Master of Science in Governance and Management

Course Description

Gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between governance and public policymaking. This course is designed to balance cutting edge academic research with real-world examples to prepare you for the policymaking world.

This programme provides you with an insight into modern day and future governance principles, practices and issues. It is designed to provide a sound understanding of governance and leadership from corporate, investor and stakeholder perspectives.

The course also provides an insight into the major reports that have been published on the subject and delves into the related organisational and ethical issues facing directors, governors and organisations’ stakeholders.

The overall course objectives are:

Knowledge:

• Criticaly reflect on and appraise the utility of management and leadership theory in the development and functioning of the public and private sector organisations.
• Analyse public and private sector in global and local context in relation to operations management.
• Evaluate the importance of managing change in the government and private sector at different management levels in the context of change management and implementation theory.
• Critically analyse the functions and processes of management, and how public and private services are organised, delivered, and evaluated.
• Critically analyse and assess the value of management functions and roles in public and private sector in relation to governance and leadership theories.

Skills:

• Apply an in-depth knowledge and understanding of management and governance theories informed by current scholarship and research.
• Critically assess current issues and developments in the subject of public and private organisations management in relation to change management theories.
• Critically interpret and apply methodologies for evaluating, analysing and appraising organisational practice.
• Analyse, interpret and assess the value of evidence in scholarship and research related to public and private organisations, leadership, strategy, finance and operations to inform problem solving in government, non-profit and private sector.
• Critcally analyse and apply governance and leadership theories to practice.

Competences:

• Critically analyse and reflect to demonstrate mastery and integrated understanding of governance and leadership concepts and theories.
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise information, issues, and problems with concepts and theories in relation to governance and leadership practices.
• Communicate and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ideas that contribute to and advance understandings and ethical practices in governance and leadership.
• Research and apply established theories to a range of governance and leadership practices and settings.
• Generate and explore creative solutions for complex real-world challenges.
• Plan, execute, and interpret a substantial research-based project that captures governance and/or leadership challenges

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:

• Level 6 Degree;

OR

• a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.

Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related to the study programme and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management.

Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.

Target Audience

This course is targeted at:

• Public administration practitioners, managers and officials from ministries, local authorities and public and private bodies.
• Public leaders and CEOs from the public and private sector.
• Policy practitioners from the private sector and civil society organisations.

Career Paths

The programme aims to prepare you for:

• Senior Posts and career advancement within government, As well as within other public and private institutions.

Modules

You are required to complete all 6 compulsory modules (36 ECTS), and 4 elective modules (24 ECTS), as well as the Dissertation (30 ECTS) to fulfil the requirements of this master’s degree.

How you’ll be assessed

The course comprises:

• Evening classes for part-time courses.
• Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
• Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
• Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.

Assessment

Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:

• Modular Assessment
• Dissertation Assessment

The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules. 

Dissertation Assessment

Assessment of dissertations is primarily based on:

• Depth of critical understanding of the theoretical framework;
• Application of appropriate research tools;
• Critical approach to analysis, interpretation and evaluation of research findings;
• Depth and level of argumentation build-up;
• Original contribution to the generation of new knowledge/hypothesis/models;
• Scholarly presentation meeting academic standards