PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Course Title: Masters in Business Administration (MBA) /Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration Modes of Study: Full Time/Part Time (Executive Variant)/Distance Learning Course Overview The Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is a one year full time, two year part time (executive variant) or two to five year, distance learning vocational, postgraduate qualification. The course is designed to equip students with the current and emerging theories, techniques, and practices of management. It endeavours to provide a stimulating and intellectually demanding environment, in which students are encouraged to engage with the academic literature, case-studies, and each other, whilst reflecting on their own managerial and business experiences. The course aims to prepare students for senior management positions in both public and private sector organisations, and to deal with the demands of complex and rapidly changing contexts. 180 credits are required for the award of MBA. Awards with distinction or merit may be given subject to the scheme of assessment detailed below. Candidates who have opted to register for one of the specialisms in their M.B.A., studied two options approved for that opted specialism, presented a dissertation in that specialism and successfully completed the programme as otherwise specified above may be awarded a named route through the M.B.A. as follows: M.B.A. (Employee Relations) M.B.A. (Finance) M.B.A. (Information Technology Management) M.B.A. (Marketing) M.B.A. (Quality Management) Entry Requirements Candidates should normally have a good second-class honours degree from a British university or its equivalent; or a postgraduate diploma from a recognised institution; or a relevant graduate level professional qualification; and a minimum of three years continuous and appropriate work experience. In approved cases substantial managerial experience may be accepted in the place of formal qualifications along with evidence that candidates have the ability to undertake studies at the required level. When English is not the first language of the candidate, the successful applicant must have either IELTS 6.5 (7.0 in writing preferred) or TOEFL 250 (computer) or 600 (paper)
Aims and Objectives The programme aims to equip candidates with modern techniques and practices of strategic management; to provide a stimulating and intellectually demanding management programme which prepares aspiring senior managers, in both public and private sector organisations, to deal with the demands of complex and rapidly changing environments; and to address the strategic dimensions of decision making through academic and practically based projects and assignments. More specifically the programme aims: To give course members a thorough grasp of the main theories, tools, methods, and techniques of management. This includes the development of an understanding of their advantages, limitations, and typical applications. To encourage in course members the need for critical analysis and evaluation of management problems and issues, covering the economic, political, social, and technological, environments within which managers work. To expose course members to the current debates in the literature on management and organisations, and the range of issues and perspectives. To consider the study of management and organisations in an historical and comparative framework. To enable course members to integrate and apply the knowledge, approaches, and methods, that they have learnt, to a variety of case studies and their own managerial and work experiences. To encourage course members to develop their interpersonal, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, and to use these in an imaginative way that will enable them to identify problems, evaluate and analyse situations, consider alternative solutions, make choices, and implement solutions. Programme Quality Indicators The programme was successfully re-accredited by the Association of MBAs in January 2008. The following reference points were used to inform the programme specification: University of Leicester General Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees http://www.le.ac.uk/academic/regs/2006-7/pggeneral.pdf University of Leicester Distance Learning General Regulations http://www.le.ac.uk/academic/regs/2006-7/gendl.pdf University of Leicester Code of Practice on Examining Taught Postgraduate Programmes. http://www.le.ac.uk/academic/quality/codes/pgexamining/pgexamscode.pdf University of Leicester Code of Practice on Distance Learning. http://www.le.ac.uk/academic/quality/codes/distance-learning/dlcode2004.pdf
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education s (2007) subject benchmark statement for Master s degrees in business and management. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statements/businessmanage mentmasters.pdf University of Leicester Learning & Teaching Strategy http://www.le.ac.uk/teaching/strategy.html Annual Programme Reviews Student Feedback (formally through questionnaires and Staff-Student Committees; informally, for example, through student contact with full time year tutors, module lecturers, personal tutors, and full time and distance learning programme leaders) External Examiners reports School of Management Working Party on Postgraduate Course design AMBA accreditation guidelines (http://www.mbaworld.com/downloads/accreditation/mbacriteria.pdf and http://www.mbaworld.com/downloads/accreditation/odlprinciples.pdf) and the re-accreditation report 2003. The requirements of the Race Relations Act 2000 The requirements of the Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 The University of Leicester s Widening Participation Strategy and Disability Statement The University s Equal Opportunities Statement Alumni panel and University Council
Programme Milestones and Progress Monitoring Whilst students on the full time programme are expected to complete within one year, those on the part time (executive variant) in two years, and those on the distance learning programme have a maximum of 5 years to complete their studies, students will be expected to meet a series of milestones within this timeframe to demonstrate satisfactory progress. There are five milestones within the MBA (see curriculum below for details of modules): Part A: Foundations of Management Knowledge Part B: Strategy in Context Part C: Integrating Strategy Part D: Options Part E: Dissertation Student progress will be monitored in relation to these milestones, as will their participation in the interaction enabled by the programme. Students will be contacted where they are making slow progress and/or failing modules and/or engaging insufficiently with the programme. Students who continue to progress unsatisfactorily between these milestones will be presented to the ULSM Progress Board for possible lapsing. In cases of lapsing where enough credits have been accrued for a PG Certificate (60 credits) or PG Diploma (120 credits), then the student will be presented to the ULSM Exam Board for the appropriate ( exit ) award. Those students who are achieving grades in line with a distinction or merit award will also be identified on completing Part C, to encourage good submissions for their options and the dissertation.
Subject and Professional Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods 1 How demonstrated Knowledge Advanced knowledge of a range of management subjects. Integration and synthesis of knowledge across subjects. exercises. Dissertation research. Concepts Enhanced grasp of principles of concepts of management and organisations. Practical and conceptual ability to appropriately apply theoretical resources to illuminate practice. Techniques Mastery of research methods. Ability to construct, analyse and interpret quantitative data including accounts. Critical Analysis Ability to apply understanding of concepts and techniques with independence, rigour and selfreflexivity. Ability to reflect upon context bound nature of the generation and application of such concepts and techniques. exercises. The research methodology module. Dissertation research. exercises. The research methodology module. Dissertation research. exercises. Dissertation research. Presentation Ability to organise research material in a manner appropriate to the medium that is to be assessed; to distinguish between relevant and non-relevant material; to write-up and deliver reports on findings to a professional standard. Appraisal of evidence Ability to analyse and assess a variety of complex management and organisational issues. Ability to mount and sustain an independent level of inquiry at an advanced level. exercises. Dissertation research. exercises. Dissertation research. 1 In the distance learning mode of delivery extensive use will be made of the Blackboard virtual learning environment (comprising Learning Materials, Discussion Forums and E-tivities), Adobe Connect, Blackboard Chatrooms and Word Press and Google blogs. This online support will be supplemented by Residential Schools and faculty visits and local tutor and/or business club support.
Ability to successfully read, analyse and reflect upon academic literature, both of a theoretical and an empirical bent. Transferable Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods 2 How demonstrated Managing Learning Planning and constructing responses to brief, drawing upon a range of appropriate sources. Demonstrating intellectual independence, through identifying a credible research project, drawing up a realistic time-table, reflecting on and writing up results. Ability to reflect upon behaviour and skills with a view to personal and professional development. Working Relationships Ability to work collaboratively and responsibly in groups. Knowing how and when to draw on the knowledge and expertise of others; ability to contribute & comment on ideas in group discussions. Data Presentation Demonstrate clarity, fluency and coherence in written expression of management issues and debates in a manner appropriate to the audience. Ability to construct and present quantitative data, including accounts, effectively using IT resources where appropriate. Communication Skills Ability to work collaboratively and responsibly in groups. Knowing how and when to draw on the knowledge and expertise of others; ability to contribute and comment on ideas in group discussions. and asynchronous lectures, and group-work, directed reading and exercises Research methodology module, supervision, independent research and group work Directed reading, lectures, group discussions and peer to peer feedback, problem solving sessions, independent research and dissertation research Group work and synchronous and asynchronous lectures. Foundations of professional knowledge and skills module. Synchronous and asynchronous lectures, case study assignments, case study examination, and the dissertation. and asynchronous lectures, and group-work. Research methodology module. Synchronous and asynchronous lectures, group discussions/ problem solving exercises Group work, synchronous and asynchronous lectures and through addressing the requirements of progressive modes of assessment, culminating in the dissertation. Assignment essays. Dissertation. Group and individual exercises, discussion within forums, assignments, case study exercises, and the dissertation. Group discussions and group exercises. Assignments, case study exercises and the dissertation. Essays, computer based exercises, case study analysis, examinations, and the dissertation. Group exercises, contributions to discussions, and assignments. Essays, examinations, and the dissertation. 2 In the distance learning mode of delivery extensive use will be made of the Blackboard virtual learning environment (comprising Learning Materials, Discussion Forums and E-tivities), Adobe Connect, Blackboard Chatrooms and Word Press and Google blogs. This online support will be supplemented by Residential Schools and faculty visits and local tutor and/or business club support.
A progressive improvement in the ability to locate, organise and marshal evidence, and articulate it accurately in a written or spoken format, in a manner appropriate for the required audience. Outline of Programme Structure Period of Registration: One year full time/two years part time (executive variant)/two to five years distance learning Entry Requirements: Candidates should normally have a good second-class honours degree from a British university or its equivalent; or a postgraduate diploma from a recognised institution; or a relevant graduate level professional qualification and we would expect a minimum of three years relevant work experience. In approved cases substantial managerial experience may be accepted in the place of formal qualifications along with evidence that candidates have the ability to undertake studies at the required level. When English is not the first language of the candidate, the successful applicant must have either IELTS 6.5 (7.0 in writing preferred) or TOEFL 250 (computer) or 600 (paper). Curriculum: All candidates will take the following core modules: Module Code Module Title Core/Option Credit Rating MN7200/D 3 Part A: Foundations of Management Knowledge Foundations of Professional Knowledge and Skills Part B: Strategy in Context C 0* MN7203/D Organizational Behaviour C 15 MN7201/D Marketing, Design and Operations C 15 MN7006/D Accounting for Managers C 15 Part C: Integrating Strategy MN7202/D Strategy, Business Information and Analysis C 15 MN7204/D Corporate Finance C 15 MN7205/D Business Ethics in a Global Context C 15 Part D: Options Two options to be chosen. x 2 Part E: Research & Dissertation MN7004/D Dissertation C 60** Research Methods C 0*** * This non-credit bearing module will comprise formative assessment. ** Compulsory only for candidates for the degree of M.B.A. *** This non-credit bearing research skills course supports the dissertation. Progression to the dissertation is dependent upon satisfactory completion of a research proposal. Candidates will also take two modules from the following list of options: 3 Module codes for full time and part time (executive variant) modes of delivery are given by the MN number without the /D suffix. The addition of the latter indicates the distance learning variant of the module. This difference in coding reflects the differences in work load spread across learning activities attendant upon different delivery modes.
Module Code Module Title Core/Option Credit Rating MN7018/D Project Management for IT MN7019/D Managing Information: Technology and Systems MN7021/D International Organisational Behaviour MN7028/D Public Finance MN7242/D International Finance and Globalisation MN7243/D MN7244/D Fixing Futures: Trading and Other Narratives Accounting Representations: Public and Private Sector MN7285/D Branding and Communication MN7303/D Business-to-Business Marketing and Supply Chain Management MN7304/D Knowledge Management MN7306/D Managing Diversity MN7311/D A Critical Inquiry into Consultancy MN7312/D Critical Perspectives on Corporations and Consumers MN7313/D Critical Approaches to HRM MN7314/D Alternative Economies MN7315/D The Future of Work MN7316/D Marketing of Services MN7318/D Consumption, Society and Culture MN7322/D Total Quality Management MN7330/D Information Technology in Marketing MN7331/D International Marketing MN7332/D Retail Marketing MN7333/D Employee Relations MN7334/D Strategic Human Resource Management MN7335/D Benchmarking MN7350/D Shakespeare and Management MN7351/D Developments in Business Finance MN7352/D Performance Measurement: Quantitative Approaches MN7353/D Investment and Portfolio Analysis MN7354/D Financial Option Pricing MN7355/D Computational Derivative Pricing Note: Not all of these options will be available in all modes in any one year. Scheme of Assessment: Each taught module will be assessed by one or more assignments and/or a written examination. Where there is more than one piece of assessment for a module, the precise weight given to each form of assessment will be stated in the module outline provided to students at the start of each taught module, and in the module specifications Candidates for the degree of Master of Business Administration will be required to submit a satisfactory dissertation of 15,000 words on an approved topic.
Qualifications Awarded: Masters in Business Administration (MBA) To be awarded a master's degree a candidate must: (iii) obtain at least 90 credits at 50% or above in the taught modules and no more than 15 credits below 40%; have satisfactorily completed all coursework requirements in the taught modules; and achieved a mark of 50% or above in the dissertation. To be awarded a master's degree with merit a candidate must: (iii) obtain at least 90 credits at 60% or more in the taught modules; achieve a mark of 60% or above for the dissertation; and have no fail marks. To be awarded a master's degree with distinction a candidate must: (iii) obtain at least 90 credits at 70% or above in the taught modules and a mark of 60% or above in the dissertation; or obtain at least 60 credits at 70% or above in the taught modules and a mark of at least 70% in the dissertation; and have no fail marks. For those who fail to achieve the above, the following awards are available. Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration To be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma a candidate must: obtain at least 90 credits at 50% or above with no more than 15 credits below 40%; and have satisfactorily completed all coursework requirements. To be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with merit a candidate must: obtain at least 90 credits or more at 60% or above; and have no fail marks. To be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma with distinction a candidate must: obtain at least 90 credits or more at 70% or above; and have no fail marks. Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration To be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate a candidate must: obtain at least 45 credits at 50% or more in the taught modules and no marks less than 40%; and have satisfactorily completed all coursework requirements.
Additional Notes: 1. A candidate's percentage performance on a given module will be deemed to be the weighted average of their performance across the assessments applied to that module. Each module will be assessed by an assignment and/or a written examination. Where there is more than one piece of assessment for a module, the precise weight given to each form of assessment will be stated in the programme handbook. As a general rule it is modules rather than individual pieces of assessment that have to be passed. 2. The number of modules where re-sits or re-submissions are allowed is at the discretion of the exam board. No student shall be reassessed more than once in one module. The mark obtained for resubmitted work or a re-sit is capped at 50%. 3. Candidates may be required to re-submit a failed piece of assessment on module 1, Foundations of Professional Knowledge and Skills. 4. Candidates may be required to re-submit a failing research proposal. A passing research proposal, either at first or second submission may be required to progress to the dissertation. 5. Candidates who have failed modules and/or failed to engage sufficiently with the programme at milestone points will be identified at the progress board and counselled concerning their position. Similarly those candidates with a high proportion of credits at 60% or above, or 70% or above, at such points will be encouraged by informing them that if they continue to perform at such a level that a degree with merit or distinction, respectively, could be within their grasp. 6. Candidates who have opted to register for one of the specialisms in their MBA, studied two options approved for that opted specialism, presented a dissertation in that specialism and successfully completed the programme as otherwise specified above may be awarded a named route as follows: MBA (Employee Relations) Approved Options: MN7021/D International Organisational Behaviour MN7306/D Managing Diversity MN7313/D Critical Approaches to HRM MN7333D Employee Relations MN7344/D Strategic Human Resource Management MBA (Finance) Approved Options: MN7028/D Public Finance MN7242/D International Finance and Globalisation MN7243/D Fixing Futures: Trading and Other Narratives MN7244/D Accounting Representations: Public and Private Sector MN7351/D Developments in Business Finance MN7352/D Performance Measurement: Quantitative Approaches MN7353/D Investment and Portfolio Analysis MN7354/D Financial Option Pricing MN7355/D Computational Option Pricing MBA (Information Technology Management) Approved Options: MN7018/D Project Management for IT MN7019/D Managing Information: Technology and Systems MN7304/D Knowledge Management MN7330/D Information Technology in Marketing
MBA (Marketing) Approved Options: MN7285/D Branding and Communication MN7303/D Business-to-Business Marketing and Supply Chain Management MN7316/D Marketing of Services MN7318/D Consumption, Society and Culture MN7330/D Information Technology in Marketing MN7331/D International Marketing MN7332/D Retail Marketing MBA (Quality Management) Approved Options: MN7303/D Business-to-Business Marketing and Supply Chain Management MN7322/D Total Quality Management MN7335/D Benchmarking MN7352/D Performance Measurement: Quantitative Approaches 7. Distance learning students are expected to take up opportunities for face to face contact offered via workshops, business clubs, web conferences, faculty visits and/or residentials. Distance learning students should spend at least 120 hours during their total programme of study in this form of interaction. Full time and part time students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, along with the external speaker series and the careers and study skills strands of provision. They are also expected to fully participate in their study groups. Full time students should spend at least 500 hours during their total programme of study in these forms of interaction. Participation in these activities will be robustly monitored and a failure to achieve this extent of interaction on the part of a candidate will have significant impact upon examination board decisions on the outcome of their studies.