like you, who are equipped to tackle complex issues in business and management. With a focus on research excellence, innovation, and global perspectives, the MRes will not only prepare you to conduct high-quality research but also empower you to apply your research findings to real-world business challenges in your future career.

What's covered in this course?

Through the course you will develop a keen understanding of advanced research methods. This will take you on the journey from an initial research idea and proposal, to embedding research philosophy and contemporary methodologies and analysis within your work. This is geared towards producing a piece of research that could be pursued further at doctoral level, for a publication, or to display the relevant skills to be competent within industry, or the public sector. There is also a focus on providing you with the skills to identify potential sources of funding, how to conduct enterprise activity, as well as project management and leadership.

This provides flexibility for you to maximise the specialisms of your work, your career opportunities, and how to operate as a reflective and evidence-based researcher following graduation.

Given that careers in research are growing, including in industry, this MRes will also prepare you to be able to disseminate complex research to a wide variety of audiences. You will gain an understanding of how this can be delivered through technology enhanced learning in order to bridge the gap between researchers and society when trying to ensure evidence-based research-informed practice occurs. This will prepare you to maximise the impact of research dissemination, while also fostering contemporary approaches to scholarship.

To help build these skills there are opportunities to work with industry through our wide range of industrial, educational, and third-sector partners, something which will enhance your future employability and potential for progression.

The course will primarily be housed at our campus in Birmingham City Centre, which contains state-of-the-art facilities to support your research.