Masters of Science in Strategic Focus (M.Sc)

A student who successfully completes the eleven courses qualifies to receive an M.Sc in Strategic Focus. This is an intermediate award for those proceeding to the research element or exit award for those leaving the DBA programmes at this point

Entry Requirements:

  • One of the following:

    • A Heriot-Watt University MBA

    • An MBA of equivalent standard that is offered by Edinburgh Business School

    • An approved Masters Degree such as MSc, MA, Mphil in a relevant field of study and of equivalent standard to the Heriot-Watt MBA

  • At least five years relevant business experience

  • Course Structure:

    • The DBA programme combines a study element with a research element.
    • The study element is comprised of four parts; Strategic Planning, Making Strategies Work, Project Management, Strategic Risk Management
    • The research element provides the skills necessary to apply the tools and techniques of the discipline in a rigorous manner and in a wide range of settings
    • To achieve the DBA, a student must complete eleven courses plus a DBA thesis normally around 45,000 words with an upper limit of 80,000 words excluding appendices
    • The programme is offered full-time, part-time and in self-study modes

    • Programme Content:

    Part 1 - The Study Element

    Compulsory Courses

    • Making Strategies Work
    • Project Management
    • Strategic Risk Management
    • Introduction to Business Research
    • Business Research Methodology and Analysis Techniques
    • Advanced Business Research Methodology and Analysis Techniques

    Elective Courses (choose five from nine)

    • Competitive Strategy
    • Mergers and Acquisitions (available September 2003)
    • Corporate Governance (available December 2003)
    • Stakeholder Management (available June 2004)
    • Strategic Negotiation (available June 2004)
    • Alliances and Partnerships (available June 2004)
    • Corporate Venturing (available end 2004)
    • Leadership (available end 2004)
    • Competency Management (available end 2004)

    Part 2 - The Research Element

    • A student must complete a thesis of around 45,000 words with an upper limit of 80,000 words excluding appendices.
    • The thesis must be completed in three distinct stages:

    Stage 1 - Research Proposal. The student is expected to complete the Introduction to Business Research course and develop a research proposal. The research proposal can only be submitted to the Edinburgh Business School research Committee for approval when the study element is completed. If the research proposal is not acceptable, it will be returned to the candidate with an indication of the review or further work required. The student should continue to develop the research proposal until a standard acceptable to the Edinburgh Business School Research Committee is achieved.

    Stage 2 - Literature review and synthesis of research hypothesis. The student works under the direction of the supervisor to develop a literature review, synthesis and research theory, hypothesis or question. As with the research proposal, the literature review, synthesis and research hypothesis or question must be developed to a level acceptable to the Edinburgh Business School Research Committee. If the work undertaken at this stage is not acceptable, it will be returned with an indication of the review of further works required. With the assistance of the supervisor, the student must continue to develop the literature review, synthesis and research hypothesis or question until a standard acceptable to the Research Committee is achieved

    Stage 3 - Research methodology, data collection, analysis and conclusions. The student works under the direction of the supervisor to carry out appropriate data collection and analysis and to design a suitable research method to test the research hypothesis or question. The student must offer a clear set of conclusions and suggestions for further research. The final thesis is then formally submitted for examination.

    Assessment is by formal viva voce (a formal face-to face oral defense) examination comprising the student, an internal examiner, an external examiner and a supervisor.