MSc Governance
University of Lincoln
Key Information
Campus location
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
Request info
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
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Introduction
As corporate governance is now an integral part of everyday business, the MSc Governance programme is designed to be relevant and attractive to a wide variety of candidates and job roles across different sectors.
The global financial crisis, corporate scandals and collapses, and public concern over the apparent lack of effective boards have all contributed to an explosion of interest in good governance practices. Lincoln's MSc Governance is structured with a focus on practical application in the business environment and aims to provide students with strong subject knowledge and the latest thinking in the world of governance, sustainability reporting, business ethics, organizational and board effectiveness, finance, law, and strategic thinking.
With corporations facing more risks and greater potential impacts of their activities on society, the issues of sustainability are more critical than ever. Sustainability is no longer about just risk and compliance, but innovation, opportunity, and how to achieve excellence in both sustainability and financial performance. This program aims to develop a sound understanding of the processes and oversight that drive the highest standards of leadership, accountability, sustainability reporting, and ethical behavior in business.
The Business Ethics practical application element of the program is designed with the support of the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) and aims to develop future business leaders, managers, senior finance officers, accountants, solicitors, or governance professionals who understand and appreciate the importance of going beyond numbers and supporting good ethical business practices to help companies sustain long-term success.
Industry Expertise
The Business Ethics practical application element of this program was designed with the support of the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) and aims to develop future business leaders, managers, senior finance officers, accountants, solicitors, or governance professionals who understand and appreciate the importance of going beyond numbers and supporting good ethical business practices to help companies to sustain long-term success.
Staff teaching in this program is usually either professionally qualified accountants, lawyers, or governance practitioners with relevant industrial experience or research specialists with wide research interests. In addition, students can benefit from external visiting speakers who are experts from the financial and business world.
Working in Partnership
Lincoln International Business School works with students and organisations to enhance the contribution of business to society. For students, that means developing their business skills and knowledge to improve their career readiness.
The University of Lincoln is a member of AACSB, a global nonprofit association connecting educators, students, and businesses to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.
"This information was correct at the time of publishing (July 2023)"
Admissions
Curriculum
How You Study
The taught element of the program consists of six compulsory modules and one optional module to satisfy specific interests.
Term 1 modules:
- Governance
- Organisational and Board Effectiveness
- Corporate and Business Law
- Financial Analysis, Appraisal, and Decision-Making
Term 2 modules:
- Governance
- Sustainability Reporting and Business Ethics
- Strategic Thinking
Optional modules:
- Cyber Security in Society
- Teams and Leadership
- Comparative Human Resource Management
- Investment Banking
- International Entrepreneurship
- Global Supply Strategies
Optional modules will run as long as at least ten students select them. Timetabling arrangements may limit the availability of modules to some students. As the options reflect staff research interests, they may change over time due to staff availability.
In addition, students are expected to undertake the following compulsory elements:
- Research Methods and Design
- Final Project (Dissertation or Client-based project
The final project enables students to practice the skills they have learned by taking on a client-based project as an alternative to the traditional dissertation (subject to discussion with the Programme Leader). This option may be available to students in employment who have access to an organization in which to apply their academic knowledge and industry experience. Students may be asked to provide proof from their organization confirming its support for undertaking a project based on the organization’s data.
Contact Hours and Independent Study
Weekly contact hours on this program may vary depending on the module options chosen and the stage of the study. Hours of study may vary from term to term for both full and part-time students and can be spread throughout the week.
The postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least three to four hours in an independent study.
Although a proportion of the contact time will be spent in teaching, emphasis is also placed on the use of the student group as a resource for learning. The style of teaching will vary to reflect individual module objectives. The modules utilize methods of teaching and learning which are appropriate to Master's level study and effective collaborative learning such as debates, presentations, and report writing. There will also be group discussions of practical situations and problems, making extensive use of real-world case studies in national and international contexts, simulation materials, and where relevant, the student's own experiences.
For more detailed information please contact the Programme Leader.
Modules
- Corporate and Business Law (Core)
- Final Project (Core)
- Financial Analysis, Appraisal, and Decision Making (Core)
- Governance (Core)
- Organisational and Board Effectiveness (Core)
- Research Methods and Design (Core)
- Strategic Thinking (Core)
- Sustainability Reporting and Business Ethics (Core)
- Comparative Human Resource Management (Option)†
- Global Procurement and Supply Strategy (Option)†
- International Entrepreneurship (Option)†
- Investment Banking (Option)†
- Teams and Leadership (Option)†
- Cyber Security in Society (M) (Option)†
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How You Are Assessed
The way students will be assessed in this course will vary for each module. Formative assessments will be conducted whenever possible, aiming to prepare students for the assessment process and to provide developmental feedback to support their learning.
Formative assessments will not contribute towards a student's grade but enable feedback on a continuous basis. Formative assessments may include in-class exercises, peer feedback, mock examinations, presentations, and debates. Summative assessments may include assignments, case-study reports, examinations, presentations, and reflections.
Master's students are expected to play an active role in their learning and the assessments are designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to meet the demands of contemporary organizations.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly – usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
Accreditations
This programme is fully accredited by The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGI UK&I).
Students successfully completing this Master’s programme can be jointly awarded Graduate CGI UK&I status.
Graduates must demonstrate three years of relevant professional experience to qualify as a Chartered Secretary. CGI UK&I is also introducing the alternative designation, Chartered Governance Professional.
Chartered status is the gold standard governance designation, recognised and valued by employers. Qualifying as a Chartered Governance Professional or Chartered Secretary demonstrates that you have developed the knowledge, skills, and experience to take on a job with significant and wide-ranging responsibilities.
The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGI UK&I) is a chartered membership, professional body, and world-leading authority on governance, risk, and compliance. CGI UK&I supports its members in organisations of all sizes across all sectors of the economy, including large corporates, SMEs, the public sector, and charities.
Gallery
Program Outcome
How You Study
Weekly contact hours on this Program may vary depending on the module options chosen and the stage of study. Hours of study may vary from term to term for both full and part-time students and can be spread throughout the week.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least three to four hours in independent study.
Although a proportion of the contact time will be spent in teaching, emphasis is also placed on the use of the student group as a resource for learning. The style of teaching will vary to reflect individual module objectives. The modules utilise methods of teaching and learning which are appropriate to Master's level study and effective collaborative learning such as debates, presentations, and report writing. There will also be group discussions of practical situations and problems, making extensive use of real-world case studies in national and international contexts, simulation materials, and where relevant, the students' own experiences.
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The MSc Governance programme is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills to compete effectively in the domestic and international labor markets, and support best governance practices within organizations.
The program aims to develop the knowledge, professional, management, and transferable skills that may be useful in a wide variety of job roles in governance, leadership, management, finance, accountancy, strategy, law, secretariat, or administration in the corporate, not-for-profit, and public sectors.
At Lincoln International Business School students can access careers information, workshops, and guidance through the University&rsquo's Careers and Employability team.