LONDONMETROPOLITANUNIVERSITY Course Specification BA Small Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship The University s course specification template has been developed to fulfil three main functions; it shall act: as a source of information for students and prospective students seeking an understanding of a course and as a basis for gaining feedback on the extent to which the opportunities for learning were successful in promoting the intended outcomes to ensure that there is clarity concerning the aims and intended learning outcomes for the course for the University during the approval and periodic review process to provide information for external examiners, professional, statutory and regulatory bodies and employers as to the skills and other transferable abilities developed by the course Section One: ABOUT THE COURSE 1 Name of course and highest award BA Small Business BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 2 Level of highest award (according to FHEQ) Level 6 (UG/PG) 3 Possible Interim Awards Diploma in Higher Education Certificate in Higher Education 4 Awarding/validating institution LondonMetropolitanUniversity 5 Teaching institution(s) 6 Total credit for course (for highest award) 360 7 Faculty responsible Business School 8 Mode of attendance Autumn start Full Time 9 About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning. Please include details of access to learning facilities, including flexible/open-learning spaces within the Faculty. The BA Small Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship teaching and learning strategy seeks to engage, enthuse and support students in their learning. A blended learning approach is adopted, which seeks to combine and align learning undertaken face- to- face sessions with learning opportunities created online. Timetabled on line discussions facilitated by tutorial staff are incorporated into some modules. Online facilities include Weblearn used to provide module related learning materials in electronic format and generic feedback following formative assessment. All modules are supported by Weblearn. An e-platform will be used for portfolio items. The course adopts a modular structure, wherein core modules are delivered either over 30 or a 15 week period. Methods of delivery are various and include the use of workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials and online discussions. Embedded into the course are two activity weeks at each level. During these weeks day long events provide the opportunity for students to engage in varied tasks and activities unconstrained by normal curriculum timetabling. Indicative events include: industrial visits, an innovation fair, careers event, a business game and guest speakers. 10 Course aims. Course aims are broad statements of intent and should be written to show how the content of the course meets the aims. Where a course sits within a framework the course aims should incorporate framework aims. The overall aim of the BA Small Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of business and management with an emphasis on entrepreneurship.
QAA benchmark statements for Business and Management courses The course team have ensured the course content encompasses the study of organisations, their management and the changing external environment in which they operate. With regard to skills, the course team have ensured, through module delivery and assessment, that students are provided with the opportunity to develop cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, analysis and synthesis; problem solving skills; communication skills both oral and in writing; numeracy and quantitative skills; use of IT; self management and interpersonal skills; learning skills; self awareness; team work skills and the ability to conduct research. In addition, the course aims to provide students with : A broad understanding of business and management with a particular focus on entrepreneurship An academic and practitioner perspective of the various disciplines relevant to business and management and entrepreneurship The opportunity to develop management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their potential capabilities and employability 11 Course learning outcomes. Learning outcomes are statements of what a student is expected to understand or be able to do after completing the process of learning. Knowledge and Understanding Successful students will be able to demonstrate that they: Know and understand the structure, organisation and environment of organisations; Know and understand the role and significance of enterprise in contemporary society; Know and understand the management of key resources, financial and human, in order to exploit business opportunities, including the value of the internet; Know and understand the theories and challenges of creativity, innovation and leadership in the context of entrepreneurship; Understand the research process and know how to design and implement a research project. Intellectual Skills Successful students will possess the: Ability to engage in a critical evaluation of arguments and evidence; Ability to think independently and select appropriate approaches and solve problems relevant to entrepreneurship and business management; Ability to access and critically evaluate information from a wide range of sources and use this information to draw up solutions to problems. Professional/Practical Skills Successful students will have: Ability to use software and online facilities for information acquisition, analysis and presentation and for report preparation; Ability to evaluate, apply and interpret a range of methods appropriate to business management research Transferable/Key Skills Successful students will have demonstrated the: Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Ability to work part of a group; Ability to work independently; Ability to use library and on-line search facilities for accessing and searching for information.
12 Indicative learning and teaching hours for the course. Learning hours comprise face-to-face and virtual contact hours plus self-managed and directed learning and time spent on placements. Please give an indication of the percentage of anticipated learning hours for the course at each level, taking into account core modules and indicative options. Students should note that these figures may change depending on the exact combination of options taken. Method Description and percentage of learning hours Scheduled learning and teaching activities Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Lectures, seminars, workshops face-to-face and online: up to 3 hours per week per module over/up to 30 weeks 360 hours or 30% Lectures, seminars, workshops face-to-face and online: up to 3 hours per week per module over/up to 30 weeks 360 hours or 30% Lectures, seminars, workshops face-to-face and online: up to 3 hours per week per module over/up to 30 weeks 360 hours or 30% Guided independent studies Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Directed studies (reading, writing, analytical tasks) and self-managed learning (reading, selecting, organising, analysing, writing): up to 7 hours per week per module over up to 30 weeks 840 hours or 70% Directed studies (reading, writing, analytical tasks) and self-managed learning (reading, selecting, organising, analysing, writing): up to 7 hours per week per module over up to 30 weeks 840 hours or 70% Directed studies (reading, writing, analytical tasks) and self-managed learning (reading, selecting, organising, analysing, writing): up to 7 hours per week per module over up to 30 weeks 840 hours or 70% Workplace observation/placement/fieldtrips/study abroad Level 4 Level 5 Optional work placement Level 6 Optional work placement TOTAL LEARNING HOURS FOR THE COURSE 13 Describe the arrangements for promoting reflective learning/personal development planning on this course Encouraging students to engage in reflective learning is an essential element of the academic process. Opportunities for reflection will occur in workshops and seminars. Case studies, current news item, videos will provide opportunities facilitated by tutors for students to reflect encouraging new understanding. Assessment components may be used to facilitate reflective learning. For example, students may be asked to reflect on their learning from working in a group, engaging in a research task or promoting a business idea via an innovation fair. The module Challenges for the 21 st century manager will include diagnostic tests for writing and numeracy in week 4. The diagnostic will provide the basis for future learning and personal development. Opportunities for personal development planning is integrated within the course. The year 1 activity
week event What Employers Think and Want will provide students with opportunities for self development and material for portfolio building. The Management and Investigation and Recruitment report and the transferable learning modules provide further opportunities in subsequent years. 14 Description of course and its structure. Around 150 words, written to be accessible to a lay audience, to be used for marketing purposes. Identify the course s distinctive features (and unique selling point). What is the pattern of delivery? BA Small Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship combines the business and management disciplines of accounting, finance, economics, law and marketing with the specialism of entrepreneurship. The course is delivered by academic experts who are research active in each of the areas. In the first year students follow modules in the global business environment, management information and accounting, people and organisations and management. In the second year students will follow serving customers in global markets, entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation, and a specialised module in entrepreneurial finance and marketing and an option module. In the final year a more specialised study of enterprise and entrepreneurship is undertaken; e-marketing, and entrepreneurial survival together with an option module. Finally, students are given the opportunity to undertake a project within the module the Management Investigation and Recruitment report. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to develop independent, inquiring and creative approaches to entrepreneurship and business and management issues. The three year degree programme is structured to offer 4 core modules in the first year and a combination of core modules and option in the second and third years. Successful completion of the course (360) credit points will lead to the award of BA (Hons) Small Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. 15 Teaching site(s) for course city [click to select location] [click to select location] 16 PSRB accreditations (where relevant) 17 Exemptions from Professional Body examinations (where relevant) 18 Principal QAA Subject Benchmark Statement General Business and Management Benchmarks (where relevant) 19 Other external reference points 20 Expected length of course Full Time 3-4 years Part Time 6-8 years 21 Admissions requirements, to be demonstrated through certificated or experiential learning (around 30 words) Standard University requirements 22 Details of organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad available during the course (if applicable) Students have the opportunity to work with the Centre for Micro Enterprise undertaking live projects as part their the portfolio building. Transferable learning modules provide opportunities to link academic study with work place learning. In addition, via the Erasmus programme, if desired, students will have the opportunity to study abroad 23 Other external links providing expertise/experience available during the course The activity weeks embedded into the course provide opportunities to engage in a range of activities with external agencies. Visits, guest speakers, the Centre for Micro enterprise and alumni provide links to external expertise.
24 Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance Student careers support starts at Level 4. An activity week event What Employers Think and Want is embedded in the curriculum within Challenges for the 21 st Century Manager module. The event will provide opportunities for raising expectations and introducing positive role models. Advice forums will be provided by employers, recent graduates, alumni and recruitment specialists. Workshops will be scheduled which might include, CV building, interview skills, simulated group interview sessions in response to student demand. The portfolio approach taken in many modules allows individual customisation in response to student interests and aspirations. In particular, the Management Investigation and Recruitment report enables students to conduct a robust enquiry into sectors in which they are hoping to find selfemployment or employment opportunities. 25 Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development. Around 35 words, written in language which is as accessible as possible to a lay audience, to be used for marketing purposes. Should include examples of potential career destinations and how the skills and abilities gained through the course contribute to career development. The course provides the opportunity for successful students to obtain awards from the Institute of Leadership and Management, CAM, and the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management in addition to the degree. Students may pursue further CPD with these professional bodies depending on their chosen career aspirations and destinations. Potential career destinations include employment in commercial organisations as well as running their own enterprises. Section Two: COURSE STRUCTURE AND ASSESSMENT 26 Course assessment strategy The BA Small Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship draws upon a variety of assessment methods, which include: oral presentations, structured course work, examinations, the use of problem solving case studies, audio files, video presentation, reports, in-class tests, and portfolio work. Assessments will include both individual and group work. Some modules take a portfolio approach enabling students to collect evidence of both knowledge and skills. At Level 6 there is a research project, the Management Investigation and Recruitment which will enable students to pursue an enquiry into an area reflecting their individual employment or self-employment aspirations. 27 Course Structure Diagram Level Four Semester Code Title Status Credits Notes year long EC4003 The Global Business Core 30 Environment year long MN4007 Challenges for the 21st Core 30 Century year long BA4002 Management Information Core 30 and Accounting year long HR4002 Understanding People Core 30 and Organisations Level Five Semester Code Title Status Credits Notes year long MN5006 Serving Customers in Global Markets Core 30
year long MN5002 Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Innovation Core 30 MN5001 Entrepreneurial Essentials Core 30 year long other (see MN5056 Transferable Learning 1 Option notes field (Subjectfor details) spring BL5053 Regulation of Business Option 15 period (15 Creations (Subjectweeks) autumn MN5052 Developing Creativity Option 15 period (15 (Subjectweeks) autumn MN5058 The Ethical Worker Option 15 period (15 (Subjectweeks) Level Six Semester Code Title Status Credits Notes year long MN6P03 Management Investigation and Recruitment Report Core 30 MN6006 E-Entrepreneurship Core 30 year long year long MN6002 Entrepreneurial Survival Core 30 spring MN6057 Theory and Practice of Option 15 period (15 Selling (Subjectweeks) autumn MN6052 Coaching and Mentoring Option 15 period (15 (Subjectweeks) other (see MN6058 Transferable Learning 2 Option notes field (Subjectfor details) spring MN6055 Managing Corporate Option 15 period (15 Reputation (Subjectweeks) 28 Mapping matrix of modules delivering the course learning outcomes Course learning outcome (list all) Knowledge and Understanding Know and understand the structure, organisation and environment of organisations; Know and understand the role and significance of enterprise in contemporary society; Know and understand the management of key resources, financial and human, in order to exploit business opportunities, including to the value of the internet; Know and understand the theories and challenges of creativity, innovation and leadership in the context of entrepreneurship 15 Available both periods 15 Available both periods Met by module aim/learning outcome (list all relevant module titles) Global Economic Environment Entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation Entrepreneurial essentials, Understanding people and organisations Entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation
Understand the research process and know how to design and implement a research project; Intellectual Skills Ability to think independently and select appropriate approaches and solve problems relevant to business management and entrepreneurship; Ability to access and critically evaluate information from a wide range of sources on business management and entrepreneurship related topics and use this information to evaluate and present solutions to problems; Ability to engage in a critical evaluation of arguments and evidence. Professional/Practical Skills Ability to use software and online facilities for information acquisition, analysis and presentation and for report preparation; Ability to evaluate, apply and interpret a range of methods appropriate to business management. Transferable/Key Skills Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Ability to work effectively as part of a group; Ability to work independently; Management and investigation and recruitment report Entrepreneurial essentials, Entrepreneurial survival. In particular Entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation but particularly the Management investigation and recruitment report Ability to use a library and on- line search facilities for accessing and searching for information. 29 Which modules are core-compulsory and thus required to be taken to gain specific awards? Please specify if there are any combinations of modules that a student is required to take to gain either the highest level of award or one of the interim awards listed in section3. Section Three: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS 30 Courses shall conform to both framework and University Academic Regulations. Where a course in addition has course specific regulations which have been formally approved by the University, these should be included below. Section Four: OFFICIAL USE AND CODES responsibility for completion is as indicated 31 (Faculty) Course Leader at time of approval Graham Harrison 32 (Faculty) Source of funding [click to select source of funding 1] [click to select source of funding 2] [click to select source of funding 3] Other: please complete as appropriate 33 (QEU) Original date of approval 34 (QEU) Course approved to run from 35 (QEU) Course specification version number 36 (QEU) Revision date (specify cohort)
37 (Academic Registry) London Met course code 38 (Academic Registry) Route code 39 (Planning Office) JACS code