Corporate Governance and Business Ethics (MSc / MRes / Postgraduate Certificate) - 2013/2014 entry

Corporate governance and business ethics are areas of rapidly growing importance in which Birkbeck has a pre-eminent research position. Our programmes are designed for those wishing to better understand the complex and dynamic relationships between organisations and their stakeholders. The role of governance is to set out the rules within which an organisation must operate – and to ensure those rules are observed. Its focus is on a range of issues concerning the proper management of organisations. Corporate governance is thus central to the evolution of strategy and policy – and hence, effective management.

Since many Birkbeck students are working, postgraduate study brings together those with relevant experience and an interest in developing further. The programmes are relevant to directors and non-executive board members, managers, consultants and those interested in governance, corporate social responsibility and ethics in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

• Aims to provide a critical, research-based understanding of key issues in corporate governance and ethics. 
• Designed for those wishing to engage critically with the issues of business and society, and those wishing to be involved professionally in corporate governance or corporate social responsibility.
• Programme teaching is underpinned by the work of the London Centre for Corporate Governance and Ethics.
• Watch our video: postgraduate management courses at Birkbeck.

Postgraduate Certificate

Take the following three core modules:

• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Responsibility
• International Business Ethics.

They must also choose one option:

• Accounting and Financial Management
• Climate Change and Sustainable Business Practice
• Current Issues in Employment Relations and Human Resource Management
• Economics and Governance of Innovation and Institutions 
• Economics and Governance of Professional Football
• Environment and Policy
• Globalization: Forces, Players and Management
• Trust, Social Norms and Development.

MSc/MRes

MSc students complete eight modules and write a 15,000-word dissertation. MRes students complete six modules and write a 25,000-word dissertation in the field of corporate governance or business ethics. All students take the following five modules:

• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Responsibility
• International Business Ethics
• Principles of Organization and Management
• Research Methods in Management 1.

MSc students take one module from a choice of:

• Accounting and Financial Management
• Economics and Governance of Innovation and Institutions
• Globalisation: Forces, Players and Management
• Sport Governance and Regulation.
• Trust and Social Norms and Development.

They must also choose two modules from around 40 management modules.

MRes students also study one of the following two modules:

• Qualitative Methods
• Statistical Methods for Business.

We engage in significant collaborative research and have excellent contacts with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions.

Birkbeck's Centre for Corporate Governance and Ethics serves as an institutional complement to the programme, providing students and graduates with the opportunity to become involved in the work of the London Centre and in the global network of which it forms a part.

If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Management.

Progress to a PhD will normally be dependent on gaining at least a merit grade in the Master's programme. It will also be dependent on a member of the teaching staff agreeing to act as principal supervisor for your PhD research.

The Statistical Methods for Business and Qualitative Methods modules are a compulsory requirement for students at the PhD programme. If you are considering going on to a PhD, you should choose this module as part of your Master's degree.

Graduates go on to careers in management in a variety of settings, including local and national government, business and industry. Current granduates are working for companies including Barclay’s, The Prince’s Trust, Ethical Corporation, The United Nations PRI, Aviva Investors, PIRC and P-Solve.

In a recent Graduate Destination Survey, our graduates were working for employers including HSBC, Smith & Nephew, Transport for London and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Our qualifications in corporate governance and ethics are designed for those wishing to better understand the complex and dynamic relationships between organisations and their stakeholders (ranging from shareholders to regulators). The role of governance is to set out the rules within which an organisation must operate – and to ensure those rules are observed. Its focus is on a range of issues concerning the proper management of corporations. Corporate governance is thus central to the evolution of strategy and policy – and hence, effective management. Since many Birkbeck students are working, postgraduate study brings together those with relevant experience and an interest in developing further. The programmes are relevant to directors and non-executive board members, managers, consultants and those interested in governance, corporate social responsibility and ethics in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

• As early as possible, but no later than September.