7. QAA Benchmarking Groups Foundation Degree (2004), General Business and Management (2007)

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1 Section 1: Programme Specification 1. Award Foundation Degree 2. Route Management 3. Awarding Institution/Body University of Chichester 4. Teaching Institution University of Chichester 5. Programme Accredited By University of Chichester 6. UCAS Code N/A 7. QAA Benchmarking Groups Foundation Degree (2004), General Business and Management (2007) 8. Validation History Approved July 2007 Reapproved July Programme Rationale The Foundation Degree in Management (FDM) is a part-time programme designed specifically to cater for the needs of employees working in a management or supervisory role, or those aspiring to such a role. It aims to equip students to understand the nature of the organisations in which they work, the roles they are called upon to play, and how they might enhance their own performance in pursuit of their chosen careers. It also aims to set the work within an academic context. The context is provided by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Foundation Degree qualification benchmark and the QAA subject benchmark statement for General Business and Management. As a consequence, the FDM offers a mix of academic and vocational/professional study that encourages students to develop within their work environment and to be reflective, lifelong learners. It operates at Intermediate level within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and its successful completion enables students to progress to the honours level of University of Chichester BA (Hons) Business Studies degree programme. Distinctive Features i. Learning based around individual development needs. ii. Individual student s programme of study applied within the context of their workplace and endorsed by their employer. iii. The programme comprises a mixture of generic management and skills based modules alongside core work-based learning modules. iv. Programme structure allows for modules at both Level 4 and Level 5 that can be designed to focus on the specific needs of a particular

2 employer or sector. v. Flexible study mode that enables students to engage with elements of the programme in response to specific professional development requirements, or undertake a fully structured programme of study leading to the final qualification. 10. Aims of the Programme The Foundation Degree in Management aims to: i. provide students with a firm grounding in the principles of management; ii. enable students to study the nature of organisations, their internal aspects, functions, processes and cultures through exploring their own experience at work; iii. develop self-aware, reflective managers; iv. develop management awareness and skills in practice, for example: leadership, initiative and decision making, alongside an ability to manage change; v. provide a learning environment that supports student development through active engagement with peers. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) General Business and Management subject benchmark statement sets out standards for general business management Honours degree programmes only, and as such is not totally aligned to the needs of a Foundation Degree. Whilst this benchmark has been used to inform the subject and skill based aims of the programme, the programme also reflects the defining characteristics of a foundation degree as detailed in the QAA Foundation Degree Benchmark Statement. 11. Intended Learning Outcomes (Student Achievement): The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate the achievement of the following: Subject Knowledge Students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the underlying concepts, principles, methodologies and skills of key areas of management that will include areas such as: leadership; Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods Workshops, syndicate work, learning sets, individual tutor liaison, problem focused workbased learning. Assessment: Will be through a variety of means

3 motivation; project management; negotiation; organisational development; training and development; marketing and customer care; recruitment and selection; managing resources; and group and team development. Students will typically be required to apply their learning within the context of their work environment. including, essays, on-line assessment, presentation, timed exercises, report writing and practical exercises all modules will entail formative as well as summative assessment. Intellectual/Practical/Transferab le Skills The ability to critically reflect upon a problem or situation, to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements; The ability to communicate arguments and findings effectively, reliably and in a coherent and structured fashion; Enhancement of reflective skills that enable students to develop their self-awareness to support both their own learning, and their engagement with others; Effective formal and informal communication and presentation skills (both written and oral), using a variety of media including the effective use of Communications and Information Technology; Planning and personal management skills. Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods Workshops, syndicate work, learning sets, individual tutor liaison, problem focused workbased learning. Assessment: Will be through a variety of means including, essays, on-line assessment, presentation, timed exercises, report writing and practical exercises all modules will entail formative as well as summative assessment.

4 12. Quality Indicators The quality of this programme is monitored by the following methods: The quality assurance procedures adopted in the programme are laid down at an institutional level within the University of Chichester s quality assurance procedures. In particular, there is a formal annual monitoring process informed by feedback and evaluation. These procedures have been designed to reflect the QAA Code of Practice on Programme Approval Monitoring and Review. All quality procedures, as laid down within University regulations, will be drawn from to ensure programme quality and standards. In addition, the following approaches will used to monitor the quality of the Foundation Degree in Management: Programme Evaluation i. Feedback that relates to broader issues concerning the organisation and management of the programme as a whole (e.g. induction procedures) will be used to inform the programme leader s annual report which is reviewed as part of the annual monitoring procedures. ii. Programme boards will be used to provide opportunities for staff, partner organisations (as appropriate) and student feedback to be reviewed in relation to all matters pertaining to the programme. Module Evaluation Student feedback will be sought and recorded at the end of each module. The results will be communicated to both the programme coordinator and the students. Informal Evaluation In addition to the formal evaluation procedures there is an on-going dialogue between tutors, and between tutors and students. These informal processes provide valuable information, and the opportunity to respond in a timely manner to queries and concerns. The more formal procedures (described above) are directly and indirectly informed by these processes and help provide the framework that provides focus to programme improvements.

5 13. Admission Requirements The route will comply with all University of Chichester s procedures relating to standard and non-standard entry and has admission standards in line with all University of Chichester s degrees. In addition to these guidelines there are further specific requirements. Applicants seeking to gain entry to the programme will have to meet the following requirements: (i) (ii) Be employed, in a supervisory or management role within their organisation, or have been identified by their employer as having potential to be promoted to a supervisory or management role. The Programme Manager will require evidence that the student s employer understands the nature of the programme of study and is in principle prepared to support the student s learning. This would typically be evidenced by a written document communicating and confirming this or a face to face meeting with the employer. Whilst it is recognised that the support employers may be able to offer students can vary markedly dependent upon a range of circumstances, there would be an expectation that as a minimum students would be supported in their attendance of scheduled workshops and learning set meetings. Further support would be encouraged in the preparation of assignment project tasks from the workplace and the cooperation with coursework requirements. 14. Award Requirements (Includes Interim Awards) Progression to the Award of Foundation Degree in Management The degree is divided into two levels: Level 4 (Introductory level) and Level 5 (Intermediate level). The following awards will be made: 120 credits Certificate in Management (Level 4) 240 credits Foundation Degree in Management (Level 5)

6 15. Standard Diagram - Route Requirements Foundation Degree in Management Programme Structure Typical standard route (e.g. for students engaging with the programme on a day release basis) Credit Level 5 Modules FDM 201 Leading & Developing Teams FDM Project Management FDM 203 Managing Financial Resources FDM 204 Organisational Development Techniques FDM Human Resource Management FDM Work Based Learning Option Modules (15 x 2 Award Requirements 240 credits Credit Level 4 Modules FDM Personal Development Planning (15 FDM 102 Working with others in Academic and Workplace Settings (15 FDM Introduction to Management (15 FDM 104 IT for Business (15 FDM Marketing and Customers (15 FDM Work-based Learning (15 Option Module x 2 Progression Requirements 120 credits