Programme Specifications

N/A

This Programme Specification has been designed to conform to the QAA Benchmark Statements for Business.

September 2024

The programme aims to deliver high quality executive education to industry leaders. By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced study in the development of critical thinking around engineering systems and management of engineering projects and organisations and, critically appraising their structures and behaviours. The programme will also allow for in-depth appraisal of key strategies for improving company efficiency and effectiveness towards achieving sustainability and sustainable growth.

• Preparation for and/or development of professional level positions in business and management by developing skills at a professional level and providing sound preparation for research or further study in the area.

• Development and enhancement of a range of general professional level transferable skills in Engineering Management and other closely connected engineering disciplines.

• Development of lifelong learning skills, including engendering an enthusiasm for leading 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 Category 2 Masters awards. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes.

Graduates will have a sound theoretical grounding in the broad area of business and management and will have developed a range of analytical and personal skills. They will develop a clear understanding of how their knowledge and skills may be used effectively within an investor and organizational context. Furthermore, they will appreciate the importance of culture in shaping corporate values, governance, and perceptions of compliance.

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 Markets - the development and operation of markets for innovation, investments, resources, production and supply chains, goods and services

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

A3 Customers and stakeholders – customer expectations, service and orientation

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

A5 People – strategic and operational systems; meeting future organisational requirements; people development; leadership and emotional intelligence; production and supply chain systems

A6 Ethics, sustainability and governance – doing the right thing in business; management and coordination of environmental, social and financial objectives; governance structures and policies for decision-making

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

Learning outcomes A1-A8 are acquired through lectures, discussion forums, seminars, case studies, individual tasks, group work and directed independent study. The development of the research projects during stage two 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 their 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.

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

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 coursework assignments, projects, and in some instances through assessed presentations.

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.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

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

B1 Beng able to think critically and be creatively: 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 as well as practical modules and interactive exercises.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

In order to align the scheme to executive business leaders, the assessment strategies have been designed to focus more on the production of research reports, financial reports and group and individual presentations. Delivery of the subjects is focused on action learnings sets and group discussion fora which enables the candidates to develop strategic thinking skills and work as part of integrated teams.

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 whiledemonstrating 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.

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 part two of the programme.

N/A

This Programme Specification has been designed to conform to the QAA Benchmark Statements for Business.

September 2024

The programme aims to deliver high quality executive education to industry leaders. By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced study in the development of critical thinking around engineering systems and management of engineering projects and organisations and, critically appraising their structures and behaviours. The programme will also allow for in-depth appraisal of key strategies for improving company efficiency and effectiveness towards achieving sustainability and sustainable growth.

• Preparation for and/or development of professional level positions in business and management by developing skills at a professional level and providing sound preparation for research or further study in the area.

• Development and enhancement of a range of general professional level transferable skills in Engineering Management and other closely connected engineering disciplines.

• Development of lifelong learning skills, including engendering an enthusiasm for leading 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 Category 2 Masters awards. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes.

Graduates will have a sound theoretical grounding in the broad area of business and management and will have developed a range of analytical and personal skills. They will develop a clear understanding of how their knowledge and skills may be used effectively within an investor and organizational context. Furthermore, they will appreciate the importance of culture in shaping corporate values, governance, and perceptions of compliance.

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 Markets - the development and operation of markets for innovation, investments, resources, production and supply chains, goods and services

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

A3 Customers and stakeholders – customer expectations, service and orientation

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

A5 People – strategic and operational systems; meeting future organisational requirements; people development; leadership and emotional intelligence; production and supply chain systems

A6 Ethics, sustainability and governance – doing the right thing in business; management and coordination of environmental, social and financial objectives; governance structures and policies for decision-making

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

Learning outcomes A1-A8 are acquired through lectures, discussion forums, seminars, case studies, individual tasks, group work and directed independent study. The development of the research projects during stage two 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 their 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.

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

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 coursework assignments, projects, and in some instances through assessed presentations.

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.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

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

B1 Beng able to think critically and be creatively: 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 as well as practical modules and interactive exercises.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

In order to align the scheme to executive business leaders, the assessment strategies have been designed to focus more on the production of research reports, financial reports and group and individual presentations. Delivery of the subjects is focused on action learnings sets and group discussion fora which enables the candidates to develop strategic thinking skills and work as part of integrated teams.

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 whiledemonstrating 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.

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 part two of the programme.