MSc Business Consultancy

In the MSc Business Consultancy programme, we prepare future consultants for success in the dynamic world of business advisory. Our programme is designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to excel in the field of consulting. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, real-world case studies, and hands-on consulting projects, you will develop expertise in areas such as strategic analysis, problem-solving, client management, and project implementation. Whether you aspire to work for a top consulting firm, start your own consultancy, or enhance your business acumen for leadership roles, our MSc course offers a transformative learning experience tailored to meet your professional goals. Join us and embark on a journey towards becoming a skilled and sought-after business consultant.

Locations: Aberdeen, Edinburgh
Study mode:
Subject area: Business
Start date: September 2025

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Course Overview

Please note: This course is subject to validation

The MSc Business Consultancy course prepares you to become an expert consultant, capable of delivering strategic solutions to complex business challenges. This programme covers key areas such as business analysis, strategic planning, change management, and client relationship management. You will learn to diagnose organisational issues, develop innovative strategies, and implement effective solutions across a range of industries. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience through case studies, real-world projects, and industry collaborations. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide high-value consultancy services and drive organisational success in a competitive business environment.

SAC Consulting

SRUC has a network of consulting offices, working across Scotland and northern England, providing independent, research-driven, industry-leading expertise, advice and solutions. With strong links into research and education as part of SRUC, our consulting teams turn research into practice, supporting a broad range of clients from SMEs, to large multinationals and public sector organisations to realise their goals and support sustainable growth.

Some of our clients include: The Scottish Government, European Commission, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Devenish, Diageo, Edrington Group, Harbro, Lloyds Bank, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), SSE, The Macallan Distillers Ltd, and Waitrose.

Additional Information

: You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.

International students can also speak with a local authorised agent in their country who can assist you in applying for this course. Find your local agent by visiting our SRUC in your country page.
: This postgraduate degree is suitable for graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree in any subject.

Specific academic and English language requirements may apply for international students. For country-specific details, please see our dedicated international entry criteria page.
: Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.
: SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.
: Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland
: SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.
: Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: internationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form
: MSc International Business

MSc International Food and Agriculture Business

MSc Project Management

MSc Sustainability in Agriculture and Business

MSc Ecological Economics

What you'll learn

Analysis: Develop the ability to critically analyse complex business issues, identify root causes, and propose strategic solutions to enhance organisational performance.
Strategy: Gain proficiency in creating comprehensive strategic plans that align with organisational goals and effectively manage change within various business contexts.
Consulting: Utilise established consulting methodologies, frameworks and tools to conduct thorough business assessments, develop recommendations, and support decision-making processes.
Client Relationship Management: Build strong client relationships through effective communication, negotiation, and collaboration, ensuring the delivery of tailored and impactful consultancy services.
Project Management: Master project management techniques to plan, execute, and monitor consultancy projects, ensuring timely delivery and achievement of client objectives.
Ethical and Sustainable Practices: Incorporate ethical considerations and sustainability principles into consultancy practices, promoting responsible business solutions that benefit both organizations and society.

Core modules

: This non-credit bearing Leadership Programme is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in today's dynamic business environment. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical exercises, you will explore key leadership concepts, strategies, and styles. The module emphasises personal development, ethical decision-making, and effective communication. You will engage in team-building activities, case studies, and real-world projects to enhance you leadership capabilities. By the end of the programme, you will be well-prepared to lead diverse teams, drive organisational change, and navigate complex challenges with confidence and integrity.
: This module prepares you to navigate the complexities of marketing in an ethical and socially responsible manner, covering essential marketing principles while emphasising the importance of sustainability, consumer well-being, and ethical decision-making. You will analyse case studies, engage in discussions on contemporary issues, and develop strategies that balance profitability with social responsibility. Through practical projects and real-world scenarios, you will learn to create marketing campaigns that are both effective and ethical. By the end of the module, you will have the skills to implement marketing practices that foster trust, transparency, and long-term success.
: This module equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and implement effective business and financial strategies. Covering core topics such as budgeting, financial forecasting, risk management, and strategic planning, this course emphasises practical application and real-world scenarios. You will learn to analyse financial statements, create comprehensive business plans, and make informed decisions to drive organisational growth. Through case studies and hands-on projects, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of how to align financial planning with business objectives and craft robust financial strategies for sustainable success.
: This module delves into the dynamics of how individuals and groups interact within organisations. We'll explore key concepts such as motivation, leadership, team dynamics, communication, and organisational culture. You'll examine theoretical frameworks and apply them to real-world situations to understand and improve workplace behaviour. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical projects, you'll develop the skills to analyse and influence organisational practices. By the end of the module, you'll be equipped to foster positive organisational environments, enhance employee performance, and lead effectively in diverse and complex settings.
: This module offers an in-depth exploration of strategic planning and governance frameworks essential for successful project management. We will cover the development and implementation of effective project strategies, including alignment with organisational objectives, stakeholder management, and risk assessment. You'll learn to design robust governance structures that ensure accountability, compliance, and efficient decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Through case studies, practical exercises, and real-world scenarios, you'll develop the skills to create and manage strategic project plans and governance policies. By the end of the module, you'll be equipped to lead projects with a strategic vision and strong oversight.
: This module equips you with the tools and techniques needed to understand, analyse, and improve business processes and systems. We'll cover key aspects of business analysis, including requirements gathering, process modelling, data analysis, and solution evaluation. You'll learn to identify business needs, assess the impact of proposed changes, and recommend solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Through practical exercises, case studies, and real-world projects, you'll develop the skills to analyse complex business problems and contribute to strategic decision-making. By the end of the module, you'll be adept at delivering actionable insights and driving business improvements.
: This module delivers the essential skills for designing, conducting, and analysing research in a business context. Covering both qualitative and quantitative techniques, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, data collection, and analysis. You will learn to formulate research questions, select appropriate methods, and interpret results to make informed decisions. Through hands-on projects and case studies, you’ll develop practical experience in applying research methods to solve real-world business problems.
: The MSc concludes with an opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigative or research project on a topic closely related to the programme. You'll collaborate with a Project Supervisor to choose a relevant research topic. Throughout the project, you'll critically evaluate and present novel information, demonstrating your ability to synthesise and interpret complex data. This project will build on the knowledge and skills you've acquired during the programme, fostering your ability to conduct independent research and contribute original insights to your field of study.

Student experience

"Throughout my studies at SRUC the amount of guidance and support I have felt from all teaching staff has been second to none and diversity of teaching styles has allowed me to gain insight to different methods of working and learning, making each lesson really interesting and providing me with variety.

The staff are highly professional, enthusiastic and are very caring and understanding of circumstances. Their outgoing approachable personalities ensures that us as students feel really motivated to reach our full potential and succeed with our studies whilst feeling very supported and listened to.

All lectures are dynamic and full of real-life examples and resources are engaging and very enjoyable to participate in with significant emphasis placed upon instigating discussions in class and allows us to collaborate and work together to help everyone understand the topics fully."

Graduate employability
91% of our graduates are in work or full-time employment within six months of graduation (DLHE survey 2023)

Networking
SRUC has a network of 24 consulting offices, working across Scotland and northern England, providing independent, research-driven, industry-leading expertise, advice and solutions.

Research excellence
The research power of Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences at SRUC and the University of Edinburgh is ranked No.1 in the UK based on the quality and breadth of work (REF2021)

Global impact
SRUC is ranked in the top 200 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

"I was able to meet industry professionals and ask advice on working within the industry as well as learn more on their own businesses which allowed me to put the theory I learned in the classroom into real life context."

Shannon Audrey, BA (Hons) Rural Business Management

Meet the lecturer

Bill Mackay

Senior Lecturer

Before becoming a lecturer, Bill’s career was in management, working with three multinational PLCs and three regional private limited companies, working in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, including being an Operations Manager and Marketing Director. He then switched to an academic career in 2005 starting at Langside College lecturing mostly in financial management, business planning and marketing before joining SRUC in 2008.

"My style of teaching is experiential. I like to use a variety of activities in the classroom including games and simulations. My lecturing style suits active learners with a focus on visits to real rural businesses and taking those experiences back into the classroom. I’m lucky in that I work with terrific students and excellent colleagues.

SRUC is about creating and mobilising knowledge and talent to benefit Scotland’s natural economy. That is something that I buy into and take satisfaction from contributing to."

View Bill's Pure profile

Rachael Stark

Senior Lecturer

Rachael graduated from Robert Gordon University with a degree in Publishing where she particularly focussed on marketing during her work placement. Prior to SRUC, Rachael worked in marketing roles across various different industries including oil and gas, and as Faculty Marketing Officer for a Higher Education institution.

Rachael joined SRUC’s commercial arm (SAC Consulting) as Marketing Co-ordinator in 2012 and that’s where the interest in becoming a lecturer began and so joined the education arm of the organisation in 2015.

Rachael says: “The most rewarding thing in the world is attending graduation day and watching students who enrolled as nervous, shy first years accept their awards as the confident, accomplished professionals that they have matured into.”

“I am passionate about dynamic marketing and branding – I enjoy trying to understand consumer behaviour and what makes people tick. My teaching style involves using lots of case studies and examples to contextualise theory and to stimulate interactive debate. My most popular lecture involved analysing (and tasting) a variety of chocolate brands!”

Fiona Malone

Senior Lecturer

Fiona graduated with a degree in commerce and accounting from Edinburgh University before working in the health service. After a role involving training new recruits, she then moved into education, completing a post graduate certificate in education at Strathclyde University. Before joining SRUC 12 years ago, she taught at Napier University and Edinburgh College while also delivering the teacher training and assessor courses for internal staff and writing many study packages for students and staff across Scotland.

Fiona developed an interest in delivering not only the theory involved in management but the practical application to specific contexts and moved into delivering commercial courses, vocational qualifications and professional training to a wide range of Scottish financial institutions including Baillie Gifford, Scottish Widows and Standard Life.

Fiona says “Over the years I developed an interest into teaching methods and learning styles which is reflected in my approach to teaching – making sometimes complex subjects as simple as possible. I am particularly focussed on the financial and business development subjects and teach in such a way that students gain the confidence to tackle subjects (like maths!) that they might have struggled with at school. I love seeing how students’ progress through their years with us and evolve into the successful graduates who can make a real contribution to the rural economy”.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course:

Scottish students: £9,000
RUK students: £10,000
International students: £19,000

More detailed information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more

SAC Consulting

Providing independent, research-driven, industry-leading expertise, advice and solutions for agricultural, food and land-based businesses.

Enterprise Academy for the Rural & Natural Economy

Our Enterprise Academy was established to champion sustainable thinking and entrepreneurial action across education, business and research at SRUC and in our wider communities.