MRes Management (Pathway to PhD)
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A 2:1 degree with honours in a management related discipline |
|---|---|
Why study MRes Management (Pathway to PhD) at Exeter?
- The MRes Management (Pathway to PhD) is a one-year programme that provides a rigorous foundation in the skills required to conduct high-quality research in management and social sciences in general. It is intended for anyone wishing to progress onto a PhD in Management or another related social science.
- The MRes programme will provide you with substantive training in the research methods and methodologies used in PhD-level social science, the foundational Micro- and Macro- theories in Management, and the research skills and best practices needed to be a successful researcher.
- The research-based dissertation will enable you to create, with the support of a supervisor, a comprehensive literature review of your chosen research topic and then problematize this existing research to develop a strong research agenda for a PhD.
- You will receive instruction and guidance from our internationally respected academic staff who conduct and publish world-leading research.
- Following successful completion of your MRes, you will then progress onto our three-year Management MPhil/PhD programme at University of Exeter.
Fast Track (current Exeter students)
Contact
Programme Director: Dr Cécile Emery and Dr Janet Geipel
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
MRes Management at the University of Exeter.
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Recognised as an exemplar programme
Hinrich Foundation
Top 10 in the UK for Business and Management
9th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Complete University Guide 2027
100% of our research in Business and Management has internationally excellent impact
Based on research rated 4* and 3* in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
Entry requirements
A 2:1 degree with honours in a management related discipline. Evidence of mathematical/quantitative/qualitative ability is required. Degrees in psychology, sociology, and related fields are also considered.
We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The MRes in Management (Pathway to PhD) is a one-year programme for highly engaged and capable students who are planning to progress onto a PhD in management or related social science.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
180 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods | 15 | |
| Advanced Research Methods in Management | 30 | |
| MRes Management Dissertation | 60 | |
| Critical Reflection on Business Management Research | 30 | |
| Business and Management Theory | 30 | |
| Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | |
BEMM065: Quantitative Research Methods
This module provides students with exposure to common methods used in the social science. We cover the development of research questions and hypotheses. We consider issues of measurement and data collection. We also explore the basics of statistical analysis. The module is designed such that upon completion, students can 1) independently design their own research; 2) critique and understand the data and results of published studies; 3) complete basic analysis of data to test hypotheses.
This module's primary aims are to:
- Prepare students for independent research informed by the main quantitative tools utilised in the social sciences
- Equip students to design, with minimal supervision and guidance, programmes of primary empirical research, taking into consideration issues of research ethics, data generation, data analysis and reporting of findings
- Enable students in their future careers to have confidence in their abilities to analyse data, commission research, or conduct research in the work place and wider operating environment
- Equip students with report writing skills in order to present and interpret data in easily accessible ways
BEMM829: Advanced Research Methods in Management
This module provides an in-depth exploration of both qualitative and quantitative advanced research methods, tailored to equip you with the necessary tools for conducting high-level business and management research. You will focus on research design and methods, as well as advanced data analysis. Through hands-on applications and workshops, you will deepen your research skills to assess, design, and execute your own research projects. By the end, you will confidently apply these advanced research methods to real-world research challenges in business and management research.
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
(A) Design robust and methodologically sound research studies employing advanced quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches.
(B) Apply advanced research techniques and experimental designs to collect and analyse complex data.
(C) Demonstrate expertise in selecting, adapting, and applying advanced tools and software for data analysis to answer research questions in innovative ways.
(D) Demonstrate proficiency in advanced data analysis tools and software to process and interpret research data.
(E) Critically evaluate the appropriateness of research methods and techniques, ensuring alignment with research objectives and ethical standards.
BEMM830: MRes Management Dissertation
In this module, you will write an academic dissertation on a business or management topic of your choice. Guided by a supervisor, you will develop research questions, review literature, identify knowledge gaps, and present findings effectively. Workshops and lectures will build your academic skills in qualitative and quantitative research. This module helps you develop critical thinking, academic writing, and problem-solving skills, preparing you for future research or career opportunities while allowing you to explore a research topic you are passionate about.
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
A) Develop and defend appropriate and well-defined research questions relevant to the programme.
B) Effectively search and critically assess existing research and secondary data to develop a critical literature review.
C) Conduct a critical literature search to inform and refine research questions.
D) Demonstrate proficiency in qualitative and/or quantitative research skills to process and analyse information.
E) Communicate research issues, ideas, and progress effectively through written research proposal.
BEMM831: Critical Reflection on Business Management Research
This module supports students in transitioning from theoretical exploration to developing their research topics and questions. Through discussions, peer review, and faculty feedback, students refine their research ideas and learn to frame meaningful research questions, identify literature gaps, and position their work within theoretical and methodological traditions. Faculty provide tailored guidance to challenge assumptions, foster originality, and sharpen research focus. Students also develop peer review skills, offering and receiving constructive feedback. By the end of the module, students will have a clear research topic with focused questions and rationale, equipping them to advance rigorous and impactful academic research.
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
A) Formulate clear, focused, and original research questions grounded in existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
B) Critically evaluate and synthesize feedback from peers and faculty to refine their research ideas.
C) Demonstrate the ability to engage in constructive scholarly dialogue, providing thoughtful and actionable feedback to others.
D) Position their research topic within the broader field of management scholarship and articulate its significance.
BEMM832: Business and Management Theory
This module will advance your understanding about business and management research, reflecting the Exeter Business School's expertise. You will explore foundational and contemporary research in business and management through critically engaging with key theoretical and empirical work. The module will advance your skills in analysing, evaluating, and synthesizing theories and research findings, emphasizing diversity and interdisciplinary perspectives. You will deepen your insights into addressing complex challenges in business and management. By fostering critical thinking and identifying opportunities for original research, the module equips you with the conceptual tools and research skills needed to contribute to management scholarship. This advanced understanding will you for deeper engagement with theoretical and applied business and management research.
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
A) Critically evaluate and synthesize key theoretical perspectives across diverse business and management disciplines, identifying their strengths, limitations, and applicability to contemporary research challenges.
B) Analyse and critique theoretical research with a focus on conceptual contributions to the management field.
POLM063: Qualitative Methods in Social Research
This module engages with core issues in conducting qualitative research in social sciences and addresses the opportunities, challenges and prospects for designing sound qualitative research design. We engage with the logics of inquiry in qualitative research and their implications for validity and generalisability; we discuss what constitutes a case and what the role of context is; we identify the main types of data and what opportunities and limitations are for mixing methods and/or data: we address the core expectations regarding ethics, transparency and reproducibility and assess the opportunities and challenges in publishing qualitative research in social sciences. This module is designed for students who are engaging with empirical research in social sciences. You are expected to have familiarity with research methods in social sciences and to engage, over the course of this module, with one or several specific method(s) for qualitative research.
The aims of this module are to introduce you with core issues in qualitative research in social sciences; to enable you to gain a critical understanding of the opportunities, challenges and prospects for qualitative research in social sciences; and to provide you with the tools for designing a sound research design for qualitative inquiry in social research.
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£10,200 full-time
International fees per year:
£24,300 full-time
Important information for international applicants
If you require a Student visa, please note that students studying an MRes programme are generally not eligible to bring dependants (such as a spouse, partner or children) to the UK.
Read our guidance on dependant eligibility.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
Teaching and research
Assessment
Assessments will be conducted via problem sets, midterm exams, final exams, presentations, and a thesis.
Supervision
Students will be assigned an academic tutor and a pastoral tutor from the first day of their MRes. During the MRes period you will have the opportunity to meet and discuss your research interests with a range of faculty members to help ensure you have the right fit in you continue to do a PhD.
Progression to PhD
Although the MRes can be studied as a one-year standalone programme, it is a pathway to PhD for the majority of students.
Progression on to the PhD is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the PhD. This includes (1) successful completion of the MRes (achieving at least an average of 60% across all modules and at least 65% in the Dissertation) and (2) the identification of a member of academic staff in the University of Exeter Business School who has agreed to supervise your PhD.
After the programme
The MRes programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to carry out PhD level research and subject to meeting the entry criteria (see above) you will be able to progress onto our PhD Management programme.
Careers
Upon completion of your PhD you will be well equipped to pursue careers in academia, government or consultancy. Many of our recent research students have gone on to be successful academic jobs and have published their doctoral work in well-established journals.
Developing your skills and career prospects
The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our postgraduate Business School careers service web page for more information.
