MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship Course Handbook 2015/16 MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship Course Handbook 2015/16 2015 Entry Table of Contents Introduction... 2 Course Outline... 3 Course Structure... 3 Modules and Convenors... 3 Syllabus... 3 Full-time Syllabus... 3 Part-time Syllabus (2-year)... 4 Course Aims... 5 Learning Outcomes... 5 Assessment and Academic Progress... 6 Formal Documentation... 7 Library... 7 PG Assessment Criteria... 8 Transferring to a Different Course... 10 Contact Details... 10 Student Life Centre... 10 Information in this handbook may be subject to change. This version is correct as of August 2015. 1
Introduction This handbook summarises the most important aspects of practice and procedure in the management of the Department of Business and Management s postgraduate taught courses, and is designed to provide you with: a clear outline of what you should expect in the management of your degree course; a clear indication of what is expected of you during your time in Business and Management; a convenient source of information about the mechanics of some of the more common administrative procedures used during a student s progress from admission to examination. Message from the Head of Department Welcome to the University of Sussex. I hope that you will enjoy studying with us and that you will learn a lot that will be of use to you moving forward. The modules that you will be taking will be taught by nationally and internationally recognised scholars from around the world and by our network of successful local practitioners. This will enable you to learn about both the theory and practice of your chosen area of study. You should find your studies challenging at Sussex but hopefully also rewarding as they prepare you to make an impact in whatever you choose to do after you complete your degree. You will also be studying with students from different backgrounds and there is a wealth of opportunity to interact with other students on the Sussex campus. I hope that you will take the opportunity to interact with people who are different to yourself and so develop your social skills, so important in global businesses today. I wish you every success in your studies in the Department of Business and Management at Sussex. Prof. Sue Newell Head of Department and Director of Studies Message from the Course Convenor The MSc in Management & Entrepreneurship is an integrative course that links contemporary theory and practice, building upon the extensive research expertise and teaching experience of our academic staff. Our course is further enriched by our visiting speakers which include entrepreneurs running successful and highly innovative commercial or social enterprises. Our modules will provide you with the essential knowledge, competencies and reflective skills necessary for a rewarding career in today s dynamic and challenging environments. The course requires high levels of participation and embodies a strong practical element to support the theoretical learning, giving you the opportunity to apply your newly acquired knowledge within organisations or towards starting a business venture. Dr Mirela Xheneti Course Convenor 2
Course Outline Course Structure The MSc Management and Entrepreneurship is an intensive and innovative course designed to provide an in-depth understanding of management and entrepreneurship. The course covers different organisational, sectorial and geographical contexts and aims to combine state-of-the-art academic knowledge with practical challenges in the business world. It is designed to build practical skills around conceptualising, designing, managing and growing new ventures and existing entrepreneurial organisations. The course creates new opportunities for people interested in: self-employment or management of their own venture; general management and small & medium enterprise (SME) management; family business; entrepreneurial positions in an international organisation; entrepreneurial ventures in the public/private sector (e.g. universities and research institutes); and business development consultancy. Modules and Convenors You will study five modules in the first term, four modules in the second term and work on your Research Project Report through the third term. Each module carries 15 or 30 credits; therefore you will study a total of 180 credits through the year. Each module is organised by a module convenor a member of faculty who designs and delivers the module, and manages the assessments. Module material (including a handbook and lecture slides) is provided by the convenor on the Study Direct site. Assessments are held in the same teaching block in which the modules is delivered for coursework, but in the formal assessment block before the start of the next term, for exams. Syllabus The syllabus provides an in-depth understanding to the concepts of management and entrepreneurship, including venturing and starting up, entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities, business planning, intellectual property rights, innovation, market and financial analysis, ethics and corporate social responsibility. Full-time Syllabus Term Status Modules Credits Core Perspectives on Entrepreneurship and Small Business (722N1) 15 Core Design, Creativity and Innovation (925N1) 15 Core Change and Leadership (715N1) 15 Global Business (734N1) 15 Autumn 2 of these Options Marketing Management (883N1) 15 Accounting for Decision Makers (733N1) 15 Core Research Methods (742N1) 15 Spring Core New Venture Creation and Simulation (868N1) 30 3
Information Systems and Management (935N1) 15 Managing Intellectual Property (876N1) 15 2 of these Options Entrepreneurial Finance (731N1) 15 International Entrepreneurship (721N1) 15 Corporate Governance (740N1) 15 Summer Core Research Project - Entrepreneurship (728N1) 30 Part-time Syllabus (2-year) Term Status Modules Credits YEAR 1 Core Perspectives on Entrepreneurship & Small Businesses (722N1) 15 Core Change and Leadership (715N1) 15 Global Business (734N1) 15 Autumn 1 of these Marketing Management (883N1) 15 Accounting for Decision Makers (733N1) 15 Managing Intellectual Property (876N1) 15 2 of these Options Entrepreneurial Finance (731N1) 15 International Entrepreneurship (721N1) 15 Spring Corporate Governance (740N1) 15 Information Systems and Management (935N1) 15 Summer No modules YEAR 2 Core Design Thinking for Entrepreneurship (925N1) 15 Autumn 1 of these Global Business (734N1) 15 4
Marketing Management (883N1) 15 Accounting for Decision Makers (733N1) 15 Spring Core New Venture Creation and Simulation (868N1) 30 Core Research Methods (742N1) 15 Summer Core Research Project (728N1) 30 Course Aims MSc Management and Entrepreneurship is aimed at postgraduate students who wish to gain a contemporary and forward-looking perspective on entrepreneurship and management studies. Managers need a skill-set to enable them to react to the changing world and a vision to interpret the next step for their organisation. In preparing for these challenges, this course provides in-depth knowledge in management and entrepreneurship studies with a focus on: the formation and growth of new ventures; working and managing in small businesses; entrepreneurial management in small firms; enterprise policy or the role of government and other institutions in supporting entrepreneurship and the creation and growth of new firms; entrepreneurship in the private, public and third sector; and contemporary issues in entrepreneurship and small business research. The overall purpose is to provide a vocationally relevant and academically challenging programme in management and entrepreneurship. The programme seeks to: Provide graduates with the knowledge and personal skills appropriate for a career in the area of management and entrepreneurship, and other related areas by: o Integrating functional knowledge related to starting and managing new ventures and existing organisations; o Analysing entrepreneurial processes in different organisational, sectorial, national and international contexts; and o Improving skills that are relevant for management and entrepreneurship such as spirit of initiative, creativity, analytical thinking, self-awareness, resilience, flexibility, responsibility, leadership and negotiation, independence, teamwork. Blend academic cutting edge research with practical relevance and experience of the entrepreneurial journey; Take an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to management and entrepreneurship. Learning Outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and qualities in the following areas: Skills Area Learning Outcomes 5
Knowledge and Understanding Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the theoretical concepts of management and entrepreneurship. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in management and entrepreneurship as well as to assess methodologies and develop critiques of them. Develop a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in management and entrepreneurship using a balance of theory and practical skills to facilitate intellectual and professional development; Intellectual Skills Develop critical, analytical and research skills needed to make reasoned and creative contributions to problem-solving in complex and uncertain contexts. Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in management and entrepreneurship. Practical Skills Demonstrate an understanding and the application of a range of relevant quantitative and qualitative social science research skills needed for the analysis of entrepreneurship and management issues. Transferable Skills Demonstrate originality, self-direction and autonomy in planning and implementing tasks in a range of occupations in business, consultancy, academia and government. These include team/group working, IT skills, Information search skills, the ability to interpret and manipulate numerical data, presentation skills, and writing skills. Assessment and Academic Progress An external examiner, who is a senior academic in another educational institution, reviews all assessed work that contributes to the degree award. A report on all submitted and assessed work is produced by the external examiner, and is presented to the meeting of the Progression and Award Board, usually in October or November each year. The external examiner for the Management and Entrepreneurship MSc is Prof. Paul Robson, of Royal Holloway, University of London. Much information is available on the university website regarding how to study, how you will be assessed, and how your degree is classified and awarded. Writing well and avoiding academic misconduct Plagiarism, collusion, and cheating in exams are all forms of academic misconduct which the University takes very seriously. 6
Every year, some students commit academic misconduct unintentionally because they did not know what was expected of them. The consequences for committing academic misconduct can be severe, so it is important that you familiarise yourself with what it is and how to avoid it. The University s S3 guide to study skills gives advice on writing well, including hints and tips on how to avoid making serious mistakes. You will also find helpful guides to referencing properly and improving your critical writing skills. Make use of the resources there. If you are dealing with difficult circumstances, such as illness or bereavement, do not try to rush your work or hand in something which may be in breach of the rules. Instead you should seek confidential advice from the Student Life Centre. The full University rules on academic misconduct are set out in the Examination and Assessment Regulations Handbook. Formal Documentation The definitive source of information on regulatory matters associated with assessment and classification is published by the Academic Office, and is available here: Examination and Assessment Handbook for Postgraduate Students http://www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment This is a version of the handbook used by exam board members when making progression and classification decisions. It describes the regulations in formal terms. Library The library has a vast collection of books to support your study. It also gives you access to over 30,000 online journals and 50,000 e-books. To help you find what you need, we have a powerful discovery tool called Library Search. It will provide you with full-text access to our journals and e- books, as well as giving you shelfmarks for our print books and DVDs, to help you to locate them in the library. Our website will link you to Library Search, along with many other pieces of useful information: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/. As well as Library Search, the library also has a large number of databases and digital archives specific to Business and Management. To help you find these databases and other resources, we have listed them in our Subject Guide: http://guides.lib.sussex.ac.uk/business_management The library uses an online reading list system for your course materials. You will usually access your reading list from your Study Direct module page, but you can also search for your reading list here: http://liblists.sussex.ac.uk/. We run regular workshops and training sessions to help you find and use the library s resources, carry out effective literature searches and understand how to cite and reference your sources. We also offer online support through our InfoSuss tutorial, which takes you through searching techniques, as well as providing an easy referencing guide: www.sussex.ac.uk/library/infosuss. Support for a wide range of skills, including library and research skills, can be accessed via the Skills Hub. It brings together all the workshops, web resources and services at Sussex that can help you with your academic development: www.sussex.ac.uk/skillshub. 7
MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship Course Handbook 2015/16 PG Assessment Criteria When grading all modes of assessment the marker will refer to the following generic criteria. More specific criteria may be provided for particular modules. Category Mark Check List Description High Distinction 80 + High level of reflective learning Advanced knowledge of subject area Critically reflects on established literature and theory Evidence of extensive or intensive and appropriate data collection and analysis Well researched, written and argued in a compelling manner Extensive research-level references New insights emerging from reading research or student s own experiences The work demonstrates a mastery of the subject that goes well beyond basic reading to critically explore alternative perspectives The argument presented is well developed, complete and coherent, and is written in a compelling manner Perhaps most importantly, an 80+ piece of work is characterised by a spark of creativity, or by new ideas and insights that emerge from the student s reading and experience Distinction 70 79 High level of reflective learning Excellent knowledge of subject area Extensive and appropriate use of literature Evidence of extensive or intensive and appropriate data collection and analysis Well argued Arrives at innovative understanding Merit 60 69 High level of reflective learning Good knowledge of subject area Uses a range of texts not just text books and including refereed journals Evidence of appropriate data collection and analysis Logically structured and argued Demonstrates learning from the project The work demonstrates excellent understanding of the subject that has been gained through a thorough critical analysis of themes and issues It draws effectively on the relevant literature and concepts to build a comprehensive and cohesive argument Work graded at 70 and above is characterised by persuasive reasoning backed up by appropriate illustrative examples The work demonstrates proficient understanding of the subject gained from working with key sources Major themes and debates in the extant literature are recognised and are at least referred to if not taken up completely throughout the project 8
Category Mark Check List Description Pass 50 59 Achieves reflective learning Shows understanding of most of the issues relating to the subject Uses texts and some journals Evidence of appropriate data collection and analysis but these are at the most basic level The arguments developed in the project, the language used and the writing style are competent but are somewhat incomplete in places Marginal Fail 45 49 There is a credible, if poor, attempt at all components of the project Achieves reflective learning but does not grasp any wider perspective of the subject Has read some texts but not really understood the concepts Investigation and analysis falls short of pass standard, but could be raised to this standard if the student applies sufficient time and effort to revise their work The arguments developed in the project, the language used and the writing style are not competent or incomplete Fail 0 44 Fails to achieve reflective learning A major problem in one or more significant areas: literature, methodology, language, etc. Lack of sufficient reading Fails to extend beyond concepts and readings already taught and examined elsewhere Poorly designed and superficial analysis Argument is incoherent and/or inconsistent The work demonstrates a basic competence in the subject It draws on some relevant literature, but provides only a limited critical analysis of this material Examples are used, but without a critical, analytical context The arguments presented have some gaps Work of this grade is characterised by sufficient coverage of the subject, but unsophisticated understanding and analysis The work demonstrates only a limited degree of competence in the subject It has some sense of academic debate and/or rational argument There is a tendency towards reportage rather than any form of interpretation Work of this grade is characterised by just acceptable comprehension in all elements, but the work could be improved to achieve a pass grade if the student puts in sufficient effort The work demonstrates a lack of understanding of the subject There are significant gaps in the interpretation of literature and relevant concepts, and the reasoning presented is flawed, inconsistent, contradictory, or incoherent Unacceptable work is characterised by incompleteness and inadequate comprehension 9
MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship Course Handbook 2015/16 Transferring to a Different Course We hope that you will be happy with your initial choice of degree, but a small minority of students will wish to transfer to another degree. If your chosen new degree is offered by another school then it is less likely that you will be able to transfer. However, if you wish to choose an alternative degree from amongst those offered by the Business and Management Department, then this may be possible, but the change must be completed by Friday 9th October 2014. If you wish to consider transferring to a new degree, please make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the options available, as soon as you can. Contact Details You should also keep in touch with your academic advisor, and contact the Student Life Centre for help with any personal issues you face. Your course convenor should be able to help you find an answer to any questions you have during your studies. Other useful contacts: Course Convenor Management and Entrepreneurship MSc Dr. Mirela Xheneti M.Xheneti@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 872753 Director of Studies Prof. Sue Newell Sue.Newell@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 678266 Head of Department Prof. Sue Newell Sue.Newell@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 873950 Business and Management Postgraduate Course Co-ordinators Mr Austin Brown Austin.Brown@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 872984 Miss Rebecca Renvoize R.Renvoize@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 872984 Miss Susan Eamer-Tsoureas pg-bam@sussex.ac.uk Student Life Centre The Student Life Centre (SLC) offers information and advice to all Sussex students. Their aim is to help you to gain the best university experience you can, whatever your circumstances, by ensuring if you run into problems you get appropriate guidance and support. The SLC is based on the first floor of Bramber House and is open from 9.00 am 5.00 pm every weekday. You can drop in to see them, call (01273) 876767, email studentlifecentre@sussex.ac.uk 10
or make an appointment just go onto your Sussex Direct site, click on your Study tab and then on Student Life Centre. Amongst the many issues the SLC can help you with are: Personal concerns affecting study progress or well-being; Funding and finance including scholarships, bursaries and hardship funds; Sources of help to improve academic performance identifying obstacles to learning; Understanding university systems and regulations in relation to assessment, services, complaints, conduct, and discipline; Progression, intermission and withdrawal processes - discussion and support; Referrals to other professional services on campus; Mitigating evidence help. 11