MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects

Fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026 were as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
  UK students (per annum): £14,700
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,500

The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.

Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .

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All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

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Graduates of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.

The module is delivered over two semesters. A key element of the module is that it offers students an opportunity to develop literature-related research skills at an early stage of their studies.

The unit aims to:

Develop students’ knowledge and skills in order to enable them to:

1. learn how to conduct research linked to the management of people, systems, and/or projects in organisational settings;

2 undertake and present the findings of a research project on a subject within the central field of knowledge of their degree programme;

3. operationalise this knowledge of research methods and these research skills in an applied fieldwork context.

Knowledge and understanding

•             define and critically explore literature on a specified subject using paper-based library stock, electronic databases, electronic journals and other web-based sources of data, such as government policies and reports.

•             through the presentation of a dissertation research proposal:

i)             demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of key research terms and methodologies;

ii)            show their ability to construct a well-designed and realistic research plan for gathering primary data in an organisational setting;

iii)           explain the importance of ethics to the work of researchers.

Intellectual skills

•             formulate a set of clearly stated research aims, research objectives, and research questions and/or hypotheses;

•             construct and present in writing a critically-focused and concisely written literature review together with an associated bibliography using standard conventions for citing academic literature;

•             through the construction of a learning log, demonstrate their ability to engage in critical self-reflection when undertaking research-based activities.

Practical skills

•             work critically  in an applied/field setting in order to design, operationalise and present the findings of, an organisationally based research-based project;

Transferable skills and personal qualities

During this course unit, students will be encouraged to develop::

•             their ability to review and analyse critically contrasting information.

•             their self management skills including their ability to manage time effectively.

•             skills which they need to articulate clearly their point of view particularly in response to questioning.

•            willingness to question and develop their understanding, perspectives and values in response to listening to others.

•             the ability to identify key contextual variables which affect their behaviour and the behaviour of others.

•             the ability to engage in critical thinking, reflection, and self-awareness. Responsibility for their own learning.

Module Overview

Introduction to Research in Organisational Contexts

Introduction to Library Resources

Introduction to My Learning Essentials

Academic Writing

Reference Management Software

 

Conducting a Literature Review

Searching Academic Literature : Tools/Approaches

Critical Reading and Writing (Developing Arguments)

Working with Theories and Frameworks

Academic Referencing

Academic Integrity

 

Writing a Dissertation Proposal

Choosing a Dissertation Topic

Identifying Research Problem/Gap

Developing Research Questions/Objectives

Ethics in Research

 

Three Research Approaches: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods

Data Collection

Data Analysis and Discussion

 

• Literature Review (700 words) — 25%
• Summative Assessment (1,800 words) — 60%
• Summative Reflective Journal (1,500 words) — 15%

Feedback is provided in writing, approximately 14 days after submission of each assignment

Anderson, V. (2013) Research Methods in Human Resource Management: investigating a business issue (3rd edition). London: CIPD

Barrett, C. and Cason, J. (2010) Overseas Research: A Practical Guide, Routledge, London (ebook).

Bell, J. (2018) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science (7th edition). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press

Davies, M (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative
Methods. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Fisher, C. and Buglear, J. (2007) Researching and writing a Dissertation: a guidebook for business students, FT Prentice Hall, Harlow. 2nd Edition (ebook).

Gill J. and Johnson, P. (2011) Research Methods for Managers (4th edition). London: Paul Chapman

Horn, R. (2012) Researching and Writing Dissertations: A Complete Guide for Business and
Management Students (2nd edition). London: CIPD

Robson, C. and McCartan (2016) Real World Research (4th edition). Chichester: Wiley

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students (8th edition). Harlow: Pearson

Yin, R. (2018) Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th edition). London: Sage Publications