Robert Gordon University Aberdeen

ABERDEEN BUSINESS SCHOOL

Robert Gordon University Aberdeen

Scotland

A Guide for Exchange Students

2009-2010

Semester 1 (Autumn Semester)

CONTENTS

Page 3 Introduction

Page 5 Course Description

Page 7 Course Structure - Semester 1 (Autumn Semester)

BA (Hons) Management

BA (Hons) Communication & PR

Page 8 BA (Hons) Publishing with Journalism

BA (Hons) Media Studies

Page 9 BA (Hons) Fashion Management

BA (Hons) International Tourism Management

Page 10 BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management

BA (Hons) Retail Management

Page 11 BA (Hons) Law and Management

LLB

Page 12 BA (Hons) Politics and Management

BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Page 13 Details of module content – Semester 1

Page 31 Academic Calendar Dates

Page 32 Application Information

Page 33 Contact Details and Web Links

Introduction

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen can offer all exchange students ECTS credits for any modules they successfully complete during their time in Aberdeen. ECTS credits are exactly half of the local Scottish credit system Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF). Normally exchange students will be expected to aim for 30 ECTS credits in one semester, (or 60 ECTS credits for two semesters).

Studying at Aberdeen Business School – general information

During your stay you will be allocated an Academic Advisor of Studies who will be able to provide assistance, plus you can contact the European Student Administrator and European Coordinator should you have any questions throughout your time here. Contact details can be found at the back of this booklet.

Our academic year is divided into two semesters. This means that you can study here for a whole academic year (30 weeks) or alternatively for only one semester (15 weeks) in the Autumn 2009 or Spring 2010.

Please Note:

· We refer to the Autumn Semester as Semester 1 and the Spring Semester as Semester 2.

· The term ‘Stage’ is used at Robert Gordon University Aberdeen to indicate the year of study, i.e. Stage 1 = first year, and so on.

· The term ‘Course’ refers to the programme you are following, i.e Management.

· The term ‘module’ is used to refer to each individual part of the course you study, for example Organisational Behaviour.

Please be aware that, unlike some other European education systems, modules in Semester 1 will differ from those in Semester 2.

All students will receive a Transcript of Records to reflect their achievements throughout their stay. This will not be officially approved until after the Assessment Boards, which take place in June each year.

Important Advice on Module Choices

There are a number of degree programmes available for exchange students to follow (see page 5). Exchange Students coming to Aberdeen Business School (ABS) MUST, wherever possible, follow a standard route for a named programme. For example, a student who has studied Management and has already completed 2 semesters at their own institution should follow the standard equivalent timetable at ABS, that is Stage 2, Semester 1 (i.e. Autumn Semester) of BA (Hons) Management.

In general exchange students will be expected to follow our Stage 2 or Stage 3 programme. Please choose your programme carefully. Students will NOT be allowed to change once the Learning Agreement has been approved.

However, we recognise that the course Exchange Students are following at their home institution may have different requirements. If your institution feels this is not suitable for you, please let us know, and we will, wherever possible, be flexible and try to accommodate your requirements. Under normal circumstances students will not be able to pick a range of modules from different stages and courses. If any student requires an individual programme, this can only be considered if we receive written notification from the home institution. Please be aware that even if written notification is received, an individual timetable can still not be guaranteed as it will depend on the scheduling of modules.

All modules are worth 7.5 ECTS, unless otherwise stated. This means that normally students will have to follow 4 modules, (unless one module is a double module of 15 ECTS credits.)

A description of the Modules and how they are assessed is included in this brochure, starting at page 13.

Compatibility of Study

You should check with your own home professors/lecturers that the subjects which you intend to study in Aberdeen are acceptable and will earn you the appropriate number of credit points.

This is an accurate guide based on the information available at the time of publication. Please be aware, however, that this can sometimes change. We cannot guarantee that all courses/modules will run, especially if there are not enough students.

Additional Information

Gaining an award at RGU

If you have already completed at least 2 years of study in your own institution, and the subjects which you have studied are equivalent to the first two years of study on one of our undergraduate courses, you may be able to obtain an ordinary degree award by successfully completing the coursework and examinations of the 3rd year course, please check with the European co-ordinator to ensure that this is possible. Please note; those students who come under the Erasmus Programme will not be eligible for an award from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen unless there is an additional agreement with your home institution.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BA (Hons) Management offers a range of subjects within the business and management context. Core modules within the course provide a firm understanding of areas such as marketing, economics, finance, human resources and management. Module options within the course offer opportunities to study specific areas of interest, for example Marketing, Human Resources, Economics or Finance.

BA (Hons) Communication & PR: The course provides students with a framework for understanding communication theories and processes in an organisational context. Students are introduced to the concepts and principles of human behaviour, marketing, advertising, public relations, journalism, the media, management, design and information technology.

BA (Hons) Publishing with Journalism: This course equips students with a specialist education in publishing and journalism. Students build up a portfolio of skills in journalistic writing, research and editing.

BA (Hons) Media Studies: This course will equip you with a specialist education in the media and will enable you to build an impressive portfolio of skills in media production, as well as key transferable skills including communication and IT.

BA (Hons) Fashion Management course provides students with in-depth knowledge of both fashion management and fashion marketing and is designed to fully integrate the management skills associated with the fashion industry alongside the business aspects of fashion design, marketing and promotion

BA (Hons) International Tourism Management: In addition to the underpinning management subjects the course offers specialist modules such as sustainable tourism management, consumer behaviour, and accommodation management.

BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management:

This course covers Business Enterprise skills, People Management or Food Safety.

BA (Hons) Retail Management

The course covers Fashion Buying and International Retailing combined with Communication.

BA (Hons) Law and Management: This course equips students with a sound grounding in law as well as key business skills and knowledge.

LLB: Throughout this practically orientated course you will be introduced to the concepts and principles of law.

BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance: This course provides a rigorous study of accountancy, finance and management subjects.

BA (Hons) Politics and Management: This course covers subjects such as Political Leadership and Democracy in Theory and Practice. It offers the option of specialisation in particular area of politics.

Details of these subjects studied on these courses can be found on the following pages.

Course Structure