Program Overview

Leadership and Management MRes

Why study Leadership and Management at Derby?

• Develop your knowledge of research methodology and enhance your research skills
• Undertake real-world, research projects applicable to your current or future employment
• Take the first steps in your research journey - this programme is an ideal preparation for future advanced research, including at Doctoral level
• Benefit from the co-production of research between students on the degree and University staff.

Programme Overview

The MRes Leadership and Management programme allows you to specialise with a range of pathways:

• Leadership and Management
• Human Resource Management
• International Relations
• Project Management
• Sustainable Strategic Development

The programme will provide you with theoretical knowledge and practical research skills. You’ll study a range of research modules as well as a specialist dissertation, allowing you to customise your academic journey.

A solid basis in research

Managers of the future will need to be able to adapt and constantly learn through research and knowledge exchange. Our MRes Leadership and Management course offers advanced training in research methodologies, critical thinking, and analytical skills, which are highly valued in managerial positions. You’d also be well placed to move into doctoral study on a PhD or DBA to continue your research journey.

Top reasons to study an MRes degree at Derby Business School

• It provides an invaluable background for PhD or DBA research, focusing on the key skills you need to develop an academic research proposal and appropriate research design in your specialist subject area.
• It will support you in developing a robust grounding in research methods for your future studies, research and career.
• Our academic staff are leaders in their fields having published in some of the top national and international journals.
• You will have opportunities to make the most of the wider University of Derby offering – you might even have the opportunity for cross-disciplinary supervision, depending on your research focus.
• Our links with the business community are strong. Many of our academics also engage in consultancy and University of Derby partners with a wide range of companies and organisations.

What you will study

• Research Philosophy and Methods (20 credits)
• Advanced Research Methods (20 credits)
• Professional Development for Researchers (20 credits)
• Applied Research (40 Credits)
• Independent research project (80 credits)

How you will learn

This course offers a clear progression to independent learning, combining both critical engagement and hands-on real-world learning through your research project.

You begin with more traditional and structured modules where you will be introduced to research methodology and subject-specific content. You will then advance to more student-focused research masterclass modules with smaller cohorts, followed by the supervised independent research project.

The Independent Research Project will be delivered online through individual and/or group supervision.

The teaching approach will vary between interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, master classes and hands-on activities (e.g. learning of various software such as NVivo, SPSS, etc). The learning will be supported by further online asynchronous interventions. Some examples would include links to videos to support statistical analysis for the independent study or links to Develop@Derby and Linkedin learning to further support the learner. You will be provided with all necessary learning materials via Blackboard Ultra. You will also be encouraged to engage through discussion forums. Continuous formative assessment and feedback mechanisms ensure you stay on track and effectively engage with the material.

There is a strong emphasis on skills development throughout the programme. You will not only build research, problem-solving, critical reflection and analytical skills but also develop broader transferable abilities in areas such as:

• communication
• project management
• risk assessment
• financial planning.

Careers

The MRes leadership and Management can lead to further research such as a PhD or DBA.

Graduates can pursue careers in management, including local and national government, business, and industry. Possible professions include management consultant, analyst or research project manager in addition to leadership positions in a corporate setting.

Entry requirements

This is a challenging programme design and it is built to service a broad audience such as a manager/leader in industry / or with industry experience or those who are seeking to develop a career in research. The course has been created to develop high-level research skills to enhance practice of research and insight to use in a professional context and where it can inspire further academic development.

To apply for this course, you will need:

• An honours degree with 2:1 or above (or its international equivalent).
• OR
  • An honours degree with 2:2 in a business-related subject area or an honours degree with 2:2 in any other subject with relevant experience AND
  • You will need to demonstrate in your CV and personal statement that you have managerial or leadership experience such as managing a team or project.

Where English is not the first language, applicants will need to provide the minimum English qualification IELTS 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5 equivalent.

Fees and funding

2025/26 (August 2025 - July 2026)

• Type| Full-time| Part-time
• ---|---|---
• UK| Full-time£9,720 for the full course*| Part-time£1,080 per 20 credits
• International| Full-time£16,900 for the full course| Part-timeN/A

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

About postgraduate awards

Award| Credits ---|--- Postgraduate Certificate| 60 Credits Postgraduate Diploma| 120 Credits MA or MSc| 180 Credits

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

International student scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.