LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY Course Specification Executive MBA via e-learning 2017-18 (MBUSP) www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Course Specification Executive MBA via e-learning Faculty: School: Faculty of Business & Law Strategy, Marketing & Communication Overview and Aims The MBA programmes share the common aims as follows: 1. To provide a framework for aspirational and practicing managers and leaders to meet their career needs and enhance their career opportunities to enable them to provide effective strategic direction and leadership to contemporary organisations operating in a global context 2. To provide participants with knowledge and understanding of the integrative and holistic nature of business and management activity, primarily integration with the wider external environment and between the various organisational functions and activities. 3. To provide the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge, tailored to individual development needs and aspirations, through study of option modules 4. To facilitate the development of increased confidence through personal insight and self-knowledge based on understanding and appreciation of individual leadership and other behavioural impact and strengths. 5. To provide an opportunity for participants to carry out a major piece of work in the form of a strategic level project activity and to develop the research and consultancy skills and competence associated with the successful outcomes of the activity. 6. To attract students from a diverse range of countries These aims are aligned with the values and objectives of the University 2010-2015, particularly reflecting enterprise and employability that also aligns with QAA guidance. Course Learning Outcomes The learning outcomes for the MBA are developed to deliver the aims of the course and aligned with the requirements of FHEQ (2001, revised 2008) level 7 and the Business and Management subject benchmark statement for Masters Awards (2007). On completion of the course students will be able to:
1 Possess the ability to apply and transfer theoretical underpinning & contemporary management techniques within complex global organisational context. 2 Be able to demonstrate capability to enhance organisational performance by employing strategic frameworks in multicultural settings. 3 Be capable of employing critical thinking to evaluate organisations and communicate decisions by working in groups as well as with clients. 4 Demonstrate transferable personal and interpersonal skills required for successful leadership and achievement for managers and entrepreneurs in contemporary organisations 5 Be capable of applying practical skills and techniques of undertaking management research and applying theoretical knowledge to strategic issues in a real business context. Course Structure The University Academic principles and regulations require students to achieve a total of 180 credits for the award of a level 7 award. These credits will consist of 7 x 20-credit taught modules and a 40 credit consultancy project. The following modules are 20 credits unless stated otherwise. The structure shown below allows for completion of the Executive MBA via e-learning by candidates within a timescale of between two and four years, enabling some candidates to double-up on modules during certain period and to take a break if work commitments (for example) became too taxing within a single trimester. The more typical three year, one-module-at-once, pattern is shown as illustration. In this respect candidates would indicate work within three phases (usually then a Phase = a year), each Phase is equivalent to Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters awards, the first two named as fall-back awards. In addition the structure facilitates multiple intakes per year (Sept, Jan and May as shown below). Module \Entry Point (typical) September January May Phase 1 (YEAR 1) Self-Effectiveness and Leadership Performance
Organising and Managing for Performance Accounting and Finance for Decision Making Phase 2 (YEAR 2) Contemporary Marketing Strategic Management Option (1) Phase 3 (YEAR 3) Option (2) MBA Consultancy Project (40 credits) Candidates will therefore start at any point in the phase and then complete the phase before moving onto the next. The lack of pre-requisites in the award makes this possible and in addition supports those students who may have to exit due to life changes. In addition the trimester system would allow subsequent parallel cohorts to be integrated to phase resources, where the same module may run in subsequent trimesters. A minimum of 4 OPTION choices made available to all cohorts. It is envisaged this will include one module from each core area: - Finance, Marketing, HR/OB and Strategy. Option choices will be extended in both quantity and coverage as student numbers allow. Current option offerings are: Consumer Behaviour & Research Forensic Accounting Advanced Project and Risk Management Cross-Cultural HRM Learning and Teaching Details relating to contact hours and other key information sets (KIS) are available on the course page of our Online Prospectus on our web site.
Learning and Teaching Approaches The teaching and learning strategy to be used by each module is given in each module specification. These illustrate that a variety of methods will be used. The emphasis is on learning the ways efficient and effective companies work and also looking at companies that fail so that case material which is current and beneficial in a practical sense is relayed to students and critically discussed as to its applicability for other organisations. There is high emphasis on debate / discussion and teaching is not always tutor led with experience of students from various backgrounds and nationalities in many cases serves as a starting point for a resourceful debate. Typically online module activity will consist of a mix of video / audio-on-powerpoint lectures, group discussion (asynchronous largely) and individual activities and case study analysis. The students themselves are an important resource for the route and will be encouraged to share their experience and knowledge. This is facilitated online via a Course Common Room area as well as through module-related Discussion Boards. The role of staff is seen more as facilitators than lecturers. Discussions and activities will help develop skills of group working, problem solving and communicating. Opportunities to use these competencies will be provided through the route, in particular there is an expectation that these will be demonstrated within assessments and the final integrative consultancy project. Learning and Teaching Activities As stated above, students are encouraged to participate in a range of group and individual activities including group discussion (asynchronous largely) and individual activities / research / case study analysis. Lectures are also presented online either through video or as audio-recorded PowerPoint presentations. Guided reading is encouraged throughout. Details are provided in sections 25 & 26 of each Module MAT re the learning activities applicable to the Executive MBA via e-learning course and the scheduled hours appropriate. There is a standard approach encouraged and adopted across all modules (as the literature on online instructional design strongly advises consistency of approach as helpful to distance learning students). This is reflected by all MATs adopting the following: MAT Section 25 VLE- based: All modules on this Course (MBUSP) have a clear VLE-based set of learning resources and activities. This standard structure applied to this module. Students are advised to spend between 5 10 hours per week over 10 weeks engaging with this VLEbased learning activity. Module material is split into 10 topics 1 per week. Learning activities for each week / topic include:
Audio-embedded PowerPoint / video lectures Reading or other activity (e.g. case analysis) Quiz or similar to check or further understanding Guided and peer group discussion Formative feedback is available on demand to students through VLE Question forum as well as from tutor in engaging in Discussions and replying to mails. Directed study: Students will be encouraged to read widely on the subject area with some directional guidance from the tutor. The module VLE has extensive guidance on reading as well as other useful material. Students will be expected to develop a knowledge base by independent research of topics introduced in the module. MAT Section 26 Shows VLE Activities Video / Audio Lectures, Quizzes, Discussion Boards etc as requiring a minimum of 50 hours with Guided Independent Study then being scheduled for the remainder (for example, 150 hours out of the 200 hours for a standard 20 credit module). Further details on particular module learning approaches follow: Contemporary Marketing module aims to develop critical analysis skills within students that could help them evaluate the marketplace and wider marketing environment using range of relative theoretical frameworks. A range of academic and practitioner based publications including journal articles and case studies are made available for students to review throughout the course of delivery of the module. Students are also encouraged regularly to be involved in discussions on a case; drawing out evaluation and analysis for group review. Accounting and Finance for Decision Making module aims to develop key decision-making skills by applying accounting and financial techniques to assist in auditing and planning at management level. Organising and Managing for Performance aims to enable students to review and explore key topic areas in the study of Organisational Behavior by synthesizing range of relative theoretical approaches to Organisational Behavior, Motivation and Management. Learning will be achieved through a combination of lecture material, online activities and discussion and formative work. Practical activities include work related case studies. Self-Effectiveness and Leadership Performance module aids reflective practice, evaluating critical incidents for personal development and creative problem solving. Strategic Management module assists the evaluation of decisions that managers are faced by in complex and dynamic environments combining multiple perspectives of business and management (leadership, creativity and human capital, finance and environmental analytics, creativity and strategic thinking approaches).
MBA Consultancy Project provides the opportunity to directly apply management theories and techniques to examine organisational issues (real-time project with a client organisation), with the support of a personal academic supervisor. There is also guidance within this module on applied research methods and consulting skills. Use of the Virtual Learning Environment The course relies wholly on the VLE and includes activities / resources as follows: - Content collection where a repository would be materials useful for general skills development (personal & professional), academic & practitioner based articles published by from relative industry/sector based sources will be posted regularly for review - Journals this will be used to provide a virtual space (log-book) for every student registered on the course to create a portfolio of both the activities and personal development which could later be used for personal tutor meetings. - Discussion boards this is a key interactive tool for the e-learners. This could be a module specific discussion, assessment based query, project related, etc. This would be led and monitored by either Module Tutors or Course Leader as appropriate. - Collaboration Tools This allows students to have chat sessions during regular surgery hours with Module Tutors or Course Leader as appropriate. The Executive MBA via e-learning benefits from Pearson Education Ltd s state-of-the art VLE Learning Studio with a 24 hour Pearson facilitated IT help line. Executive MBA via e- learning students benefit from a dedicated Leeds Beckett Portal which provides access to Library Online, Skills For Learning, Employability Services Online etc. Use of Blended Learning The Executive MBA via e-learning is a wholly virtual delivery and experience. Assessment Strategy Appropriate and effective assessment approaches are designed to enable students to demonstrate the outcomes of learning intended for the programme. Assessment methods are based on number of elements such as assignments, reports, presentations, the online equivalent of examinations (time-constrained assignments), problem-solving exercises and consultancy project. In addition to academic skills, this course may also assess other skills and competencies including, the requirements of professional bodies. Please see summary below illustrating range of approaches across modules:
Feedback on Assessed Coursework Students will receive both formative and summative feedback on their assessments with the opportunity to seek further advice and information on their performance as required through the course and module teams (please refer to individual MAT documents for details for specific details about feedback provided for individual modules) Module Assessment Methods Level 7 Core (Y) Time constrained test Assignment Report Presentation Contemporary Marketing Y 60 40 Organising and Managing for Performance Y 100 Accounting and Finance for Decision Making Y 100 Strategic Management Y 70 30 Self Effectiveness and Leadership Performance Y 100 MBA Consultancy Project Y 30 70 Employability and Professional Context The MBA programmes (Graduate, Executive and Executive via e-learning) have been developed in consultation with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and as such allow a number of additional awards by the CMI, so that students subject to confirmation of achievement by CMI can gain up to three additional qualifications These are: Level 7 Diploma Strategic Management & Leadership, Level 8 Certificate Strategic Direction & Leadership Level 7 Diploma in Professional Consultancy. MBA Executive programmes are designed for aspiring managers and business leaders who want to lead departments and businesses with knowledge of a varied level of subject areas and cultural contexts.
The course will equip the students with various skills required by managers and business professionals in the dynamic economies to lead organisations with change projects that are equipping them with products and services fit for the market but also are efficient and effective. The e-learning course will utilise AV material showing live industrial contexts and practitioner discussions as well as consultancy projects to immerse students in current business context and enable students to evaluate strategies for business survival, success and enhance their employability. Some examples of jobs where students may progress after the course are General Manager Operations Director Business Development Manager Chief Executive Officer Reference Points used in course design and delivery All our courses leading to Leeds Beckett University awards have been designed and approved in accordance with UK and European quality standards. Our courses utilise the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FEHQ) and where relevant subject benchmarks (where these are available) and professional, statutory and regulatory body requirements (for professionally accredited courses). We review our courses annually and periodically, responding to student feedback and a range of information to enhance our courses. Our University is also subject to external review by the Quality Assurance Agency. Our latest report can be found on the QAA web site at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports We appoint External Examiners to verify that our University sets and maintains standards for awards which adhere to relevant national subject benchmark statements and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (UK), ensure standards and student achievements are comparable with other Higher Education Institutions in the UK, with which they are familiar, and ensure that assessments measure achievement of course and module learning outcomes and reach the required standard. External Examiners may also provide feedback on areas of good practice or potential enhancement. No. Detail of modification (Provide a brief description of the modification and where the Course Specification has been updated) Date Effective (Indicate the academic year of entry and course level(s) to which the modification will apply)
1-1 H7 Contemporary Marketing - Assessment change a) group work has been replaced by individual assignments and b) major component of assessment to be undertaken in a controlled class environment as a time constrained exercise. Agile Consumer Behaviour replaced with Consumer Behaviour & Research FAQSC 13/01/2016. Immediate effect. FAQSC 04/05/2016. Immediate effect.