2-Term Pathway - Pre-Master's in Social Sciences - Continue to Master of Arts - Management and Organisational Dynamics

The contemporary organisation is characterized by complexity and change. The University of Essex unique MA Management and Organisation Dynamics, offered jointly by Essex Business School and the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, aims to equip students with powerful tools to support their development as future leaders, managers, organisational consultants, researchers or executive coaches.

Drawing upon both critical management theory and the developing field of systems-psychodynamics, this innovative course will be of particular interest to anyone who wishes to understand the complex processes that impact on change in organisations. The integrated approach provides a deep analysis of the way organisations function, the nature of leadership and the way organisational structure and dynamics contribute to the operation of groups and systems.

A priority is given to experiential learning. Essex aims to foster a fresh take on what is involved in both leadership and followership in the contemporary context. Topics include: the psychodynamics of groups and organisations, organisational behaviour, management strategy, group relations, psychoanalytic perspectives, leadership, culture, and change.

Essex's Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies is internationally recognised as one of the leading departments for work that focuses on the role of the unconscious mind in mental health, as well as in culture and society generally. Their research and teaching is deeply grounded in knowledge deriving from clinical practice, to which the highest standards of academic thinking are then applied.

The Department consistently achieves top ten rankings in the UK's research assessments, most recently in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. Being located within the UK’s leading university of the study of social sciences means students are surrounded by strong departments that fully support and enhance their work. This allows students to gain the opportunity to work with and be taught by senior clinicians and world-class scholars in their fields.

Essex's graduates go on to a number of different destinations, including further study and training in psychoanalysis, Jungian analysis, or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Many of the students are already professionals, clinical and non-clinical, so return to their existing fields, either in jobs or further training, and use study with Essex to deepen their understanding of their work.