MSc Leadership, Management and Artificial Intelligence
Hone your leadership, managerial and strategic skills, while navigating the emerging world of artificial intelligence (AI).
Year of entry: 2026 (September)
This course is designed to develop leadership and management skills for professionals and aspiring leaders to take on roles across a range of industries that harness AI's potential and face its challenges.
You'll explore the role of AI technologies and their implications for leadership, management, strategic and organisational practices. Drawing on a contemporary, research-led curriculum and real-world case studies, you'll apply an in-depth understanding of leadership and management theories, alongside critical thinking, problem-solving and practical applications to enable you to thrive in the current world of work.
Course content
You'll take three core modules in Semester 1. One core module in Semester 2 and two option modules from the list provided. You'll also choose whether to take an academic or applied dissertation.
Modules
Core modules
- Leadership: Theory and Practice
- AI in Society
- The Changing Nature of Work
- Management, Society and Artificial Intelligence
- Organisational Security, Surveillance and AI
Option modules
You will also study two option modules. Examples include:
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of AI technologies and their implications for leadership, strategy and organisational change.
- Evaluate the impact of AI on business models, work practices and the broader landscape of work, drawing on contemporary research and case studies.
- Analyse the ethical and societal implications of the use of AI in organisations, ensuring responsible leadership.
- Apply leadership theories to make sense of AI and integrate it into organisational structures and processes.
- Enhance leadership skills grounded in management theory and contemporary issues to drive ethical, professional and culturally aware business operations.
- Communicate complex AI concepts effectively to a broad range of diverse stakeholders.
- Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills in relation to (AI-related) business challenges.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £15,350 | £31,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Funding information
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
Funding opportunities
Chevening Scholarships
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching format
You'll be taught through a combination of hands-on workshops, lectures and seminars. You'll find that small group working and establishing your own perspective on social issues will become a core part of your studying process.
- One-to-one supervision while undertaking an extended social and public policy research project on a topic of your choosing
- A friendly, supportive and intellectually stimulating environment in which to study
- Small group teaching with lectures typically no larger than 40 people and workshops and seminars typically no larger than 20 students
You'll also be able to attend the School's lectures and University lectures from visiting speakers from across the world.
Teaching location
You'll be based in the School for Business and Society in the Church Lane Building on Campus West. Teaching will take place in Church Lane Building and Alcuin College and other locations across Campus West.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Assessment and feedback
Your assessment will be continuous and based mainly on essays and reports. You will receive written feedback on all assessed work.
You'll complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation as part of your own specialist research project.
Careers and skills
The programme will equip you with knowledge needed for leadership roles in management and related sectors. Combining theory and practice, you'll develop expertise in organisational management, policy analysis, and strategic decision-making.
Collaboration with peers and networking opportunities will enhance professional connections and perspectives. The programme’s focus on global and local challenges ensures relevance across diverse professional contexts.
Career opportunities
Typical career paths in leadership and management include the areas of:
- Corporate leadership
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
- Public policy
Transferable skills
- Communications skills
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Time management
- Project management
- Independent study and research
- Teamwork skills
Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we'll help you find your career advantage.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
If you haven't met our English language requirements
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Next steps
Contact us
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