Programme Specification EXECUTIVE MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 1 Awarding body University of Cambridge 2 Teaching institution Cambridge Judge Business School 3 Accreditation details EQUIS 4 Name of final award Master s in Business Administration 5 Programme title Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) 6 JACS code(s) N200 7 Relevant QAA benchmark Business and Management statement(s) 8 Qualifications framework level 7 (Masters) 9 Date specification was produced/ June 2014 last revised 10 Date specification was last reviewed June 2014 Aims of the programme The Cambridge Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) is a 20 month programme delivered over 16 weekends and 4 week long sessions at Cambridge Judge Business School. It is designed specifically for executives who have already reached a senior level, and are now looking at leading roles within their organisations. The programme develops both hard and soft skills and provides practical, relevant knowledge to enable participants to play a leading role in their organisation. Through a collaborative ethos the core value of the Cambridge EMBA - the aim is to produce graduates who: are skilled in the practice of management and core business principles are able to apply these skills within a global context are equipped to lead, build and manage enterprises that create value for stakeholders and constituencies in a dynamic, global economy demonstrate intellectual rigour It is a highly practical programme - the Team Consulting Project (TCP) and International Business Study Trip (IBST) ensure that the Cambridge EMBA is relevant and at the leading edge of global business developments. Elective courses and Individual Projects allow participants to customise their programme to suit their needs, interests and current / future employment aims.
Programme outcomes Knowledge and Understanding The overall learning objectives of the Cambridge EMBA involve transformational career development through: 1) acquisition of core technical skills 2) advanced skills and practical experience in areas of specialisation 3) accelerated personal development 4) concentrated international and cross-sector business experience. The EMBA Programme is designed so that participants are first exposed to the core curriculum, having time to adjust to the learning environment and to revive their learning skills. They are given a thorough grounding in the areas of finance, accounting, strategy, marketing, operations, macro and micro economics and human resources after which they customise the programme by choosing different specialist electives. Alongside this, they must perform group work for their consulting project, take part in an international business study trip and attend the leadership speaker series, as well as produce an Individual Project on a practical management issue. Participants will develop a knowledge and understanding of: The Core Courses: The Cambridge Executive MBA provides a thorough overview of the principle functional areas of an organisation. We ensure participants understand the role of different business departments, are familiar with their key tools and methodologies, appreciate the way they operate in the wider organisational context and are fully conversant with the language and terminology they use. The core courses include: Analysis of Financial Reporting (Accounting), Corporate Finance, Leadership, Management Science, Micro and Macro Economics, Operational Management, Management Practice, International Business, Organisational Behaviour, Marketing, Macro Economics, Strategy Management, Managing Innovation, Corporate Governance and Ethics. Two Electives: In their final term participants customise their programme to their specific needs by choosing to study two courses. This gives participants the opportunity to broaden their experience or focus on subjects of particular interest. Courses on offer will vary from year to year. In recent years the following are examples of electives that have been offered to EMBA students, although these will change from year to year. Project Finance Anatomy of a Corporate Deal Private Equity, Venture Capital and Acquisitions Corporate Investment Strategic Performance Management Managerial Decision Making Business Models Innovation and Strategy Innovation Management ETech Projects How to Start Technology Companies Fast Strategy, Intrapreneurship and Business Instinct Page 2 of 8
Understanding consumers: using psychology to build corporate brands and increase profits Global Energy Security International Real Estate Advanced Strategy Philosophy in Business Strategy and Organisation for the Information Age Strategy and the Decision to Make, Buy, Ally or Acquire Team Consulting Project: Our live projects reflect our belief in learning by doing. Participants will work closely with global companies and blue-chip companies and international organisations to ensure they tackle projects which have real impact. The project will include one allocated week in the programme schedule. Individual Project: The Executive MBA Individual Projects can be about any practical aspect of business or management. They give participants the opportunity to explore an area of particular interest, and allow for a deeper, more critical and more reflective exploration of their chosen topic. International Business Study Trip The trip centres around the core course of International Business and all lectures for this course are delivered during the trip. Skills In addition to the subject knowledge and skills acquired, participants will develop a range of other skills through the Management Practice and Personal and Professional Development Programme that runs throughout the 20 months. These will be practical and transferable skills including: Negotiation skills Project Management skills Research and Consulting skills Leadership skills Critical Analysis Presentation skills Networking skills Influencing and persuading Business writing Individual coaching Personality and well-being Media skills Overall, the integrated design of the programme is meant to create the next generation of business leaders through our ethos of collaboration and creative thinking as well as our links to a cutting-edge entrepreneurial community. Located in the heart of Cambridge, Judge Business School also encourages participants to take advantage of the larger knowledge-base in the University with such groups as the Cambridge University Entrepreneurs (CUE), Cambridge University Technology and Page 3 of 8
Enterprise Club (CUTEC), Biotechnology Club and Cambridge Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL). Teaching and Learning and Assessment Strategy Teaching and Learning The Cambridge Executive MBA programme sets high academic standards. At the same time, our faculty takes a hands-on approach to management issues, inviting business leaders and thinkers into the programme to work with participants on real-world issues. To accommodate all learning styles we offer a range of approaches including: classroom sessions, workshops, seminars, case study discussions, interactive classes and team and individual projects. Our collaborative approach is also reflected in the Virtual Learning Environment where teaching and learning also takes place. Our curriculum is designed to be applicable and relevant to the participants work, both now and in the future. Weekend sessions will allow participants to return to work the next week with fresh insights and skills which can be implemented immediately. The ability to collaborate effectively is at the heart of business success and the Cambridge EMBA encourages this approach during both classes and projects. Participants work in international teams to test and apply their new skills in the business world. The programme is supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which hosts course materials, discussions and assignment support, and allows participants to communicate with tutors, staff and fellow participants. The VLE is also home to virtual common rooms, updates and event listings and is particularly important between study periods in Cambridge where participants are supported and engaged in the programme via the VLE, meaning they can be at Cambridge even when at home. Assessment Participants must obtain an average grade of at least 50% to graduate with an MBA degree. The following guidelines are followed by markers in assessing individual pieces of work. Mark of less than 40% A mark in this range reflects chronic weaknesses in all aspects of the work submitted. Mark of 40 49% A mark in this range indicates significant short-comings. Such short-comings may be demonstrated by failure to understand and/or reproduce relevant concepts, or the inability to provide anything other than a rudimentary application of these ideas to practical problems. Mark of 50 59% A mark in this range suggests competence with the core ideas, but with limited critical analysis, depth or insight in the application of the ideas. Work in this range is likely to be of a general and descriptive nature in qualitative subjects, or to contain some significant errors in quantitative subject. Page 4 of 8
Mark of 60 69% A mark in this range demonstrates considerable fluency with the ideas and concepts, a clear ability to think critically and/or to apply the ideas effectively and appropriately to practical or hypothetical scenarios. Mark of 70 79% A mark in this range reflects some special distinguishing features in terms of originality, depth of analysis or insight in qualitative subjects; substantially correct analyses in quantitative subjects. Mark of 80% or more A mark in this range is only awarded for work showing genuine flair and originality of an exceptional nature in qualitative subjects, or outstandingly precise work in quantitative subjects. All participant work is assessed using these criteria. Participants are assessed through a combination of examinations, written project submissions, class assignments of various kinds, and a number of presentations. The combination of assessment techniques provides a well-rounded assessment of participants abilities. The importance of individual performance in the EMBA as in many work situations is acknowledged in this scheme. Programme structure Explore, consolidate, customise Each term, participants take compulsory core courses and in the latter half of the programme, there is customisation and development of special interest through electives. Participants will attend 16 weekend sessions (midday Friday Saturday evening) plus an Orientation Week, an Electives week, an International Business Study Trip (1 week) and a Team Consulting Project (1 week). Page 5 of 8
Assessment Scheme / Requirements for the award of the degree Assessment shall consist of a number of written papers, essays, coursework, presentations, group projects, individual projects or another mode of assessment agreed by the Faculty Board. Each candidate will have to complete a minimum of 3 written examination papers Indicators of quality In 2007, the School was awarded full EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development. The accreditation was renewed for a further 5 years in November 2012. The School was also highly rated in the last RAE exercise. The significant growth and enhanced reputation of the Cambridge MBA is reflected in the latest business school rankings which place Cambridge alongside the very best in the world. Learning Support Overall The EMBA Programme offers many tools for participants to learn more about themselves with such exercises as the Belbin test on team and work roles. We also offer a distinct Management Practice course that requires participants to reflect on themselves and to Page 6 of 8
explore issues which might affect their management styles. The results of these are discussed in class and also in one-on-one sessions if required. For the Team Consulting Projects, participants may request supervision sessions with faculty/programme director to go over any problems related to their projects. In terms of classes, the EMBA Office offers support classes in such areas as Finance, Accounting and Management Science. Participants also receive support services through their specific colleges and the wider university community. This is unique in Cambridge for they can find support services through their faculties, their colleges and their university. VLE Support The programme is supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which hosts course materials, discussions and assignment support, and allows participants to communicate with tutors, staff and fellow participants. The VLE is also home to virtual common rooms, updates and event listings and is particularly important between study periods in Cambridge where participants are supported and engaged in the programme via the VLE, meaning they can be at Cambridge even when at home. Personal Development As mentioned in the Skills section above the EMBA offers, in addition to the subject knowledge and skills acquired, a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions throughout the 20 months. Language Skills Participants have access to the University Language Centre and can also join language and cultural college societies which are university-wide. School facilities The School s learning resources include a Computer Room, Common Room, and library housing business and management books, journals and electronic resources. There are also a number of other libraries in Cambridge which house business and management information. Evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning The EMBA is the responsibility of University of Cambridge, Judge Business School. Responsibility for the quality assurance of teaching and learning is delegated to the Teaching Committee. The School participates in the University s quality assurance and enhancement system: 1 External Examining: the EMBA has three external examiners who submit a report which is considered by the EMBA Teaching Committee and the Management Studies Syndicate. Action in response to reports includes, where appropriate, revisions or adjustments to the programme and its delivery. 2 Course approval: the School is required to obtain the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies and the General Board s Education Committee before any significant changes to courses are made. Page 7 of 8
3 General Board Internal Review: all the School s activities, will be reviewed by the University s General Board. In addition, EMBA participants complete online feedback on all courses. The class representatives also attend the Teaching Committee meetings to voice any concerns of the class. The results are analysed and acted upon by the EMBA Directors. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this programme specification. At the time of publication, the programme specification has been approved by the relevant Faculty Board (or equivalent). Programme specifications are reviewed annually, however, during the course of the academical year, any approved changes to the programme will be communicated to enrolled students through email notification or publication in the Reporter. The relevant faculty or department will endeavour to update the programme specification accordingly, and prior to the start of the next academical year. Further information about specifications and an archive of programme specifications for all awards of the University is available online at: www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/camdata/archive.html Page 8 of 8