Business Improvement

The part-time MSc Business Improvement course equips managers with the knowledge and skills required to better examine their processes and procedures in order to effect strategic improvements and change.



This results in organisations which are more efficient and effective. The programme has kept pace with new innovations and developments in the area of business improvement and has supported businesses with continuous improvement.



The concept of business improvement originated in the domain of manufacturing and tradable services. However, perhaps as a result of the intellectual force of new public management, the concept of business improvement now permeates all aspects of economic activity across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Indeed, job titles such as Director of Improvement and Business Improvement Manager are becoming more apparent across a range of public service departments.



The course is recognised and accredited by ICIPS - the Institute of Continuous Improvement in Public Services, although it is not limited to those in the public sector.



Each module is taught on a three day block basis. This minimises the time required for students to be out of the workplace: students will typically be at the University 9-12 days per year. There are also follow up "learning sets" following each module.



The course has been designed to enable part-time students to complete the course over two years. In Year 1, students complete 40 credit points in semester 1 and 20 credit points in semester 2. In Year 2, students complete 20 credit points in semester 1, 40 credit points in semester 2. The 60 credit Transformation Project is either completed over three semesters in Year 3 or fast-track students will complete this in parallel with the Year 2 taught modules.



Students in Year 1 who successfully complete the two modules in semester 1 and the module in semester 2 (to a value of 60 credit points) may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate. Students who progress from Year 1 and then successfully complete the module in semester 1 of Year 2 and two modules in semesters 2 of Year 2 (to a total value of 120 credit points) may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma.

Year one

• Leadership and Change

• Quality Management and Process Improvement

• Operational Excellence



Year two

• Financial Decision Making

• Innovation Management

• Improvement through People



Year three

• Transformation Project

This course is designed for those who are working in areas where they can make improvements within the organisation; therefore all applicants should ideally be employed in a related role.



Applicants will normally be expected to have achieved a Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in any discipline. It is expected that applicants will normally be in a position within their organisation to effect change, or for those who aspire to such a position.



Applications from those who do not have a Bachelor's degree are welcome, many of our students have significant work and management experience but no formal degree qualification.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

Students who have studied on the course over the last few years have included representatives from organisations such as Allen & Overy, Almac, Bombardier, Caterpillar, Citibank, HSC, Fane Valley, NI Water, Ryobi, Translink, and many others.