Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to:                     

• add value to holders of a wide range of first degrees by developing in individuals an integrated and critically aware understanding of management;
   

• produce high quality graduates with the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of business and management to complex issues, both systematically and creatively, to improve business and management practice;
• provide a relevant, practical and constantly updated programme through close links with many large business and commercial organisations and with taught content that allows students to see ways in which theory can be applied in practice;

• enhance students’ lifelong learning skills, personal development and employability to enable them to work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to and take effective roles within business and society.

   

• prepare graduates for a significant career in a wide range of roles in management, consultancy and entrepreneurship. 

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The QAA benchmark statement for Master’s awards in business and management

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and holistic understanding of:

• the internal aspects, functions and processes of organisations - including their diverse nature, purposes, structures, governance, operations and management, together with the individual and corporate behaviours and cultures which exist within and between organisations and their influence on the external context they operate in;
• the external context in which organisations operate - including economic, environmental, ethical, legal, political, sociological and technological factors, together with their effects at local, national and international levels upon the strategy, behaviour and management of organisations;
• how organisations are managed - including the various processes, procedures and practices for effective leadership and management of organisations with regard to relevant theories, models, frameworks, tasks and roles of management together with rational analysis and other processes of decision making within organisations and in relation to the external context.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:

• use critical thinking, analysis and synthesis to evaluate and apply concepts and insights from business disciplines, including comprehension of complex scenarios;
• analyse and appraise theoretical and practical issues and problems in business and management by using the theories and models appropriate to those disciplines;
• collect relevant information across a range of areas pertaining to a current business or management situation, analyse that information using relevant techniques and synthesise it into an appropriate form in order to evaluate decision alternatives.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

• make effective use of information and communication technologies in a business context including word processing, storage and manipulation of data, generation of presentations, use of the internet and e-mail using appropriate software;
• conduct research effectively and efficiently using a range of sources of business-related materials including books, journals, trade and financial press, official statistics and the internet;
• use effective team-working skills, including team-building and project management in group work situations.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

• display effective interpersonal skills including effective communication, listening, influencing and conflict resolution;
• be open to new ideas and be aware that in many situations there is a range of possible interpretations and/or solutions;
• apply critical thinking and creativity to resolve practical problems;
• solve problems using relevant decision making processes and techniques;
• scan and organise data, abstract meaning from information and share knowledge;
• make effective use of Communication and Information Technology (CIT);
• recognise and utilise individuals’ contributions in group processes;
• recognise ethical situations, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices;
• use effective personal organisation including time management, self-direction, self-motivation, tenacity and pro-activeness;
• learn through reflection on practice and experience.

4. Programme structure

4.1 Module Structure

       Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 135)

 Semester Two Option Modules

In addition to the listed compulsory Modules, students will choose THREE Modules (total Module weight 45) to be chosen from the list below.

*Option choices will require approval of the Director of Postgraduate Programmes (Business School).

4.1.1 For full details of when the modules are taught and the specific assessment procedures see Module Specifications. 

4.2 Guidance will be given to candidates concerning the selection of optional components.  However, the School reserves the right to offer or withdraw any optional module. 

4.3 The School reserves the right to regulate the numbers of students studying a particular module.

4.4  Students who are deemed to have significant knowledge of a compulory module may be authorised by the Programme Director to undertake an alternative module, provided that the ILOs of the programme are still met.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5.2 In accordance with regulation XXI, candidates who have a right of re-assessment in a module may choose to be re-assessed in the University’s special assessment period. 

5.3 In addition  students  may choose  to be reassessed in BSP028 Global Strategic Management and BSP027  Management Analysis  in January of the next academic year.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification