The University of Bristol Business School is based in Bristol, which is home to SETSquared, the world’s top university business incubator (UBI Global, 2019), as well as many multinational companies, including the Big Four accounting firms (such as PwC and EY), Airbus, Rolls Royce, Hargreaves Lansdown, Burgess Salmon.
Being part of the ‘Silicon Gorge technology hub’, the region also features a thriving start-up and creative media scene with a range of big names having a base in or around the city including Aardman Animations, Amazon, Nokia and Sony.
You will be taught by academics and practitioners who are experts in their fields. Our courses are current and exciting, informed by internationally renowned research. The University is home to students from more than 150 countries, and we would love for you to join us.
MSc Accounting and Finance
This taught postgraduate programme emphasises research and analytical skills that will be valuable in your future career. It will build on your existing knowledge of technical aspects of accounting and finance. You will develop your ability to critically analyse the nature and conditions of effectiveness for these techniques to contribute to accounting and finance practice and governance.
In the first term you will explore contemporary issues in accounting and finance research literature. You will also build key skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This will prepare you for the more specialist elective units taught in the second term.
The final part of the MSc is a research-based dissertation, which involves identifying and analysing a research question in accounting and/or finance under the guidance of a member of staff. The dissertation gives you an opportunity to explore an original problem, source and process the relevant financial data, analyse that data and learn to draw appropriate conclusions. For those planning on this dissertation represents an important bridge between taught and advanced research studies.
This programme develops skills for critical analysis of accounting and finance topics, which will be valuable in your future career. The strong conceptual foundation it offers will support students who want to pursue an academic or professional career in accounting or finance.
This highly successful MSc programme is designed for students who want to put greater emphasis on accounting, finance and management topics in their graduate studies. This interdisciplinary programme is suitable for students with any degree who have some quantitative training (such as mathematics, engineering, computing, and business studies). You will learn from academics with an international reputation for research in the fields of accounting, finance and management, and this programme is academically rigorous and tailored to the needs of the current business environment.
In the first term, you will develop key skills and a grounding in accounting, finance and management. This will prepare you for the more advanced units taught in the second term. You will study three core units and then be able to choose one optional unit from each of the key subject areas of accounting, finance and management and one additional optional unit from the research method section.
The final part of the MSc is a project-based dissertation of between 10,000 and 15,000 words. Options for dissertation subject areas are provided and you will be able to choose from a set of dissertation topics in these broader areas. Many of the dissertations are literature-based and you are expected to acquire and use literature search skills with a range of electronic and traditional sources.
MSc Accounting, Finance and Management
This highly successful MSc programme is designed for students who want to put greater emphasis on accounting, finance and management topics in their graduate studies. This interdisciplinary programme is suitable for students with any degree who have some quantitative training (such as mathematics, engineering, computing, and business studies). You will learn from academics with an international reputation for research in the fields of accounting, finance and management, and this programme is academically rigorous and tailored to the needs of the current business environment.
In the first term, you will develop key skills and a grounding in accounting, finance and management. This will prepare you for the more advanced units taught in the second term. You will study three core units and then be able to choose one optional unit from each of the key subject areas of accounting, finance and management and one additional optional unit from the research method section.
The final part of the MSc is a project-based dissertation of between 10,000 and 15,000 words. Options for dissertation subject areas are provided and you will be able to choose from a set of dissertation topics in these broader areas. Many of the dissertations are literature-based and you are expected to acquire and use literature search skills with a range of electronic and traditional sources.
MSc Banking, Regulation and Financial Stability
This programme will equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge to pursue a wide range of careers in the banking and financial services industry and it will also help you start a career in banking regulation and supervision. It has been developed with the needs of the sector in mind and reflects the industry’s growing demand for individuals with an extensive knowledge of regulation, supervision, and compliance.
Our programme has a distinctive focus on banking regulation, supervision, compliance and risk management. It goes beyond traditional banking and finance courses by exploring the regulatory demands within banking and examining the role of central banks and international organisations in achieving and maintaining financial stability.
The MSc is designed for graduates of economics or finance who aspire to a career in banking. It will also appeal to recent graduates who are already working in financial services and wish to specialise in banking and financial regulation, as well as those who intend to continue to PhD research in this area. Successful students will be in demand and can expect to excel in careers in banks and regulatory bodies, or advisory roles in accounting, auditing and consulting firms. We also often have early or mid-level stage career central bankers participating in the degree programme which allows fantastic interaction with people who already have some work experience in the area.
You will be part of a dynamic and diverse body of staff and students, and will be taught by world-renowned experts. We pride ourselves on our highly interactive and innovative style of teaching, and take a case study approach to learning, utilising the sector experience of our teaching team. Our academics enjoy internationally-recognised research profiles in banking and beyond, and bring experience and insight from working at a senior level within the sector. The academic staff on this programme enjoy strong links with central banks (Bank of England, European Central Bank, Deutsche Bundesbank) and international organisations (International Monetary Fund and the World Bank).
You will also be able to develop your professional skills by taking part in the extensive programme of careers events and workshops offered by the school and the University’s Careers Service.
MSc Finance and Investment
This programme is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in the theoretical and practical sides of finance. It contains compulsory elements in asset pricing, corporate finance, financial reporting and analysis, quantitative methods and empirical finance, and offers optional units in areas including derivatives, financial modelling, investment management, advanced corporate finance, banking, credit risk, and behavioural finance.
The programme is suitable for students with good undergraduate degrees in finance, economics or accounting, as well as those with more scientific backgrounds (for example an undergraduate education in mathematics, engineering or natural sciences).
MSc Financial Technology
The MSc in Financial Technology will provide you with a comprehensive grounding in the various analytical methods of financial technology, or ‘FinTech’, as well as knowledge of how these methods are utilised in practice in financial markets. The content will combine finance theory with extensive applications through to practical issues using real-world data. The programme includes units addressing the latest technological developments that have transformed many aspects of the finance industry such as big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, process automation, cryptocurrencies and blockchain, alongside units that cover the underpinning theory and practice of finance.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping the financial services sector and are being used across a range of applications including trading, portfolio construction and evaluation, risk management, financial intermediation and corporate finance. You will gain a broad, high-level overview of the impact that technology is having in reshaping many aspects of financial services. You will also develop specific practical skills in programming, statistical analysis and financial modelling, which will enable you to apply these technological innovations in a variety of contexts. This may include algorithmic trading, robo-advising, peer-to-peer lending, mobile payments, crowdfunding and digital currencies.
The teaching will be research-led and undertaken by subject experts, involving a mixture of lectures and small-group tutorials as well as computer lab-based sessions for the completion of data-based case studies and applications. Industry-relevant skills are embedded in the units throughout the programme, which are practical in nature without compromising academic rigour.
MSc Business Analytics
The MSc Business Analytics is a professionally accredited, one-year specialist programme for graduates with a bachelor’s degree with a substantial quantitative component, and highly qualified graduates from other backgrounds with demonstrable advanced quantitative skills. It will suit graduates or early career professionals who wish to pursue a career in business analytics across sectors such as digital marketing, human resources, logistics, retail, finance, banking, insurance, healthcare, and agriculture.
The programme accreditation is awarded by the Institute of Analytics (IoA), which is the professional body for analytics and data science professionals across the world. Their mission aligns with our vision of developing and promoting the highest professional and ethical standards in the realm of data analytics. By becoming IoA Corporate Partners, we demonstrate our commitment to staying up to date in the fast-evolving field of analytics and data science. This in turn, will help to boost your employability, ensuring you are well-equipped to navigate the fast-changing landscape of analytics.
As well as benefiting from the accreditation, the MSc Business Analytics has been created in partnership with industry professionals from IBM, LV and UCL/IBM Industry Exchange Network. It provides students with the opportunity to work on business analytics projects and offer data-driven solutions to a real-life managerial decision-making problem or challenge, where possible, in partnership with IBM and other private, charity, and public sector organisations.
Students will gain a critical understanding of organisational, societal, and ethical issues in the use of Business Analytics. These issues are crucial for many organisations that seek to provide data-driven services while trying to balance innovation and competitiveness with public trust and corporate social responsibility. Examples of projects include optimisation of resource allocation, people analytics to support hiring decisions, sales forecasting, performance measurement and evaluation, customer segmentation, and sentiment analysis to improve a business strategic direction.
MSc Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
This specialist programme will appeal to graduates aiming for a managerial or consulting career within global operations, logistics or supply chain management in the private, public or third sector. You will learn how to manage and improve global supply chain operations and develop an appreciation of its role and function in the context of international organisations.
This programme examines the effects of global trade and business and the significance of grand challenges, such as increasing digitalisation and innovation in product and service development, international environmental sustainability regulation, and corporate social responsibility and ethics issues.
The programme reflects contemporary themes and developments within operations and supply chain management. You will explore how global supply chains are managed and will acquire the skills and confidence to challenge, innovate and solve problems.
We enjoy close links with industry, government and voluntary sectors, providing opportunities to engage with supply chain professionals. You will hear from sector experts in guest lectures, and there may be the option to participate in a live consulting project with a client organisation.
The knowledge and skills you gain will give you a competitive advantage in your future career. This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). This means that on completion of the programme, students with the required work experience can apply to become full members of CIPS without taking further examinations.
MSc Human Resource Management and the Future of Work
The MSc Human Resource Management and the Future of Work is an intensive master’s-level specialist programme for graduates who have a prior qualification in social sciences and wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the practice, theory and policy of the world of work.
The future of work has become one of the defining debates of our generation. While the ‘greening’ of our economies will create millions of jobs, many traditional forms of work may also disappear. The digital economy fosters greater connectivity and access to technologies but also has the potential to disrupt labour markets. The future of work creates many challenges, but countless opportunities exist to improve the quality of working lives and reverse the damages inflicted by global inequality and the climate crisis.
This 12-month full-time programme will appeal to students who want to engage, respond to and be part of the global challenges related to Human Resource Management and the Future of Work. We aim to develop analytical and confident critical thinkers through research-led teaching. You will gain insight into the nature of Human Resource Management and the complexity of organisations from a variety of disciplines and will be armed with the relevant knowledge to apply theory to practice.
You will be part of a dynamic and diverse body of staff and students in Bristol and will be taught by experienced academics. 88% of our Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), reflecting its impact on shaping policy and practice. Staff in the school are engaged in conducting pioneering research that is shaping policy and practice in the UK, Europe and globally.
MSc International Business and Strategy: Global Challenges
This programme is rooted in two academic domains, International Business and Strategy. It will suit graduates from any discipline who wish to specialise and critically engage in these subjects. You will learn to unpack world challenges in new ways, creating an understanding of the complexities of internationalisation, current strategic thinking and sustainability challenges in business and society.
The programme will equip you with a competitive advantage in the graduate jobs market by giving you the tools to deal with the new ‘mega-forces’ of globalisation driven by technological advancement, climate change, global health crises and geopolitical events.
This MSc draws on cutting-edge research by leading academics who will guide you to explore the Global Challenges facing international businesses and society, such as global warming, increasing migration flows, food insecurity, poverty, and greater competition for increasingly scarce resources. You will gain the contextual, historical, and political perspectives of experts in these areas to enable them to think critically and solve problems practically in the workplace.
MSC Marketing
This programme, accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM), has been designed for graduates who aspire to advanced study and a career in marketing. It will prepare you to respond to the marketing challenges posed by today’s global business environment. Our pathways allow you to specialise in marketing strategy or digital marketing, or to pursue a broader marketing degree.
Our MSc Marketing programme will help you achieve industry-recognised CIM and IDM qualifications which are highly sought after by employers, preparing you for a successful career in marketing.
Through the CIM accreditation, MSc Marketing graduates can achieve CIM qualifications at an accelerated pace with exemptions for two of the three modules required for the Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing, and one exemption for the Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
Through the IDM accreditation, our MSc Marketing students can gain a Certificate in Digital and Data Driven Marketing and Student Membership of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA).
By studying MSc Marketing at the University of Bristol, you will become part of a dynamic and diverse body of staff and students. You will be taught by experienced academics, many of whom are actively engaged in conducting pioneering marketing research at international level. 88% of our Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), reflecting its role in shaping policy and practice in the UK, Europe and globally.
As an MSc Marketing student, you will have the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice by undertaking a project around a current marketing issue for an industry partner. Opportunities are coordinated by our dedicated specialist team, the Professional Liaison Network.
Students and graduates will also benefit from the reputation of the University, which ranks in the top 10 UK universities (QS World University Rankings 2024); and top 50 in the world for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022).
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Management)
This programme, accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM), has been designed for graduates who aspire to advanced study and a career in marketing. It will prepare you to respond to the marketing challenges posed by today’s global business environment. Our pathways allow you to specialise in marketing strategy or digital marketing, or to pursue a broader marketing degree.
Our MSc Marketing programme will help you achieve industry-recognised CIM and IDM qualifications which are highly sought after by employers, preparing you for a successful career in marketing.
Through the CIM accreditation, MSc Marketing graduates can achieve CIM qualifications at an accelerated pace with exemptions for two of the three modules required for the Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing, and one exemption for the Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
Through the IDM accreditation, our MSc Marketing students can gain a Certificate in Digital and Data Driven Marketing and Student Membership of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA).
By studying MSc Marketing at the University of Bristol, you will become part of a dynamic and diverse body of staff and students. You will be taught by experienced academics, many of whom are actively engaged in conducting pioneering marketing research at international level. 88% of our Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), reflecting its role in shaping policy and practice in the UK, Europe and globally.
As an MSc Marketing student, you will have the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice by undertaking a project around a current marketing issue for an industry partner. Opportunities are coordinated by our dedicated specialist team, the Professional Liaison Network.
Students and graduates will also benefit from the reputation of the University, which ranks in the top 10 UK universities (QS World University Rankings 2024); and top 50 in the world for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022).