MSC CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The MSc Corporate Governance is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of corporate governance from corporate, investor and stakeholder perspectives. Corporate governance is concerned with issues such as who controls a company, the relationship between owners and managers, who takes responsibility for decisions, and executive remuneration levels. Overall, the MSc takes an international, multi-sector and multi-disciplinary perspective on corporate governance, with a particular focus on development and ethical concerns.

The course is appropriate for graduate students who have a first degree in management, business or other social sciences. The course is also appropriate for more experienced individuals who are looking for a postgraduate qualification in corporate governance. The course provides students with general management theory, as well as with a highly specialised set of board level leadership skills. The course also enables students to recognise, analyse and influence the factors governing corporate affairs. The programme is also concerned with strategic leadership.

You will undertake a dissertation based upon a governance issue within your own organisation or on a broader governance theme. In both cases there is an expectation that you will apply governance theory to a situation which will involve the identification of an aim or theory followed by conducting of secondary and primary research. The work should demonstrate critical analysis and result in original conclusions and recommendations. This module will enable you to improve your understanding of a broad reach of stakeholder group interests, agendas and positions.

Key to this will be recognising the importance of the human dimension of business through the examination of different stakeholder relationships (both internal and external to the organisation), regulatory influences, board structure and corporate governance. Managing Corporate and Stakeholder Relationships will emphasise the importance of managing these relationships through effective planning, communication and monitoring processes. In parallel with the dissertation, you will undertake a Research Methods module covering issues such as selection of a research methodology, research process, formulation of the research problem, ethics, the research environment and external influences on researching. The Board, the Executive and Good Governance aims to provide you with the knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the vital issues facing directors and senior executives today. It focuses on the essential element for the effective governance, leadership and direction at board level of an organisation's working practices in a dynamic and often conflicting environment.

This module underpins the complex role of the director and the board and considers the dynamics and dichotomies of the central ethical leadership role. It further develops your knowledge of how to integrate strategic financial management, strategy and regulatory practices in context to good governance.

This provision underpins the subsequent learning process and course content by considering the essential elements making up the board structure, function and purpose and the role individual directors plays within this.

All assessment for this programme is by work-related assignments that, if you wish, can be directly applied to your workplace, thereby enabling you to gain immediate business benefit.

Our programme provides you with a challenging learning and networking environment and the teaching will directly relate to addressing real business problems. We see leadership as an essential skill for any manager and this means enhancing both thinking skills and providing critical insight into how to effectively use softer skills to lead and inspire your people.

The course will provide you with contemporary theoretical knowledge, which has practical value for any middle or senior manager, executive, or self-employed entrepreneur who wants to develop their knowledge, understanding and practical insights into corporate governance. Corporate governance and the related areas of business ethics and stakeholder theory, is increasingly being recognised as significant for business success and sustainability.