UNIVERSITY of Bradfordschool of Managementprogrammetitle: Master in Business Administration

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of ManagementProgrammetitle: Master in Business Administration

Introduction

In accordance with the University’s mission ‘Making Knowledge Work’, the School of Management aims to provide programmes that educate individuals as managers and business specialists, and thereby improve the quality of management as a profession.

The School’s first MBA programme was launched on a full-time basis in 1975 and is one of the oldest MBA programmes in the UK. Currently, in addition to theFull-timeprogramme, the School offers, Executive,Distance LearningandAcceleratedversions of the MBA programme.

The Bradford MBA consists of 3 distinct stages (see below for further details) representing 1800 hours of study, through which students accrue the 180 UK credits necessary for the award of a Master’s degree.

Executive

Currently this programme is available in Bradford, Dubai, Singapore and Manila. Partner institutions are responsible for delivery in Singapore (MDIS) and Manila (AIS). These programmes utilise the School’s extensive distance learning MBA materials and are supported by face-to-face class room tutors.Topics are delivered according to a predefined schedule but the timing of the tuition varies according to the location and could involve days, evenings and weekend sessions; see appendix for location specific details.

Generally, students on programmes in Bradford, Dubai, Singapore (MDIS) and Manila (AIS) complete the taught element of the programme in 20 - 24 months (12-15 months for the daytime MDIS students).

Distance learning (DL)

Students on this programme receive written materials, dedicated DL tutor support, online tutor/student discussions and 4 online live tutorials.The taught element of the Bradford based distance learning programme can be completed over 20 (approximately) - 60 months. There are four intakes each year to this programme.

Delivery points

The Bradford MBA programme is offered in Bradford, Singapore, Manila and Dubai. Opportunities to take modules at these institutions are available and student exchanges between Bradford and its partner institutions are encouraged.

Programme Aims

The aim of the Bradford MBA is to develop management professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills and expertise to provide the strategic leadership necessary to effect the transformational change to create and maintain a sustainable business future for national and international organisations.

The general management focus of the Bradford MBA is concerned with developing management professionals who can provide effective and ethical leadership in business.

Programme Learning Outcomes

L01.A systemic and critical understanding of management knowledge and awareness of contemporary business issues, and current research and practice in business administration;(PGC, PGD, MBA)

L02.A broad but rigorous understanding of the concepts, constructs and frameworks applicable to business administration and of the tools and techniques used to support decision making;(PGC, PGD, MBA)

L03.Specialist knowledge of international business activities and the practical implications cultural differences can bring to business conducted across national boundaries.(PGD,MBA)

L04.The ability to critically appraise current research and advanced scholarship in management to support the formulation of solutions to contemporary business problems;(PGC, PGD, MBA)

L05.The ability to critically evaluate and develop investigative designs that will facilitate the collection of data to support the construction and presentation of business cases; (PGC, PGD, MBA)

L06.A personal and critical understanding of sustainability and to be able to make business decisions, taking into account the complexity of the sustainability agenda in its broadest sense;(PGD, MBA)

L07.Adaptability and originality in tackling and solving problems, and the ability to work cooperatively with others and provide ethical leadership in bringing about strategic transformational change;(PGD, MBA)

L08.The ability to exercise personal initiative and responsibility in effecting solutions to complex strategic business problems surrounding by uncertain business intelligence and incomplete data;(PGC, PGD, MBA)

L09.The ability to assess on-going professional and career development needs and to take action to maintain the knowledge and skills required to practice.(PGD, MBA)

Curriculum

The programme

Delivered in three stages, the first of these stages covers the core modules which introduce students to the functional disciplines of management. Core modules provide the knowledge, skills and techniques that are fundamental to the area of management and provide the foundations for stage 2 of the programme.

In stage two, students study a number of option modules that build on the core modules taught in the previous stage of the programme. All programmes are subject to annual review, which determines which stage 2 modules will be available.

The third and final stage of the programme involves the completion of a management project. The management project requires students to apply their knowledge and expertise to real and challenging organisational issues. These may be suggested by the student, i.e. could be based on previous experience or anticipated future business engagement, or be a project proposed by a local enterprise/organisation.

Sustainability and ethical management is a central tenet of the Bradford MBA. Consequentially, students can expect to be confronted by these issues throughout the programme. Foundation modules encourage students to reflect on how the performance of core management activities such as operations, marketing and human resource management impact on the environment, society and the economy, e.g. through purchasing decisions, marketing strategies and recruitment policies, etc. In the second stage of the programme, modules designed to develop specialisms provide students with the opportunity to explore their emerging understanding in more detail, e.g. by studying material recovery mechanisms in supply chains and considering the role of consumer behaviour in sustainable business models. Additionally, option modules in CSR and Sustainable Operations are available as on-site block modules to those seeking to focus on this facet of business.

Option Modules:

Executive: students in Bradford, Dubai, Singapore and Manila must take four option modules. These are chosen from a number of options, which are specified in the programme’s options list. In all locations the stage 2 options available may vary annually. Executive students studying with partners in Singapore and Manila can take up to three modules at Bradford (as a block or distance learning modules) or at an alternative partner institute, by attendance and subject to availability. Students located at Bradford can take all four optionmodules at the School of Management(as a block or distance learning module) or up to three at a partner institution.

Distance learning: students on the distance learning MBAprogramme are required to complete four option modules. Students can also take up to three modules at Bradford or at a partner institution by attendance.

By agreement and subject to limitation students on both the Executive and DL programmes can take modules specific to the Innovation, Enterprise and Circular Economy MBA

Stage 1:

Stage 2:

Stage 3:

Type: C = Core ModuleO = Option Module

In addition to the assessed components of the programme, there are a number of skills-based non-assessed programmes available to students on the executive and distance learning programmes. These are delivered by attendance at Bradford or via live online workshops. These programmes are supported by online materials.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The Bradford MBA programmeaims to integrate applied and theoretical knowledge with assessment processes that test knowledge, application and analysis of the disciplines. Each 10 credit module represents approximately 100 hours' study time.

Given the geographic dispersion of distance learning students, emphasis is placed on individual learning, which requires highly motivated students who are willing to develop understanding through self-directed study. Executive students are also expected to engage in self-directed study however, they also receive support via classroom based sessions for each module. To facilitate this and ensure that maximum benefit is derived from this mode of study the following teaching materials and approaches may be used:

• The provision of a detailed module study book made up of 8 learning units and 1 revision/overview unit introducing key areas and guiding the student through additional materials (e.g. relevant textbook chapters, information on the VLE)
• The provision of relevant set text and additional practitioner based and academic literature
• On-line lecture audios for all sessions, selected lecture videos and presentation slides
• Module leader ‘talking heads’ introducing and concluding each module
• Test Yourself questions for each module learning unit
• Dedicated DL tutor support (Bradford based DL students only)
• Online tutor/student discussions (DL students only)
• Online live tutorials with a dedicated module tutor
• 27 hours of face-to-face tutorial workshops (Executive students only)
• Online access and support to: a) induction programme; b) online study skills programme; c) online careers development programme, and; d) the Bradford guest speaker series

To effectively assess whether a student has achieved a module’s learning outcomes a combination of assessment approaches are typically used on the Bradford MBAe.g. group work and presentations may be used to assess a student’s leadership and communication skills and ability to make a convincing business case; individual assignments and written reports may be used to assess a student’s ability to conduct personal research, to make sense of and synthesise current research and advanced scholarship, to critically evaluate options and present solutions; case studies and business simulations may be used to assess a student’s understanding of a body of knowledge, the ability to make business decisions with incomplete information and to work as an effective team member; whilst the project is used to assess a student’s overall capacity to apply learning in realistic situations and develop original solutions to complex problems. Because, each module will typically support several learning outcomes, multiple methods of assessment may be applied in each module.

The assessment regime applied to executive and distance learning students, whilst broadly aligned with that used on the Bradford MBA, is also determined by the circumstances of the student body, i.e. good access to business but limited physical contact with fellow students. Consequentially, there can be some minor variations in how the module learning outcomes are assessed.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

The University of Bradford is committed to providing its students with opportunities to learn about sustainable development (SD). The School of Management sees sustainable development as a key business issue and recognises the need for all its graduates to be aware of sustainable development issues, and to understand the way in which their discipline and professional practice can impact on sustainability. The School is working to explicitly integrate ESD into its Learning Teaching and Assessment strategy; in the current EQUIS accreditation documentation the following is stated -as a School we are:“committing ourselves to the principles of education for sustainable development within the curriculum, in line with the University's position as an 'Ecoversity'’ (p5)

In the context of Ecoversity and the University’s commitment to ESD, the School has reflected on the issues confronting management education and practice related to SD and has concluded that, where possible and appropriate, there is pedagogic value in incorporating ESD throughout the programme’s modules. This approach supports the programme’s emphasis on developing philosophical understanding, critical thinking and research as a method of problem solving.

The key issues that will be emphasized under ESD have been developed through a curriculum review process, referenced against the UNESCO framework for ESD. The key issues, drawn from the UNESCO framework for ESD, are:

• Respect for the dignity and human rights of all people throughout the world and a commitment to social and economic justice for all
• Respect for the human rights of future generations and a commitment to intergenerational responsibility
• Respect for cultural diversity and a commitment to build locally and globally a culture of tolerance, non-violence and peace
• Respect and care for the greater community of life in all its diversity which involves the protection and restoration of the Earth's ecosystems.

These represent the foundations on which critical thinking is developed. Many of the programme’s lecturers and supervisors are critical management theorists, whose goal is to root out the (often unthinking) oppression, indignities and injustices that feature in organisational life. For students working and managing organisations, how their activities contribute to SD is brought into focus by addressing these issues in their taught modules and in their personal research. Throughout, a critical approach to SD is adopted and students are encouraged to consider the nuances of the SD statements, the contradictory research evidence that surrounds the SD debates, and how theories and knowledge become legitimised.

The University’s policy on SD, the School of Management’s policy, and the UNESCO statement are in the Programme Handbook.

Assessment Regulations

Whilst this Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the link below, there is one exception to these regulations, which is detailed below.

Waiver

On completion of the taught element of the programme and at the Interim Exam Board, a student who has 50 credits or more requiring supplementary assessment will not be permitted to proceed to the dissertation stage of the programme. The decision to allow progression will only be reconsidered at the Supplementary Exam Board.

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact theprogramme leader before you apply to discuss these.

An acceptable profile of an applicant with formal academic qualifications would be:

At least 3 years postgraduate work experience including experience in a supervisory, managerial or business capacity; evidence of numeracy and literacy competences, e.g. a satisfactory GMAT[1], which is valid for the year of entry; a good first degree or equivalent overseas qualification from a recognised institution, and; an approved test in English, if English is not the applicant’s first language.

An acceptable profile of an applicant with recognised professional qualifications would be:

At least 5 years work experience in a professional capacity, post qualification; evidence of numeracy and literacy competences, e.g. a satisfactory GMAT, which is valid for the year of entry, and; an approved test in English, if English is not the applicant’s first language.

An acceptable profile of an applicant without formal academic or professional qualifications would be:

Significant managerial or business leadership experience (normally 8 years); evidence of numeracy and literacy competences, e.g. a satisfactory GMAT, which is valid for the year of entry; an academic recommendation based on a one-to-one Interview, and; an approved test in English, if English is not the applicant’s first language.

As the programme is delivered entirely in English, applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language thus, UK educated students must have a GCSE grade C or above. Non-native speakers must have a 6.5 score on IELTS test of English, 94 in the internet-based TOEFL or a score of 60 or more in the Pearson English Test – exceptionally, holders of a degree from a native English speaking country (as defined on the University central admissions database) awarded within 5 years prior to entry to the Bradford programme may be exempt from these English test requirements, subject to the provision of an employer’s letter indicating the communication medium used in the workplace is English. Alternatively, English capabilities may also be assessed through the provision of a portfolio of evidence as outlined in the Bradford English Matrices.