Global Business Ethics and Philosophy of Management (Taught)

About this Course
This master's degree offers a critical, philosophical exploration of ethical issues in business, management, and global organizations. The course is designed to equip you with the skills to engage critically with the rapidly evolving world of work and the difficult ethical questions it poses.
You will examine fundamental concepts in the philosophy of value and management and delve into issues surrounding current management practices. This includes contemporary ethical and political challenges such as:
• Debates surrounding the treatment of employees and customers.
• Ethical concerns related to advancing technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
• Philosophical questions about markets and trade.
You will learn to think critically about practical ethical problems and offer sound solutions.

We are ranked 7th in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide 2026).

Key Features of this Course
• Philosophical Rigour: You will study core modules like Research Skills in Philosophy to prepare you for high-level academic research.
• Specialized Ethics Modules: Core taught content includes modules such as Business, Morality, and Markets and Ethics at Work: Customers, Companies, and Cooperation.
• Dissertation: The program culminates in a Philosophy Dissertation on a subject of your choice related to philosophical issues in business and/or management.
• Flexible Optionality: You have the opportunity to select optional modules to tailor your learning, potentially exploring areas within the creative and cultural industries (e.g., film, music, literary world) or modules like Corporate Finance.
• Course Leadership: The program is led by Dr. Brian McElwee, whose research interests include normative ethics, applied ethics, and the history of moral philosophy.

Career Prospects
This course is designed to cultivate the critical thinking and problem-solving skills highly valued in the modern workplace. Graduates are well-suited for roles where ethical insight, critical analysis, and management theory intersect.
Career pathways often lead to leadership and advisory roles across various sectors, including:
• Directly related roles: Consultant, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Policy Officer, Social Researcher, Financial Risk Analyst, and University Lecturer.
• Wider sectors: Financial Services, Professional and Consultancy Services, Government Bodies (Local/National), Charitable Organisations, Museums, and Universities.

Further Information
• Duration: Typically a one-year full-time program.
• Employability Skills: The degree focuses on developing skills in Research, Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, and Problem Solving, preparing you for competitive graduate careers.