UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she passes the programme. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this specification is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.BA (Hons) Business
1. Awarding Institution/Body / University of Kent
2. Teaching Institution / University of Kent
3. Teaching Site / Canterbury
4. Programme accredited by: / University of Kent
5. Final Award / BA (Hons)
6. Programme / Business
7. UCAS code / N107
8. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group/s / General Business and Management
9. Date of production/revision / April 2008
10. Applicable cohort/s / From September 2006
11. Educational Aims of the Programme
This programme aims to:
· Provide an excellent quality of higher education.
· Foster flexibility and multidisciplinarity.
· Meet the lifelong needs of a diversity of students by widening access.
· develop students’ knowledge of and employability within the European Union.
· Produce graduates of value to the region and the nation, in possession of transferable skills, with the capacity to learn, prepared for employment or further study.
· Provide learning opportunities that are enjoyable experiences, involve realistic workloads and offer appropriate support for students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
· Provide students with personal development and encourage critical attitudes towards change and enterprise so as to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the business environment.
· Provide high quality teaching with appropriately qualified and trained staff.
· Provide an educational catalyst for a range of management careers in Business and related areas
· Provide specialised studies directly relevant to individual vocations and professions in which students are intending to seek employment or further post-graduate study.
· Develop students' abilities in Business and related specialisms through effective use of a combination of the knowledge and skills gained throughout the three-year programme.
· Develop a range of transferable skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life and further study.
12. Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. Where relevant the programme outcomes have references to subject benchmarking statements for General Business and Management (SB)
A. Knowledge and understanding of: / Teaching/learning and assessment
Methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated
1. Organisations and their internal environment, culture, functions and processes including purpose, structure, governance, operations and management together with the individual and corporate behaviours and cultures that exist within and between organisations SB3.4 / Teaching/learning
Lectures; seminars; self-directed learning; problem-based learning scenarios; individual and group presentations; individual and group project work.
A variety of learning and teaching strategies will be employed including lectures, private study, case study analysis, seminars and workshops.
The programme will be fully supported by a range of learner-centred activities including regular face-to face contact.
The learner will develop understanding of the practice, theories and issues, be able to reflect on them and apply that knowledge to their studies.
Assessment
Formal and informal assessment of progress and achievements will take place through a combination of written and oral assessments, including individual and group work, discussions, assignments, presentations, project work and final examinations.
The use of Virtual Learning Environments will be developed and incorporated into both teaching and assessment.
2. External environment, including economic, environmental, legal, political and technological, together with their effects at local, national and international levels upon the strategy, behaviour and management of organisations. SB3.5
3. Management and its processes, procedures and practices, including strategies, theories, frameworks, tasks and roles, together with problem solving and decision making SB3.6
4. Contemporary issues affecting business organisations and their management including business innovation, e-commerce, creativity and enterprise, knowledge management, sustainability and globalisation SB3.7
5. the management and development of people within organisations and the management of employee relations. SB3.7
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual skills
Be able to:
1. Apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems, developing reasoned arguments and challenging assumptions. SB4.1a / Teaching/learning
Lectures; seminars; self-directed learning; problem-based learning scenarios; individual and group presentations; individual and group project work.
A variety of learning and teaching strategies will be employed including lectures, private study, case study analysis, seminars and workshops.
The programme will be fully supported by a range of learner-centred activities including regular face-to face contact.
The learner will develop understanding of the practice, theories and issues, be able to reflect on them and apply that knowledge to their studies.
The learner will be able to reflect on the knowledge and understanding acquired in seminars and will be required to carry out analysis, formulate arguments and solve problems relating to the business environment.
Assessment
Formal and informal assessment of progress and achievements will take place through a combination of written and oral assessments, including individual and group work, discussions, assignments, presentations, project work and final examinations.
2. Apply knowledge, analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and unstructured problems related to the business environment SB4.1b
3. Produce written work using appropriate academic conventions, including quoting from and acknowledging written sources correctly.
4. conduct research into business-related issues using a variety of sources, evaluate their usefulness and organise the information effectively, including appropriate referencing and presentation SB4.1k
5. evaluate and analyse current changes, trends, developments and practices in business and formulate arguments and opinions.
6. An awareness of key legal issues and Acts and an understanding of their impact.
7. Display effective numeracy and quantitative skills including data analysis and interpretation SB4.1d
C. Subject-Specific skills:
1. The use and interpretation of models of business problems, techniques and strategies. SB4.1b / Teaching/learning
Lectures; seminars; self-directed learning; problem-based learning scenarios; individual and group presentations; individual and group project work.
A variety of learning and teaching strategies will be employed including lectures, private study, case study analysis, seminars and workshops.
The programme will be fully supported by a range of student-centred activities including regular face-to face contact.
The student will reflect on and undertake analysis of case studies and business scenarios to develop their understanding of the work environment and their ability to solve business-related problems. The student will work both individually and as part of a team and will be expected to use a range of communication and presentation media.
Assessment
Formal and informal assessment of progress and achievements will take place through a combination of written and oral assessments, including individual and group work, discussions, assignments, presentations, project work and final examinations.
2. Effective problem solving and decision making using appropriate business techniques, able to create, evaluate and assess a range of options together with the capacity to apply ideas and knowledge to a range of situations related to business and HRM. SB4.1a
3. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, using appropriate formats, about business and HRM-related issues SB4.1c
4. Conduct detailed research into business/management issues for project work, using a variety of sources and appropriate methodologies SB4.1k
5. Effective procurement and development of human resources and employee relations
6. Be able to explain and evaluate a variety of business strategies and operational issues SB3.7
D. Transferable skills:
1. Managing and developing self – the ability to manage own roles and responsibilities, to manage own time in achieving objectives, to undertake personal and career development, to transfer skills gained to new and changing situations and contexts SB4.1f / Teaching/learning
Transferable skills will be taught as an integral part of all modules. These skills are considered essential in developing an individual’s personal effectiveness for the working environment and to develop the necessary academic skills required to undertake the programme of study
The programme of study commences with a Preparatory Module, which explicitly explores, develops and assesses these skills ensuring that the learners are fully prepared for study at degree level. Further additional support (as required) will also be offered through tutorials/Personal Development Plans for the duration of their studies.
Assessment
Assessment methods will be designed to ensure the acquisition of the transferable skills. Transferable skills are an integral part of the teaching and assessment; the learner will be able to see how these skills improve the quality of their performance both academically and within the work-based environment.
2. Working with and relating to others - the ability to treat others' values, beliefs and opinions with respect, to relate to and interact effectively with individuals and groups, to work effectively as a team member, to develop negotiating skills SB4.1I
3. Communicating - the ability to receive and respond to a variety of information, present information in a variety of visual forms, to communicate in writing, to participate in oral and non-verbal communication SB4.1e
4. Managing tasks and solving problems - the ability to use information sources, deal with a combination of routine and non-routine tasks, to identify and solve routine and non-routine problems SB4.1a
5. Applying numeracy - the ability to apply numerical skills and techniques appropriately
6. Applying IT - the ability to use a range of IT equipment and systems appropriately SB4.1d,e
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
This programme is studied as a top-up honours degree following successful completion of an HND in Business or other relevant discipline. The standard entry requirement is a Merit grade profile at HND level. The benefit of progressing from an HND to the degree ‘top up’ is that it allows the successful student to maintain detailed study into a growing industry. The modular format involves the learner in developing both their business acumen and their intellectual skills so as to reach the stand of a university honours degree.
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Students’ progress will be monitored and supported throughout their studies by a Personal Tutor and by the departmental Senior Tutor. Tutor.
The programme begins with a compulsory two-week preparatory module in Study Skills in order to prepare students for the transition from HND/Fd to degree level work. The Study Skills module will be 15 credits and contribute to an overall volume of 135 credits. It is a pass/fail module and is zero-rated for the purposes of degree classification. Passing the Study Skills module is a necessary condition for the eventual award of the degree; students will be given up to three opportunities during the academic year to successfully complete the Study Skills’ assessment requirements.
The course will then comprise a set of modules delivered by Kent Business School, including a 30-credit project module.
Code / Title / Level / Credits / Term(s)
Pre-sessional stage
*CB357 / Study Skills in HE / C / 15 (studied on pass/fail basis) / Pre-term
(Two-week course)
* Failure in CB357 may not be compensated.
Stage 3
Students must take the following 60 creditsCB547 / Strategic Management / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
CB542 / Business/Management Project / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
60 credits from the following of which at least 30 must be at Level H. 30 credits must be studied in each of Autumn and Spring terms. (Choice is subject to any quotas on particular modules).
CB512 / New Enterprise Startup / I / 15 / Autumn
CB613 / Enterprise / H / 15 / Spring
CB518 / Marketing Analysis / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
CB519 / Management of Human Resources / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
CB523 / International Business / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
CB586 / Techniques and Methods in Management Science / I / 15 / Spring
CB587 / E-commerce and Business / H / 15 / Autumn
CB602 / E-Marketing / H / 15 / Spring
CB605 / European Business / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
CB606 / Operations and Services Management / H / 30 / Autumn & Spring
Or appropriate module(s) chosen with the approval of the Director of Studies (at least 90 credits at Stage 3 must be demonstrably in the area of business).
14. Support for Students and Their Learning
There is an induction programme at the commencement of the programme of study.
Preparatory Module at the commencement of studies to develop study skills
Student Handbook provided to all learners at the commencement of studies
The KBS PASS system which comprises the allocation of a Personal Tutor and careful monitoring and support through the office of the departmental Senior Tutor.
The Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, incorporating the Student Learning Advisory Service.
University of Kent library resources and facilities.
Careers Advisory Service at the University of Kent
Student Union at the University of Kent
The University of Kent Disability Support Unit
Links with University of Kent computer facilities (e.g. Athens software)
Academic support system providing advice on module choice and programme structure, academic difficulties, progression routes and individual progress.
15. Entry Profile
Entry Route
Students on this programme will have completed an HND at an Associate College. They must achieve a Merit profile in the HND in order to progress to the Honours-level top-up.
The qualifications to commence the HND itself will be as follows:
· Minimum requirements: / · Applicants must be 18 years or over.
· BTEC Higher National Diplomas:
· Foundation Degree Fd / · Merit profile BTEC Higher National Diploma in Business or a related discipline.
· Merit profile in Foundation Degree in Business or a related discipline.
Or equivalent qualification
What does this programme have to offer?
· An excellent standard of education that will enable students to progress to employment in management or postgraduate study.
· Enables students to progress from HND courses to the final year of an honours-degree qualification that has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of the students in building upon their previous study.
· Widens access to students by giving the flexibility to study locally
· Provides the student with in-depth knowledge and reflective understanding of the key areas essential in management in a variety of sectors.
· Develops the academic and practitioner skills needed for higher education study and for a management career in business.
Personal Profile
The student:
· will be intending to pursue careers in management or continue with their studies at postgraduate level.
· should possess good oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with others
· should have suitable levels of numeracy and IT skills and/or a willingness to develop them
· should have a commitment to develop the skills required to analyse real-life problems within the business environment
· Have strong interpersonal and team building skills and are willing to develop them further
16. Methods for evaluating and enhancing the quality and standards of teaching and learning
Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards
· Module Evaluation Questionnaires
· Participation in the National Student Survey
· Annual Monitoring Reports
· External Examiners’ Reports
· Periodic Programme Reviews
· Staff Development Programme
· Annual Staff Appraisal
· Personal Tutorial System
· Continuous monitoring of progress and attendance with action planning
· University Code of Practice for Quality Assurance
· Compliance with the QAA Code of Practice
· QAA Institutional Audit 2004
Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
· Student Staff Consultative Committee
· Kent Business School Learning and Teaching Committee
· Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee
· Learning and Teaching Board
· Board of Examiners
· Departmental Staff Meetings
Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experience
· Student Staff Consultative Committee
· Course Representatives on other committees
· Module Evaluation Questionnaires
· National Student Survey
· Personal Tutor System
Staff development priorities include:
· Mandatory PGCHE
· Information and learning technology training (particularly in the use of VLEs)
· Staff appraisal scheme
· Staff development courses
· Conferences
· Professional updating
· Peer observation of teaching
· Mentoring of new members of staff
· Health and Safety training
· Dissemination of good practice on teaching and assessment methods
17. Indicators of quality and standards
· Formal Periodic Review of Programmes
· External Examiners’ Reports
· Retention and achievement rates
· QAA audit processes
The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
· QAA Benchmarking statement for General Business and Management
· University of Kent at Canterbury Plan and Learning and Teaching Strategy
· Kent Business School
· University of Kent QA&V Department
· QAA Code of Practice for Collaborative Provision
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