Program Overview

Business Improvement - MSc

Overview

The part-time MSc Business Improvement course equips managers with the knowledge and skills required to better examine their processes and procedures in order to effect strategic improvements and change. This results in organisations which are more efficient and effective.

About this course

The course recognises a need for organisations and their managers to become focused on operational performance outcomes. This requires management by process, the integration of quality management techniques and a commitment to continuous improvement. The course has been shaped and designed by leading academics and business leaders using the European Foundation Quality Model (EFQM) Excellence Model as its inspiration.

Attendance

Each module is taught on a three day block basis. This minimises the time required for students to be out of the workplace: students will typically be at the University 9-12 days per year. There are also follow up "learning sets" following each module.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

All assessment is by way of practical coursework. Coursework can take many forms. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Modules

Year one

• Leadership and Change
  • Year: 1
  • Status: C
  • Effective leadership of change is paramount to the survival of all organisations. This module aims to enable students to acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of key leadership and change concepts that underpin any effective organisation.
• Quality Management and Process Improvement
  • Year: 1
  • Status: C
  • To achieve quality outcomes, organisations must think in terms of systems and processes and how they are designed to deliver customer value and satisfaction.
• Operational Excellence
  • Year: 1
  • Status: C
  • Operations Excellence is about how organisations deliver the highest levels of service.

Year two

• Financial Decision Making
  • Year: 2
  • Status: C
  • The module will introduce students to both financial and management accounting information and equip them with a greater understanding of the reasons behind some of the figures they will increasingly encounter as they progress through their organisations.
• Innovation Management
  • Year: 2
  • Status: C
  • The module covers Innovation Management from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
• Improvement through People
  • Year: 2
  • Status: C
  • Any improvement project rests heavily on those taking on the role of the improver and how they engage, influence and work with affected stakeholders.

Year three

• Transformation Project
  • Year: 3
  • Status: C
  • The Management Project enables students to apply the theoretical concepts encountered on the MSc Business Improvement to a "live" management issue.

Standard entry conditions

• This course is designed for those who are working in areas where they can make improvements within the organisation; therefore all applicants should ideally be employed in a related role.
• Applicants will normally be expected to have achieved a Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in any discipline.
• It is expected that applicants will normally be in a position within their organisation to effect change, or for those who aspire to such a position.

English Language Requirements

• The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5.
• Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Exemptions and transferability

• Students are normally expected to have a degree. However we also encourage applications from candidates who have extensive work experience but no formal academic qualifications.

Careers & opportunities

• This course is primarily aimed at equipping students with skills to allow them to improve the operational performance of their organisation.
• The MSc Business Improvement course can lead individuals into more strategic or senior positions within their organisation or into more focused business improvement positions.

Fees and funding

• The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
• For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:
  • Fees Credit Points| NI/ROI/GB Cost| International Cost*
  • 5| £249.95| £494.70
  • 10| £498.90| £989.40
  • 15| £748.35| £1,484.10
  • 20| £997.80| £1,978.80
  • 30| £1496.70| £2,968.20
  • 60| £2993.40| £5,936.40
  • 120| £5986.80| £11,872.80
  • 180| £8980.20| £17,809.20

Additional mandatory costs

• It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.