Programme Specification: Master of Business Administration 1. Awarding Institution/Body University of Gloucestershire 2. Teaching Institution University of Gloucestershire 3. Recognition by Professional Body. N 4. Final award and level of qualification Master of Business Administration. Modular Scheme or other Within University Academic Regulations for Taught Provision 6. Programme title (name on certificate) Master of Business Administration 7. UCAS code N 8. JACS code N 9. QAA subject benchmark statement(s) where relevant Masters Awards in Business Administration Type 3. Date of initial validation 199 11. Date of revision Initial validation 199 Revised May/June 2003 Revised November 2007 Revised March 2012 Periodic Review and Re-validation 20 12. External and Internal reference points The educational aims and outcomes of the programme have been written with reference to the following reference points. 12a) EXTERNAL Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ); QAA Benchmark statement(s) Type 3 (B); Further details are available at the relevant University websites 12b) INTERNAL University of Gloucestershire Academic Regulations for Taught Provision; University of Gloucestershire TLA policy including PDP and skills; Other specified policies for example; sustainability, AWP, and student charter; University of Gloucestershire Strategic Plan. Further details are available at the relevant University websites
13. Main educational aims of the programme The MBA provides an analytical and integrated study of business and management, which results in an understanding of organisations, how they are managed and the external environment in which they operate. The main educational aims of the MBA programme are to provide you, the student, with opportunities to: Develop an understanding of management theory - delivered in a variety of formats that supports the integration of theory from across the range of disciplines, in order to critically analyse and problem solve effectively Apply that theory to real situations within an organisational setting gaining practical experience through case studies and simulations using data from international organisations to support your learning Develop your understanding of your managerial and leadership capability through taught sessions as well as self analysis and personal and professional development planning Specific to the MBA, there are core themes that are embedded into the teaching, learning and assessment within the context of the programme. These are articulated as: the explicit realisation that business and management need to encompass issues related to globalisation and internationalisation an understanding that to meet the challenges of current and future management, leadership and change management is central to organisational success an appreciation of the impact of sustainability on future organisational competitive advantage 14. Programme outcomes the programme provides opportunities for you, the student, to achieve and demonstrate the following learning outcomes: 14a) Knowledge and understanding of: It is expected that you will gain knowledge and develop understanding in the following areas: 1. Business and policy strategy the development of appropriate policies and strategies within a changing environment, to meet stakeholder interests (B). 2. Wider contextual issues these include sustainability, globalisation, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management and risk management (B). 3. Inquiry systematic inquiry skills, and the application of reflective and creative thinking to problem solving. 4. Finance the sources, uses and management of finance, the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications (B).. People the management and development of people within organisations. This includes the understanding of promoting critical reflection within yourself and others.
6. Communication and information technology comprehension and use of relevant CIT for application in business management (B). 14b) Intellectual / thinking skills you will be able to demonstrate skills in: 1. Critical Thinking and Creativity 2. Problem Solving and Decision Making 3. Information and Knowledge 4. Numeracy and Quantitative Skills. Effective use of IT 6. Leadership and Performance Management 7. Ethics and Value Management 14c) Subject specific / Practical and professional skills able to: 1. be proactive in recognising the need for change and have the ability to manage change (B) 2. evaluate and integrate theory and practice in a wide range of situations (B) 3. deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complex data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to a range of audiences (B) 4 be adaptable, and show originality, insight, and critical and reflective abilities which can all be brought to bear upon problem situations (B). take responsibility for continuing to develop your own knowledge and skills (B) 14d) Transferable/key skills you will be able to: 1. demonstrate the ability to develop sound organisationally based research using appropriate data and techniques 2. demonstrate learning through reflective practice and experience (B) 3. lead change within an organisation 4. integrate knowledge in relation to internationalization. deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, communicate conclusions a to a wide range of audiences 6. operate effectively in a variety of team and leadership roles 7. understand the principles related to sustainability within an organisational and wider context 8. integrate strategy into operational decision making
1. Teaching, learning and assessment the teaching, learning and assessment strategies and methods used in the programme to enable learning outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated by you, the student. 1a) Teaching and learning methods While the emphasis of a Masters degree is the development of personal understanding and skills, teaching will continue to provide important input into the programme. Such input is important as it introduces the methods for enquiry and fundamentals of knowledge needed to engage with higher-level management research materials and practices. Students will be expected to participate in a wide range of sessions, which at Masters level would include (14 a 1-4): Self and group personal development activities Organisational visits Business Simulation Seminars based on reading Lectures Individual self learning E-learning /computer based opportunities Developed personal portfolios supporting module outcomes An active learning pedagogy, where you will be encouraged to learn through a variety of learning activities. You will be involved in group and individual activities that support the ethos of the programme which includes the underpinning of theoretical frameworks and also their practical applicability to management. This strategy has been integrated across the modules. 1b) Assessment A range of assessments will be used on the programme. The intention is to establish whether the learning outcomes for each module have been achieved, and to promote self-managed and reflective learning. There will be a blend of traditional and more innovative approaches to assessment to ensure you are exposed to a variety of types of scenarios of decision-making confronted by national and international managers. A range of assessments will include: Individual and group reports and presentations An independent and self managed dissertation, Group simulation Critical reviews and reflective exercises Critique based essays and reports, which integrate personal experience with theoretical insights Assessed personal development activities through a reflective portfolio Examination
16. Current Programme Map MBA course map Postgraduate Certificate Module Code Module Title CATS ECTS MBA401 Operations Management MBA412 MBA403 Financial and Management Accounting Principles of Management MBA411 MBA40 Business Enterprise and Innovation Global Organisational Environment 20 Postgraduate Diploma Module Code Module Title CATS ECTS MBA406 Global Business Strategy 20 MBA407 Strategic Marketing MBA408 Leadership Development and Change MBA409 Finance MBA4 Strategic Human Resource Management MBA 60 CAT points Module Code Module Title CATS MBA444 Dissertation 60 30 17. Programme Overview The programme is offered in the following modes of study: Full-time Part-time The language of study is English. 17a) Structure, key features and modules ECTS This section of the programme specification should be read with reference to section 16, the programme map. The programme s modules are all compulsory. The Certificate stage consists of 60 CATS points (30 ECT Points) The Diploma stage consists of 60 CATS points (30 ECT Points) The Masters stage consists of 60 CATS points (30 ECT Points)
Our MBA programme is designed to be responsive to the changing context of work, management and career development. This programme is underpinned by national benchmark requirements for postgraduate business study. The programme is designed to complete the Certificate and Diploma stages prior to the start of the Masters stage. Our full-time and Associate Faculty members have a range of national and international business and research expertise to offer students who study here with us. The size of the cohorts here allows for supportive and flexible learning. The knowledge and skills you will develop from the MBA programme can be applied directly to the workplace. All of the modules undertaken are compulsory and are designed to ensure general management principles underpin learning and assessment strategies. Personal professional development and reflective practice activities are embedded throughout the programme. The programmes have been designed with a personal and professional development (PPD) ethos. All students engage with a range of induction activities, for example intercultural skills training, group work, case study approach and team building. They are also offered study skills sessions, including research methods training, throughout their programme to introduce and/or refresh skills and conventions associated with studying at masters level. International students have access to additional English language support. The dissertation will support the development of research, critical analysis and communication skills. This module will also facilitate a reflective piece that will be included in your final submission. 17b) Credit and award requirements For the Postgraduate Certificate in Management students should: Pass 60 module credits (all modules at Postgraduate Certificate Stage) For the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration students should: Pass 120 module credits (all modules at Postgraduate Certificate stage and Postgraduate Diploma stage) For the Masters in Business Administration students should: Pass 180 module credits (all modules at Postgraduate Certificate stage, Postgraduate Diploma stage and Masters stage) 18. Additional information Further information on Assessment; Quality Assurance including Evaluation; Disability and Learning support provision; Criteria for Admission/Recruitment and Careers can be found at the University website. The National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) provides details of comparative information on all Higher Education programmes.