Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The International Business degree programme aims to produce high quality graduates with the knowledge, skills and understanding for an effective and valued career in a wide range of management situations including those requiring international understanding and cultural competence.

Within this general aim the programme specifically seeks to encourage students

• To develop knowledge, concepts and skills in the major academic disciplines of business and management as a sound basis for practice, study and training in the graduate’s chosen profession or management specialism. 

• To develop a global outlook to face effectively the managerial and organisational challenges of a globalized economy. 

• To develop the concepts, analytical approaches, evaluative thinking and numeracy skills necessary for management problem solving, including through individual experience on placement. 

• To develop a deep understanding in areas of particular interest by pursuing them over an extended period and in considerable depth. 

• To develop a positive attitude to change, a desire for excellence, a visionary and positive approach to future developments and an openness to new ideas.

Consequently the programme seeks

• To provide a relevant, practical and constantly updated programme through close links with many large organisations and through vocational experience in a professional placement. 

• To offer international perspectives on business and management through teaching and learning and through close links with international partner universities. 

• To provide students with a flexible learning environment allowing students to explore and develop their own interests and strengths as they progress through the programme. 

• To develop teaching and learning in response to advances in scholarship and the needs of the international business community. 

• To enhance the employability of our graduates.

The School of Business and Economics at 含羞草视频University is distinctive amongst 'traditional' university business schools in incorporating a third year spent on professional placement. This is an integral element of the programme and something which we believe is of particular benefit in achieving these aims and offers graduates of our degrees additional and valuable opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills. 

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

• The benchmark statement for General Business and Management (B&M)

• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the areas shown below. These intended learning outcomes are set in the context of the QAA subject benchmark statement for Business and Management and those relating directly to this benchmark are marked (B&M) below.

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

• the foundation disciplines of business and management including economics, mathematics and statistics sufficient to enable a clear understanding of the central aspects of the main business and management functions (B&M);
• the economic, technological, financial, legal, cultural and political context within which business operates (B&M);
• integration of concepts from the various business disciplines to comprehend business situations and develop appropriate analysis and solutions (B&M);
• the process of management and differing international styles of management (B&M);
• concepts, analytical approaches, evaluative thinking and numeracy skills relevant to solving problems in both national and international business contexts;
• the nature of organisations and the behaviour of people within them, both individually and working in groups (B&M);
• pervasive issues which impact on international firms and international business, including: globalisation, diversity and cultural issues (B&M);
• the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services including customer expectations, market orientation and the marketing mix (B&M);
• the sources, uses and management of finance, the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications (B&M);
• the management and development of people within organisations (B&M);
• the management of operations in both the manufacturing and service industries (B&M);
• the development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact upon organisations (B&M);
• the key communication and information technologies used in business and management (B&M);
• the development of appropriate policies and strategies at the corporate level within a changing national and international environment (B&M).

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 (B&M);
• Formulate and solve both structured and unstructured business problems;
• Advise on business decisions using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills, including the ability to identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions (B&M);
• Relate theory to practice in business and management (B&M).      

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to

• use effective communication, both oral and written, in a range of styles and media appropriate for management in different cultures (B&M);
• make effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) 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 (B&M);
• conduct research using a range of sources of business-related materials including books, journals, trade and financial press, official statistics and the internet (B&M);
• create, evaluate and assess a range of options in a business situation, applying ideas and knowledge from a variety of sources (B&M);
• use effective team-working skills, including leadership, team-building and project management (B&M).

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to

• understand and be sensitive to different cultures, including the ability to work effectively in other cultures (B&M);
• Organise themselves personally and independently to be a valued contributor through  time management, self-direction, self-motivation, tenacity and proactiveness (B&M);
• Analyse and assess their own personality, needs and abilities and be proactive in managing their personal development (B&M);
• Deploy appropriate interpersonal skills to achieve the best from others, including effective communication, listening, influencing and conflict resolution (B&M);
• Display a positive attitude to change, with a desire for excellence and a visionary and positive approach to future developments;
• Accept and analyse new ideas and assess alternatives when presented with a range of possible interpretations and/or solutions;
• Learn and work independently (B&M);
• Interpret numerical information, reason numerically and apply appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques (B&M);
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing (B&M);
• Use information and communication technologies effectively and efficiently (ICT);
• Work well in a team, using appropriate skills, including leadership, team-building and project management (B&M).

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

Candidates may replace the modules required for Part B Semester Two with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign University.  Candidates will undertake assessed work equivalent to 60 credits, as required by the School of Business and Economics.  Students who select this option must ensure that they have taken a total of 60 credits in Semester One.

4.3    Part I

Candidates pursue one of the following streams:

i)       Placement Stream

Candidates will undertake an appropriate business placement.

ii)      Study Abroad Stream

Candidates will study at one of the School of Business and Economics approved academic institutions.

iii)       Split Stream

Candidates will undertake an appropriate business placement for half the year and will study at one of the School of Business and Economics approved academic institutions for the other half of the academic year.

(iv)    Language Related Placement

Candidates will undertake a year abroad in employment, for example as an English language assistant in a school or other educational establishment,  approved by the School of Business and Economics.

4.4    Part C - Degree Modules

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 not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also:

To progress from Part B to the period of professional training or study at an approved institution abroad, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits in Part B as well as achieving at least 30% in all modules taken in Part B.

Provision will be made in accordance with regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in Part A or Part B of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period.

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).