Masters by Research in Business and Management - MRes
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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)....
- Level Postgraduate Research
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MRes
- Start date January 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Course is closed to International applicants for 2024/25 entry.
This course is now closed to International applicants. UK students can still apply. International applicants will be able to apply to start the course in September 2025 from January 2025.
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.
Why Choose Us?
- This course is specifically designed as a stepping stone to doctoral studies such as a PhD or DBA. It lays a solid foundation in essential research skills for advanced academic or professional careers.
- The course embraces a STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics) approach and prepares you to tackle complex, real-world business challenges through interdisciplinary perspectives.
- You will explore critical global issues such as sustainability, digital transformation, and ethical business practices through your research, making your learning highly relevant in today’s changing world.
- You will undertake a Knowledge/Skills Audit to identify strengths and areas for growth. This ensures a tailored experience with targeted support and mentorship throughout your studies.
- You will gain practical insights through guest lectures, networking events, and hands-on projects, helping you connect your academic research with real-world application and industry experience.
OPEN DAY
Join us for a Virtual Open Event where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, meet our subject academics and learn more about postgraduate finance, all from the comfort of your own home.
Next Event: 5 February 2025
Research Interests
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
For more information about our research interests and expertise, please visit the Business Research page.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MRes
Starting: Jan 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £6,000 in 2024/25
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MRes
Starting: Jan 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
If you’re unable to use our online application form for any reason, please email Research.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
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Minimum 2:2 UK degree or international equivalent in any business subject area. Alternatively, any degree field would be acceptable if the candidate has work experience which would yield the equivalent broad business knowledge and experience to an undergraduate business degree. |
EU/International
|
IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum in all bands, or equivalent. |
|
For other accepted qualifications see Accepted qualifications and English tests. |
As part of the application process you are required to provide a written Personal Statement. The Personal Statement should include information about the area of research interest that you wish to pursue on the course and why.
Course in Depth
Level 7
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits)
This module will provide you with an overview of different approaches to research in the business and organisational context. The main point of departure for the module is that the methods chosen in research always follow the nature of the research question being addressed, not the other way around. Accordingly, there is a need for you to be conversant with different approaches to research and how they relate to the topics under investigation and to each other.
The Business Literature Review module is designed to equip you with the skills needed to conduct a systematic and comprehensive review of academic literature within the wider fields of business and management. This module will help you build a solid understanding of your chosen research area and show you how to position your work within the broader academic context. Throughout the module, you will learn how to identify, access, and critically analyse relevant scholarly sources using advanced search techniques and a range of academic databases.
This module develops the research-based skills to conduct quantitative analysis using primary and secondary data. Organisations operate in a competitive environment, and regularly collect large amounts of consumer and product related data. Research reports based on quantitative analysis inform decision making for businesses, third-sector and government and this modules prepares you through exposing you to a range of quantitative methods applicable to different data sets and situations. Many students learn various techniques but struggle to know which technique to apply in what situations. This module helps you to identify right set of variables, and appropriate quantitative technique to apply for a meaningful analysis and research insight.
This module aims to develop your theoretical and practical understanding of qualitative research methods in business and management research, accordingly, preparing you for conducting independent qualitative research. It will provide you with an understanding of the underlying theoretical frameworks and the use of qualitative methods. You will later be able to develop a qualitative research project that consists of design, data collection, data analysis, and presenting qualitative research findings.
The purpose of the Independent Study in Business and Management module is to provide you with a comprehensive integrated in-depth experience of working on an academic or practice based research project in the field of business and management research. It is founded upon Birmingham City University’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory and practice.
This Independent Study module is a flexible research training designed to provide graduates with a foundation for a research career in business, third-sector, government or academia. It may also serve as a foundation or pilot for doctoral research (i.e. PhD or DBA studies). The Study will build on your postgraduate training in methods and principles of research design, providing you with the framework to operationalise the creation of knowledge in the field of business and management, through a substantial research project.
Note, the PGCert Exit Award requires that the student complete Fundamentals of Business and Management Research, Business Literature Review and either (i) Qualitative Business Research Methods or (ii) Quantitative Business Research Methods.
Download course specification
Download nowHow you learn
You will attend interactive lectures, seminars, and workshops that cover essential research methodologies and advanced topics in business. The course emphasises independent research, particularly through the 100-credit Independent Study module, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore a topic in depth under the guidance of a dedicated supervisor.
At the start of the course, a knowledge/skills audit will help identify your strengths and areas for growth, ensuring you receive tailored support throughout your studies. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools like SPSS and NVivo for data analysis, equipping you with practical skills that are essential in both academic and professional settings. Through a mix of theoretical learning and real-world application, this course provides a comprehensive and enriching learning experience.
Employability
The course includes several targeted elements to enhance your employability:
- Knowledge/Skills Audit: At the start of the programme, a knowledge/skills audit will help identify your strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring tailored support to build the skills that employers value.
- Industry Engagement Opportunities: Through guest lectures, networking events, and hands-on projects, you can engage directly with industry professionals, building connections and insights relevant to the workplace.
- Practical Training in Research Tools: The course includes training in essential tools like SPSS and NVivo, which are widely used in research and industry settings. Mastery of these tools provides a competitive edge in data analysis and project management roles.
- Real-World Application of Research Skills: The course emphasises applying research to solve real-world business challenges, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills—all of which are highly valued by employers.
- Reflective Practice: Embedded throughout the course, reflective practice encourages you to assess your progress, adapt your approaches, and demonstrate continuous improvement—skills that are essential for professional growth.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Dr Krish Saha
Associate Professor in Circular Economy
Krish is the course lead for MRes Business and Management Research. He has extensive experience in pedagogic leadership and academic research. His current research program focuses on circular economy-based sustainable business practices. Krish also works with small and medium size companies to improve their environmental and social impact.
More about KrishDr Martyn Brown
Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies and Coordinating Director of Post Graduate Framework Degrees
Martyn Brown has a varied background in addition to over 25 years lecturing in higher education. He is a qualified engineer and an experienced musician. His current main role is as Post Graduate Research lead in the Graduate School of Management. He is also a member of the Graduate School of Management Leadership subject group.
More about MartynProfessor Muhammad Bilal
Professor of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Technology Ethics
Muhammad Bilal is a professor of Applied AI and Technology Ethics at Birmingham City University, UK. He earned his PhD in Applied Artificial Intelligence from UWE, Bristol, and holds an MS in Advanced Database Systems.
More about MuhammadManuel Davila Delgado
Professor in Applied AI and Business Transformation
Professor Manuel Davila is responsible for delivering high-impact research at the intersection of key digital technologies that enable digital transformation. He is an expert in developing novel digital solutions for smart infrastructure and digital engineering. His interests and expertise lie at the intersection of Digital Twins, Machine Learning,...
More about ManuelDr Scott Lichtenstein
Associate Professor
Scott's lecturing, research and publishing are in the areas of strategy and strategic leadership. His specialism is in the area of leaders’ and executives’ personal values and how they impact strategic choice and leadership.
More about ScottDr Hien Nguyen (FHEA, CMBE, CMI)
Lecturer in Management
Dr Hien Nguyen has multiple years’ experience working in the industry and more than 10 years’ experience working in the higher education sector. She has taught at a variety of national and international higher education institutions in Vietnam, New Zealand, and the UK. Prior to her academic career, she used to work as a practitioner in different...
More about HienProfessor Narain Gupta
Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Analytics
Narain Gupta is a Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Analytics. From August 2012, he served in the Faculty of Operations Management at the Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, India. He has five years of rich corporate experience of people management, driving multiple strategic sourcing initiatives at Maersk Shipping, and Global...
More about Narain