ABERDEEN BUSINESS SCHOOL
The Robert Gordon University
A Guide for European Exchange Students
2008-2009
CONTENTS
Page 3 Introduction
Page 6 Course Description
Page 7 Course Structure - Semester 1 (Autumn Semester)
BA (Hons) Management
BA (Hons) Communication & PR/Corporate Communication
Page 8 BA (Hons) Publishing with Journalism
BA (Hons) International Tourism Management
Page 9 BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management
BA (Hons) Retail Management
Page 10 BA (Hons) Law and Management
Page 11 LLB
Page 12 BA (Hons) Politics and Management
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Page 13 Course Structure - Semester 2 (Spring Semester)
BA (Hons) Management
BA (Hons) Communication & PR/Corporate Communication
Page 14 BA (Hons) Publishing with Journalism
BA (Hons) International Tourism Management
Page 15 BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management
BA (Hons) Retail Management
Page 16 BA (Hons) Law and Management
Page 17 LLB
Page 18 BA (Hons) Politics and Management
BS (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Page 19 Details of module content – Semester 1
Page 38 Details of module content – Semester 2
Page 60 A students’ recommendation
Page 61 Academic Calendar Dates
Page 62 Applying: details of how to obtain Application Form
Page 63 Contacts
Page 64 Web Links
Introduction
Welcome
We are delighted you are considering joining Aberdeen Business School as an exchange student. Each year we welcome students from across the European Union for either all or part of the year.
Where is Aberdeen?
Aberdeen
Aberdeen has its own international airport with connections to many UK and European destinations.
If you are flying to Aberdeen from an airport which does not offer a direct service, you may find it easier and cheaper to connect in Paris or Amsterdam and from there to Aberdeen.
You can also fly to Aberdeen from London (Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton) as well as other major UK airports such as Manchester however connecting through a continental European airport may prove to be the cheapest option.
· Aberdeen Airport
There are also direct rail connections from London to Aberdeen. The average journey time is about 7 hours and prices vary depending on the time and day you travel.
Immigration
When you arrive in the UK, you will have to pass through Immigration and Customs.
It is unlikely you will encounter any problems at Immigration, though an Immigration Officer may ask you some questions about your studies and how long you will be staying in the UK.
You should keep your main documents relating to your studies at RGU in your hand luggage as evidence of your course and to provide contact numbers for the university should the Immigration Officer wish to check anything with us.
Airport officials are generally very helpful and you should not hesitate to ask them any questions you may have about your visa conditions.
Meet and Greet
RGU offer a Meet and Greet service. Information about this will be included in your application for accommodation. Please note, if you wish to be met at Aberdeen Airport, please return a completed form to us no later than 72 hours prior to your arrival in Aberdeen. We cannot guarantee a pickup for students who notify us of arrival after this time.
Meet and Greet times for September 2008 have yet to be confirmed.
ECTS Credits
The Robert Gordon University can offer all exchange students ECTS credits for any modules they successfully pass during their time in Aberdeen. ECTS credits are exactly half of the local Scottish credit system SCOTCAT. Normally exchange students will be expected to aim for 30 ECTS credits in one semester, (or 60 ECTS credits for two semesters).
All students will receive a Transcript of Records to reflect their achievements throughout their stay. This will not normally be officially approved until after the Assessment Boards, which take place in June each year.
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 2008 or Spring 2009.
Please Note:
· We refer to the Autumn Semester as Semester 1 and the Summer Semester as Semester 2.
· The term ‘Stage’ is used at the Robert Gordon University to indicate the year of study, i.e. Stage 1 = first year, and so on.
· The term ‘Course’ here 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 Business Enterprise Skills.
Please be aware that unlike some other European education systems, modules will not run in both the winter and the summer semester.
Important Advice on Module Choices
There are a number of degree programmes available for exchange students to follow (see page 6). Erasmus Students and European Exchange Students coming to Aberdeen Business School (ABS) from September 2008, MUST, wherever possible, follow a standard route for a named programme. For example, a student who has studied Marketing 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 with Marketing.
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 European 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 done 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.)
Full description of the Modules, how they are assessed and suggested texts can be found at the following website:
http://www.rgu.ac.uk/prospectus/modules/disp_modulesearch.cfm
A summary of each module is also included in this brochure.
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 production. 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 The Robert Gordon University.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BA (Hons) Management offers a wide 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) Corporate Communication: This course provides students with a framework for understanding communication theories and processes. Students are introduced to the concepts and principles of human behaviour, marketing, advertising, public relations and journalism.
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) 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.
2
Course Structure
Semester One, (Autumn Semester)
BA (Hons) Management
Stage 2 (2nd year)Core Modules:
1)Business Enterprise Skills
2)Globalisation
3)Organisational Behaviour
4)Operations Management / BS2242
BS2262
BS2103
BS2108 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd year)
Core Modules
Business Research & Professional Development
Personal Selling and Sales Management
Plus TWO options, maximum of ONE option from any group:
Group 1:
· Events Management
· IT for Managers
Group 2:
· Fundamentals of Employment Law
· Organisational Marketing / BS3156
BS3231
BS3105
BS3111
BS3139
BS3132 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
BA (Hons) Communication & PR/Corporate Communication*
Stage 2, (2nd year)Core Modules:
· Business Enterprise Skills
· Organisational Behaviour
· Advertising Communication
Choose ONE option from the following group:
· Desktop Publishing
· Print Journalism / BS2242
BS2103
BS2247
BS2144
BS2146 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd year)
Core Modules
· Corporate Communication Strategy
· Public Relations Specialisms and Applications
· Technology and Culture
Plus one option from the following:
· Media Theory and Practice
· Interactive Media Project / BS3137
BS3155
BS3256
BS3140
BS3138 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
* Please note - this course has changed its title. Stage 2 is Communication & PR, Stage 3 is Corporate Communication.
Semester One, (Autumn Semester)
BA (Hons) Publishing with Journalism
Stage 2, (2nd year)· Business Enterprise Skills
· Editorial Processes
· Production Processes
· Print Journalism / BS2242
BS2250
BS2254
BS2146 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd Year)
· Publishing Project
· Media Theory and Practice
· Desktop Publishing for Journalists / BS3229
BS3140
BS3130 / 15 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
BA (Hons) International Tourism Management
Stage 2, (2nd year)Core Modules:
· Business Enterprise Skills
· Tourism Destination Development
· Globalisation
· Brand Management / BS2242
BS2148
BS2262
BS / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd year)
Core Module:
· Business Research and Professional Development
· Events Management
· Concept Development Project
Choose ONE option from the following group:
· Personal Selling and Sales Management
· Ethics and the Consumer / BS3156
BS3105
BS
BS3231
BS3136 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Semester One, (Autumn Semester)
BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management
Stage 2, (2nd year)Core Modules:
· Business Enterprise Skills
· Food and Beverage Skills
· Globalisation
· Brand Management / BS2242
BS2101
BS2262
BS / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd year)
Core Module:
· Business Research and Professional Development
· Events Management
· Concept Development Project
Choose ONE option from the following group:
· Personal Selling and Sales Management
· Ethics and the Consumer / BS3156
BS3105
BS
BS3231
BS3136 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
BA (Hons) Retail Management
Stage 2, (2nd year)Core Modules:
· Business Enterprise Skills
· Retail Loyalty
· Globalisation
· Brand Management / BS2242
BS2147
BS2262
BS / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd year)
Core Module:
· Business Research and Professional Development
· Events Management
· Concept Development Project
Choose ONE option:
· Personal Selling and Sales Management
· Ethics and the Consumer / BS3156
BS3105
BS
BS3231
BS3136 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Semester One, (Autumn Semester)
BA (Hons) Law and Management
Stage 2, (2nd year)Core Modules:
· Property Law
· Law of Contract
· Globalisation
Plus ONE option from the following:
· Business Enterprise Skills
· Organisational Behaviour
· European Union
· The Financial Environment / BS2255
BS2153
BS1106
BS2242
BS2103
BS2145
BS1201 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 3, (3rd year)
Core Modules:
· Fundamental of Employment Law
· Law of Business Associations
· Delict
Plus ONE option from the following:
· Organisational Marketing
· Ethics and the Consumer
· Information Technology Law / BS3351
BS3125
BS3253
BS3132
BS3136
BS3139 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Stage 4, (4th year)
Choose a total of 4 options, maximum of 1 from any group:
Group 1:
· Criminal Law 1
· Construction Contracts
Group 2:
· European Union Law: Constitutional Aspects
· Policy and Society
· Public International Law
Group 3:
· Family Law 1
· Media Law
Group 4:
· Conveyancing Law 1
· Employment Law
Group 5:
· UK Oil and Gas Law
· Employee Relations and Reward
· Law of Trusts and Succession / BS4151
BS4153
BS4150
BS4148
BS4218
BS4144
BS4217
BS4140
BS4143
BS4114
BS4126
BS4152 / 7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
7.5 ECTS
Semester One, (Autumn Semester)