Program Overview

Overview

The Masters of Enterprise (MEnt) programme allows students to undertake a one-year research degree with little to no formal taught component. This type of study gives students the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

• The normal entry requirements for enrolment on the MEnt are an upper second-class honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.
• If the first language is not English, students will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

Start Dates

• 1 October 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 20 April 2026

Application Deadlines

• For September 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For October 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For January 2026:
  • 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 14 November 2025 for Home Students
• For April 2026:
  • 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

• The maximum duration for a Master of Enterprise (MEnt) is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.
• Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.
• If studying on a part-time basis, students must establish close links with the University and spend normally not less than an average of 10 working days per year in the university, excluding participation in activities associated with enrolment, re-registration, and progression monitoring. Students are also expected to dedicate 17.5 hours per week to the research.

What Can I Research?

Example projects could be:

• Explore how to take a new product design to market
• Investigate how a public sector body might generate income from an expensive piece of equipment when it is not being used for its original purpose
• Develop a business plan for an existing business to expand into new areas of activity
• Analyse different models of setting up in business or social enterprise to see which best supports the idea
• Plan how to implement an innovative idea in a traditional institution
• Investigate the impact of an issue such as intellectual property protection on future income streams
• Explore commercial exploitation of the output of a university research project

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum, students can expect to meet with their supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students). In practice, students may meet with their supervisors more frequently. This time should include at least an hour of one-to-one supervision with each student.
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with the student and their supervisor. Self-directed study and supervision time should equate to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).
• A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance. Students are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26, the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University.
• Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Important Information

• The University will always try to deliver the course as described. However, sometimes changes may be necessary due to circumstances outside the University’s control.
• Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside the University’s reasonable control, for example, pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood, or war), or changes made by the government.
• The research project is likely to evolve as students work on it, and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of the study. However, the University may need to make more significant changes to the topic of research during the course of studies, either because the area of interest has changed, or because the University can no longer support the research for reasons outside the University’s control. If this is the case, the University will discuss any changes in topic with the student and agree these in writing. If the student is an international student, changing topics may affect their visa or ATAS clearance, and if this is the case, the University will discuss this with the student before any changes are made.