PgCert Business Administration
Academic Year 2018/19
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.
Programme Title |
PgCert Business Administration |
Final Award |
Postgraduate Certificate |
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Programme Code |
MGT-PC-BA |
UCAS Code |
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HECoS Code |
100079 |
ATAS Clearance Required |
No |
Health Check Required |
No |
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Portfolio Required |
Interview Required |
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Mode of Study |
Part Time |
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Type of Programme |
Postgraduate |
Length of Programme |
2 Academic Year(s) |
Total Credits for Programme |
60 |
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Exit Awards available |
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INSTITUTE INFORMATION
Awarding Institution/Body |
Queen's University Belfast |
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Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
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School/Department |
Queen's Management School |
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Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level |
Level 7 |
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QAA Benchmark Group |
Business and Management (2015) |
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Accreditations (PSRB) |
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Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 21-11-17 |
REGULATION INFORMATION
Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations No and none are required |
Programme Specific Regulations The MBA will be subject to the guidelines presented in the Study Regulations for Postgraduate Taught Programmes. |
Students with protected characteristics No |
Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) No |
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME
The programme is a career development generalist programme for students with post-graduate and relevant work experience on which their learning process builds. The main emphasis is on leadership through strategic management. In line with the mission of the School and the University, the programme has a core focus on business ethics and sustainability, personal and leadership development, and international business practice. There is a strong practical and professional orientation to the curriculum.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Develop creative solutions to problems by drawing on new knowledge. Tackle problems through the practical application of theory. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies New knowledge is imparted through academic modules (topics below). Methods of Assessment Coursework components (group and individual) and reflective exercises in the experiential module will test the students’ understanding of core business disciplines and ability to put management theory into practice in their organizations. |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Conduct independent enquiry |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Independent enquiry is a key element in all modules. Students will be presented with a range of complex issues, ideas and management theories around core business disciplines and expected to undertake independent enquiry to better understand these. Specific teaching methods include: Methods of Assessment Several forms of group and individual continuous assessment both written, verbal require the student to undertake independent enquiry. These include the dissertation, and individual and group essays and presentations. |
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Critically evaluate, analyse, interpret and apply |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students will be trained to critique, evaluate and apply management theories to practice using a range of frameworks as appropriate to individual modules. Methods of Assessment All forms of continuous assessment whether these are written assignments, presentations or the dissertation incorporate an emphasis on students’ use of their own judgement and ability to evaluate, interpret and apply a range of results and information. |
Exercise and develop self-reflection and assessment |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Self-assessment and reflection are central to the year-long Developing as a Manager and Leader module, in which individual leadership development is supported by personality assessments with the results analyzed alongside a qualified personal coach. This module also incorporates skills in managing change and risk; communication; leadership; teamwork; dealing with ambiguity; negotiation; problem solving; critical thinking; and ethical values. Methods of Assessment Students are required to reflect on their own managerial and leadership capabilities through reflective assessments within taught modules, dissertation and particularly through the Developing as a Manager and Leader module. Assessment is via the production of reflective essays. |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Understand the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the major functions of the organization, with a focus on management and leadership and application to practical organizational scenarios |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Modules focus on teaching the core principles behind major organizational functions including accounting, marketing, strategy and leadership. Acquisition of knowledge and understanding, across modules, is through structured exposition based on lectures, tutorials, breakout sessions and master classes, directed reading, student presentations, group projects, reflective development, and private study. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment elements to assess knowledge and understanding include written assignments, presentations, individual and group project reports (including the Consultancy Project) and in-class consulting challenges. |
Understand the main research methods that are used in research pertaining to core business disciplines, including relevant quantitative and qualitative techniques to applied managerial contexts |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies In each of the modules, students will become familiar with a wide range of research methods that are used in the core business disciplines studied through exposure to key research via books and articles. Methods of Assessment Students will have opportunities to engage with a wide range of research methods in the continuous assessment across modules on the programme. |
Understand how relevant theory can be applied to a variety of current and historical managerial challenges and contexts within core business disciplines |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The teaching material in each of the modules has been specifically developed to expose students to methods for putting management theory into practice in contemporary organizations. This is provided through the use of historical examples, discussion of classic case studies, contemporary case materials and research studies. Methods of Assessment Assessments will require students to apply theory to current and historical managerial challenge, to be demonstrated through the use of examples and references. Methods include case reports, and individual and group essays. |
Understand the academic research process from inception to publication |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies All modules incorporate an emphasis on leading edge academic research and so students are able to appreciate the outputs. The dissertation and associated training week provide opportunities to appreciate the research process first hand, enabling the development of the student’s understanding of core business disciplines with an emphasis on putting management theory into practice. Methods of Assessment Students will have opportunities to develop their ideas into more structured research through continuous assessment for each of the modules. Students completing the dissertation will require a clear insight into the academic research process, with a focus on practical application. |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Construct, interpret and critically evaluate core business concepts and ideas with an emphasis on putting management theory into practice, even in the context of changing environmental influences |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The MBA, in line with best practice, offers a suite of core academic subjects that focus on key areas of business and management leadership including strategy, accounting, economics, and marketing. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment methods, as described above, are used throughout all modules to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of core discipline specific skills with a particular requirement for putting relevant management theory into practice. |
Acquire significant understanding of the major areas of knowledge which underpin general management. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Specific key areas are covered by academic modules as follows: Methods of Assessment A wide variety of assessments to include: |
Provide leadership to themselves and to others in order to achieve organizational goals |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies This area will be the focus of an integrated and cross-programme module Developing as a Leader and a Manager, encompassing individual assessments of leadership and group work styles, personal coaching, personal change management and continual reflection. Methods of Assessment The Developing as a Leader and a Manager will be assessed via reflective assessments, while Managing Change and the Organization will encompass reflective essays. |
Use applied case studies to illustrate a wide range of managerial and business function problems/opportunities for relevant analytical purposes |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Effective analysis of case studies illustrating management and business function problems/opportunities is crucial for developing the capacity to apply theories into practice. Consequently these skills are developed across modules in both academic years, complemented by the reflective development in the Developing as a Manager and Leader module. These will also be critical skills for the dissertation. Methods of Assessment Assessments include case reports, consulting challenges and individual and group essays and presentations. |
Understand how to assess and maximize resources |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Targeted focus on this topic will be provided in the relevant subjects’ particularly accounting, operations management, business analytics and marketing. Methods of Assessment Relevant modules will be assessed via Individual and group essays and reports, Presentations and the dissertation. |
Know how to effectively work in cross-cultural, globalized settings |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The MBA will have a specifically international focus, with a diverse student cohort. Targeted coaching in cross-cultural issues in the context of both academic and practitioner working will be provided via the Developing as a Leader and Manager module. Methods of Assessment These skills are tested via Individual and group essays and reports, Presentations and reflective essays for example in the Developing as a Leader and Manager module. |
Integrate business ethics into practice |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The MBA, in line with the wider School vision of QMS, places an explicit emphasis on business ethics and sustainability. Business sustainability refers to the process by which companies manage their financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities (the integration of profits, people and planet). Methods of Assessment Assessments (individual and group) relating to relevant aspects of each taught module incorporate a focus on ethics and sustainability while reflective assessments within the experiential module will encompass an emphasis on this topic. |
Comprehend and evaluate academic literature in core business disciplines |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Up-to-date literature is integrated throughout the programme, and emphasis is placed on the on-going development of the students’ skills in order to effectively communicate, debate and critique this literature within the applied context of their own organizations. This is facilitated through group discussion and individual directed reading. Methods of Assessment This is central to the MBA. In all modules students will be encouraged to engage with the most current literature in the core business discipline area. Continuous assessment in several modules will assess this skill specifically and require the students to formally analyse and evaluate a range of contemporary and historical literature applying it to managerial challenges. |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Synthesise information/data from a variety of sources including from databases, books, journal articles and the internet |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Targeted training in the use of library services, literature searching and reviewing, academic writing practices and plagiarism will be provided. Methods of Assessment The majority of coursework projects require synthesis of information from academic sources, while the consulting project will necessitate a detailed literature review that combines both academic but also practitioner literature from across a range of disciplines. |
Reason and evaluate and recommend on the basis of such reasoning |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies There will be many opportunities in the scheduled teaching time for students to work, in conjunction with the lecturer, to evaluate a range of applied business challenges focused on core business disciplines with an emphasis on putting management theory into practice in recommending concrete solutions. Methods of Assessment This skill will be assessed through continuous assessment in group and individual projects and through the dissertation that focuses on evaluation of relevant theoretical frameworks and their application in practice to challenges in organizations. |
Organise their work and time manage |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The MBA programme is an intensive and high-levelmasters degree and time management is an essential skill for the successful completion of this programme. Methods of Assessment The focused nature of group work and other forms of coursework will require students to effectively manage their time over a short span to address specific challenges, both individually and collectively, thus putting learning and coaching into practice. |
Use work-based IT, including word-processing and presentation packages |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students will use IT packages including word processing and presentation packages for certain in-class tutorial and break-out sessions. They will also require these packages when submitting assessed work for consideration, for presenting to class both individually and in groups, and for presenting to client organizations during consulting challenges. Methods of Assessment This forms a component of assessment strategies, in particular for the dissertation in which marking criteria encompasses an attention to formatting, clarity and presentation of written work. |
Work both independently and in groups |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students will have various opportunities both within and beyond the classroom to work as individuals and within groups. Methods of Assessment Group work has been specifically integrated into the assessment methods in some modules. |
Communicate complex information in written and presentation form |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Short interactive class sessions allow students to discuss complex theoretical frameworks pertaining to core business disciplines and present their findings and analysis in individual and group formats through verbal and written forms. Methods of Assessment Through continuous assessment students demonstrate the ability to present ideas, discuss complex and ambiguous information in both written and oral forms within an individual and group-based format. Formative and summative feedback strategies ensure that students can develop their skills over the course of the programme. |
Understand how to enhance and progress one’s career |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The MBA provides a specific year-long career development programme encompassing career coaching, Methods of Assessment While this is not formally assessed, attendance and participation is mandatory. |
MODULE INFORMATION
Programme Requirements
Module Title |
Module Code |
Level/ stage |
Credits |
Availability | Duration |
Pre-requisite |
Assessment | |||||
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S1 |
S2 |
Core |
Option |
Coursework % |
Practical % |
Examination % |
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Developing as a Manager and Leader |
MBA7171 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Making Sense of a Complex World |
MBA7172 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Making Decisions 1 |
MBA7173 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Making Decisions 2 |
MBA7174 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Organizing and Implementing |
MBA7175 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Integrating Knowledge 1: Social Innovation and Business Planning |
MBA7176 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Integrating Knowledge 1: Business Analytics |
MBA7177 |
7 |
20 |
YES |
12 weeks |
N |
YES |
100% |
0% |
0% |
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Notes
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