Programme Specifications

N/A

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Master’s Degrees in Business and Management.

• September 2023

• The advanced study of international business with a specific emphasis on the marketing function, and the changing external context in which businesses operate and market their products and services.

• The advanced study of organizations and their management and leadership. The development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in marketing for international, national and local markets. The development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in finance and human resource management.

• Preparation for and/or development of a career in business and management, or marketing, by developing skills at a professional or equivalent level, or as preparation for research or further study in the area.

• Development and enhancement of a range of general transferable skills and attributes.

• Development of lifelong learning skills, including engendering an enthusiasm for business and for learning more generally as part of continuing personal and professional development.

The learning outcomes of this programme are designed to meet the expectations of the benchmarking statement laid down by the QAA for Type 2 Masters awards in Business and Management. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Graduates will have a sound theoretical grounding in the broad area of business and management, and in the specific area of marketing, and will have developed a range of analytical and personal skills. They have a clear understanding of how their knowledge and skills may be used effectively within an organizational context. They are able to analyse the risk and opportunities facing businesses in the international arena, develop strategic proposals to support decision-making, engage with strategic planning for marketing at an international, national or local level, and develop processes for the implementation and evaluation of a marketing plan.

Graduates will be able to collect relevant information across a range of areas pertaining to a current situation, analyse that information and synthesise it into an appropriate form in order to evaluate decision alternatives, and engage with people from different cultural backgrounds in order to raise the level of organizational thinking.

Within the broad framework of organizations, their external context and management, it is expected that graduates will gain knowledge and develop understanding in the following areas:

• A1 Customers and stakeholders – customer expectations, service and orientation

• A2 Marketing and sales – approaches for segmentation, targeting, positioning, generating sales, and the need for innovation in product and service design

• A3 International marketing – apply different marketing tools and strategies in the context of technologically sophisticated and knowledge-intensive international markets, and critically evaluate business’s strategic marketing decisions in these markets.

• A4 Finance – the sources, uses and management of finance; uses of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications

• A5 People – strategic and operational HRM; meeting future organisational requirements; people development; leadership and emotional intelligence; HR systems

• A6 External environment – understanding of the economic, cultural, political and legal environment in which businesses operate internationally, including the impact of government policy, the role of international agencies, and compliance with commercial law

• A7 Information systems, communication and business intelligence –information systems and their impact on organisations; digital and other communications tools; transforming data into useful information to support business decision-making

• A8 Pervasive Issues – these include sustainability, globalization, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management and risk management.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching/learning will take place through traditional lectures, practical modules and interactive exercises. Learningoutcomes A1-A8 are acquired through lectures, seminars, case studies, individual tasks, group work and directed independent study. The development of the research project provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A8.

Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of business related issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach. The use of seminars and case studies allows students to develop their own ideas, and to express, and ultimately, justify and defend them, against competing claims. Part of the aim is to encourage the student to take increasing responsibility for his or her own learning.

Directed independent study and reading, along with individual tasks, facilitate further exploration of the relevant areas.

Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library and journal materials relating to individual modules of the programme.

The research project requires a student to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation of specific issues. It also requires the student to demonstrate a range of relevant research skills.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The intended outcomes will be assessed via both individual and group continuous assessment, and through examination. The learning outcomes are assessed informally and formally by various means. Oral presentations and the associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills. Learning outcomes are assessed formally via unseen written examinations, coursework assignments, projects, and in some instances through assessed presentations.

• B1 Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately

• B2 Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions

• B3 The ability to conduct research into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and reporting

• B4 Using information and knowledge effectively: scanning and organising data, synthesising and analysing in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge

Learning and Teaching

Teaching/learning will take place through traditional lectures, practical modules and interactive exercises.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The intended outcomes will be assessed via both individual and group continuous assessment, and through examination.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• C1 High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience

• C2 Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management

• C3 Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting targets, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring

• C4 Ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices.

Learning and Teaching

Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of the key issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The use of seminars and case studies allows students to develop their own ideas and to express, and ultimately, justify and defend them, against competing claims.

10.3 Transferable/key skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• D1 Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments; using a range of media, including preparation of business reports

• D2 Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity towards diversity in people and in different situations

• D3 The ability to recognise the need for and initiate change and to be able to manage change

Learning and Teaching

Most of the key transferable skills form an integral part of the overall assessment of the degree scheme

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme as well as informally assessed through coursework and projects including the research project.