Management (Entrepreneurship)

Entry requirements

Application deadlines

Please note: The application process will open 1st October for entry the following academic year.

There is a high demand for places on these programmes. To maximise your chances of being offered one of these places, we recommend that you submit your application to the University as early as possible.

We aim to have a diverse student body and recognise that we can only offer places to a finite number of applicants. To help achieve our aim, we look to ensure we offer places to applicants from all nationalities and close applications when we receive the allocated numbers.

The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.

Masters in Management programmes are intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in business or management is necessary. For example, in the past, we have had graduates from a diverse range of degrees such as Music, Anthropology, Medicine and Geography. Business and Management undergraduate students may find some content overlaps with their first degree.

This programme is intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in management is necessary. Please note, however, management undergraduate students or students who have completed a professional management qualification may find some content on this programme overlaps with their prior learning.

What do I need first

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

How do I apply

You will need to complete an online application form.

Please note you can only apply for one Masters Management programme.

>>Fill out the online application form

To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.

• Official transcript of marks
• Copy of degree certificate (if available)
• Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

Note:
Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.
The maximum file size is 5MB.

Application fee

Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.

You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.

Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.

*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Economics programme.

College membership

If you’re applying for a full-time programme you’ll need to become a member of one of our Colleges as well as being accepted by a department. Here’s more information about how the college system works. Once you accept your programme offer, the College Postgraduate Office will get in touch with you to arrange accommodation. Please note that demand for college accommodation usually exceeds availability, so please try to arrange it as soon as possible.

Admissions process

Here are the steps in the admissions process:

1. We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
2. Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
3. If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
4. If you have requested university accommodation on your application form, the college will contact you direct. They will send you an accommodation application form, which you should complete and return direct to the college.
5. You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
6. International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme.

Please note: You must let us know your own personal email address when applying. Please do not use a university-linked email which may stop working once you complete your Bachelor degree.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Whether you’re looking to launch a business, build partnerships, develop new ideas or invest in new ventures, this innovative MSc explores ways to harness your flair for business and take it to the next level.

This one-year full-time course comprises core modules on strategy, organisational behaviour, introduction to entrepreneurship, new venture creation, and thinking entrepreneurially. You can tailor the course to your own interests through a choice of optional modules and complete a dissertation or a business project.

There is a strong practical element to the course and you will hear from guest speakers such as consultants, social marketers and analysts who have a wide experience of the topics covered in the modules you will study.

You will also be able to test your own entrepreneurial skills in the Blueprint Startup Challenge.

Opportunities for international learning are embedded into the course as they encourage you to think globally when it comes to applying your entrepreneurial skills. They comprise an international study tour, a summer school and the option to complete your dissertation abroad.

The Business School is one of an elite group of UK institutions that has been accredited by all three major business accreditation bodies, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System. It offers a vibrant, supportive and stimulating learning experience, delivered by academic staff who are experts in their field.

World class Business Education

• 8th (UK) 38th (Europe) =51st (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Management 2024

Course structure

Core modules:

Strategy seeks to explain the success of a business or the lack of it by studying its corporate plan of action in relation to both the external commercial environment and also the balance internally between the plan and its resources and capabilities.

Organisational Behaviour covers key issues relating to the behaviour of individuals in an organisation and examines topics such as personal and mental ability, the management of attitudes and work motivation, decision-making, corporate and social responsibility, and addressing justice and equality within organisations.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship provides an overview of the field of entrepreneurship, including the role it plays in modern economies and societies. You will understand the different tools and approaches to the concept of entrepreneurship as applied in various contexts.

Thinking Entrepreneurially will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset adaptable to both startups and established organisations. This module enhances your ability to confidently navigate the ever-changing business landscape, with entrepreneurship as the foundation. Throughout the course, a strong emphasis is placed on adapting, persisting, and learning from entrepreneurial challenges.

New Venture Creation provides you with an overall understanding of the process of creating a new business venture as well as giving you an insight into what is required to make it happen and how to meet the challenges of such ventures. You will also learn how best to manage customer and supplier relationships, finances, and operational issues in an ethical and responsible manner.

Research Methods and Dissertation (General Management or International or Business Project route) provides the necessary training to undertake advanced-level research. You will investigate a relevant topic, and, using material from core and optional modules, complete a dissertation or business project. Dissertation can be undertaken here at Durham or abroad at a partner university.

You have the option to choose between a traditional dissertation format or a business project. The business project involves working with an external organization to carry out a business issue-led investigation, addressing specific management challenges across a range of organizations. This practical approach allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, gaining invaluable experience and insights.

This module will introduce you to a variety of research methods in the social sciences, including both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn to review research studies, understand their theoretical principles, and evaluate their methods and findings, equipping you with the skills necessary for conducting rigorous academic or applied research.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

• Strategic Marketing Management
• Business Analytics

And two from the following (modules marked * may be taken only if you chose Strategic Marketing Management from the previous options):

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
• Consulting
• Competitive Strategies and Organisational Fitness
• Designing and Marketing Services
• Decision-Making and Business Option Modelling
• Digital Marketing
• Designing and Marketing Services
• East Asian Business and Management
• Employee Reward Strategy
• Financial Management
• Financial Planning and Control
• Global Business
• Global Sport Business
• International Study Tour
• Project Management
• A language module such as those offered by the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.