Business Management
MSc

The aim of this programme is to equip you with state-of-the-art knowledge and the skill set required to lead a successful career in management in an international context. The ambition is to help shape managers of the future, enabling them to critically analyse qualitative and, notably, quantitative data for complex problem-solving and managerial decision-making.

The programme is designed for graduates interested in careers in middle or upper management. Demand has never been higher for people who can apply quality management science to ethically and sustainably manage people and companies. This module equips you with the skills to achieve this.

Programme structure: We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Statistics and Descriptive Analytics

In this module, you will explore a range of statistical methods motivated by real-world business problems, building your ability to select and apply appropriate techniques to address practical challenges across a variety of business contexts.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand probability and statistical arguments
• Understand the hypothesis testing mechanism and its application in business contexts
• Select appropriate statistical methods for a range of important business applications
• Apply a range of statistical methods to a variety of business problems
• Build a cross-sectional regression model using R and interpret the output, including the use of regression diagnostics
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of particular statistical approaches and the practical implications of statistical analysis

Accounting and Finance for Managers

In this module, you will be introduced to the key principles and practices of both financial reporting and managerial accounting, developing a grounding in the concepts that underpin the preparation and presentation of financial statements.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain the conceptual principles underpinning the preparation and presentation of financial statements
• Describe the elements of a set of financial statements and explain their relationship to one another in the context of the accounting equation
• Explain the accruals basis of accounting and the principle of revenue recognition
• Explain the accounting treatment of a variety of assets and liabilities
• Discuss wider developments aimed at increasing the scope of financial reporting

Strategic Supply Chain Management

In this module, you will develop an integrative view of supply chains, building on core operations management concepts. The module provides an overarching framework within which related areas including logistics, procurement, and operational excellence can be better understood.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Analyse strategic operations and supply chain problem situations and develop balanced arguments concerning their solution, taking account of the organisational and inter-organisational realities of supply chain management
• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply key theoretical concepts and frameworks relevant to supply chain management

Logistics Management

In this module, you will be introduced to the key concepts, approaches, and challenges in logistics management, examining the strategic and value-adding role of logistics within organisations and supply chains. You will develop in-depth insights into contemporary issues surrounding the logistics function, enhancing your decision-making capabilities when confronted with tactical and strategic dilemmas across industries and contexts.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Appreciate the strategic role of logistics in enabling high performance within organisations and supply chains
• Demonstrate an understanding of key logistics concepts in the design and management of goods and service supply chains
• Identify and anticipate logistics issues that may occur in the processing and distribution of goods and services across different business environments
• Evaluate the logistical performance of organisations at different stages of the value chain, both qualitatively and quantitatively

Marketing Management

In this module, you will develop knowledge and understanding of key theories, concepts, and models in marketing to guide the development and execution of marketing strategies. You will also develop the skills to critically analyse marketing situations facing organisations.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify different forms of marketing and the key environmental challenges and opportunities facing organisations
• Select and apply appropriate models to analyse markets
• Identify and develop suitable marketing strategies
• Understand how tactics are integrated in the implementation of marketing strategy
• Understand the marketing planning process

Strategic Management

In this module, you will explore strategy as being concerned with the direction and scope of an organisation over the long term. With a focus on strategy at the business level, you will examine how competitive advantage can be created and developed in response to environmental change to meet the needs of key stakeholders. You will be encouraged to develop a personal and distinctive understanding of strategising across different industries and in uncertain environments.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand the meaning of strategy and the main techniques and tools used in strategic analysis
• Understand the influence of the external environment on a firm’s strategy
• Recognise the influence of different industry structures on strategic decision making
• Analyse the strategic position and competitive advantage of a firm
• Recognise the causes of firm decline and understand how firms may recover from failure
• Articulate strategic analysis clearly and effectively in a presentation

Managerial Economics

In this module, you will develop your understanding of real-world business practices through the application of economic concepts and tools. You will explore key concepts in modern microeconomic theory, examining how they interact in models and can be applied in practice, including the analysis and design of firm strategies across various market structures. The module also introduces the key elements of the macroeconomic environment affecting business and firm decisions.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Apply economic reasoning to the analysis of consumer and firm behaviour
• Analyse competition across various market structures and industries
• Use theoretical constructs to explain managerial decision making and formulate relevant business strategies

Organisation Behaviour and Human Resource Management

In this module, you will develop an understanding of the centrality of organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM) to organisational functioning and effectiveness. You will explore the core values that underpin OB and HRM and examine their importance to a manager’s ability to achieve organisational goals and promote wellbeing at work.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand the key concepts that underpin organisational behaviour
• Understand contemporary issues in HRM practice
• Understand different approaches to the management of human resources
• Critically engage with key debates over the development and nature of OB and HRM
• Recognise the complexities of the behaviour of people in organisations as they relate to OB and HRM

Business Ethics and Society

In this module, you will develop moral sensibility and practical reasoning in the context of everyday managerial action in organisations. Rather than focusing on removed reflection on codes and principles, the module is concerned with ethics in action, examining morality as it arises in practice, alongside the ethical and corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenges faced by organisations.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand the ethical perspectives that shape individual decisions in organisations
• Understand the ethical and responsible issues faced by organisations and how these are navigated in practice
• Assess ethical and corporate responsibilities through case study analysis and an understanding of corporate social responsibility
• Appreciate why it is important for managers and employees to care about ethics

Dissertation (Industry)

At the end of the taught modules, you will complete either an applied project, working on a real problem with an organisation from the public or private sector, or a supervised research project, allowing you to investigate a specific topic in depth and engage with the emerging state of the art in your chosen area.

Dissertation (Research)

At the end of the taught modules, you will complete either an applied project, working on a real problem with an organisation from the public or private sector, or a supervised research project, allowing you to investigate a specific topic in depth and engage with the emerging state of the art in your chosen area.

Programme structure: We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Teaching is delivered via a combination of small group lectures and group-based tutorial coursework (oral and written presentation), and assessment is via individual coursework (oral and written presentation) and examinations. You will be encouraged throughout to undertake independent study to supplement what is being taught/learnt and to broaden your personal knowledge.

All modules are delivered in a block teaching, allowing students to concentrate on each subject. All teaching is conducted in English.

All teaching is conducted in English.

After finishing your programme, you will receive your degree certificate from the Lancaster University UK.

Leipzig mirrors the worldwide demand for well-qualified and competent managers. Its diverse company landscape that comprises of consultancies to startups and multinationals are for the lookout of young talent that manages their people and projects sensibly and with foresight. A postgraduate degree in management allows you to work in leadership and managerial roles for local companies like Deloitte, EY, EEX Group, Spreadgroup, Amazon or DHL, to name a few.

However, you are not confined to work in these industries. All of Leipzig’s five main industry clusters, may it be automotive, IT or healthcare business employ managers that match your interdisciplinary interests and values.

After completing the Programme, your newly acquired skills should allow you to critically analyse qualitative and, notably, quantitative data for complex problem-solving and managerial decision-making, what shall maximize your employability chances, in Germany and beyond.