Management (Public Services) MSc (PGCert PGDip)

  • Overview

    This exciting masters course will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary for improving organisational performance in a variety of public and non-profit organisations. It ideal for recent graduates, existing managers seeking new challenges, or new and aspiring managers.

    In most countries public services are the largest employers, often employing more than 20 percent of the workforce. However, managers of public services face serious challenges. The management consulting firm McKinsey reported that people everywhere "want higher standards and better customer service, but they do not want to pay higher taxes. Governments therefore face a productivity imperative."

    Practical experience is central to the course. You will have opportunities to:
    - visit companies and meet senior managers
    - use specialised diagnostic and management development tools
    - develop consultancy skills during consultancy skills workshops
    - gain work experience (and a salary) through an employment-based project.

    In addition to knowledge of the major management functions, such as international marketing, accounting, organisational behaviour and international strategy, you will develop transferable skills including leadership, consultancy and cross-cultural negotiation.

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 1 year

  • Course content

    Course structure

    As the UK has been in the foreground of recent public service developments, the course uses the UK public service environment as the foundation for exploring public service issues generally. The course includes an international field study to explore public services management in another country.

    The final-year public services management report enables you to investigate an area of your interest, which will contribute to your future career development.

    The course includes careers workshops to provide training on improving the presentation of your cv and interview skills, and there are opportunities to meet recruiters and managers. Work experience may be included as a part of the course.

    We use a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, workshops, case studies, guest speakers and team working.

    Syllabus

    Core modules:
    - Induction
    - Public Services Strategy and Change
    - Management Environment
    - International Management and Leadership
    - Managing Organisational Behaviour
    - Accounting for Managers
    - Marketing in an International Context
    - International study visit - Management Integration
    - Managing Information and Systems
    - International Strategy Management
    - Management project

    Options and specialist studies vary, but choices may include:
    - Management Consulting
    - Entrepreneurship
    - Managing Talent, Performance and Reward
    - Cross-cultural Negotiations
    - Managing Professionals
    - Marketing Ethics and Social Responsibility
    - Supply Chain Management
    - New Product Development
    - Employment Law for Managers
    - E-business
    - Global Management
    - Quality Marketing
    - International Business
    - Social Marketing
    - Strategic Purchasing

  • Entry requirements

    Typical entry requirements Help
    individual offers may vary

    For non-native speakers of English:
    In order to benefit from, contribute to and enjoy the course, a good command of spoken and written English language is required. If English is not your first language, you will need English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with 6 in the written test.

    International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out above should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the University of Brighton's Language Institute.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Normally a good honours degree or equivalent is required. Work experience is useful but not essential. Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered. If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements please contact us.

    International students who need help meeting the academic entry requirements should contact our International College.

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

  • Career opportunities

    This masters prepares you for a wide range of careers, including public service management and administration, consultancy and areas of functional management.

    Career opportunities for graduates are very promising. Public services and non-profit organisations employ more than 20 percent of the workforce in many countries, and are growing year on year.

    If you are interested in pursuing a career in research, the research skills training and experience may be used to develop a proposal for a subsequent research degree or for published papers.

    The course will improve your chance of being short-listed for employment and of gaining promotion once in employment.

    Visit the careers centre website.

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

    To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

    Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    Management (Public Services) (MSc) (Full time)  [J1BH570]
    UK/EU (Full Time)10,980 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)10,980 GBP
    International (Full Time)14,220 GBP

  • More details

    Research project

    The research project offers the opportunity for studies that reflect your interests and career goals. Research projects are supervised by highly experienced applied management specialists. Recent topics include:

    • Study of children’s clothing industry in France
    • Pursuit of customer satisfaction through TQM: a case study of Ghana
    • Entry of foreign beer companies into the Chinese market
    • Job satisfaction in Slovenia and the UK
    • Barriers to market entry for small and medium sized businesses
    • Women entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia
    • Leadership and management of international not-for-profit organisations
    • Privatisation and marketisation of a Libyan telecoms company
    • International market entry and expansion: a case study of the construction industry in Brazil.
       

    Work experience-based research project

    As an alternative to the desk-based research project you can apply for a work placement. During your placement you will gain practical experience of working in industry, earn a salary and undertake a work-based project.

    Work experience normally starts at the end of the taught masters between July and September, and lasts between 4 and 6 months, depending on the nature of the placement.

    The Business School's placements team will help you find a work placement and advise on writing your CV, filling out application forms and interview techniques. A personal academic supervisor will be allocated to support you in developing your research project. When possible the supervisor will visit you at your place of employment.

    International field trip

    An international field trip provides opportunities to experience the management environment of a different country.

    The field trip is an academic and cultural programme to the European continent to study management problems, practice and development in a wider cultural context. You will have a chance to meet managers and learn alongside students from other countries. At the end of the programme you will present an individual report on an international management topic.

    The most recent international study visit was to the Ecole Supèrieure de Commerce, Grenoble, France.

    Why Brighton Business School?

    The University of Brighton has been offering postgraduate courses in management since 1970 and MBA courses since 1986. We have a postgraduate community of around 600 students from a diverse range of backgrounds whose learning experience is enriched by the high quality of our research.

    The latest Research Assessment Exercise (2008) ranked us in the top 15 UK business schools in terms of world-leading research outputs. Our postgraduate programmes reflect the research that is being undertaken.

    Our facilities include lecture theatres equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and over 100 hot desks with high-speed internet access. Once at the university you will have access to a range of services including a modern library, comprehensive careers and personal support, and opportunities to volunteer or take part in sport.
     


    Student support

    Relationships between tutors and students are professional and supportive. Class sizes are small enough for there to be a personal and friendly atmosphere, where staff know students by name and can closely monitor their progress.

    Your learning experience will be supported by:

    • an induction programme which supports the transition to masters studies
    • learning in a small, supportive groups with students from different countries
    • training in applied management research methods
    • research projects supervised by highly experienced specialists.
       

    Support for international students

    We provide high-quality support for students from outside the UK to help you:

    • get your student visa
    • settle in when you first arrive
    • succeed in your academic studies
    • prepare for a successful career
       

    More about our support for international students

    Your level of English

    In order to benefit from, contribute to and enjoy the course, a good command of spoken and written English language is required. If English is not your first language, you will need English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with 6 in the written test.

    However, we provide a number of ways to improve your English before you start your course and free English language support you while you are studying.

    Meeting entry requirements

    We can help you meet our academic entry requirements if your qualifications are not the correct level to study at university in the UK. The preparation courses at the University of Brighton’s International College have been specially designed to help international students to progress to a postgraduate degree course at the university.

    More about our university preparation courses

  • Apply online


    You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.

    Entry requirements

    For non-native speakers of English:
    In order to benefit from, contribute to and enjoy the course, a good command of spoken and written English language is required. If English is not your first language, you will need English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with 6 in the written test.

    International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out above should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the University of Brighton's Language Institute.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Normally a good honours degree or equivalent is required. Work experience is useful but not essential. Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered. If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements please contact us.

    International students who need help meeting the academic entry requirements should contact our International College.