Management Science BSc (Hons) 2020 entry
The BSc (Hons) in Management Science will introduce you to organisations in all sectors and teaches you to understand techniques which draw from the subject including marketing, organisational behaviour, managing in diverse and challenging situations, and analysing financial data.
Management Science is particularly suited for those who want to give most of their attention to Management and acquire the skills to apply mathematics to Management. It includes advanced training in quantitative techniques, such as operational research, that are relevant to the analysis of managerial problems.
In the School of Management, you learn from a team of international scholars whose teaching and research are based on the concept of responsible enterprise, which entails an ethical approach to managing organisations and their social and environmental impacts.
UCAS code
N204
Course type
Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)
Course duration
Four years full time
- Start date: 7 September 2020
- End date: 30 June 2024
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Entry requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
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- Standard entry grades: AAAAB
- Minimum entry grades: AABB
- Gateway entry grades: BBBB
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- Standard entry grades: AAA
- Minimum entry grades: ABB
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- Standard entry grades: 38 (HL 6,6,6)
- Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5)
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No previous knowledge of this subject is required.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
SQA qualifications
GCSE qualifications
Other qualifications
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Reputation
The School of Management at St Andrews was ranked first in the UK (overall and for graduate prospects) by the Complete University Guide 2020. The School was also ranked first in Scotland (overall) and second in the UK (satisfied with teaching) for business, management and marketing by the Guardian University Guide 2020.
The School is also known for its research impact and was ranked second in Scotland for research quality by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, with over 78% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2019 as 95% of St Andrews final year students were satisfied with the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
The University as a whole was awarded second in the UK and first in Scotland by the Guardian University Guide 2020.
The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.
Find out more about studying management at St Andrews.
Course information
The BSc (Hons) in Management Science is a four-year course run by the School of Management.
In the first two years, you will learn about organisations and how they operate in society as well as the core functions of managers within these organisations. You will also take modules in mathematics which will teach you the skills and techniques needed to apply mathematics to Management.
Alongside Management Science, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
During your third and fourth years, you will be able to explore a wide range of specialist subjects, which may include (but are not limited to):
- advanced data analysis
- consumer behaviour
- international banking
- scenario thinking
- statistical modelling.
During your studies, you will obtain knowledge of international trends and develop interpersonal and transferable skills, as well as an orientation towards creativity and innovation.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Find out more about studying management at St Andrews.
Modules
In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Management Science and Mathematics alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take one to two Management Science and Mathematics modules per semester during your first two years, and three to four modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.
Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Mathematics: covers the ideas, methods and techniques needed to apply mathematics and for taking the study of mathematics further.
- Organisations and Analysis: examines some of the main analytical approaches and techniques required by managers and provides an introduction to financial accounting concepts and techniques.
- Organisations and Society: introduces students to three key aspects of management in the external and internal environment - understanding the business environment, people and organisations, and economic principles.
Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Management and Society: examines the conceptual frameworks and techniques of marketing and organisational behaviour.
- Management and Analysis: examines some of the alternative perspectives on management and the changing policy and business environment for organisations, and engages with accounting from a broader sociological perspective.
- Mathematics (second year): extends the knowledge and skills gained by students in first-year Mathematics, and in particular enhances skills in the theory and application of: differential and integral calculus of several real variables; limiting processes; linear mathematics.
If you decide to take Management Science in your third and fourth years, you will take three compulsory modules in Management alongside compulsory modules taught by the School of Mathematics and Statistics. The compulsory Management modules from previous years have been the following:
- Contemporary Issues in Management
- Corporate Finance and Control
- Organisation Studies.
In addition, you will take optional modules chosen from a wide range which reflects the expertise of staff in the School of Management and the School of Mathematics and Statistics. Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:
- Financial Markets and Investments
- Leadership Development
- Mathematical Programming
- Scenario Thinking
- Time Series Analysis.
In fourth year, you also have the option of undertaking a research project and submitting a dissertation.
The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules available for the current academic year can be found in the module catalogue.
Teaching
Teaching format
Modules in Management are delivered through lectures with class sizes around 200 to 320 students at sub-honours level and 20 to 170 students at Honours level.
Lectures are often supplemented by small-group tutorials of around 15 students. These tutorials are structured around material that coordinates with lectures, and are small enough that tutors can give special attention to particular needs.
Mathematics modules are taught through lectures (100 to 250 students) supplemented by practical laboratory classes (25 to 60 students) and small group tutorials (8 to 12 students).
When not attending lectures, tutorials and labs, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
In the School of Management, you will be taught by leading researchers in the field with an emphasis on research-led teaching. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all Management staff on the School of Management website.
In addition to your studies in the School of Management, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.
The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Assessment
Students’ progress is carefully monitored through a system of continuous assessment and tutorials.
All Management modules are assessed by at least 30% coursework, with the balance made up of either written examinations or more coursework. Mathematics modules are assessed by at least 50% written examination with the remainder made up of coursework.
Written examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.
The School aims to provide feedback on every assessment within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please visit the common reporting scale web page.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2020 entry
| Scotland and EU | £1,820 |
|---|---|
| Rest of the UK | £9,250 |
| Overseas | £23,910 |
For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.
In taking a joint degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects. Find out more about joint degrees.
Your future
Careers
A degree in Management Science not only provides an excellent basis for a career in management, but it can also be used as a springboard into a wide variety of other careers. During your studies, you will gain presentation and group working skills, which provide vocational relevance for careers in commerce, finance, industry and public service.
Management Science graduates have found employment in the fields of:
- general management
- marketing
- accountancy
- financial services.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Study abroad
Management Science students may participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the Study Abroad site.
Student life
From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.
Students of Management Science may be interested in joining the following student societies:
- Management Society organises an innovative programme of events offering valuable personal development and networking opportunities.
- Entrepreneur Society promotes and nurtures entrepreneurship in the St Andrews community and beyond. The society hosts a wide variety of events including talks by fellow students who have started their own business alongside their studies.
- Investment Society is for students who wish to develop their passion for financial markets and investing. The society even runs a global equities portfolio as an educational tool.
- Mathematics Society (SUMS) is dedicated to bringing people together who are interested in maths. They hold regular socials and informative talks from guest speakers.
The School of Management is located in the Gateway building on the western edge of St Andrews. The Gateway has state-of-the-art lecture and seminar facilities as well as an extensive study area for all University students.
The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As University buildings are located throughout the town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh makes it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland.
Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.
“In the School of Management we engage practically with the material whilst also being afforded the ability to engage with key texts, allowing us to become critical evaluators of information.”
Morgan (Angus, Scotland)
Contact information
School of Management
University of St Andrews
The Gateway
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9RJ
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2800
Email: management.school@st-andrews.ac.uk
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online (PDF, 84 KB).