Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2025
Programme overview
Our MSc in Management and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is designed for students looking to develop expertise in applying AI across various modern management practices and contexts. You will acquire the critical skills and insights necessary to lead AI initiatives within contemporary organisations.
You will explore AI's applications, opportunities, and limitations through a multidisciplinary teaching approach. You will also learn how to navigate the challenges and risks associated with integrating AI into business and operational processes. The curriculum emphasises hands-on experience with AI tools, engagement with industry practitioners, and stimulating discussions on relevant topics.
This master's programme offers a practical and transformative learning experience that aligns with the rapidly evolving field of AI.
You do not need previous knowledge of AI to apply for this programme. We welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds, including social sciences, humanities, management, business, and engineering. The programme is also suitable for students from an AI background who want to build their knowledge of management functions and processes.
Programme outline
You’ll study a carefully designed set of modules covering AI and Data Analytics, Economics and Finance, People and Work, Society, and Managing Change. The programme covers both the conceptual foundations and practical techniques underpinning AI systems. Additionally, it will develop your ability to critically evaluate the adoption, integration, and management of AI applications in various organisational settings.
In the Capstone module, you will apply your knowledge, critical skills, and practical expertise to either develop an AI-driven solution or investigate an organisational dilemma. This project aims to address real-world management challenges faced by organisations. You can choose between a company project or a research dissertation. Both options are designed to help you engage with a topic that aligns with your research and professional interests. This experience will showcase the transformative potential of AI in organisational settings and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to prospective employers.
You will be taught by a multidisciplinary teaching team of internationally recognised researchers and educators. Additionally, you will engage with industry experts through various activities designed to help you build your professional network and develop skills and expertise in your field.
Careers
Roles in management and AI are evolving and growing rapidly. Typical career destinations for graduates with skills in this area include:
Managers in organisations that seek to develop responsible AI strategies and lead transformation projects involving the implementation and use of AI systems, such as Responsible AI Managers, AI Strategy Leads, and AI Governance Managers.
Digital transformation managers responsible for guiding companies through AI-driven organisational changes, such as AI Adoption and Change Analysts and AI Digital Transformation Leads.
Innovation managers focused on identifying and implementing AI-enabled business opportunities, eg AI and Innovation Portfolio Managers.
Management consultants specialising in AI and digital transformation. Job titles include Data and AI Strategy Manager and AI Advisory Consultant.
AI Implementation Advisors in sectors such as healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, retail and the public sector.
The MSc in Management and AI is a 12-month programme, starting in October.
Industry connections
Guest lectures by industry experts, company projects, and an industry hackathon will help you develop your professional network and build strong professional skills and expertise in your field.
Hands-on experience
Work with AI tools, engage with industry practitioners, and apply your learning through our capstone module as part of your practical learning experience.
Change your discipline
Designed for students with an undergraduate degree in any subject who wish to develop the skills and insights to lead AI initiatives within contemporary organisations.
Mutidiscipliniary approach
Our multidisciplinary teaching approach develops your management expertise in various organisational contexts, such as HR, finance, economics, ethics, analytics, as well as in leading AI initiatives in diverse organisational settings.
Career options
The skills and expertise you will develop will equip you for roles in management and AI, which are evolving and growing rapidly.
Scholarships for 2025 entry
We are delighted to offer a selection of scholarships for master’s programmes at Lancaster University Management School for 2025 entry.
International students
Your qualifications
Programme cost without scholarship
Management School Scholarship
Lancaster Global Scholarship
Total Scholarship amount
You pay
1st class degree
£27,300
£5,500
£5,000
£10,500
£16,800
2:1 degree
£27,300
£4,000
-
£4,000
£23,300
2:2 degree
£27,300
£2,000
-
£2,000
£25,300
Home students
Your qualifications
Programme cost without scholarship
Scholarship amount
You pay
1st class degree
£16,270
£5,000
£11,270
2:1 degree
£16,270
£5,000
£11,270
We also offer an additional 10% discount on fees for Lancaster University Alumni. Alumni Loyalty Scholarship.
Scholarships will be applied automatically if you meet the criteria.
A 2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in any discipline. We are looking for marks consistently at 2:2 level throughout your undergraduate studies.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
English language requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Course structure
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Core
core modules accordion
This module addresses advanced conceptual foundations underpinning contemporary AI systems. You will explore the historical developments of AI, as well as the theoretical frameworks for understanding its societal impact.
Key issues and debates will be examined, including the complex politics and ethics surrounding AI in society. Topics will include:
the transparency of AI processes,
explainability, fairness and bias in AI algorithms,
human rights and privacy concerns,
the global and local implications of AI.
You'll also consider large-scale regulatory contexts, such as the EU AI Act of 2024 and the role of UK regulatory ‘sandboxes’ in shaping AI development and management.
The module will be delivered through workshops, lectures, and presentations. You will engage in both group work and individual projects, analysing real-world cases, industry reports, and the latest research. You will be enabled to develop an informed perspective and a moral compass to navigate the complex ethical landscape of AI and its impact on humanity, organisations, and industry.
AI is transforming how businesses and economies function, making it essential for future leaders to understand its methods. This module offers a practical introduction to key AI techniques, including predictive analytics, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and computer audition, all viewed through the lens of management science and economics.
You will explore how these methods are applied to extract insights, optimise decision-making, and address complex problems in business, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. The module is tailored for non-technical students. It emphasises the interpretation of AI models, understanding data pipelines, and evaluating the strategic implications of AI-driven insights, without requiring coding skills.
By the end of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate AI applications, communicate your findings effectively, and apply AI-driven approaches to real-world managerial and economic challenges.
This module provides an in-depth exploration of how AI is transforming the fields of economics and finance without requiring prior knowledge or expertise in these area.
You will start by exploring AI applications in microeconomics and macroeconomics, focusing on area such as consumer behaviour, market dynamics, and economic policy, while engaging in hands-on activities and case studies. Special topics, including behavioural and environmental economics, will highlight AI’s growing role in economic research and decision-making.
You will then be introduced to AI applications in finance, exploring machine learning-driven financial analysis, predictive modelling, transaction monitoring, and sentiment analysis. By the end of the module, you will develop critical analytical skills, gain proficiency in AI-driven data interpretation, and acquire practical experience in leveraging AI for economic and financial problem-solving.
In this module, you will apply your knowledge, critical thinking skills, and practical expertise to develop an AI-driven solution or to investigate an organisational dilemma. This approach aims to address real-world management challenges faced by organisations. You will participate in workshops with various exercises and opportunities to learn from industry experts, which will help you prepare for your Capstone project.
You will then decide between two paths for your Capstone project:
Company Capstone Project, working in groups and in collaboration with an industry partner, or
Capstone Research Dissertation, working individually to conduct and critically evaluate a literature review.
Both options are designed to engage you with an applied topic relevant to your research interests and professional aspirations. Your project will showcase the transformative potential of AI in organisational settings and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to prospective employers.
This module provides you with the academic insights and practical skills needed to become an effective leader of change in AI-powered workplaces.
You'll explore the latest approaches to managing changes affecting people, technology, and organisational processes, preparing you to navigate the complexities of AI adoption and integration. You will gain the tools and perspectives needed to drive meaningful, forward-thinking change in an AI-driven world, ensuring that organisations harness AI’s potential while navigating its challenges effectively.
Through an in-depth examination of AI’s role in shaping future organisations, you will learn how to anticipate, predict, and strategically manage various AI-driven scenarios. The module introduces innovative futures design methods, empowering you to help organisations envision and prepare for AI-enabled futures.
Your learning will involve a dynamic mix of interactive lectures, multi-modal workshops, and case studies. Working in groups and individually, you will apply your knowledge to real-world situations involving AI-driven change.
This module explores the transformative impact of AI on recruitment, talent development, performance management, people analytics, job design, and professional work. It critically examines how employees and organisations are adapting to and utilising AI-driven hiring tools and intelligent automation to enhance work efficiency and decision-making.
Drawing on cutting-edge research from people management, human resource management, and the social sciences, you will develop essential analytical skills to assess AI’s potential in the management of people and work. You will be introduced to the relevant emerging regulatory frameworks surrounding AI in the workplace.
Blending critical analysis with practical applications, this module offers a nuanced perspective on the opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI in managing people and work. You will be taught through a blend of lectures, workshops, group work, debates, and interactions with with industry experts, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the AI-driven workplace of the future.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
Lancaster is ranked 13th in the UK and joint 99th globally for Business and Management according to the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025, one of nine subjects at Lancaster to be featured in the top 100 in these prestigious listings.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.
