Leadership and Management MSc

Information iconCourse code: N291

Calendar iconStudy mode: You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time.

Mortar board iconCourse type: MSc

Globe iconInternational: Available to study online

Campus iconStudy at: Inverness

Pen iconStart in: January; September

Computer and book iconLearning mode: You access classes and/or materials digitally.

Clock iconDuration: Part-time: 2.5-4.5 years; Part-time modular: 10 weeks

Book and tick iconHow: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.

What is special about this course?

The MSc Leadership and Management has been designed for those, who are seeking to enhance the knowledge and skills required for effective leadership and management in the complex, dynamic environments faced by organisations across all sectors today.

This course is aimed at those already in a management or leadership role or graduates looking to enhance their career prospects in this area. Our flexible and high quality Masters programme is delivered through a structured online learning programme that is highly flexible and delivered by experienced practitioners.

This flexible and high quality masters programme is designed to help you develop and enhance your leadership skills and knowledge through a structured online learning programme that is highly flexible and delivered by experienced practitioners.

On completion of the MSc, if you have three years’ experience in a management role, you will be able to apply for the full Assessment for Chartered Manager route of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), which will significantly enhance your career prospects.

An online induction is held in early September and mid-January each year (depending on your start date) which will introduce you to the online learning environment.

For more detailed information about the course modules, please see our Module descriptors document

Special features

  • Gives you the skills to become a more effective leader
  • Enables you to work proactively, creatively and collaboratively
  • You will undertake a major piece of advanced independent work within the area of leadership and management at a strategic level
  • The course is available to study part time and online through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE),
    enabling you to fit your study around your personal and professional commitments
  • You can choose to study individual modules for continuing professional development (CPD), or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full masters degree

Entry requirements

  • A 2:2 honours degree or above
  • An ordinary degree will also be considered, along with appropriate professional experience 
  • Recognised international equivalent qualifications are also accepted
  • Candidates with no formal qualifications, who can demonstrate their abilities and engage in continuing professional development, will be considered

 

*Funding support notice*

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled and EU students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

Access routes

Core modules are: 

  • Leading the contemporary workforce (S1) 
  • Managing in the global network (S2) 

Option modules, from which you will choose one, include: 

  • Information decision making (S2) 
  • Effective communication (S1) 
  • Managing and developing the human resource (S1) 
  • Employment law (S1) 
  • Employee relations (S2) 

Core modules are: 

  • Entra- and intra-preneurial thinking (S2) 
  • Collaborative leadership (S2) 

Option modules, from which you will choose one, include: 

  • Information decision making (S2) 
  • Effective communication (S1) 
  • Managing and developing the human resource (S1) 
  • Employment law (S1) 
  • Employee relations (S2) 

To achieve the award of MSc Leadership and Management you will complete:

  • Research for business (S1) 
  • Research project (dissertation) (S2) 

How will I study my course?

  • Part-time
  • Part-time modular (standalone modules)
  • You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • You may participate in online discussions, forums and group exercises, which will count towards your overall performance
  • You will receive support from expert staff
  • Your application will be dealt with by UHI Inverness

How long will my course last?

  • Part-time: 2.5 years @ 12 hours per week*
  • Part-time: 4.5 years @ 6 hours per week*
  • Part-time modular: 10 weeks teaching plus final submission*

*6 hours per week per module

The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.

  • Inverness

Start date

  • September
  • January

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
  2025-26 2026-27
Per module (20 credits) £610 £647
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £1,830 £1,941
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £3,660 £3,882
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £5,490 £5,820

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:

  2025-26 2026-27
Per module (20 credits) £840 £890
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £2,520 £2,670
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £5,040 £5,340
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £7,560 £8,010

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

  2025-26 With scholarship 2026-27 With scholarship
Per module (20 credits) £1,200 £tbc £1,273 £tbc
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £3,600 £tbc £3,819 £tbc
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £7,200 £tbc £7,638 £tbc
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £10,800 £tbc £11,450 £tbc

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

  2025-26 2026-27
Per module (20 credits) £1,200 £1,273
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £3,600 £3,819
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £7,200 £7,638
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £10,800 £11,450

This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study. 

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed the MSc Leadership and Management, you will have all the skills, knowledge and experience you need to seek senior management/leadership positions in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

With improved confidence, you will be better equipped to make decisions at senior level, feel comfortable taking part in high-level meetings and have increased motivation to further your career.

Apply for Leadership and Management MSc

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2026 or Jan/Feb 2027

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.