Master s studies in International Business at RU Rules and Regulations
Master s studies in International Business at RU Rules and Regulations 1. Master studies in international business. 1.1. The Program. The program consists of 120 ECTS in graduate master studies, out of which 90 ECTS are comprised of core and elective courses (taken at Reykjavik University as well as during the semester abroad) 1, and the rest 30 ECTS are comprised of the master s thesis. In this program, thesis is a document that presents the author's own research and findings and is submitted in support of candidature for a degree Master of Sciences in International Business. 1.2. The Language of Study. The program is offered entirely in English. 1.3. The Objective. The program s overall objective is to provide good understanding and extensive knowledge of international business as well as to provide the students with a theoretical basis which can make it easier for them to adapt their knowledge to the rapid changes that are currently taking place in all spheres of international business. These objectives are achieved in three different ways. First, the study is based on a theoretical approach which must be comparable to what is done best at internationally recognized universities. Second, the program s Academic Council has a strong liaison with the most globalised and the most progressive companies in Iceland and around the world to ensure the practical value of the study. Third, the participants in the program spend one semester abroad either studying at one of our partner universities or working (internship) at one of our partner companies worldwide. 2. Examination degrees. The students that complete a 120 ECTS study and successfully pass thesis examinations acquire the following degree at Reykjavik University: Master of Sciences in International Business. 3. Conditions of admittance. The minimum condition for admittance to the study is a Bachelor s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, or Economics from a recognized university, or a substantial progress towards a bachelor s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, or Economics (admission to the program in this case is conditional upon completion of the bachelor s degree) and a full command of the English language. The program s Academic Council has the right to make an exemption from the former condition in the case of individuals who have obtained a Bachelor s degree in areas other than indicated above, provided that the applicant successfully passes the necessary business-related courses prior to being admitted. The list of required courses is available from the program manager. 4. Applications. Potential applicants are notified about application deadlines in due time. All applications are handled in strict confidentiality. Applicants that fulfill general admittance conditions and have submitted all relevant 1 A student cannot take more than 2 elective courses (12 ECTS) from external programs at RU. Before registering for the external elective course, a student must seek an approval from the program manager.
attachments will be invited to an interview conducted by the members of the program s Academic Council. The evaluation of applications shall be based on the achievements from previous studies, academic ability, language skills, experience, knowledge, and the ambition to achieve success. The Academic Council is entitled to reject formally valid applications on the basis of such evaluation criteria. 5. Study time. The program generally takes two years to complete, whether part-time or full-time. Full-time studies extend over four semesters, but in the case of part-time studies, two summer semesters may be added, or the study period is extended over next regular semesters. Under special circumstances, e.g. due to illness, child birth, or very special circumstances at a workplace the program s Academic Council has the right to extend the study period, but it shall not, however, exceed four years. If the study period exceeds four years, a re-evaluation of the achievements to date will be completed by the said Academic Council, and the decision will be taken as to the appropriateness of further study. 6. Study Progress and Study Leaves Master s students are responsible for their own studies and for their study plan conforming to the organization of the program. Students should seek advice from the Programme Administrator if they take longer than stipulated to complete the programme. Students can apply for a leave from studies to the Programme Administrator but should note that such an arrangement is subject to certain conditions. Students can apply for a leave of one semester at a time and can at most take a leave of two semesters (one academic year) in total. Accompanying applications should be a plan for study progress following the study leave. If study leaves extend beyond what these rules allow, students need to reenroll, in which case they only retain those courses for which their grade was 7.0 or higher. 7. Organization of teaching. Teaching takes place either on working days or during weekends (excl. Sundays). The teaching methods shall be determined by the instructor of the course in question. Instructors shall, however, keep in mind the main rule that teaching should be conducted with the use of methods that are most likely to encourage the students to independent critical thinking, participation, understanding, and further study. 8. Course attendance. Course attendance is compulsory. If a student cannot repeatedly attend courses due to illness or for other urgent reasons (as determined by the program s Academic Council), he/she shall notify both the course instructor and the program manager of the reasons. If a student s attendance is poor (i.e., fifty one to seventy five percent), he/she shall be given a caution about his/her obligations. In addition, the student concerned shall be given a special project to complete, in addition to his/her course obligations. The topic, scope, and volume of such a project will be decided upon by the course instructor, after consulting with and getting an approval from the program director. If attendance falls below the reasonable expectations (i.e., fifty percent or less), Reykjavik University has the right to unregister the student from the course in question. 9. Assessment. Assessment shall be determined by the instructor of each course in consultation with the program director. 9.1. Evaluation methods. The decision on assessment shall be based on the general requirement that a
student s performance be evaluated in a variety of ways, e.g., by means of individual assignments, examinations, group work, and participation in class discussions. Methods of study evaluation shall be made clear at the beginning of each course. Generally, the individual component of evaluation shall make up no less than 50% of the grade, and the exams should be passed with a minimum grade to be set by the teacher and/or program s Academic Council. 9.2. Study content. Study evaluation shall involve a special emphasis on assessing a student s ability to make use of rigorous academic methods of solving problems, as well as student s knowledge and understanding of the topic at hand.
9.3. Student s own work. Reykjavik University makes the unrestricted and unconditional demand that each student should work alone on completing individual assignments and never use texts or the work of others as if it were his/her own. The repercussions for infringements of this rule are severe, no less than a considerable reduction of grades for a minor infringement, failure in a course in more serious cases, and even expulsion from the program for particularly serious or repeated infringements. Students shall familiarize themselves with the Reykjavik University s rules on study and examinations. They apply in this program just as in any other programs at the university. 9.4. Group work. In group work everybody shall make his/her own contribution. The group itself cannot be held responsible for anyone not contributing to the overall success of the group but benefitting from the group s work. If a participant in a group makes an unsatisfactory contribution, the other participants in the group shall inform the student concerned of their dissatisfaction sufficiently long before the conclusion of the group work, so that the situation can be improved. If it is the group s view that a participant within the group, despite criticism from the fellow students, is not making a significant contribution, the group members shall notify their instructor of the situation, and the latter shall then, in consultation with the program director, evaluate possible solutions to the matter. 9.5. Submissions of assignments. Students shall submit assignments in accordance with rules set by the instructor on the procedure of submissions and dates for each course. Responsibility for submissions rests with the students. Generally, no delay for submissions shall be granted except in unusual cases. The instructor has the right to reduce the grade of students who submit their assignments late and refuse to accept such assignments if their submission has been excessively delayed. 9.6. Submissions of grades. Instructors shall submit the final grades for a course within seven working days from the final examination or the end of a course when there is no final examination. 9.7. Grades. Students must pass all the courses they attend. Final grades for courses shall be given in whole and half numbers on a scale from 0 to 10. In order to pass a course all assignments, the final exam and the final grade shall not be lower than 6.0. Students need to reach an overall average grade of 7,0 in order to graduate. 9.8. Prerequisites for individual parts of study evaluation. The general rule applies that a student must receive the minimum grade of 6.0 in a study evaluation that is based on individual performance. The instructor shall give a clear account of the study evaluation at the beginning of the course. 9.9. Written examinations. Course instructors shall set and notify in advance of the time frames of written examinations. Students with reading and writing difficulties shall be given appropriate assistance in accordance with the general rules of Reykjavik University. The appropriateness of use of various reference materials and aids for the examination, e.g., dictionaries, computers, etc., shall be determined by the course instructor and notified of in advance. The usage of mobile phones, PDAs, and such during an examination is not permitted. A breach of this rule may result in failure in a course, and a repeated breach may cause expulsion from the program. 9.10. Repeated examinations and examinations on account of illness. A student who does not pass an exam is entitled to repeat it. A student who hands in a medical certificate about illness on an examination day is also offered the opportunity to take a repeat examination. Only students who have attended the final examinations or notified of an illness are eligible for repeat examinations. Students who have been absent from the regular final examination on account of illness and fail the repeat examination have forfeited their right to repeat the examination. The student must repeat the course in order to take the final examination again. 9.11. Students right to explanations and appeal. Students have the right to get an instructor s explanation of his/her evaluation and grading. A request to that effect shall be submitted in writing or by email within seven calendar days of the date of publication of grades. The instructor shall comply with the request within a week. If the student is dissatisfied with the
conclusion of the instructor, he/she can appeal to the program director who shall either resolve the problem or appoint an external examiner in the case of failure in a course. The grade given by external examiner shall generally carry the same weight as the instructor s grade, and the final grade for the course will then be determined in consultation with the course instructor. 10. Examinations in languages. Students who elect to study languages must normally have a minimum level of knowledge in the chosen language (A2 or equivalent) prior to the beginning of studies at Reykjavik University. Some exemptions to this rule may apply in the case of certain languages where no prior knowledge is necessary. The students shall also have the right to take a recognized international examination in the language concerned at the level determined by the relevant language instructor. The responsibility for paying fee to recognized international examination bodies for such examinations rests with the students. 11. Registration for courses. Registration for the program s courses is a part of each student s responsibilities. Registration is conducted within the time frames specified by the university in consultation with the program s Academic Council. 12. A semester abroad. All participants in the program shall spend one semester abroad, generally the third semester of the study, worth up to 30 ECTS. The program director has the right to make an exemption from this condition, if an applicant for such an exemption has an extensive experience of working and/or studying abroad (no less than nine months). The students shall use the semester abroad to write a M.Sc. thesis research proposal (6 ECTS) and complete one of the following (up to 24 ECTS): attend and successfully pass M.Sc. in International Business courses at the university abroad (preferred option) or work as an intern for an Icelandic or foreign organization in international settings (some conditions apply). A supervisor, appointed by the program s Academic Council, shall oversee students work abroad. 12.1. Study credits for a semester abroad. The students shall complete a study or a work assignment which can be evaluated as a maximum 24 ECTS. Prior to the start of the semester abroad, the students shall seek the approval of the program s Academic Council in regards to a study/work plan that may comply with this number of credits. Students are obliged to submit reports on the progress of their study/work to their supervisor on pre-determined dates. The supervisor shall notify each student within a week of the date of receipt of such a progress report whether it is considered satisfactory, or if the study/work does not seem to be progressing in a way that would grant 24 ECTS. If a student does not submit a project that the supervisor considers sufficient for an award of this number of credits, a student has the same right to appeal as in the case of a final grade in a course. 12.2. Responsibilities of Reykjavik University. Reykjavik University shall ensure that all students be offered a study program at foreign universities, or in certain cases, an internship abroad. The student s supervisor is obliged to maintain as close a consultation with students about the study program and internship as possible. Reykjavik University cannot, however, guarantee that a student can study at any university of his/her choice, or that a student can in the end choose between a study program and an internship in an organization. The supervisor shall ensure that a student be assisted in choosing a study program or internship. Both study programs and internships are subject to approval by the Academic Council. Equivalent to studies in Iceland, Reykjavik University carries no responsibility regarding the accommodation for students, their means of support, health insurance, or
other matters pertaining to their daily life abroad, although the University is, at the same time, obliged to offer students any assistance that can be considered as normal and feasible. 12.3. Students responsibilities. Whether students pursue studies or internship abroad, they shall themselves be responsible for the completion of their studies or internship equivalent to what constitutes such studies or internship work at Reykjavik University. The rules of Reykjavik University on students own work (cf. Article 8.3 above) apply to studies as well as internships abroad. Students must successfully pass a study assessment in the courses they pursue, while internships shall be completed in accordance with predetermined objectives set out by the supervisor. Students are obliged to ensure that they have adequate accommodation, means of support, health insurance, and other matters pertaining to their daily life abroad. 13. Master s Thesis. As an integral component of the comprehensive graduate business education, M.Sc. in International Business program comprises a compulsory Master s Thesis worth 30 ECTS, as a part of the 120 hour degree requirement. In M.Sc. IB program, thesis is a document that presents the author's own research and findings and is submitted in support of candidature for a degree Master of Sciences in International Business. All thesis work shall be performed in accordance with the Master s Thesis Guide, which is to be made available to all students enrolled in the program. 13.1. General. Master s thesis work involves a period of individual scholarship and research for the main purpose of demonstrating a student s ability to undertake independent research under guidance, and using the established methods of research and analysis most appropriate to the particular discipline or subject area. The student shall be given the program/school guide to policies and procedures relating to Master s thesis work. 13.2. Research Proposal. A student preparing to pursue his/her Master s thesis may in some cases adopt a research proposal already formulated by the program/school. In most cases, the student will work under the guidance of an academic staff member (a potential supervisor) to develop a research proposal. In all cases, however, a tentative research plan should be developed during the semester abroad. Normally it would be expected that a provisional research proposal be submitted to the program director or overseer of such research for consideration and discussion. The final form of the research proposal should be presented in sufficient detail for the potential supervisor and program director. Once the proposal has been approved within the program/school, it must be submitted to the program manager/school research committee for registration and approval by the Program Director and/or Faculty Dean. This must be done before the official date of the end of the semester abroad. The proposal must be accompanied by the standard form Master s Thesis topic registration form. 13.3. Research Supervisor. As part of the process of approving the research proposal, the program director shall formally appoint a Senior Supervisor to supervise the work of the candidate. This supervisor shall normally be a member of the academic staff of the University, and only exceptionally will the Senior Supervisor not be from the candidate s school. 13.4. Reporting the Problems. If at any time the student is dissatisfied with the supervision provided or the resources available or with any other matter affecting his or her progress, he/she should immediately report the matter to the program director. 13.5. Thesis Submission. When the writing of the thesis is completed and agreed upon by the thesis supervisor, the student must submit one electronic and four hard copies of the thesis to the program manager. All hard copies should be hardbound; three are to remain with the school once the examination process is completed, and the fourth copy will be returned to the student. Candidates should ensure that
sufficient extra copies of the thesis are prepared to provide for those that might be required by the program/school, examiners, and any sponsor of the work. 13.6. Examination Each Master s thesis candidate is to undergo oral examination; the details of how such an examination would be conducted are contained in the Master s Thesis Guide. The examination committee will consist as a minimum of two examiners one internal examiner who will be a permanent full-staff member of the school (possibly, a Senior Supervisor of the thesis). The other examiner must be external to the school and the supervisory team. If the thesis is at first deemed to be unsatisfactory and if the student is offered the chance to make revisions and resubmit, it would be normal to request the same examiners to reassess the thesis after resubmission. More information about the thesis and related procedures can be found in the Master s Thesis Guide. 14. Confidentiality. Students, instructors, and program staff are all obliged to show full confidentiality regarding information emerging from the studies, and particularly regarding information about individual students and projects which they may do for someone outside the University. 15. Breaches of rules. Students are obliged to follow both the general rules of Reykjavik University and these special rules on master s studies in international business. Regarding matters that are not covered in these special rules reference should be made to the general rules of Reykjavik University as well as the codes of ethics of the University. If a student does not follow the set rules, he/she shall be given a formal caution. Repeated and serious breaches of rules can result in expulsion from the study at the decision of the School of Business. 16. Languages of rules. These rules are published in English only. 17. Responsibility of rules. These rules are set by the M.Sc. in International Business program s Academic Council of the Reykjavik University School of Business, which reserves its right to change them without notice. In case of discrepancies between these rules and the rules of Reykjavik University, the latter shall apply. Reykjavik, 14th of February 2012