MSc Strategy, Change and Leadership
Enrolment is open until early September, with only a few spaces left. Don't miss out!
Key Statistics
- Top 10 in the UK
QS World University Rankings 2024
- 4th for UK recruiters
High Fliers Research 2023
- Top 5 in UK for research
THE Analysis of REF 2021
Overview
The part-time MSc in Strategy, Change and Leadership is designed to enable you to:
- Understand organisational complexity and issues affecting success
- Improve your ability to manage change and uncertainty
- Make better choices about growth and strategic direction
- Increase your leadership impact
- Progress your leadership career
Application
To be eligible to apply, you will need a good first degree and a minimum of five years of management experience. Applicants without a degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can provide evidence of relevant professional experience. Speak to our programme team to find out more. If you require assistance with the application process, our programme team is here to guide you through it. Check out our guidelines for personal statements and the video on how to apply. You are also welcome to join our information sessions held throughout the year or schedule a 1:1 consultation with our programme team.
Fit your study around your job
Delivered through a total of 16 work days and 6 Saturdays across two years:
- 6 immersive 3-day lessons on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- 2 immersive 2-day lessons on Thursdays and Fridays
Lessons are highly interactive including mini-lectures, case studies, practical exercises, personal reflection and group work. Informal networking is a key benefit of the programme.
Read our student blogs to find out about their experiences and how they manage full-time work while studying for a master's degree.
Programme unit details
Find out more about each programme unit.
Introductory unit
Date: 27 Sep 2024
Introduction to the programme and to the University of Bristol, group working, identifying key organisational challenges, decision making and MSc study skills.
Leadership
Date: 17 - 19 Oct 2024
Understanding the leadership role and the psychology of leadership, organisational behaviour, analysis of own capabilities and strengths, increasing leadership impact.
Strategy and organisations
Date: 9 - 11 Jan 2025
What is strategy and does it matter? Market and resource-based routes to competitive advantage, strategies for innovation and growth, organisational challenges in realising strategies.
Understanding change and uncertainty
Date: 13 - 15 Mar 2025
Dealing with the planning and experience of organisational change and different ways of understanding them as well as the various actors or agents of change.
Re-thinking change, systems and organisation
Date: 5 - 7 Jun 2025
How can organisations make sense of and respond to a changing world? What challenges and opportunities does external change create? A variety of tools and strategies are used to explore organisational response and outcome.
Critical issues in strategy
Date: 18 - 20 Sep 2025
Addressing critical issues facing organisations through process and practice in strategy work, including sensemaking, power and politics, identity and culture.
Contemporary leadership challenges
Date: 20 - 22 Nov 2025
Exploring leadership challenges associated with the changing global business environment; how this is shaping organisational responses in terms of their purpose, governance, relations and social value in the development of new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Research methods
Date: 15 - 16 Jan 2026
Understanding how to gather and analyse meaningful data – conducting interviews, focus groups, self-reflection techniques and writing effective questionnaires.
Capstone project (Jan to Aug 2026) – One to one support by supervisors (Unit details may be subject to change)
Class profile
The class embodies a wide range of perspectives and expertise.
- 213 Students
Around 20-22 delegates per year
- Experienced leaders
Over 5 years of managerial experience
- Over 33 Industries
NHS, charities, start-up, technology, HR, ...
- 55% Female
55% of students identified as female
Hear from our students
Learn to lead through crisis
"I think this programme is really important for me and my career, but also just generally for my confidence. I've certainly gained a huge amount of knowledge, new skills, and been able to put a lot of that into practice."
"You'll meet interesting people from the private, public and third sectors, and get a broad range of education in change and strategy and leadership, which I think would apply in any industry or sector."
Part-time Master's that works around your career
"For me, that's so much more useful than an MBA, which when I looked at it, was more about teaching me to understand what the functions of different part of an organisation were."
Is this programme for you?
Our friendly team are here to help with your questions. Perhaps you would like to know more about whether your experience meets entry requirements or find out about funding options? Prior to application, most students who enrol on this course book in a one-to-one session with our programme manager to discuss entry requirements and funding options. We can also help with information on course content and student experience. Book an appointment for an informal phone call or Teams meeting at your convenience.
Programme Manager – Cheralyn Baines-Dark
T: +44 (0)117 954 6694 E: mgmt-scl@bristol.ac.uk
FAQ
Fees and funding
UK: part-time (two years): £11,000 per year
Overseas: part-time (two years): £15,650 per year
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding for 2024/25
Funding is sometimes available through employer sponsorship.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Postgraduate master's loan
Students living in the UK can apply for a postgraduate master's loan. Find out more now.
Pay in instalments
You can set up an instalment plan to pay in smaller amounts throughout the year. You can either set up a Direct Debit or a recurring card payment. There are deadlines to set up a plan, so make sure you do this in time.
You will need to set up your instalment plan each academic year, even if you pay by the same method each year.
In the academic year 2022-2024, 58% of our students received sponsorship from their employers. Our programme team is happy to provide a specialised employer funding template tailored to your needs. Discover how to create a personalised, compelling, and fully editable business case for your employer by getting in touch with our programme team.
The programme is delivered through block teaching. There is a range of assessments, such as reports and group discussions that assess your knowledge and skills related to professional work. Students are supported by Unit Directors.
This part-time MSc offers flexibility and can be tailored to suit your career in the following way. You can choose to do a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or a full MSc.
- The first stage is a Postgraduate Certificate. This comprises 3 units across a 9-month period.
- The second stage is a Postgraduate Diploma which builds on the first 3 units of the Postgraduate Certificate and includes a further 3 units across a further 9-month period.
- The third stage is the final award of the MSc in Strategy, Change and Leadership. For this stage, building on the knowledge and skills acquired in the 6 taught units, participants complete a capstone project of their choice of about 9,000 words working one-to-one with an experienced supervisor.
There is an opportunity to complete the full master's degree in 2 consecutive years, which means students can build a deep and lasting network with the same group of participants. It is also possible to work towards the MSc in stages, across 3 or 4 years on a case-by-case basis. Check with our programme team if you need further information on that.
Attendance is compulsory in all taught units.
Applicants without a degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can provide evidence of relevant professional experience. Speak to our programme team to find out more.
The MSc in Strategy, Change, and Leadership at the University of Bristol Business School and an MBA have some similarities but also significant differences.
Focus and Specialisation: The MSc in Strategy, Change, and Leadership focuses more narrowly on specific areas such as strategy formulation and implementation, organisational change management, and leadership development. It delves deeply into these topics, providing specialised knowledge and skills in these areas.
MBA programmes, on the other hand, offer a broader curriculum covering various aspects of business, including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy. While they may also include courses on leadership and change management, these topics are often part of a more generalised business education.
Cohort Dynamics: Our programme targets individuals who already have some experience or background in business and are looking to deepen their expertise in specific areas such as strategy and leadership. Compared to an MBA, which typically attracts a broader range of students, from fresh university graduates to those with diverse academic and professional backgrounds, our programme can offer you a cohort who shares similar work and managerial experiences, thus making it easier to foster meaningful peer collaboration and exchange insights.
Career Paths: If you are interested in pursuing careers in consulting, strategic planning, change management, or leadership development roles within organisations, MSc Strategy, Change, and Leadership will help you develop a deeper skill set around these job roles. While an MBA, being a broader subject, often leads graduates to pursue roles in various fields such as finance, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, consulting, and general management.
Enhance your leadership impact today