What Can I Do With a Masters in Business Management?

Common jobs for people with a Business Management Masters include CEO, CFO, project manager, consultant, analyst and business owner. Business management graduates earn a median salary of £50,400 five years after graduation.

A Masters in Business Management is one of the most popular postgraduate qualifications, for people at various stages in their careers. Recent graduates may study a Masters in Business Management as a way of boosting their employability, while established workers will often return to university as a form of professional development or to specialise in a particular area of business.

I’ve put together this guide to give you an idea of the typical jobs you can do and the salaries you can expect after completing a Masters in Business Management. I’ve also highlighted the kind of skills you’ll gain during your studies.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Average salary: £120,000 per year

Responsibilities: Set company’s financial strategy, budget and forecast, manage cash flow and identify and manage risks.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Average salary: £85,000 per year

Responsibilities: Set company’s overall vision and strategy, lead the executive team, allocate resources, build company culture and oversee company performance.

Project manager

Average salary: £46,000 per year

Responsibilities: Plan and organise one or multiple projects, manage budgets for the project(s), maintain schedules and communicate with stakeholders.

Business analyst

Average salary: £42,000 per year

Responsibilities: Identify business requirements, analyse data, design solutions and communicate with stakeholders.

Management analyst/consultant

Average salary: £39,000 per year

Responsibilities: Examining existing procedures, identifying areas of improvement, recommending solutions and creating reports and presentations.

Auditor

Average salary: £35,000 per year

Responsibilities: Examining financial statements and records, conducting risk assessments, reviewing regulations and compliance and reporting findings.

Business owner

Average salary: N/A

Responsibilities: Plan strategies, secure funding, budget and manage accounts and oversee day-to-day operations.

Studying a Masters in Business Management equips you with a whole set of

Subject-specific knowledge

During a Masters in Business Management, you’re likely to study modules on commercial areas such as:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Human resource management
• Marketing
• Operations management
• Organisational behaviour
• Strategy
• Supply chains

With these specialisations you could work within any sector or industry of your choice.

Transferrable skills

Studying a Masters in Business Management equips you with a whole set of transferrable skills to allow you to thrive in the professional world. You’ll gain leadership, people management, problem solving and communication skills which are key to set you apart in the real world.

Work-experience

Usually, a Masters in Business Management will culminate in an independent research project in the form of a dissertation. However, some Masters programmes also involve a placement within an external organisation, in which case the dissertation may relate to your experiences with that company and its commercial challenges.

Tips from the author

No matter which industry you're targeting, job applications can be challenging and time-consuming. Landing your dream job right after graduation is possible but not guaranteed. The key is patience and perseverance. If you're preparing to apply for jobs after completing your Masters in Business Management, here are a few tips for you:

• Leverage your network: Connect with peers, professors and alumni. Networking often opens doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised publicly.
• Tailor your applications: Highlight the specific skills and knowledge you gained during your degree that align with each role you apply for. Employers value relevance and clarity.
• Stay open-minded: While you may have a dream role in mind, don’t overlook unexpected opportunities in industries or roles you hadn’t previously considered.
• Keep learning: Business is constantly evolving. Stay updated on trends in your area of interest through courses, webinars and industry news.
• Be patient but proactive: Job searching can take time, but consistent effort pays off. Set weekly goals for applications if you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

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