Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers 

Utilising experts in the team to deliver their research and experience 

Industry Experts – Internal and External 

Managers in action – Real World challenges 

Researchers from across disciplines to present 

Invitational experts to enhance and support delivery of modules 

Invitational lecturers from across faculties to enhance and support delivery of modules 

Collaboration with other HEIs and organisations to enrich the delivery of Business and Management locally, nationally and globally. 

Industry Projects 

Business Clinic – topical research opportunities from business and management challenges. 

Case Studies connected to the Applied Management Project 

Start-Up business engagement projects - Entrepreneurial opportunities 

Simulation assessment of an industry environment 

Startup studio USW’s entrepreneurial incubator facility. 

Industry Visits 

We will offer 30 students from every cohort an opportunity to take part in a (self-financed) study tour to a Central-European country (Hungary). During the trip they will visit a wide range of businesses operating in a different economic setting. The course team already has good connections to several of these companies (including AUDI, a nuclear power station and a private vineyard) ensuring an interesting and professionally useful study tour for business and management. They will also learn about the culture and history of the area providing real-world insight to how organisations manage their business and relations 

The experience will greatly contribute to their understanding of how businesses operate in the European Union and what challenges they face in a country that has some unique regulations. This knowledge can be very useful for their future carrier if they are planning to do business in or with that territory, with the highlight of global challenges with operations, culture, governance, and building relationships within business and management.   

Volunteering 

Student Representative Positions – We will offer up to 30 students from every cohort (depending on size) the opportunity to become active leaders within MSc Management to enhance their core competencies and co-create the course as key stakeholders. Receiving training through the Students Union and supported by the programme team. 

International Challenge debates led by the course team, supported by the HOLTSE and faculty. Mentoring programme through Student Circus, connecting to outreach programmes and partnership opportunities which have the potential to enhance the students CV for employability opportunities. 

Any other appropriate opportunity for business students. 

Fieldwork 

N/A 

Fieldtrips 

We will offer 30 students from every cohort an opportunity to take part in a (self-financed) study tour to a Central-European country (Hungary). During the trip they will visit a wide range of businesses operating in a different economic setting. The course team already has good connections to several of these companies (including AUDI, a nuclear power station and a private vineyard) ensuring an interesting and professionally useful study tour. They will also learn about the culture and history of the area.  

The experience will greatly contribute to their understanding of how businesses operate in the European Union and what challenges they face in a country that has some unique regulations. This knowledge can be very useful for their future carrier if they are planning to do business in that territory.   

Work Placements or Internships 

N/A 

Work-based Learning 

Case study connected to the Business Clinic and Business School Advisory Panel to provide currency to the Applied Management Project which enables students to gain experience of managing real life challenges where recommendations from the research could be presented to organisations. 

Startup studio USW’s entrepreneurial incubator facility. 

Sandwich Years 

N/A 

Employer Forums 

Events periodically are run linked to USW Careers Service to connect to the multi-cultural community of MSc Management. 

Other 

Any other appropriate opportunity for business students. 

Means of Assessment

Research Proposal 

Literature/book/paper Review 

Simulation (Online) 

Self-Reflective Assessment

Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 

Portfolio

Debate or discussion 

Report 

Dissertation 

Presentation 

Poster 

Business Project 

Learning Support

Induction 

The MSc Management Course will have two avenues of Induction. This is to support those students who arrive on time and students who are not able to start the course in the first week of study and arrive within the ‘late arrival’ window (normally due to visa approval delay and Flights). 

Two Day Conference Style Induction Event 

Mandatory for all students who are in the country. Linked to Study Goal – International Engagement. 

The programme is delivered in person by the academic team, administrative team, USW professional services with support from USW faculties, student representatives and guest speakers. 

This is mapped out with content that will help the students in their academic journey at USW, with delivery of study skills sessions, understanding academic misconduct etc, but also providing information on work-life balance with wellbeing, students' union, sport, health, international engagement, introduction to Wales and much more. 

Online Induction Programme/Handbook 

Mandatory for all students who arrive in the ‘late arrival’ window. This is an interactive informative platform to introduce the students to the academic aspects of USW and work life balance support. Forms a supporting resource for all students on MSc Management during their studies. 

Student representatives and staff will connect with all late arrival students to support them through the induction and giving them a sense of belonging on the MSc Management course and at USW. Providing opportunity to buddy up with other students to help them settle in both academically, with systems and student life (late arrival window is 2 weeks) 

Personal Academic Coach1 

Personal Academic Coaches (PAC) are not required at postgraduate level and are not provided. For MSc Management students support is given through the support team and course team to ensure students are signposted to professional services as appropriate. (See comments in Office Hours) 

Learner Analytics  

Learner analytics will be used to monitor student performance in real-time and provide additional support if required and compliance to International Engagement team for international students. 

Office hours 

Scheduling of studies for the students is highlighted in Section E. Mon-Fri between 09:00-17:00. 

Due to the complexities of the course cohort MSc Management is supported by an administrative team. Offering guidance and support in all areas which are not academic. This service provides a face-to-face offering, as well as online for any concerns the students might have during their time at USW.   

In-person drop-in sessions: Tuesday 10:30-11:30 and Thursday 11:00-12:00. 

Online support Mon-Fri 09:00-16:30. 

Lectures 

Each module provides a 1hr online lecture.  

For scalability of in person verses online delivery depends on student numbers. This course provides flexibility with consideration of the following: 

Lecture theatre capacity in Brecon Building (Max 250) 

Blackboard allows 250 participants in an interactive lecture, after this number the interactive lecture turns into a Webinar for up to 500 (no interaction). 

Students access to technology although is highlighted as mandatory on starting the course. 25% reported during the induction they did not have a laptop (they were sign posted to USW resources) 

Student Voice: 70% do not want to travel in for Lectures and want them to remain online.  

Student Voice: 85% “We like to be able to go back and listen to the recordings.” 

Workshops 

Modules will each have a 2hr Workshop.  

This provides the assessment journey to be embedded into the curriculum design as a mandatory part of the students learning programme. It will provide a focused approach for the students to engage with their tutors with face-to-face support to enhance the student experience and provide time for a practical engaging environment and enriched time on spent on the curriculum and assessment design for each module. 

This change has resulted in an increase in 1hr to the workshops and the removal of the 1hr plenary per module in which student engagement was very poor (<2% attendance) for the past 3 intakes, despite these sessions evolving from question sessions to having mapped out content and Study Skills they have continued to have very poor attendance. 

Formative Assessment 

All taught modules deliver formative assessments, these have been embedded into the curriculum and assessment design. There are less formal ways such as, group work, in class presentations or debates. Then there is the formal way which normally provides written feedback or feedforward to the student. Please see module specifications for more details.  

The final year project whether route 1 or route 2 is chosen has the opportunity for feedback/feedforward through supervision, group work and presentations in class. 

Study Skills 

The course team, work in collaboration with the study skills team. Signposting students for additional support, as well as embedding an introduction to study skills in the Induction programme for each cohort. Mapped into the programme periodically as additional support the Study Skills the team deliver specific sessions, such as referencing, paraphrasing, academic integrity, studying in the UK as well as assignment support for reflective writing, critical writing, presentations etc. 

Research Supervision 

For the final module the student has the choice of completing a primary research project, Dissertation or an Applied Management Project each worth 60 credits and delivered in term 3.  

Both these modules will have a research supervisor for the duration of their project to support the student in their research journey. 

Online Resources 

SharePoint is a central hub for students to access college wide resources such as: campus information, information on sustainability, equality, diversity, inclusion, health and safety, finance, Welsh language, wellbeing, support, safeguarding and prevent, digital services, learning centre information, futures, and IT services with the use of office365. 

Blackboard is the central online resource for the course delivery. This is populated with all course materials including, course organisation, module briefs, module timetables, assessment information, module handouts, videos, and allows students to share work and ideas with different tools. Staff are also able to communicate information easily and clearly to all students using course and/or module announcements. 

Learning materials connected to modules are provided in multiple formats with consideration to EAL principles, EDI Strategy and Virtual Learning Environment.  

Advice Zone 

Advice Zones are the first point of contact for advice and information regarding university life. Advice Assistants offer confidential, impartial guidance and advice on a range of issues including extenuating circumstances. Advice Assistants are also able to answer and advise on queries, questions, or concerns regarding booking appointments with specialist teams such as Counselling, Disability and Dyslexia, Money Advice and Progression Advice.  

Students are signposted to the Advice Zone.  

Disability  

The Disability Service provides information, advice, and guidance to and co-ordinates support for students who have disabilities, including physical, sensory, mental health or unseen disabilities, specific learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia) and autism. A confidential service where students can discuss their individual requirements. DDS can advise on what support is available and help students apply for it. 

The Disability Service also has a key role in ensuring the University meets its commitment to providing an inclusive environment for disabled students. See our Policies and Equality Scheme. 

IT/Library 

Students will have access to USW facilities, including the library and student union. The University library services provide students with a wide range of high-quality library and information services to academics and researchers. The library has a large business and management collection ranging from contemporary journals, data base, statistics and resources to support student skill development, both physical and online.  

Digital fluency within the academic discipline is fully embedded throughout the course. IT and media resources are a common thread behind many of the activities which help to enhance students’ learning experience, such as their online student account (giving access to email, printing, payments and more), Blackboard (the online learning environment), open access to computers on each campus, printing services, and media equipment. 

USW Business School has a strong commitment to providing technology-based learning environments to support students. Laptop loans are available via request for students who need them. Whether studying on campus, at home or elsewhere, students have access to their course materials anytime and anywhere. This is secure and safe through a two-factor authentication system.  

Students can get support from the Business School library staff who offer advice on finding resources for their course. The library contains a wide range of books including copies of every set or recommended text for each of their modules. Students also have access to journals related to the discipline so that they can keep up to date with the latest thinking and developments within the field. There is also a periodicals collection with newspapers and magazines. Many of these resources are also available digitally. 

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Masters – PhD or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

To be admitted for the MSc Management course, candidates will normally be required to have a minimum UK 2nd class honours degree or recognised international equivalent qualification. An applicant's relevant work experience can also be considered, on an individual basis.  

In all cases, the University will satisfy itself that a candidate is of the required academic standard to complete the programme of study proposed and is able to meet University’s English Language requirements. English language requirements for international students are a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all subskills, or equivalent TOEFL score, or other evidence of English language abilities at this level. 

International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.  

Admissions criteria will be in line with the University’s postgraduate requirements. 

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A