MSc Business Analysis and Strategic Management

Alliance Manchester Business School and the university both hold regular events throughout the year, including webinars, information sessions and the annual on-campus PGT Expo. All of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.

This year sign up for webinars as part of our ‘Original Thinking for the Next Generation’ Webinar series, exclusively at Alliance Manchester Business School. Join a webinar to hear from academics and employers about the skills students gain, how they are applied in the workplace, and where they could take you next.

We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year. For more details on how you can meet us, visit our events page.

Apply online >>

Staged Admissions Deadlines

Your statement of purpose should cover the areas outlined below: 

• Tell us why you are interested in the MSc Business Analysis and Strategic Management course at Alliance MBS and how the course will impact on your future.
• Describe what makes you an outstanding applicant and describe your potential to contribute to all aspects of the course.

Develop the strategic, analytical and digital skills to diagnose complex business challenges and shape practical solutions. This MSc is designed for students who want to understand how organisations compete, adapt and create value in dynamic international business environments.

You will build a strong foundation in organisational design, strategic capability development, organisational analysis, business models and comparative global management. Through the course, you will learn how to examine organisations from different perspectives, apply strategic frameworks and use evidence to support clear, practical recommendations.

The programme places strong emphasis on applying theory to real business challenges. For your 60-credit capstone, you can choose between an academic dissertation or a supervised client consultancy project, allowing you to develop either a research-led or practice-focused route through the course. The consultancy option includes group and individual work, helping you build experience in analysis, communication, reflection and professional problem-solving.

Studying at Alliance Manchester Business School means joining one of the UK’s largest campus-based business and management schools, part of The University of Manchester. You will study in Manchester, a major, globally connected city with a strong business community, while benefiting from AMBS’ focus on original thinking, applied learning, postgraduate careers support and employer-facing development.

Apply your learning to real strategic challenges
Choose between an academic dissertation or a supervised client consultancy project for your 60-credit capstone. The consultancy route gives you the opportunity to apply theory to real-world strategic issues through group work and individual reflective analysis, subject to your academic performance in Semester 1.

Build the skills employers value
The course is designed to strengthen your analytical, technical, digital and communication skills. You will develop the ability to diagnose business problems, interpret organisational challenges and present evidence-based recommendations with clarity and confidence.

Shape your learning around your career goals
In Semester 2, you will study one core module and three electives, with the option to take one module from another Alliance MBS MSc programme, subject to approval. This gives you flexibility to align your learning with your professional interests.

Develop consultancy and strategic management capability
The programme combines strategic management, organisational behaviour, business analysis and practical application. You will explore how organisations design structures, develop capabilities and respond to complex international business issues.

Study a highly ranked course
This course is ranked 5th in the UK and 24th globally in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2026.

Assessment varies depending on the modules chosen. It may include a combination of coursework, group project assessment, presentations, assignments, report, individual essay and examinations.

"The key selling point for me was the client-facing project over the summer.” - Antonio Cervo

Throughout the programme, you will develop a broad set of strategic, analytical and professional skills, including:

• Business analysis and problem diagnosis.
• Strategic thinking and organisational analysis.
• Organisational design and strategic capability development.
• Business model analysis and comparative global management.
• Digital literacy and use of digital tools.
• Research, evidence-gathering and critical evaluation.
• Consultancy-style problem-solving.
• Business report writing, communication and reflective analysis.
• Teamworking, stakeholder awareness and professional judgement.

Careers support

AMBS Master’s students have dedicated careers support designed to build employability and connect you with employers. You’ll have access to employability sessions covering applications, CVs, interviews and LinkedIn; tailored workshops with feedback; and one-to-one support with a careers consultant. You can also engage with employer and alumni insights through guest speaker events, and keep track of opportunities through the online careers platform. The AMBS postgraduate careers support works closely with the University Careers Service, giving access to careers fairs, employer presentations and advertised vacancies.

Recent recruiters

Accenture, AlixPartners, Bank of China, Co-operative Bank, Deloitte, Electricity and Water Authority, EY, Fujitsu, IBM, LATAM Airlines,National Trust, Sony Music, Shell, Standard Chartered Bank and The Nielsen Company.

Read about our Postgraduate Careers Service >>

Read the latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students >>

Alumni insight: How my Masters helped me get into a career in business consultancy >>