MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY PS/1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Basic Programme Details 1 Programme title Foundation Degrees in Business 2 Mode(s) and duration Full Time / Part Time - 2 years 3 Awarding institution MMU 4 Teaching institution(s) Macclesfield College Mid-Cheshire College South Cheshire College 5 Final award(s)/title(s) FdA in Business Management FdA in Business & Information Technology Management 6 NQF position Foundation Degree 7 Stage award(s)/title(s) Certificate in HE in Business Management Certificate in HE in Business and Information Technology Management 8 Home Department Business & Management 9 Home Faculty MMU Cheshire 10 UCAS code(s) N/A 11 Type of collaborative provision This full and part time provision can be wholly or partly delivered by the Further Education Colleges belonging to the Cheshire and Warrington FE & HE Consortium in conjunction with MMU Cheshire. 12 Collaborative partner(s) Colleges belonging to the Cheshire and Warrington Consortium of colleges incorporating: Macclesfield College FE South Cheshire College Mid Cheshire College of FE 13 Date/outcome of last MMU review/approval June 2001 14 PS/1 effective date: September 2006
15 QAA Benchmark Statement(s) General Business & Management QAA 2000 (www.qaa.ac.uk/crntwork/benchmark/business) Foundation Degree qualification benchmark. QAA 2004 16 Date/outcome of last Subject Review June 2001 17 PSB(s) N/A 18 Date/outcome of last PSB approval(s) N/A Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes 19 Programme Aims The Foundation Degree forms part of a suite of Business courses designed to produce graduates who will follow a wide range of careers within a range of commercial, industrial and public sector organisations. In order to achieve this objective, considerable emphasis is placed on incorporating current business and management practice and applications, whilst maintaining a sufficient level of analytical rigour. The programme aims to provide a challenging, stimulating and comprehensive learning experience and develop students intellectual, communication and practical abilities. In doing so, it provides students with transferable skills that will be of value throughout their professional lives. The Programme is designed to attract students from diverse backgrounds and previous attainment levels. Students are given a high level of support to enable them to realize their full potential and achieve a high standard overall. The Programme s aims accord with the University General Educational Aims: The development of students' intellectual and imaginative powers The development of students' understanding and judgment The development of students' problem solving skills The development of students' ability to communicate The development of students' ability to see relationships within what they have learned and to perceive their field of study in a broader perspective The stimulation of an enquiring, analytical and creative approach, encouraging independent judgment and critical self-awareness The development of students' ability to locate, assimilate and present information in an appropriate medium and from a range of sources Furthermore, the Programme s aims and objectives stated here align with the Quality Assurance Agency s (QAA) benchmarking statements for Business and Management (General) and the Foundation Degree Qualification. The common programme aims, therefore, are To develop in students the ability to become an autonomous learner, both individually and in a group, capable of taking responsibility for his/her actions and being responsible for the outcomes of their actions.
To extend the students knowledge and understanding of the main concepts, methods, models and theories of the disciplines of Business and Business and IT. To develop the students ability to locate, assimilate and present information in an appropriate medium and from a range of sources. To encourage the students to develop their individual potential through experience of the integration of theory and practice. To prepare students for future employment and career progression through enhanced self awareness and personal development appropriate for a graduate career in business and to enable them to add value to their current employer organizations. 20 Programme Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Business Foundation Degree programme the students will be able to: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of organisations, the external environment in which they operate and how they are managed (QAA 2000, 3.2) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of markets, customers, financial applications, and management and development of people (QAA 2000, 3.7) Use and manage communication and information technology in a business context (QAA 2000,3.7) Apply a range of cognitive and intellectual skills together with techniques specific to Business & Management QAA 2000, 4.1) Demonstrate effective problem solving and decision making using appropriate quantitative and qualitative skills (QAA 2000, 4.1) Demonstrate relevant personal and interpersonal skills and to be aware of the importance of ongoing personal development and lifelong learning Develop appropriate policies and strategies within a complex changing environment to meet stakeholder interests (QAA 2000, 3.7) Demonstrate a critical awareness of contemporary and pervasive issues in business such as knowledge management, globalisation, business ethics and innovation and creativity (QAA 2000. 3.7) 21 Stage Learning Outcomes FdA Business & Management Upon Completion of Level 1 the students will be able to:- Understand and apply the principles involved in forecasting, monitoring and evaluating the financial elements of management and exhibit the ability to communicate these. Contextualise and appreciate the theoretical perspectives of human behaviour within a business organisation. Become self-critical and self aware. Appreciate the role of government and the impact of globalisation within their political implications upon management activity. (QAA 2000, 6.8, 3.3, 3.7). Apply research and problem solving abilities. Be able to apply knowledge and key transferable skills in a business context.
Upon completion of Level 2, the students will be able to:- Apply and evaluate financial data after generation and communication of this data. Use this knowledge and skills base to inform management decision making in an effective manner. Appreciate the importance of the role of marketing as a key management discipline. Be aware of the relationships between management disciplines and their impact upon the global business environment. The student will develop an effective platform of knowledge and the ability to practise skills in the discipline of HRM in order to progress their studies. Be able to take responsibility for his/her own learning and continuous professional development and operate as an autonomous learner. To apply knowledge and key transferable skills in order to evaluate the diverse processes and techniques for managing organisations. (QAA 2000,3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6, 3.7). To apply knowledge and key transferable skills into a practical work based situation critically evaluating current appropriate techniques and practices. FdA Business & IT Management Upon completion of Level 1 the students will be able to:- Understand the impact of ICT on a range of areas in society. Appreciate the importance of the role of Information and Communication technologies in modern capitalist society. Understand and apply the tools of systems analysis to a variety of IS. Contextualise and appreciate the theoretical perspectives of human behaviour within a business organisation. Become self-critical and self aware. Appreciate the role of government and the impact of globalisation within their political implications upon management activity. Apply research and problem solving abilities. Be able to apply knowledge and key transferable skills into a business context. Upon completion of Level 2, the students will be able to:- Apply the methodologies for systems design in one or more web based IS contexts. Evaluate the effectiveness of alternative IS design strategies in particular contexts. Appreciate the power of ICT in the management and dissemination of human knowledge. Apply and evaluate financial data after generation and communication of this data. Use this knowledge and skills base to inform management decision making in an effective manner. Appreciate the importance of the role of marketing as a key management discipline. Be aware of the relationships between management disciplines and their impact upon the global business environment. Be able to take responsibility for his/her own learning and continuous professional development and operate as an autonomous learner. To apply knowledge and key transferable skills in order to evaluate the diverse processes and techniques for managing organisations. To apply knowledge and key transferable skills into a practical work based situation critically evaluating current appropriate techniques and practices.
22 Teaching/Learning and Assessment Strategies Particular emphasis will be placed on locating the programme within the context of lifelong learning, to allow the development of key graduate skills, and to promote autonomous learning. These skills will be transferable into other areas of academic study and the work environment. In order to achieve these aims and deliver the learning outcomes a variety of teaching/learning and assessment strategies will be used. 1. Self development management 2. Motivation and initiative 3. Team working 4. Verbal communication 5. Written communication 6. Visual communication 7. Problem solving 8. Analytical ability 9. Numeracy 10. Use of information technology 11. Creativity and ability to handle new and changing situations 12. Integration: transferable of knowledge Learning is to be achieved by means of a variety of effective and innovatory strategies appropriate to the level of study. These strategies include, inter alia: formal lectures, structured follow-up sessions, workshops, student-led seminars and tutorials. The use of discussion and analysis of relevant case study material is encouraged. There is an emphasis on vocational learning and the use of workplace materials within the college are encouraged, ensuring both vocational and academic rigor within the delivery and coursework. The role of the MMU Link Tutor is to ensure that development of learning, teaching and assessment strategies are conducted for this programme in line with the University s Learning and Teaching Strategy, e.g. on-line learning, and that the Programme Teams recognise the need for variety to suit the needs of a diverse student cohort. Portfolio development is included as a means of fostering students critical self- awareness. Presentations are also to be used as part of the skills development process. All assignments should utilise the Harvard referencing system and marks are normally not awarded if students fail to utilise the system. The assessment regime has been developed with regard to the University s Statement on Assessment (Quality Assurance Manual Section 18) and the QAA Code of Practice for the Assessment of Students The assessment strategies are designed to provide fitness for purpose for the individual units of study. Assessment of learning outcomes comprises a variety of formative and summative experiences to complement the student learning experiences. It includes, inter alia: the assessment of portfolios, business reports, project work, presentations, case studies and professional role-play for the in-programme assessments. There are written examination papers across the levels of study but not necessarily in all units. Appropriate feedback is provided to students on assessed work in a way that promotes learning and facilitates improvement. In meeting the needs of students for feedback on their progress and attainment all partner institutions shall be required to:
Complete feedback within an agreed timescale; Specify the nature and extent of feedback that students can expect in relation to particular types and units of assessment; Use comments effectively on returned work, including relating feedback to assessment criteria, in order to help students identify areas for improvement as well as commending them for evident achievement; Consider the roll of oral feedback, either on a group or individual basis as a means of supplementing written feedback; In a Foundation Degree, the direct involvement of employers in the continuing development, monitoring, and delivery of the Programme is an important aspect of meeting the needs of both the employer and the learner. Employer may be involved in the assessment of learning outcomes as well as providing of a supportive learning environment that enables the student to experience a sufficient range of experiences to fulfil the learning outcomes, particularly the Business Negotiated Units. The possible problems associated with the diversity of student experiences are overcome by comprehensive written guidance to students and individual supervision by tutors and an industrial supervisor or mentor. Although students on this Programme are enrolled by and with a partner institution and are therefore bound by the partner institutions rules, regulations and procedures, all assessment shall be subject to the Regulations for Undergraduate Taught Programmes of Study. All assessments shall be subject to both assessment moderation in which the appropriateness of the proposed assessment mechanism and regime is confirmed and marks moderation, where the performance of students in that assessment is verified. Programme staff from the University shall be responsible for the moderation of assessments. Colleges are expected to use their own rigorous internal verification procedures for the moderation of marks. This is complemented by cross college moderation prior to submission of recommendations to the Examination Board. Transferable skills are taught, developed or nurtured throughout the teaching and learning programme, but primarily in the Graduate Skills Unit. Successful students on the Programme shall have the transferable skills of: The University is committed to an inclusive approach to learning, so that all students, including those with a disability, can become a part of an integrated learning community. Each partner institution is responsible for giving students information and advice to students with disabilities and likewise, each partner institution. The learning support personnel at each partner institution are available to assist students in making applications for funding for additional support through the Disabled Students Allowance and liaise with other agencies in arranging support. A package of support will normally be arranged to suit each individual student. Typically the learning support team at each partner institution shall work closely with Access Summit the Disability Resource Centre in organising, inter alia: A full assessment of study/support needs Liaison with relevant funding agencies to secure support Support for study needs, for example, through the employment of a non-medical helper, attendance at study support groups, access to specialist equipment such as a computer and appropriate software.
23 Programme structures, levels, credits, awards and curriculum map All students study a common curriculum core of 80 credits with the remaining 40 credits being dependant on their chosen route. The integration between academic studies and work-based learning is achieved by dividing the 120 available credits at Stage 1 into 100 college based credits and 20 work-based credits, and in Stage 2: 80 college based credits and 40 work-based credits. FdA in Business & Management Stage 1 Stage 2 Financial Analysis Management Accounting Information Technology Marketing Fundamentals Behaviour in Organisations Operations Management Business Environment Managing Human Resources Graduate Skills Development Business Negotiated Unit: Work Based Project Business Negotiated Unit (Work Based Element) 2 FdA Business & Information Technology Management Stage 1 Stage 2 ICT in Society Management Accounting Understanding Information Stystems Marketing Fundamentals Behaviour in Organisations Designing Web Based Systems Business Environment Managing ITC Graduate Skills Development Business Negotiated Unit: Work Based Project Business Negotiated Unit (Work Based Element) 2 To increase and widen participation into higher education the Programme is offered via two delivery modes: PT attendance for students currently in employment FT attendance On PT attendance mode, students will typically attend college, 2 evenings a week (or one afternoon plus one evening), for 32 weeks on each stage of the course. It is a requirement for entry to the programme on a PT basis that the student has suitable employment in a business environment to enable them to fulfil the requirements for work-based learning. On FT attendance mode students undertake the course via college based teaching and work experience. As a condition of entry students will be required to arrange suitable employment in a business environment. College based attendance will normally require a minimum of 12 hours per week for FT students. 24 Additional information
25 Points of reference Internal: MMU Quality Assurance Manual 2001-2 Proposal and Definitive Document, Business & Management Undergraduate Programme January 1998 University Mission and Strategic Plan MMU Common Regulatory Framework Regulations for the Academic Awards of the University Generic Assessment Criteria Full Time Programme Management Group MMU Foundation Degree Policy MMU Collaborative Audit 2006 External: Cheshire & Warrington FE & HE Consortium: Protocol for Collaborative Provision Cheshire & Warrington FE & HE Consortium: Strategic Plan 2003-6 QAA Benchmark statement for Business and Management 2000. QAA Benchmarks for Foundation Degrees 2004 QAA Review of Collaborative Provision 2006 QAA Subject Reviews: Business & Management (2001) Computing (2003) External Examiners reports