Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The focus of this programme is on the areas of business that require highly developed quantitative and qualitative analytical skills in dealing with ‘big data’ and training in knowledge and information systems management. 

Within this general aim, the programme specifically seeks to: 

• To provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, concepts and skill of the major academic disciplines of business and management;
• To facilitate close links with industry and professional bodies through experience in a professional placement and/or a study abroad scheme; 
• To enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, critical thinking and numeracy skills necessary for management problem solving in national and international contexts;
• To develop analytical approaches and useful practical skills for working with “big data”;
• To develop a deep understanding of information systems management, its importance to business and its role in effective decision making;
• To equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and understanding to pursue a career in the field of business analytics or wider management.

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

• General Business and Management Benchmark Statement
• 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 relevant knowledge and understanding of: 

K1    The domestic and international context in which business operates (including economic, social, legal, technological, ethical and political factors);

K2    Key corporate functions (including marketing; accounting; human resource management; and global operations);

K3    The behaviour and management of people in a national and international context;

K4    Corporate responsibility including the need to manage responsibly and behave ethically in relation to social, cultural, economic and environmental issues;

K5    The utilisation of modelling and analytical techniques to management and decision making;

K6    The application and impact of information systems and communication technologies to business and management;

K7    The cultural, ethical, legal, political and social issues concerning the wider uses of data and information;

K8    The development and utilisation of computer programs, and utilisation of packages, for analytics.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1    Relate business analytics theory to practice in both national and international contexts;

C2    Formulate and solve both structured and unstructured business analytics problems;

C3    Use critical thinking, analysis and synthesis to comprehend and evaluate complex issues in a wide range of business analytics and management decision-making contexts;

C4    Advise on business decisions using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills, including the ability to identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1    Communicate (including orally and written) in a business analytics context, using a range of styles and media;

P2    Make use of a wide range of information technologies and solutions in a business analytics context;

P3    Conduct research using a variety of business analytics methods and sources of information;

P4    Apply appropriate quantitative skills, data modelling and computational methods to business problems and decision-making;

P5    Specify, design and construct computer-based systems and web-based technologies to meet users' needs.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1    Self-manage their own learning and development, including a readiness to accept responsibility, work independently, be adaptable, resilient, self-starting and organised;

T2    Demonstrate self-awareness through reflective practice and appreciate the need for continuing professional development;

T3    Work in teams and demonstrate leadership, team-building and project management skills;

4. Programme structure

 Students must have a total modular weighting of 120 credits per year. This must include the compulsory modules. The remaining optional modules must be chosen to give a 60:60 split over the two semesters. 

INTRODUCTORY MODULES 

4.1 Part A

Semester 1 and 2 

Compulsory modules (60 credits)   

Semester 1 

Compulsory modules (20 credits)

 Optional modules (10 credits)  

 Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (10 credits)  

Optional modules (20 credits)  

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

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

Candidates’ final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with the scheme set out in regulation XX.  The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 25: Part C 75, to determine the final overall percentage mark for the Programme (the Programme Mark).