Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• develop individual skills and prepare participants for management career progression in their chosen industry sector, mainly through development of both their technical knowledge and skills, and their conceptual and analytical abilities;
• prepare participants for management roles in which they will be expected to contribute towards the functional and strategic management of their organisation;
• provide participants with the opportunity to foster participants understanding in areas of particular interest by undertaking research and work-based projects;
• enable participants to see ways in which theory can be applied in practice to complex issues with the aim of improving business and management practice;
• enhance the career development and employability of participants;
• encourage participants to pursue personal development and lifelong learning skills and be self-motivating

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

• The benchmark statement for Masters Awards Business and Management
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

The specific learning outcomes for the programme are detailed below:

On successful completion of this programme participants should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

•  The impact of contextual forces on organisations including ethical, economic, environmental, social and technological change issues;
• The development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services including customer expectations, market orientation and the marketing mix;
• The concepts, processes and institutions in the production and marketing of goods and / or services; the management of resources and operations;
•  The financing of the business enterprise:  sources, uses and management of finance; use of accounting for managerial and financial reporting applications;
•  The characteristics of the management role; the management and development of people within organisations; organisational behaviour, HRM, change management;
• The development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact on organisations;
• The use of relevant interpersonal communication technologies for application in business and management;
•  The development of appropriate business policies and strategies within a changing context to meet stakeholder interests;
• A range of contemporary issues impacting on various areas of management;
• The uses and limitations of a range of research methods/techniques, both qualitative and quantitative and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain organisational environment.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

•  manage creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and conduct critical appraisal;
• establish criteria for problem solving and decision making, use appropriate decision techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems;
• identify appropriate leadership styles for situations;
• recognise complex situations where choices involve consideration of ethical and organisational values;
• learn through reflection on practice and experience.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

•  apply leadership and performance management selecting the appropriate style for situations;
•  engage effectively in two-way communication including listening, negotiating and persuading or influencing others;
•  create, identify and evaluate options; implement and review decisions;
•  make effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in a business context;
•  employ numerical and quantitative skills including the use of models of business situations and qualitative research skills;
•  conduct research effectively and efficiently using a range of sources of business-related materials including books, journals, trade and financial press, official statistics, the Internet as well as primary research;

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• create, identify and evaluate options; implement and review decisions;
• scan and organise data; abstract meaning from information and share knowledge;
• use communication and information technology appropriately in acquiring, analysing and communicating information;
• listen, negotiate and persuade or influence others;
• use effective oral and written communication using a range of media including business reports;
• demonstrate effective performance within a team environment and recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes; team selection, delegation, development and management;
• set targets, motivate and employ performance management techniques;
• interpret numerical information and use numerical reasoning;
• manage themselves and their time effectively, be self-aware, display sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations and manage continued learning;
• enhance their career prospects and effectively contribute to the business aspirations of their organisation.

4. Programme structure

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 Candidates who successfully fulfil the requirements for the award of Postgraduate Diploma as specified in Regulation XXI may elect to progress to the MSc by registering for BSP763.

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