Module Descriptor

Title / Moving to Masters
Code / ML303
Level / 3
Credit rating / 10
Pre-requisites / Completion of undergraduate degree or equivalent
Type of module / Taught over 1 week at the beginning of term 1
Aims / This module aims to:
·  Give students a sound knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the challenges of studying and living in a multi-cultural environment
·  Introduce students to the academic approaches prevalent in studying at masters level in the UK and contrast this with the students’ own experiences
·  Identify and develop the academic, research, numeracy, time management and information-gathering skills required for study in the UK and introduce the concept of individual responsibility to learning
·  Diagnose individual learning and academic strengths and weaknesses and examine the cultural context of learning in the UK, the fit with the student’s preferred learning approach, in order to develop the range of the student’s learning approaches and responses
·  Clarify the expectations for student performance in their studies and, in particular, emphasise the importance of written and verbal English language skills in postgraduate study.
Learning outcomes / Cognitive:
By the end of this module, the student will be able to:
·  Identify the main assumptions and expectations of master’s level study at Brighton and identify how this matches their own cultural and learning style preferences and previous experiences of education.
·  Demonstrate awareness of a range of academic skills required to be successful at master’s level.
·  Demonstrate the ability to participate in a group presentation.
·  Locate and understand the principles of how to assess and evaluate scholarly published work on an assigned academic topic.
·  Demonstrate the ability to reflect on their skills and performance and to develop a plan for personal and professional development.
· 
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
·  Demonstrate clearly the academic and research skills required for postgraduate study.
·  Demonstrate an understanding of time management skills and individual responsibility required at master’s level.
·  Demonstrate the ability to present an individual written report which combines individual and group work
·  Contribute to debate in class
Content / ·  National cultural differences and contrasting approaches to learning
·  Acculturation, the ‘culture wheel’ and ‘culture shock’
·  Key differences between alternative approaches to management and education
·  Academic skills required at master’s level in the UK university environment
·  Practise in critical thinking, analysis and writing
·  Numeracy skills
·  Working effectively independently and in groups
·  Presentation skills workshop
·  Time management
·  Different forms of assessment – essays, reports, case studies, oral presentations, group work
·  Introduction to the library and studentcentral
·  Individual learning styles and team preferences
Teaching and learning strategies / The taught content will be delivered over a one week period at the start of the masters and follow-up sessions during week 6 though a series of workshops, diagnostic tests, handouts, self-managed learning and tutor support.
Lectures / Tutor support / 20 hours
Seminars / Self and guided study, assessment / 60 hours
Workshops / 20 hours
TOTAL HOURS / 100
Learning support / Studies will be supported by StudentCentral, the internet and tutor input. The 20 hours of tutor support are indicative of the need to provide students with individual levels of support in this module.
Indicative reading:
Latest editions of:
·  Arksey, H., and Harris, D. How to Succeed in Your Social Science Degree Sage
·  Bell, J. Doing Your Research (Open University Press)
·  Bolton, G. Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development. Sage.
·  Buzan, T. Use Your Head, BBC
·  Cameron S. The Business Student’s Handbook, FT Prentice Hall
·  Cottrell, S. The Study Skills Handbook, Palgrave Macmillan
·  Currie D Developing and Applying Study Skills , CIPD
·  Foskett N., and Foskett R. Postgraduate Study in the UK:the International Student’s Guide, Sage
·  Guirdham, M. Communicating across Cultures at Work, Prentice Hall
·  Harris, P. and Moran, R. Managing Cultural Differences, GPP
·  Hart, C. Doing a Literature Review, Sage
·  Hawkins, P., and Winter J. Skills for Graduates in the 21st Century , Association of Graduate Recruiters
·  Moon, J. Reflection in Learning and Professional Development. RoutledgeFalmer.
·  O’Hara, S. Studying at University and College, Kogan Page
·  Peck, J., and Coyle, M. The Student’s Guide to Writing, Palgrave
·  Pedlar, M., and Boydell, J. Managing Yourself, Lemos and Crane
·  Schon, D. Reflective Practice: How professionals think in action. Arena
·  Schon, D. Evaluating the Reflective Practitioner. Jossey Bass Higher Education Series.
Assessment Tasks / Formative assessment will be provided during the intensive one week period and in follow-up session time during week 6 to support the summative assessment for the module.
Summative assessment will be in the form of a 2000 word reflective report and a Personal Development Plan to be submitted by the end of term 1 and to be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Brief description of module content and/or aims / Learning on a master’s degree is very demanding and for many students very different from what they have experienced previously. In particular for students who have not previously studied in the UK there may be significant differences in approaches to education and study. This module provides a foundation course specific to the Business School’s Postgraduate Programme in Management and Specialist Masters degrees. The module is formative which means that the assessment during this initial stage of master’s studies will help identify the learning needs and areas that should be addressed for the student. Identifying these needs early on in their studies will allow students to address any problems and difficulties and improve on them as soon as possible. The module provides a foundation in the critical and essential skills required for competence at master’s level.
Area examination board / N/A
Module Authors / Vicky Richards and Keith Perks
Term offered / 1
Site where delivered / Moulsecoomb
Date of first approval / 20 February 2009
Date of latest revision / 7 July 2011.
Date of approval of this version
Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field / Multi-disciplinary Subject Group.
Course for which module is appropriate / Any masters and specialist masters course in the BBS Postgraduate Programme in Management
School home / Business School
External Examiner / Extending current external examiners on Business School postgraduate management degrees