MSc ACADEMIC GUIDELINES ACADEMIC YEAR 2015 2016 1
INDEX I.ORGANISATION OF MSC PROGRAMMES 3 1.GENERAL INFORMATION 3 2.COURSE ORGANISATION 3 3. MSC PROGRAMME 5 4.WITHDRAWALS / INTERRUPTION OF STUDY 7 II.CONTROL AND EXAMS 7 1.GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS 7 2.DEGREE AWARD CONDITIONS 7 III.DECISION MAKING BODIES 9 1.SELECTION PANEL 9 2.DEGREE AWARDS COMMITTEE 9 APPENDIX 1: INTERNSHIP PROCESS 10 APPENDIX 2: GRADING POLICY AND TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION 12 APPENDIX 3: FRENCH COURSES 13 2
I.ORGANISATION OF MSC PROGRAMMES 1.General information The Master of Science is a specialized study programme at EDHEC Business School that lasts 12 months, or 13 months for the MSc Risk & Finance. The programme: is designed for graduates of the EDHEC Grande Ecole Master programme and for qualified international candidates holding a bachelor degree, who are selected in accordance with stringent admission conditions is aimed at developing professional expertise and individual potential relevant to participants future careers offers a career development programme, the Talent Identification & Career Development Programme (TI&CD) and requires hands on in company experience for degree completion Master of Science programmes are developed within specialized tracks, namely the Financial Economics (FE) Programmes (Nice) and the Business Management (BM) Programmes (Lille). Each track is headed by a Programme Manager. For the BM track, each MSc programme has a dedicated coordinator. For EDHEC Grande Ecole graduates, admission to an MSc programme is based on academic results PRE MASTER +M1 (or M1 for AST2 students), work experience acquired during the off site year and GMAT score. 2. Course organisation Choosing a programme and following administrative procedures The programme is designed to support students in their endeavour to develop a tailored and rewarding career plan. To this end, students can use a range of services for advice and guidance. Students nonetheless remain ultimately responsible for their choices. It is up to them to comply with the course requirements and the administrative procedures and those of external partners (companies and academic institutions). Attendance absence Attendance at lessons is compulsory. Attendance checks during lessons are the Professor s responsibility. He/she may choose to check attendance systematically or randomly, and particularly at the start of each lesson. 2.1. For full time programs, beyond 1 absence per 15/18h course or 2 absences per 30/36h course, the penalty shall be a 2 point deduction to the final grade, this rule being applicable to all courses. In certain cases, students may be refused permission to sit their final exams. NB: If a Professor wants to apply a more stringent rule, he/she shall inform students of this during the first lesson and provide regular reminders. 2.2 For part time programs, presence at all sessions is not only an obligation in terms of academic requirements; it is also a duty relative to the class learning process, in the classroom as well as in group activities. Participants are thus expected to be present at all times. Therefore, any unjustified absence from a session will result in an automatic deduction of 2 points (out of 20) from the course final grade. Unjustified absences from two sessions will result in an automatic deduction of 4 points (out of 20) from the course final grade. Three or more unjustified absences from the sessions will lead to a grade of zero for the course. 3
Students are permitted to be absent from class only in the following instances: Medical excuse: a medical certificate signed a recognised physician must be forwarded to the Programme Coordinator / Administrative Officer within 2 business days from the beginning of the absence Force Majeure / Act of God i.e. an incident that interrupts the expected course of events and against which ordinary prudence could not guard. Students invoking an Act of God should be prepared to provide supporting evidence to the Programme Coordinator / Administrative Officer. 2.3. Any non justified absence observed during a final, intermediate or continuous assessment or for practical work is sanctioned with a grade of zero. Any justified absence is noted with the acronym ABS on the student s grade sheet. The absence is nevertheless reflected with a grade of zero. The end of term jury shall decide if the student requires a re sit exam for the subject in question. 2.4. The use of portable computers during lessons is left to the Professor s discernment. In any event, computers may only be used during lessons for academic purposes. 2.5. Management considers student participation in the affairs or the management of a student club/society/association to be a positive aspect of life at EDHEC and one that rounds out the education that the student receives via tuition, internships and international academic exchanges. All students are nevertheless responsible for ensuring their involvement in any club/society/association does not adversely affect their ability to fulfil academic demands. Involvement in a club/society/association may in no circumstances be used as an excuse for absence or failure at an assessment or during a Jury deliberating on access to a higher year. 2.6. The division of students into groups and sub groups is made on the basis of specific constraints applicable to the organisation of tuition (number of students, optional courses, linguistic criteria, etc.). It is forbidden to change group and the Professor may prohibit access to lessons to any student transgressing this rule. The Academic Affairs Office may grant exemptions (if solicited beforehand) in a very limited number of well identified cases (part time job, other studies in parallel, serious health problems, etc.). 2.7. Lesson hours and durations are defined for each academic year. In 2015 2016, the duration of lessons is generally 1h30 or 3h00. Management reserves the right to schedule lessons on Saturday, and on Saturday and Sunday for the London and Singapore campuses. 2.8. Students should be present in the class room at the precise time the lesson starts. The Professor may refuse entry to any student arriving late. 2.9. Any student leaving the class room without the Professor s permission shall be considered absent and may be liable to a penalty if so demanded by the Professor. 2.10. Students must also comply with the administrative procedures posted by the academic programmes administration and which relate to certain activities included in the programme, such as: in company internships assignment to workgroups specified deadlines for submitting assignments punctuality for classes 4
adherence to designated groups, e.g. changes to groups will not be accepted Apart from exceptional cases duly acknowledged by the Program s administration team, students are expected to comply with all procedures and deadlines. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary proceedings. Students cannot be exempted from any course even in cases where they have sat the course in another programme or institution. 3. MSc Programme 3.1.General considerations The Programme is delivered in 2 semesters, and comprises Lectures (CM), Tutorials (TD), Practical work (TP), Seminars and Simulations (business games). An exam session is held at the end of each term. Only one re sit examination is organised (in June) for all the modules of the previous academic year. In accordance with the Bologna process, the MSc programme is structured in terms of ECTS credits. Acquisition of academic credits is organised as follows: theoretical and practical courses, totalling 46 credits a TI&CD programme totalling 4 credits a Master Project totalling 10 credits an internship totalling 15 credits (for international students) The MSc Risk & Finance programme is structured in terms of ECTS credits. Acquisition of academic credits is organised as follows: theoretical and practical courses, totalling 52 credits a TI&CD programme totalling 3 credits a Master Project totalling 5 credits an internship totalling 15 credits (for international students) The course of study and the required credits are indicated by the MSc Programme Manager at the beginning of the academic year. 3.2.The Courses In accordance with EDHEC s commitment to the highest academic standards, as validated by the different accreditations obtained, the MSc programmes are designed by the Programme Managers, in cooperation with the MSc coordinators for the BM track, as well as teaching and coordination committees made up of faculty members, under the overall responsability of the Dean of Graduate Studies. 3.3.In company internship 3.3.1.The full time programme includes a 3 to 6 month managerial level internship. The choice of internship should be guided by the student s career plan. It provides students with the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired in class and to gain relevant practical and professional experience. The internship can take place in a company where the student is already working. The internship can be conducted in France or abroad. In all cases, it should be compatible with the School academic calendar and shall not be considered as a valid excuse for missing classes. 5
The duration of the internship is indicated in the internship contract. The internship must end at the latest by 31 December of the final year of study. 3.3.2.The part time program requires that the student has a professional activity during the academic period, providing with the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired in class and to gain relevant practical and professional experience. This professional activity should be compatible with the School timetable and shall not be considered as a valid excuse for missing classes. Upon termination or change of its professional activity, the participant must inform the MSc Program manager. The student must have completed at least 12 months of professional activity (internship/work) during the MSc R&F programme, for the period between September 2015 and October 2016. Any gap in terms of professional activity exceeding 4 months during that period may result in delay in graduation and/or exclusion from the MSc. The internship can take place in a company where the student is already working. The internship can be conducted in France or abroad, however French students attending the program are required to do their first six months in Europe (excluding France), or during the second six month provided for internship with/work with companies who commit in writing to send the student abroad. In all cases, it should be compatible with the School academic calendar and shall not be considered as a valid excuse for missing classes. 3.3.3.Early termination of the internship cannot be approved without the following: Explicit approval in writing by the host company addressed to the Head of the Student Career Centre (SCC) Approval by the SCC and the Programme Manager Failure to comply with these conditions will result in disciplinary action being taken. The content of the internship must be detailed by the company and then submitted to both the MSc Programme Manager and the Head of the Student Career Centre (SCC) for approval and for evaluation with respect to MSc learning objectives (see Appendix 1: Internship Process). The student is required to submit an internship assessment form or proof of employment in order to validate his or her mission. The internship is assessed by the company supervisor by means of a form provided by EDHEC. In the event of non validation of the internship by the company, the case will be referred to the Degree Awards Committee. Internships are an integral component of the programme. The MSc Programme Manager, in agreement with the SCC, can thus nullify a student s internship within a company should he or she commit a serious breach of trust (e.g. disclosure of confidentiality clauses, etc.). 6
In such an event, the invalidation of an internship is considered as an academic sanction and shall not supersede possible disciplinary measures that might be referred to EDHEC s Disciplinary Board. Students shall adhere to EDHEC rules and regulations, as well as those of the host company, for the duration of the internship or CDD and internship contract status for international non EEC. 3.4.Master Project Each student is required to submit an end of studies Master Project. This should be approached as a project comprising a blend of action and thinking, and which deals with a current business issue. Students receive a comprehensive guide to help them to conduct the master project (see the Master Project Guide). All master project deadlines are communicated in this guide and penalties accrue for lateness. Strict deadlines apply for each Msc Master project and can be consulted in the Master Project Guide. Students not completing before November 30th 2016 will not be eligible for the degree in that year. 4.Withdrawals / Interruption of study Students who wish to withdraw from an MSc programme must notify the Programme Manager in writing by registered or certified mail. In addition, students may be dismissed if they fail to respond after receiving two official follow up letters (registered mail) from the programme within a month of receiving the last follow up letter. Authorisation to interrupt or suspend studies may be granted to a student on exceptional and duly justified grounds. The student must give reasonable notice in writing and send it (by registered mail) to the Programme Manager. The request will be given careful consideration and the student will be notified of a decision within 15 days (by registered mail). Any unauthorised absence from courses during the academic year will be considered as unauthorised leave for which the student will receive zero for any examination taking place during the period or programme in question. In the event of withdrawal or interruption of studies, tuition fees shall nonetheless be paid in full. II.CONTROL AND EXAMS 1. General arrangements Courses are evaluated via final exam, oral presentations, participation, quiz/q&a sessions and continuous assessment and are graded using a 20 point grading system (see Appendix 3 on EDHEC s Grading Policy and Transcript Information). Assessment procedures and criteria are set out by the Programme Committee. They must be specified by every lecturer in the course syllabus/description given to students at the beginning of each module. This will state: the percentage of group work compared to individual work the conditions relating to behavioural elements such as attendance, participation, student initiative in the grading system 2. Degree award conditions Any absence during an examination is indicated by the designation ABS in the student's transcript only if the absence is authorized/justified, a zero will otherwise appear on the transcript. An ABS grade is calculated as a zero in the overall GPA. In such a case the student will be allowed to re sit 7
the exam during the following exam session, unless otherwise decided by the Degree Awards Committee. Should a student fail to get the required grades to validate the course, he or she will be allowed to re sit the exam in order to compensate for his or her academic credit deficit before the Degree Awards Committee meets. Only the re sit marks will be taken into consideration. These will supersede and replace the previous overall marks for the course. Should the student obtain a fail grade, the awards committee can decide: not to award a degree to allow the student to sit the failed subjects during the following examination period and postpone awarding the degree In the event of failure for the Master project, the Degree Awards Committee can ask the student to review his or her work and to re submit it at a specified later date for further consideration by the Committee. In the event of failure for the in company internship, the Degree Awards Committee may consider the following options: to grant the credits corresponding to the assignment on an exceptional basis based on reasons deemed acceptable to confirm the non validation of the in company internship, and consequently invalidate the issuance of the MSc degree Failure to comply with specified dates (assignment deadlines, non justified absence from continuous assessment, etc.) may prevent the Degree Awards Committee from reviewing the student s case on the pre arranged dates for the committee sittings. Under these circumstances, any decision regarding the student shall be deferred until the next committee meeting. Postponement of decisions to validate the completion of the programme can therefore delay the issuance of the degree. The Degree Awards Committee has the final say on whether to award a degree for student cases brought before the committee by the Track Manager. The MSc degree shall be awarded to students who satisfy the following conditions: validation of 46 ECTS credits corresponding to the course units validation of 4 ECTS credits corresponding to the TI&CD programme validation of 10 ECTS credits corresponding to the Master Project validation of 15 ECTS credits corresponding to the in company internship (for international candidates) validation of the GMAT (for EDHEC Master in Management students) payment of all tuition fees and ancillary charges For the MSc Risk & Finance validation of 52 ECTS credits corresponding to the course units validation of 3 ECTS credits corresponding to the TI&CD programme validation of 5 ECTS credits corresponding to the Master Project validation of 15 ECTS credits corresponding to the in company internship (for international candidates) validation of the GMAT (for EDHEC Master in Management students) payment of all tuition fees and ancillary charges 8
Each course unit corresponds to a certain number of ECTS credits. Credits are awarded when the marks obtained for the course unit are greater or equal to 10/20. The student s average is calculated per year, using ECTS credits as a weighting unit (Master Project grade not included). When the annual average is equal or superior to 12/20, the jury can grant an equivalence for the course between average grades of 8 and 10 up to a maximum of 8 ECTS credits. The equivalence is in no way systematic and is left to the Jury's discretion for the year. When the annual average is lower than 12, the student is obliged to re sit exams for all courses graded lower than 10. If a student fails to meet the requirements for the issuance of a degree, the awards committee may decide to: defer the decision adjourn the decision and require the student to validate the missing credits before the next committee meeting decide not to award the degree No degree will be awarded after the 30 November of the year following completion of the programme, except in the event of serious and duly established health problems. III.DECISION MAKING BODIES 1. Selection panel The Selection panel comprises the following members: The Programme Manager or the MSc coordinator the Scientific Committee Or in the absence of these members, any other person whether a faculty member or a professional who is recognised for his/her expertise in the field and designated by the Programme Manager. 2.Degree Awards Committee The Degree Awards Committee comprises the following members: President: Dean of EDHEC Business School or his representative Associated Dean of Graduate Studies or his representative the Programme Manager the coordinator of the MSc permanent or adjunct faculty members who teach in the programme All decisions made by the Admissions panel and the Degree Awards Committee shall be recorded in writing. The decisions of these decision making bodies are final and cannot be appealed. The present Rules and Regulations came into force in September with immediate effect with regards to students admitted at this date. 9
APPENDIX 1: INTERNSHIP PROCESS Requirement for diploma validation (MIM + MSc students / M2 on exchange) The diploma obligations include validation of at least 12 months of professional experience (done during the gap year and after the end of the MSc) with a minimum of 6 months spent abroad (professional experience or exchange). Requirement for diploma validation (MSc students) The diploma obligations include validation of at least 3 months of professional experience. Professional experience obligation for diploma can be validated through an internship, VIE, Graduate Program, fixed term and permanent contract. Job contract: In order to record professional experience for diploma, students have to register information about the job on the Career Center platform and upload contract fully signed (http://app.edhec.edu/stdzpps/agreement) Internship contract During the internship, degree candidates are covered for industrial accidents by an internship contract. This document is a contract between the school, the student and the company setting out the internship conditions. It is mandatory to sign the contract before the beginning of the internship. The internship contract DOES NOT obviate the need for HEALTH COVERAGE, VISA OR WORK PERMITS FOR THE PERIOD. Degree candidates must comply with local authority requirements regarding the ABOVE ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES. What is the internship agreement process? Prior to the internship contract Degree candidates must seek their own internships and negotiate their assignments and the associated responsibilities (in accordance with the programme s objectives), dates, duration and compensation. Application for Internship Approval 1. Degree candidates must complete an online Application for Internship Approval. This form provides the School with key information about the candidate s internship and allows the Career Centre to validate the mission. The online form is available on the Career Centre website (http://app.edhec.edu/stdzpps/agreement) 2. Upon approval, an internship contract (known in French as a convention de stage ) is drawn up. Once the student has signed this document, he or she is committed to performing the internship in full accordance with the terms set out in the contract. It is a legally binding document. 3. An electronically signed version of the internship contract will be sent to the student and the company by email. All the parties will sign it and send one copy back to the career Centre, duly signed. MSc internship contracts cannot be extended beyond 31 December of the final year of studies. Students who are registered full time for the EDHEC Diploma (MIM) or the Master of Science diploma (MSc) are eligible to receive a "convention de stage" allowing them to work for three to six months in France starting in June of their year of study completion until December 31st of the same year. This internship agreement is open for all students regardless of nationality. 10
Important Failure by the student to respect the terms of the contract would reflect upon the School s reputation and lead to a hearing by the Disciplinary Council. The qualification of internship assignments must be in accordance with the programme s objectives. 11
APPENDIX 2: GRADING POLICY AND TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION The EDHEC transcript provides the following information: Courses taken, level and equivalent ECTS credit; Course grade and ECTS equivalent; Grade point average based on the North American system (Cumulative GPA); An overall class ranking situating the student s performance with respect to class rankings. The following table situates the EDHEC grading system with respect to the ECTS and North American grading systems. It does not give vital information about grading policies or philosophy. It does not indicate mathematical equivalency from one type of evaluation to another. ECTS A B C GRADING PROTOCOL AND PROPOSED ASSESSMENT CONVERSION CHART COHORT NORTH AMERICA EDHEC INTERPRETATION RANKING UK 19 20 Excellent Travail d un niveau académique exceptionnel 18 Très bien Problématique présentant du potentiel et bien argumentée et ficellée 17 10% Très bien Le travail présente un argumentaire solide avec une bibliographie récente et bien utilisée. Original. 15 16 Bien Le travail présente un argumentaire solide avec une bibliographie récente et bien utilisée. 14 Bien Satisfaisant, convaincant, 25% quelques faiblesses dans l argumentaire 13 Assez bien Bien Satisfaisant, quelques faiblesses dans l argumentaire et l exécution 30% 12 Assez bien Convenable, faiblesses dans la bibliographie, l argumentaire et l exécution A+ 97 100 80% 1st class A (4.00) 95 96 75% first class A (3.67) 90 94 70% first class B+ (3.33) 87 89 65% 2 nd class upper B (3.00) 85 86 55 60% second class lower B (2.67) 80 84 50% 3rd class C+ (2.33) 77 79 45% 3rd class Excellent, outstanding performance 19 20 To be used only very exceptionally for a publication level report or performance 18 an extremely well conducted and argued paper, exam or master thesis with originality, academic excellence, and potential for further development 16 17 a well conducted project, paper, thesis or exam that goes beyond simply reiterating previous research with a solid bibliography that is recent and well used Very good, above average but with some errors 15 16 A good master level thesis, exam paper or project 14 Generally well conducted, but not particularly original, some flaws Good, sound work with errors 13 lack of originality, problems in execution, problems in argumentation 12 faulty bibliography, poor use of resources, errors in argumentation, poor writing and careless execution 12
D E F 11 Moyen 25% 10 Passable 9 À refaire 10% C (2.00) 75 76 40% degree C (1.67) 70 74 Degree Non degree Satisfactory work with errors 11 conventional and descriptive work rather than analytical. There is a lack of originality, some poor writing and rationalisation weaknesses Passable, but with significant errors. 10 pass because impossible to improve, faulty in every category but not enough to refuse the degree, course, cycle 9 fail, must redo, thesis refused OTHER ABBREVIATIONS ON TRANSCRIPTS I ABS Incomplete R PSSCT Leniency EQU Rattrapage/re sit Pass with Credit Compensation Equivalence Repeat/Compens ation/retake Credits given not grade Low passing grade/high fail Low Passing grade/high fail Resit RESIT Fail Grade W/NC WAWE Withdrawal Waiver Withdrawal/ No credit Waiver with credit The student has not completed the course for reasons acceptable to the administration and the instructor. The grade indicates a re sit exam for a previously failed or low pass course The course requirement has been fulfilled, but the grade does not count in the overall GPA Credit is awarded based on the overall transcript and decided by a jury (case of grades between 8 and 9.99). Credit is automatically awarded based on the overall GPA above 12 even if course is failed (but not below 8) Student must provide extra work or take a compensation exam The student has withdrawn from the course after the deadline. Course requirements fulfilled without doing course. 13
APPENDIX 3: FRENCH COURSES French courses are available for all international students (exchange students or full time students) doing coursework in Grande Ecole, MIM and MSc programmes. All students must take a French language proficiency exam prior to taking any French course, even if they are complete beginners. Students will then be grouped by level according to the criteria set out in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For more information on the CEFR and for brief course descriptions, click on the link: http://h27.it.helsinki.fi/vkk/rr/itsearviointi/taitotasoasteikko.pdf Students will be assigned a specific group and time based on their proficiency level and are asked not to attend other French courses. Please note that French courses cannot be used for credit within the Master of Science programmes and grades will not be used to calculate overall GPA. However, French courses are mandatory for Master of Science students, and students will receive a pass/fail grade on their transcripts for this course. Visiting students will receive credits for French courses 14