The Management Masters of Research (MRes) is a programme designed to develop high calibre research students versed in building theory and all aspects of investigating business and management practice.
Introduction
Our Management MRes is an Economic and Social Research Council recognised degree, which will introduce you to a broad range of orthodox approaches in business and management research practice, as well as new emerging techniques.
The programme will provide you with the opportunity to study in a prestigious research-intensive Russell Group University, and within a triple accredited Management School.
The School’s excellent REF21 results have been driven by international experts who shape world-class academic thought, and make a direct impact on a wide range of organisations.
As a Management MRes student, you will benefit from being taught by academics who publish in top-tier international journals, are experienced in writing and undertaking research grants, and actively consider how the methods being used by business and management scholars can work, and work better.
Who is this course for?
The Management MRes is an excellent choice if you hold a management or business related degree, and would like to move onto a PhD or pursue a future career in academia.
The programme is also an ideal option if you are working – or intend to work – in commercial, policy and professional organisations where research represents a significant part of your activity.
Accreditation
The University of Liverpool Management School is one of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
If you're able to study part-time, you'll
study the same modules as the full-time master's degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You
can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule
around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you
complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final
dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements
at graduation the following term.
Studying part-time means you can study alongside work or any
other life commitments. You will
study the same modules as the full-time master's degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You
can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule
around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you
complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final
dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements
at graduation the following term.
Semester one
In semester one, you will complete two modules with a total credit value of 60 credits, aimed at developing your research skills, through a comprehensive overview of quantitative methods in business and management, as well as research philosophies.
Compulsory modules
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT AS A SOCIAL SCIENCE (ULMS602)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 1
This module provides an introduction to the MRes programme and research in business and management studies. The focus of the module is on providing a background to social science research and locating business and management studies within that background. It will also explore what constitutes knowledge and the purpose of knowledge creation as well as reflecting on their personal motivations for engaging with business and management research.
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT (ULMS603)
Credits: 40 /
Semester: semester 1
This module aims to:
Introduce the general principles of quantitative research design;
Explore, critically, a range of quantitative research designs and design related issues that the researchers likely to encounter in developing an effective quantitative research programme, e.g. response bias, sampling related errors, data validity and reliability, develop the research instruments;
Introduce a range of descriptive and inferential quantitative methods, their underlying principles, suitability and purpose and the research designs where they are likely to be employed;
Enable the students to obtain working knowledge of SPSS and an introduction to other popular statistical packages such as AMOS and STATA to handle survey data and to conduct, interpret and report quantitative data analyses;
Provide a knowledge to evaluate better the methods and statistical analysis from published research papers and reports;
Develop skills in accessing, downloading and analysing secondary data;
Discuss the issues related to longitudinal data analysis and interpretation.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Semester two
In semester two, you will complete two modules with a total credit value of 60 credits, which will continue to develop your research skills, through a comprehensive overview of qualitative methods in business and management, as well as research philosophies.
Compulsory modules
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT (ULMS601)
Credits: 40 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will provide qualitative research training in the context of business and management studies. It will provide an overview of different qualitative research methods of data collection and analysis as well as exploring qualitative research design, reflexivity and ethical considerations. The main choices and considerations in terms of methods of data collection and analysis in qualitative research will be considered. The aim is to provide students with a grounding in some of the main approaches as well as a broader understanding of how to critique and develop research designs appropriate for different research questions and projects.
ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS (ULMS600)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 2
This module aims to enable students to further their research knowledge and skills by exposing them to a number of advanced research methods available in business and management. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the rigour of the research they engage with.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Final project
By completing the four taught modules in semesters one and two, you will demonstrate your progress in the development of disciplinary skills, this means you will be able to move on to completing your dissertation, which accounts for 60 credits.
Compulsory modules
MRES DISSERTATION (ULMS604)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
This module provides the opportunity for learners to demonstrate the ability to critically reflect upon and competently apply the research methods skills acquired in preceding modules of the MRes both with respect to their own self-directed project as well as already published data.
In doing so, this module gives them the opportunity to conduct their own piece of independent research, including demonstrating their ability to diagnose an existing problem, locate the work within the body of contemporary academic knowledge and subsequently develop their own research questions. They will design and support their own methodological approach in order to answer these questions and utilise skills acquired on previous MRes modules to collect and analyse relevant data and subsequently derive supportable conclusions and theoretical and practical contributions.
During this module students will also complete the University online ethics training and will learn how to apply for University ethics approval.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
How you'll learn
The Management MRes programme is delivered in two stages: a taught component followed by a research phase which culminates with a dissertation.
As part of the taught component, modules will provide you with a thorough grounding in established research methods, and you will also be introduced to innovative and experimental approaches used and created by the same faculty who teach them.
Cohorts are deliberately small, to foster individual guidance and fruitful relationships between faculty and students, as part of a congenial environment where you can learn from one another as peers with common research interests.
The main forms of teaching are lectures including guest lectures delivered by international scholars, seminars and lab work where applicable, for example to work with statistical software.
Following semester two, you will complete a dissertation with the support of an academic supervisor. This final project will enable you to specialise in an area of management and business research, which will deepen your knowledge, understanding and capabilities in your chosen area.
How you're assessed
The broad structure of the programme includes 180credits:
Taught component: 120credits distributed across four modules during the first and second semester (for full-time students)
Dissertation: 60credits to be completed during the summer period.
You will be required to complete 180 credits to achieve a full Management MRes, and you will graduate with a Pass, Merit or Distinction (subject to meeting specific criteria outlined by the University).
Assessment tasks are varied and some may be designed specifically to meet the learning outcomes of the programme, but you can expect to be assessed via:
Coursework
Group work
Presentations
Research reports.
The weighting of individual components will vary from one module to another. All assessment information is included within the module specification.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The School has a thriving international master’s community with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary programme of social and extra-curricular events and dedicated careers and employability support.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
The Management MRes has been designed and is run by expert faculty, actively involved in the study of theoretical and practical aspects of business and management, to prepare you for success in your future career as a researcher.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
The Management MRes programme provides grounding if you intend to expand into a:
PhD in business and management (if you are successful in gaining a PhD place, you can use your Management MRes training to fast track the early part of your doctoral studies)
Future career in academia.
The programme is also interesting to those working, or intending to work, in commercial, policy and professional organisations, where research is a significant aspect of the job:
Consultancies
Research units
Non-governmental organisations.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£4,786
Part-time place, per year
£2,393
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£23,400
Part-time place, per year
£11,700
Please note, the fees shown are for the academic year 2024-25. Some MRes courses incur additional bench fees. You will be notified of any fee which applies to you in your offer letter.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
Additional costs
Please note, this programme may have additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of fieldwork-based dissertation.
To be admitted to the Management MRes programme, you will need a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree, or master’s degree in business and management disciplines. Alternative qualifications and all non-UK qualifications, which are considered equivalent to a UK honours degree, would be subject to approval by Director of Studies in consultation with the University Admissions Officers.
We are able to offer a level of flexibility for applicants. Those with a 2:2 honours degree will be considered on an individual basis.
If you don’t hold an undergraduate degree in business and management disciplines, but you have a relevant professional background, your application will be assessed in accordance with the principles of the University’s AP(E)L policy, and the practice and precedents of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MRes, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5
TOEFL iBT
100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, writing 21, reading 21 and speaking 23
Duolingo English Test
130 overall, with no component below 120 (exceptional cases only)
Pearson PTE Academic
69 overall, with no component below 61
LanguageCert Academic
75 overall, with no skill below 70
PSI Skills for English
C1 Pass in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Do you have a question about this course? Call or email the student experience team.
