Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to:                     

• provide a broad, analytical and integrative study of business and management;
• attract well-qualified students with non-business/management first degrees from a broad mix of disciplines and backgrounds to facilitate a multi-perspective interactive learning process;
• add value to first degrees by developing in individuals an integrated and critically aware understanding of management and organisations, and assist them to take effective roles within them;
• 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;
• prepare graduates for a valued career in a wide range of management situations by developing relevant knowledge and skills;
• 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;
• develop teaching and learning in response to advances in scholarship and the needs of the business community;
• enhance the employability of our graduates in regard to either their first degree discipline or in a management role;
• encourage in our students hard work, enthusiasm and self-motivation, a positive attitude to change, a desire for excellence, a visionary and positive approach to future developments and openness to new ideas;
• enhance students’ lifelong learning skills and personal development so as to be able to work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to business and society at large.

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 based 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 leadership, 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;
• use effective team-working skills including leadership, team-building and project management;
• 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 MSc list published by the School in September of each year.

            *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.

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  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