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Farms, shops, and engineering firms across generations—Scottish succession, not a generic MBA.
Online or on campus
Succession fails in silence, in unequal siblings, and in a founder who will not let go until a health shock. This MSc starts there, in Scottish legal and cultural context: land, limited companies, and the politics of keeping a name above the door. You will design a conversation architecture and a capability plan, and you will state when the family must instruct licensed advisers. Dual-pathway parity lets a son running night shift in a Fife plant study beside a daughter in an Edinburgh practice. Identity-checked assessment. Faculty mark whether you can write a board paper that is kind and still true. The award is not an MBA clone and not legal advice. No private-bank or family-office logos. Capstones must not identify living families without consent and anonymisation. You will practise the conversation in which a founder is told that capability, not blood, has to sit in the managing-director chair, and you will document when licensed advisers must enter the room. Scottish land, company, and partnership cultures are treated as distinct without turning the degree into a solicitor qualifying course. Identity-checked assessment applies on campus and online. MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland) is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Farms, Firms, and Professional Partnerships through Farms, Firms, and Professional Partnerships; Ownership Vehicles Literacy for Non-Lawyers; Place, Reputation, and Community Obligation; Family Councils, Boards, and Role Confusion; Fairness, Gender, and Non-Family Talent; Mediation Literacy without Therapist Claims, and finish on Writing for Founders and Incoming Generations. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Map ownership, roles, and conflict without giving legal advice Design next-generation capability plans that survive founder identity Write anonymised case papers a family board can use Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Thirty-six credits: Scottish family-enterprise context, governance and conflict, capability and next-gen development, and a supervised succession capstone. Dual pathway. Honest non-advice marketing.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.
On-campus study
Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| UOB781 | Farms, Firms, and Professional Partnerships Farms, Firms, and Professional Partnerships (UOB781) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Farms, Firms, and Professional Partnerships as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB782 | Ownership Vehicles Literacy for Non-Lawyers Ownership Vehicles Literacy for Non-Lawyers (UOB782) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Ownership Vehicles Literacy for Non-Lawyers as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB783 | Place, Reputation, and Community Obligation Place, Reputation, and Community Obligation (UOB783) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Place, Reputation, and Community Obligation as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| UOB785 | Family Councils, Boards, and Role Confusion Family Councils, Boards, and Role Confusion (UOB785) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Family Councils, Boards, and Role Confusion as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB786 | Fairness, Gender, and Non-Family Talent Fairness, Gender, and Non-Family Talent (UOB786) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Fairness, Gender, and Non-Family Talent as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB787 | Mediation Literacy without Therapist Claims Mediation Literacy without Therapist Claims (UOB787) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can justify a marketing decision with evidence rather than a slogan, using Mediation Literacy without Therapist Claims as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a brief, a channel note, and a measurement plan. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a campaign or content recommendation with audience, channel, and measure. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| UOB789 | Next-Gen Development versus Entitlement Next-Gen Development versus Entitlement (UOB789) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Next-Gen Development versus Entitlement as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB790 | Export, Cyber, and Professionalisation without Losing the Firm Export, Cyber, and Professionalisation without Losing the Firm (UOB790) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can map one named system, write a threat model, and specify the controls that would stop the most likely path, using Export, Cyber, and Professionalisation without Losing the Firm as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses control catalogues, incident write-ups, and a short technical standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a defensive design with a test plan and a statement of residual risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB791 | Illness, Sudden Death, and Emergency Authority Illness, Sudden Death, and Emergency Authority (UOB791) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Illness, Sudden Death, and Emergency Authority as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| UOB793 | Anonymisation Ethics for Living Families Anonymisation Ethics for Living Families (UOB793) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Anonymisation Ethics for Living Families as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB794 | Research Methods for Family Enterprise Research Methods for Family Enterprise (UOB794) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Research Methods for Family Enterprise as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| UOB795 | Writing for Founders and Incoming Generations Writing for Founders and Incoming Generations (UOB795) is a 3-credit course on MSc Family Firm Succession (Scotland), with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Writing for Founders and Incoming Generations as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English (dual pathway: Edinburgh campus or tuition-free online; one academic standard). Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.
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