Bachelor Degree with Honours in Art BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Programme Student Handbook Academic Year: 2016-17 Page 1 of 8
The Information provided in the handbook is correct at the time of publication. September 2016 Page 2 of 8
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES General Aims To provide a programme of higher education in Business Administration which allows students to achieve Degree or Honours degree level awards according to their aptitudes and abilities. To provide a programme of study which balances the academic with the vocational so as to enhance the student s career and lifetime opportunities General Objectives To provide a challenging programme of studies that will create the habits of mind and critical faculties appropriate to the business environment. To provide an appropriate education for students wishing to gain employment in a wide range of commercial, manufacturing and service organisations in both private and public sectors. To provide a preparation for work and life in a changing and developing environment. To provide students with an understanding of the inter-relationships between the various business disciplines and how constraints in one area impinge on decision making in other areas. The dynamic nature of the business environment will be covered within this general framework. To develop the students problem solving skills and promote a flexible, creative approach to the solution of business problems. To meet the needs of commerce and industry for a workforce with appropriate knowledge and skills to enable them to make an immediate and continuing contribution to both the organisation in particular and society in general. To provide students with competencies in a range of transferable skills. To provide students with the maximum opportunity for personal development. 2
TEACHING CALENDAR FOR 2016/17 - BA (Hons) Business Administration Induction: Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd September 2016 Semester 1 Monday 26th September 2016 Friday 9th December 2016 Semester 2 Monday 3rd January 2017 Friday 31 st March 2017 Examination Period Monday 18th April 2017 Friday 26th May 2017 IMPORTANT NOTES: 1. It is likely that you will have 1-2 weeks of revision at the start of the summer term followed by the examination period. The examination period starts on Monday 25 th April 2017. Your examinations may be held on any day of the week and you must be available to sit the exam on that day, you should therefore ensure that employers are made aware of this commitment. All examinations are taken at Bridgwater and Taunton College. 2. You are strongly advised not to book any holidays within the taught terms as regular and consistent attendance is a requirement of the programme. It should also be noted that hand in dates may be during reading weeks. 3. Identity cards are issued at the start of the academic year after you have completed the enrolment procedure. You must carry this ID card whenever you are on the college campus. You will need to show your ID card at the start of each examination to confirm your identity. COURSE PROGRAMME 2016/17 Wednesday Business Analysis Human Resource Management Financial Management Thursday Marketing Management Business Management Learning Contract 3
ASSESSMENT Full details regarding the type of assessment carried out in each module and the time frame required will be provided by the Module Lecturer. Each assignment will identify the hand in dates; it is essential that you strictly adhere to the hand in dates. Assignments must be handed in together with completed Feedback Sheets to the Central Administration Team (H011) by the hand in date and time indicated in the subject module handbook. You will be expected to include a photocopy of your ID card with any group piece. An electronic copy should also be submitted through Turnitin by the same date and time. You are also advised to keep a personal copy of all assignment work handed in. Please do not leave your work at Main Reception. Please note that anonymous marking is used for all assessed work in this programme. You should use your Plymouth Registration Number for identification purposes, NOT YOUR NAME, on all your work ie. assignments, tests, exams etc. We advise against posting assignment work however if this unavoidable you must use the Recorded Delivery Service and ensure you retain your receipt safely. Work should be addressed to the module lecturer concerned. Lecturing staff endeavour to maintain a 4 week turnaround time for the return of marked work (this excludes holidays), however if this time is extended the Module Lecturer concerned will inform you and provide a revised date for the return of the work. All marks are provisional until moderation has been carried out. Standard practice within the University is that moderation takes place during the third semester. Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty Please note that the University has strict rules and regulations on this subject, you should ensure that you read the University policy on examinations and assessment. Whilst the majority of cases may be as a result of non-intentional plagiarism, it is expected that at Stage 3 of your studies you will be able to fully and accurately reference your work; should you have any difficulty in this area you should ensure that you gain the necessary support and guidance early in the program. With regard to group work, which plays a significant part in this program of study, whilst group discussion and activities may involve the same points and views, no two individual pieces of work resulting from such discussions should contain exactly the same words/phraseology. This would clearly be a case of plagiarism where appropriate action would be taken. Extenuating Circumstances There may, on occasions, be extenuating circumstances which adversely affect the performance of students during their assessment; information regarding such circumstances would normally be expected to be submitted at or near the time the problem was experienced. You are advised to read the document Plymouth University Regulations on Late Coursework and Extenuating Circumstances. Evidence confirming the circumstances will be required, eg: medical certificate, police report confirming theft etc. Extenuating circumstances will not be accepted without independent corroborative evidence. 4
The Extenuating Circumstances Board is held at the end of the academic year and each case will be considered. Please note that the Extenuating Circumstances Board is not in a position to change the module marks awarded, however where extenuating circumstances are considered valid, the opportunity to repeat work, without penalty, can be offered. You are strongly advised to discuss any relevant circumstances which you consider are or have affected your performance with your Personal Tutor at the earliest opportunity. Late Coursework without Extenuating Circumstances Coursework which is percentage marked and submitted after the deadline date and time will be capped at the minimum pass mark within the first 24 hours of the deadline and will be awarded a mark of zero if submitted more than 24 hours late. Subject Assessment (Moderation) Panels Subject assessment panels are held at the end of each module, usually at the end of the academic year. These ensure that parity of assessment and marking is achieved across the programme. These panels are held at Plymouth University and attended by the Module Lecturers; it is common practice for Lecturers to provide feedback to students (including marks) on work carried out in the early part of the taught programme. You should be aware that your mark cannot be officially confirmed until the Award Assessment Panel has taken place at the end of the academic year in June. Award Assessment Board Award Assessment Boards are held at the end of the academic year in June. Confirmation of the module marks and degree classification are sent direct to the students home addresses following the Award Board Meeting. Please note that the official results are sent from Plymouth University and Partner Colleges ie SCAT are not allowed to release results information before the official results publication date. Degree Classification The following are given as a guide only and the performance of all students is considered at the Award Assessment Board. The marks from all 6 modules are aggregated to provide a mark for Stage 3. In the case of those students entering the BA (Hons) Business Administration top-up programme from a Plymouth University validated Foundation Degree your Foundation Degree grades will be taken into account when determining your final degree classification. For exact weightings please read the academic regulations. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/academic-regulations The resulting total is the mark awarded for your third year and this will be the basis of your degree classification. 70 + 1st Class : 60-69 2.1 : 50-59 2.2 : 40-49 3rd : Below 40 fail 5
STUDENT SUPPORT - General Student and Customer Services are available to assist you in a number of ways and full details of the confidential services are available through the Student One Stop (ground floor, Atrium Building). We would urge you to make full use of these facilities if the need arises and would suggest that the earlier any problem or difficulty is tackled the better. STUDENT SUPPORT - BABA Programme The Module Lecturers are responsible for the delivery and assessment of that specific module and any issues relating to module subjects should be discussed with them directly; early discussion/clarification is advisable. Communication you will see your Module staff on a regular basis during the timetabled sessions however it may not be possible, due to staff timetabling, for them to stay over the allocated time for additional discussion, queries etc. All staff are willing to see you, where necessary, at times outside the timetabled sessions however these must be by appointment. You are advised to discuss convenient times with the staff concerned. For the contact details of individual module lecturers please refer to the module documentation distributed at the start of the module. Course Committee - a meeting consisting of the teaching staff, Programme Manager, Qualifications Manager, student representative(s) and the Plymouth University representative is held each semester. Timetables - a copy of the programme timetable will be given to you at the start of the programme. You will be notified of any changes to the information given. TRANSITION TO STAGE 3 DEGREE PROGRAMME For many, if not all, students their entry onto this programme is from the HND/Foundation Degree route, and it is extremely important that you do not see the BABA programme as a third year extension of this programme. Whilst the subject areas may be familiar the approach you will need to adopt is, for many, quite different. This is, in effect, the third year of a degree and you will be required to adopt a committed and more independent approach to the learning required to achieve a successful outcome. You will be expected to exercise considerable selfdiscipline and fully effective time management skills - an example of this would be the full and effective use of research resources, often from outside those available within the college. The BABA programme staff are committed to providing you with the information and advice you need to achieve your degree; you must ensure that you attend all taught sessions (lectures, workshops, seminars etc.) and carry out any relevant direct and/or associated work. The module staff will provide you with information regarding additional contact eg pre-arranged appointment times - you are asked to ensure that you turn up for such appointments. Advice gathered from former students suggests that you take the following into account as you embark on your studies with us: adopt realistic expectations of what you can achieve - distinctions at HND/Foundation Degree level does not automatically mean you will achieve a 2.1 degree! 6
you need to be very organised in your approach to the work required with very good time management skills identify where to spend your efforts and don t waste time From our own experience we would highlight the following points: A 20-credit module requires a minimum of 6 hours additional work per week. This work could include research, reading from recommended text and from a variety of other sources, assignment and project work, group work, group meetings etc. In all modules, significant emphasis is placed on your ability to analyse and evaluate; therefore descriptive writing and the repetition of facts alone will be neither appropriate nor sufficient to achieve good marks. Exams/tests are included in a number of the modules to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the module syllabus on an individual basis. You should ensure that you are well prepared in terms of both subject knowledge and exam preparation skills. If you have difficulty in taking exams/tests you are strongly advised to seek assistance from the college support network well before the exam/test date. Group work you will all have had experience of group work and the positive and negative aspects that can be encountered. You are also undoubtedly aware that the ability to work effectively as a team, utilising individual and collective skills to produce the right end result is seen by employers as a vital element in successful organisations. You should endeavour to resolve any difficulties within the group, however if no satisfactory solution can be reached you should discuss the situation with the module lecturer concerned as soon as possible. You may be required to carry out peer assessment and describe your own individual role and contribution. This approach forms a significant aspect of assessment in a number of modules and therefore the ability to analyse, evaluate and reflect on your own performance is important and should be taken seriously. This handbook is aimed to provide you with appropriate and useful information without being overwhelming. There will undoubtedly be a number of queries particularly during the early part of the programme, please do not hesitate to raise any issues or concerns with your Personal Tutor or Programme Manager. You will receive reading lists associated with each module during the individual module introductions. Resources Bridgwater and Taunton College s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is available within and external to the College: http://vle.somerset.ac.uk BABA students have access to resources through the Plymouth University Portal, Technical issues with the Portal should be dealt with by the IT Help Team at Plymouth: https://student.plymouth.ac.uk/ithelp. Please Note: For the full academic regulations please refer to the document on the VLE. 7