Stamford Raffles

AND

Continuing Education Department of South China University of Technology

PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES (PDMS)

LEADING TOBUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY (BNU) MBA

Year Latest Updated 2016

Table of Contents

BASIC COURSE DATA

1.0INTRODUCTION...... 4

1.1The Aims of the Programme

1.2Programme Learning Outcomes

2.0PROGRAMME & CURRICULUM STRUCTURE

2.1Overview of the Programme Structure

2.2Delivery Mode

3.0ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR ENTRY

3.1Summary of Entry Requirements

4.0TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES

5.0ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

6.0ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

6.1Requirements for Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies

6.2Referrals and Failure

6.3Compensation

6.4Illness or Withdrawal

6.5Duration

6.6Academic Irregularities...... 19

6.7Students Appeals...... 19

6.8External Examiners / Exam Board Member (s)

6.9Plagiarism

6.10Extension Requests

6.11Non Submission of Assignment

7.0MODULE SPECIFICATION

7.1Managing and Accounting for Financial Resources5

7.2Managing Operations Strategically...... 16

7.3Managing Information and Knowledge Strategically...... 17

7.4Management Science and Systems...... 18

7.5Understanding Strategy19

7.6Organising Work and Managing Human Resources...... 20

7.7Management Strategic Marketing1

7.8Business Research Methods...... 22

BASIC COURSE DATA

Programme Ownership and Developer / : / Stamford Raffles

Awarding Institution(s):HGX, Continuing Education Department of South China University of Technology

Course Title(s):Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies Leading to Buckinghamshire New University MBA

Mode/Study Pattern:Online Facilitation, Both Part time and Full time

Normative Study Period:15 months

(for the entire pathway)The maximum study period for the entire pathway is 1.5 years. Deferral application is subject to approval on a case by case basis.

1.0INTRODUCTION

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies (PDMS) Programme is aimed at executives with adequate work experience in a position of responsibility for career development and personal advancement as well as the opportunity to further continue their studies and gain a MBA degree. The Programme is completely delivered online.

The Programme is also suitable for those who hold a degree in different areas (for example, humanities, social sciences, etc.) and are interested in pursuing a career in the area of management and be competitive in the job market both nationally and internationally.

1.1Programme Aims

This Programme is designed to give participants the opportunity to:

  • Undertakea Programme that allows the advanced study of organisations, their management and the changing external business environmentin which they operate. 1.2

1.2 Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme, students will be able to:

A) Knowledge

Gained knowledge and develop understanding in the following areas:

  • The impact of contextual forces on organisations including a range of contemporary issues.
  • An understanding of the theories and approaches to the market and customers in terms of the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services.

B) Cognitive skills

  • Critically evaluate relevant literature surrounding managerial issues.
  • Relate general theory to specific contexts.

2.0PROGRAMME & CURRICULUM

This programme is designed to meet the requirement of a Postgraduate Diploma.

2.1Overview of the Programme

  1. To gain the PDMS award, students must successfully complete all the required modules

2.3Delivery Mode

Fully Online mode: Each module will have Online Learning materialswith a Module Leader.

3.0ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR ENTRY

An applicant may be admitted on the basis of evidence to suggest that he/she will be able to fulfill and benefit from the objectives of the Programme and achieve the standard required for the award.

3.1Summary of Entry Requirements

  1. A Bachelors Degree qualification in any subject from a recognised institution, or
  2. A professional qualification equivalent to a degree and a minimum of two years of work experience, or
  3. Mature and high potential candidates without degree or equivalent qualifications but hold Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas with more than six years of work experience of which at least two years are at supervisory – managerial level, or

4.0TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES

Central to the philosophy of the Programme is the desire to produce thinking - reflective managers who can use their theoretical knowledge creatively in a variety of contexts, bringing to bear initiative, leadership and strategic management skills.

5.0ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Written assignments are designed to allow students to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the module and this programme is entirely assess through Assignments.

GENERAL STUCTURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT REPORT
Sections / Title Page (including module title, assignment title, name, word count and date)
Executive summary (one page)
Contents (page numbers)
Introduction
Analysis
Subsections
Statement or evaluation of alternatives
Conclusions
Recommendations (justifications and implementations)
References (Harvard style)
WATSON, T., (2010), Organising and Managing Work, 3rd ed, Financial Times-Prentice Hall Publishing.
Appendix A Title
Appendix B Title

To provide feedback to students, the following grading scale will be used for all assessed elements:

Mark Range / Grade / Classification
70% + / A / Distinction
60 – 69% / B / Good
50 – 59% / C / Pass
< 50 / D / Fail

6.0ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

The Programme will be governed by the following regulations stipulated in this Programme hand book

6.1Requirements for Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies

In order to be awarded the PDMS, the student must successfully complete all the specified academic requirements of the programme.

6.2Referrals and Failure

6.2.0Referrals

The Board of Examiners may, at its discretion, permit students who fail in a module to make good that failure in one of the following ways:

  1. Resubmit the Course work and all its components
  2. Resubmit the module assignment only
  3. Resubmit the Project submissions

Note: All referrals will have to be undertaken within 2 months after the release of the results of the previous term. Dates will be announced by SCUT & SRalong with the release of the results.

A student who is referred in a module is normally required to achieve a mark of 50% in the referred element(s) unless the Board of Examiners sets alternative minima as part of the referral conditions

A maximum of two referrals is permitted for a given module after which the student will be required to withdraw from the programme.

Only in exceptional circumstances will the Board of Examiners permit a student to resubmit a particular module more than twice

6.2.1Failure to Submit Course Work

Failure to submit the required course work at the due date, without prior authorisation by the Programme Leader or Programme Manager, may be interpreted as failure in that element of assessment and a zero mark will be recorded.

6.3Compensation

Where a student marginally fails one module the Board of Examiners may exceptionally exercise its discretion and compensate the failure. The Board of Examiners is authorised to allow compensation in a module provided the overall aggregate marks for the module to be compensated is not less than 45% and where one of the assessed component is not less than 40% (for modules where there are 2 assessed components).

Only TWO (2) compensated pass can be granted by the Board of Examiners. The Project / Dissertation however cannot be compensated.

By the reason of their discretionary powers, the Board of Examiner can grant an additional compensation to a student under special circumstances.

6.4Illness or Withdrawal

Where a student's performance has been adversely affected by illness or other unforeseen circumstances, duly authenticated by evidence and made known to the Programme Leader / Manager and presented to the Board of Examiners, the Board of Examiners may exercise its discretion in a manner appropriate to the case.

The Board of Examiners may agree to set aside the results of the assessment(s) affected by these circumstances and, the student may be offered the opportunity to retake the assessment(s) on the next available occasion, as if for the first time.

Where a student's performance, conduct or attendance indicates that they are unlikely to complete the course on which they are engaged, the Board of Examiners may require the student to withdraw from the programme.

6.5Duration

The Board of Examiners have the right to terminate any student who does not successfully complete all the requirements of the Programme within 15months for the PDMS Programme taken from the date of commencement on the Programme unless prior extensions had been granted by the Board of Examiners.

6.6Academic Irregularities

The Board of Examiners will have the right to fail part or all of the assessments of any student found guilty of cheating, plagiarism, and collusion, falsifying data or impersonation (one person impersonating another to gain unfair advantage).

Students will be required to undertake that material submitted for assessment is their own unaided work. Training will be provided in academic conventions for acknowledging the ideas or quotations from the work of others.

In cases of suspected plagiarism or cheating the student will be interviewed by the Programme Leader / Manager / Centre Representative and the findings will be reported to the Board of Examiners, which will decide the appropriate penalty. The work concerned may be set aside or marked down. In serious cases, a student may be required to withdraw from the programme.

6.7Students Appeals

Students do not have any right of appeal against the academic judgment and processes relating to grading and conferment of awards by the academic and examination board.

6.8External Examiners / Exam Board Member (s)

At least one External Examiner / Exam Board Member (s) will be appointed. Appointments will normally be for three years but may be for longer periods.

6.9Plagiarism

Plagiarised work may lead to straight failure of that particular coursework

6.10Extension Requests

All extension requests must be made in writing and subject to an administrative fee. Approval of extension is done by the Programme Manager.

6.11Non Submission of Assignment

Failure to hand in the assignment for any reason and without prior approval of the Programme Manager will result in failure.

7.0MODULE SPECIFICATION

7.1Managing and Accounting for Financial Resources

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description / This module is designed to critically evaluate the informational content of financial and accounting reports and their use as a tool for appraising corporate performance. Students can develop an understanding of financial planning tools and techniques and the contribution they make to the achievement of an organisation’s core objectives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse their organisation’s financial and accounting objectives and the importance of these in the context of the organisation’s overall objectives.
  2. Identify and implement appropriate financial analysis tools to appraise whether an organisation's financial objectives are being met.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Financial and accounting objectives and the shareholder value philosophy
  2. Tools of financial analysis
  3. Financial planning as part of the strategic planning process and the implications for sources of finance

ASSESSMENT:

Assessment Weighting: 100% Coursework

7.2Managing Operations Strategically

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description / Critical evaluation of the operations management philosophies of "push" and "pull".

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the established approaches to managing operations from both a strategic and tactical viewpoint.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Traditional approaches to operations strategy - setting the scene for changing thinking
  2. Contemporary approaches to operations strategy - evaluating the "post Porter" practices and the "world class" ideal

ASSESSMENT:

Assessment Weighting: 100%Coursework

7.3Managing Information and Knowledge Strategically

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description /
  1. To examine central issues in the management of information and knowledge from a strategic perspective
  2. To contrast differing ways of looking at information, knowledge and strategy with a particular focus on the opposition between a systems-control perspective and a process / relational perspective

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, define and debate key terms in the subject area.
  2. Select and apply appropriate theories to their own working environment.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Adding value in the knowledge economy – delineating the contemporary business environment
  2. Data, information and knowledge – contemporary debates, Managing data as a product contrasted to data quality processes, Information for performance management (e.g. balanced scorecard) versus an ecological approach, Knowledge as commodity versus knowledge as learning

ASSESSMENT:

Assessment Weighting: 100%Coursework

7.8Management Science and Systems

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description / This module enables students to formulate business problems, identify criteria and make decisions, using appropriate Management Science models.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to:

1.Evaluate and select appropriate Management Science models to address a wide range of management issues.

2.Formulate problems in terms of models to support decision-making, both from qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

Strategic Modelling

Unitary and pluralist assumptions

Cognitive mapping as part of Strategic Options Development and Analysis

Knowledge Management Systems

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Weighting: 100%Coursework

7.8Understanding Strategy

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description /
  1. To enable students to develop an awareness of, and become familiar with, academic theories, frameworks, managerial models and techniques that contribute to business strategic planning and management.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Choose appropriate modules, techniques and theories to produce an environmental audit of the external and internal environment of an organisation.
  2. Recognise and evaluate the importance of resource-based factors within a business and their potential contribution to achieving a competitive advantage.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Internal and external environmental auditing techniques
  2. Resource-based factors: for example, physical and virtual value chains, distinctive capabilities, intangible assets, core competencies, reputation and innovation.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Weighting: 100%Coursework

7.8Organising Work and Managing Human Resource

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description /
  1. To develop a critical understanding of current and emerging practices in the managing of human capital in organizations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding that to engage successfully in processes of human capital management, their thinking needs to go beyond such dualisms as thinking and acting, structure and culture, strategy and implementation, and see each of these as different facets of unified processes in human and organisational life.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Changing ideas about human behaviour, processes of organising work and strategy-making: moving ‘beyond motivation, leadership and the pursuit of competitive advantage’.
  2. Work meanings and orientations and the managerial manipulation of workers’ psychological contracts.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Weighting: 100%Coursework

7.7Managing Strategic Marketing

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description /
  1. To provide students with a firm grounds in the frameworks and concepts of strategic marketing management.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and importance of strategic marketing.
  1. Conduct a situation analysis such that it is possible to develop a concise understanding of the marketing environment.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Overview of the strategic marketing process.
  2. Situation analysis, goal and objective setting.
  3. Strategy formulation.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Weighting: 100%Coursework

7.8Business Research Methods

No. of Credits: 15 CATS

Module
Description / The module aims to develop a critical understanding of the range of research methods appropriate to applied business research, and their limitations. It is also designed to prepare students to undertake the dissertation to be undertaken towards the end of the programme.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Define the objectives of a research project and plan a valid and practicable project to meet the objectives
  2. Carry out a critical literature review to provide a structure and focus for a research project.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

  1. Different types of business research
  2. Systematic Research Process
  3. Critical Literature Review

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Weighting: 100% coursework cconsists of a Detail Business Research Proposal. Learning outcomes assessed (1) and (2) above.

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