Management Science MSci

London, Bloomsbury
Management Science MSci (2024)

The world's leading companies need people who can operate in complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven environments; people who can analyse problems using quantitative tools and qualitative methods, take decisions in the face of uncertainty and risk, and deliver results through people. Taught by the UCL School of Management, the Management Science MSci provides a rigorous, practical foundation in these critical skills.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
N990

Entry requirements

Grades
A*AA
Subjects
Mathematics with A* required. Science or Social Sciences preferred.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Contextual offers are typically one to two grades lower than the standard offer. Grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.

Points
39
Subjects
A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, including grade 7 in Mathematics, with no score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Contextual offers are typically one to two grade boundaries (equivalent to A levels) lower than the standard offer. IB Diploma grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Mathematics at D2.

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). Mathematics at Advanced Higher A1 required.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*AA, including Mathematics at A*.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview



Core modules in mathematics, critical analytical thinking, data analytics, design, economics, computational thinking and behavioural science provide a solid grounding in the concepts and tools underpinning the practice of management in complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven environments.

In addition, modules in strategy, marketing science, finance, operations management, and decision science provide an in-depth understanding of how companies work and build the insight and skills needed to deliver results through people.    

You will also benefit from being part of UCL Engineering and be involved in the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP). Here you will take an Engineering Sciences minor in years two and three, allowing you to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of other aspects of engineering. You can learn more about this on the UCL Integrated Engineering Programme website.

In the final year of the MSci programme (Year 4) you will take additional advanced modules and have the opportunity extend your knowledge and skills in a specialist area such as strategy and entrepreneurship, organisations and innovation, operations and technology, marketing and analytics, business analytics or finance. You will also undertake a group consultancy project.   

As a student of the Faculty of Engineering you will also take part in the “How to Change the World” programme, where students from all engineering departments collaborate on real-world challenge-based, problem-solving activities in creative, interdisciplinary teams.

In Year 4, you will take three modules in strategy, leadership and entrepreneurship and choose a specialist group of three modules. You will also undertake a group consultancy project.

What this course will give you

UCL's Management Science MSci programme is unlike any other degree in the UK. It provides exceptional individuals with a high performance, high trust environment that develops both deep technological skills and advanced social and emotional skills.    

The UCL School of Management is a different kind of business school. It is focused on technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and analytics, and how they are changing management practice in the world's best organisations.    

The Management Science MSci includes 8 intensive Scenario Weeks during which you will work in teams to address complex interdisciplinary management problems.    

The Management Science MSci enables you to develop strong quantitative and analytical skills, an in-depth understanding of how companies work, and a rigorous foundation in the key skills needed to build successful careers with global businesses tackling world-scale problems.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MSci (Hons) in Management Science.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

In Year One you'll typically take 8 core modules. In Year Two you'll typically take 7 core modules and 1 optional module (IEP Engineering Minor module 1). In Year Three you'll take 6 core modules - one of which is a dissertation - and 2 optional modules (IEP Engineering Minor modules 2 and 3). Finally, in Year Four you will take 6 core modules, one of which will be a group consultancy project and 3 optional modules which are selected as 2-module Concentrations.

Details of the IEP Minors (and their 3 modules) change from year to year and are detailed on the Faculty’s IEP site

The Management Science Concentration consists of two integrated modules and provides you with an opportunity to extend your knowledge and skills in a specialist area such as:

  • Business Analytics
  • Finance
  • Marketing and Analytics
  • Operations and Technology
  • Organisations and Innovation 
  • Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Concentration modules also change from year to year. The list of the current Concentrations can be found on the School of Management website.

The Management Science MSci includes 8 intensive Scenario Weeks during which you will work in teams to address complex interdisciplinary management problems.

There are limited opportunities for you to study abroad during your third year in which case the study abroad programme would replace the modules usually taken at UCL. The study abroad programme is competitive and only a few students will be successful at obtaining places. Placements are subject to approval and availability of places.  

It is not possible to undertake both a year in industry and a study abroad placement.

You may be successful at arranging an internship opportunity and therefore choose to undertake a year in industry. In this case you would be registered on the extra-mural year (EMY) and be required to provide an end of placement report.

Your learning

Teaching and learning is conducted through lectures, seminars and scenario-based challenges which are supported by a developing digital campus. Extensive background reading and literature research are required throughout the programme. You will attend special sessions and guest lectures and complete a variety of activities including individual and group projects, timed examinations, quizzes and presentations.

For the Engineering Sciences minor in Years Two and Three, students choose from a list of optional modules, however, there are some restrictions in the selection depending on timetabling and specialist groupings. Students will be made aware of the process of selecting optional modules by the programmes team.

In Years One and Two, students typically study 8 modules throughout the year. On each of the compulsory modules, there are 4 contact hours per week which are usually split into 2-hour lectures and 2-hour seminars over the course of 8 weeks.

Students also participate in compulsory and assessed scenario week challenges for 4 weeks in Year One and again in Year Two.

In the third year, students typically take 6 modules throughout the year which usually have 3 contact hours per week. Students also undertake a supervised dissertation.

In the final year of the MSci programme (Year Four), students typically study 3 compulsory modules and a group of 3 optional modules forming a specialist concentration. On each of the compulsory modules, there are 3 contact hours per week over 10 weeks. Students also spend approximately 5-8 hours a week on the group consultancy project over terms 1 and 2.

In addition, students in all years of study spend approximately 4-6 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars.

The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

The breakdown in relation to optional modules will vary depending on the optional modules selected.

For a full overview of the programme structure please visit the UCL School of Management website.

Assessment

Modules are examined through assessed coursework and written examinations. Examinations take place at the end of each academic year.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

The foundation of your career

Graduates from the Management Science programme work at some of the world's leading companies, including top management consulting firms, global investment banks, and cutting-edge technology companies.

Employability

The Management Science MSci helps you develop the deep interdisciplinary skills needed to identify and solve complex management problems. It also helps you develop the practical problem solving and consulting skills that will enable you to create value and deliver results in whatever career you choose.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £9,250
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

This programme may include opportunities for students to undertake optional international study trips. The costs of such trips will be covered by students although grants may be available, depending on the destination, organisational and support responsibilities, etc. On average, costs would be around £1,000 to £1,750 depending on the trip location, personal flight preferences and spending habits as well as the prevailing exchange rates.

As previously noted, there are opportunities to study abroad or undertake a year in industry - these are not a core component of the programme. Please note that students who wish to undertake a study abroad or extra-mural year in industry opportunity are likely to incur additional costs. These costs are difficult to predict and will vary depending on the location you choose to study or work, your personal preferences and the prevailing exchange rate and cost of living.  

This programme does not have any other additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are looking for: strong mathematical/quantitative skills; interest in people, what motivates them and how they behave; ability to think creatively and present your views coherently; excitement for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship; interest in business and in wider societal, cultural and global issues; able to work with other people; prepared to undertake a rigorous and intellectually demanding academic programme.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Candidates who meet the minimum entrance criteria will be asked to complete an Additional Personal Statement for this programme. This consists of a number of questions designed to help you showcase your skills and how you think. Candidates who are made an offer will be invited to a Management Science Offer Holder Open Day.

Selection will be made based on the information provided in your UCAS application and personal statement. 

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.