(Full time) 2021 start
Management Consulting MSc

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Please note, this course is also available for January 2021 entry. Applications for January entry close on 21 September 2020. View information about January 2021 entry to this course.
This Masters degree gives you extensive knowledge of the management consultancy industry and an appreciation of the latest business challenges. You’ll gain an understanding of consulting techniques and methodologies and develop a range of transferable skills.
Through a balanced programme of academic and practical study, the course provides you with knowledge of the key theories, debates and practices used in management consultancy. You’ll focus on developing skills which will be useful for a future career as a consultant or as an internal management practitioner in an organisation. You will develop skills and competencies using a combination of case studies, workshops and group tasks.
We have connections with top companies worldwide, meaning you’ll be able to access emerging trends and interact with business leaders during guest lectures and workshops. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation or a consultancy project, where you will put into practice your consultancy skills to investigate an issue, make recommendations and produce a detailed report and video presentation.
Academic excellence
Professors and lecturers on this course are involved in cutting-edge research in the areas of professional service work, employment relations and human resource management. As a student, you will be able to access the knowledge of our advanced specialist research centre, the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC).
Our academics are involved in projects examining major societal issues, informing policy makers and government bodies in the UK and overseas.
Accreditation
Our MSc Management Consulting is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Graduates of the programme achieve both a degree from the University and a Level 7 Diploma in Professional Consulting from the CMI.
Course content
Throughout the course, core modules will ensure you develop a fundamental understanding of management consulting. You’ll critically examine the key theories and facts that underpin current consultancy practice, as well as the latest issues and management trends worldwide.
Alongside this you’ll be introduced to the management consulting process, including the consultancy life cycle, the linkages to strategic management and the research skills needed to successfully carry out consulting projects.
You’ll also be able to choose from a range of optional modules that help you underpin this understanding with knowledge in related areas of management, such as leadership and managing change, entrepreneurship, people development and diversity and business analytics. There are also options on the future of business in terms of sustainability and climate change and the digitalisation of work and organisations. These areas will complement the development of your core consultancy skills.
The course culminates in a consultancy project, during which you’ll undertake applied fieldwork with opportunities to work with an external organisation or University research centres. This provides a live opportunity to learn about the practicalities of consultancy work, including ethical, research and professional skills.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Strategic Management 15 credits
- Management Consulting: Facts, Theories and Issues 30 credits
- Management Consulting: The Consulting Life Cycle 30 credits
- Research Methods and Practice for Consultants 15 credits
- Management Consulting Project 45 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Effective Decision Making 15 credits
- Business Analytics and Decision Science 15 credits
- Training and Development 30 credits
- Diversity Management 30 credits
- Strategic Change and Leadership 15 credits
- Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Creation 15 credits
- Digitalization, Automation and the Future of Work 30 credits
- Sustainable Futures: Climate Change, the Environment and Business 30 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and tutorials. You’ll also have chances to enhance your learning through discussions with guest speakers.
Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including group projects, written assignments and essays, in-course assessment, exams, group and individual presentations and reports.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Human Resource Management (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Human Resource Management (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadline:
We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.
If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.
Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.
Documents and information you’ll need
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- Two academic references
- A personal statement
- An up-to-date CV
- Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Leeds University Business School Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
- UK: £13,250 (total)
- International: £25,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
We award a range of scholarships to UK, EU and international students. Scholarships are available to candidates who can demonstrate an excellent academic record and show excellent professional and personal skills.
Read more about scholarships awarded by the Business School.
Read more about scholarships available across the University of Leeds.
Career opportunities
This course gives you the relevant skills and experience to pursue a career in management consulting in the UK and worldwide, whether for a management consultancy firm or as an internal practitioner in an organisation.
This qualification will also be highly valuable for those interested in pursuing management roles in the public, private and third sectors, where there is a need for managers to have regular contact with experts and consultants.
Careers support
We help you to achieve your career ambitions by providing professional development support as part of the course. You benefit from our Professional Development Tutors, who will help you to develop the academic skills to successfully progress through the course, and also the professional skills you will need to start a successful career.
Read more about our careers and professional development support
The University of Leeds Careers Centre also provides a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.