MSc Strategy, Change and Leadership
- MSc
- PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate)
- PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma)
Overview
This part-time programme is for mid-career to senior leaders and managers who want to progress in their career, change industry or career, or start their own business. Designed with busy working professionals in mind, this MSc in Strategy, Change and Leadership enables you to gain a master's degree alongside a full-time job.
You will transform your ability to think about and manage organisational change and strategic initiatives. You will develop the skills and mindset to lead strategic change, based on the latest research and evidence on change management, leadership, and strategy in organisations.
This programme will help you shape and enhance your impact as a leader and strategic thinker. You will develop a deep understanding of how to thrive in the new technology-enabled environment, manage the complexities of flexible and dynamic working, and lead diverse multicultural and multi-generational teams.
You will learn through a variety of highly interactive face-to-face and online sessions, such as mini-lectures, case studies, personal reflection and team discussions. You will be working with globally recognised academics from a range of backgrounds in industry and academia.
This programme attracts a diverse cohort which gives you the opportunity to build a strong network of professionals across a range of organisations in the private, public and third sector.
Bristol is one of the top 10 universities in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024) and is ranked 5th in the UK for research (THE analysis of REF 2021) with 94% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
Many of our students have been out of education for a while, so we offer support and guidance to help with such skills as report writing, conducting research and using electronic library resources. Support is available through structured workshops, peer-to-peer support and personal tutoring provision.
Download our programme leaflet.
MSc Strategy, Change and Leadership programme leaflet (PDF, 1,589kB)
Programme structure
The programme is delivered through block teaching. You will study through a combination of weekend live workshops, online drop-in sessions, as well as independent learning.
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 7,000 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.
Attendance is compulsory in all taught units.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content:
Entry requirements
An upper second-class honours degree or equivalent qualification, and at least five years' relevant work experience, which should include significant managerial responsibility. 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.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- UK: part-time (two years)
- £11,000 per year
- Overseas: part-time (two years)
- £15,650 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
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.
We are unable to offer visa support for international students enrolled in this programme. International students interested in this programme should explore alternative visa options.
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.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Graduates from this programme will be well-equipped for managerial and leadership roles in any sector. Our graduate outcomes are strong across our Business and Management programmes, with alumni going on to careers in management and leadership, as founders of start-ups, and as consultants in a variety of sectors and companies including IBM, AstraZeneca, Unilever and the NHS.
Bristol graduates are the fourth most targeted by top UK employers (High Fliers Report 2023) and we are one of the top 50 universities in the world for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022).
We support our students' employability and engagement with industry through such projects as the Professional Liaison Network, which offers mentoring schemes, networking events and industry-linked projects, Bristol Connect, our exclusive online platform for Bristol alumni, and SETsquared, the global #1 university business incubator.
Contact us
- Contact
- Cheralyn Dark, Programme Manager
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 428 2971
- mgmt-scl@bristol.ac.uk
- Contact
- Rushana Khusainova, Programme Director
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 428 2972
- mgmt-scl@bristol.ac.uk