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

The MBA programme harnesses the expertise of professionals within the team to deliver impactful guest lectures, providing invaluable insights derived from both research and practical experience. These sessions, facilitated by industry experts from internal and external domains, offer a understanding of contemporary managerial challenges and real-world applications.

Industry Projects

Aligned with their commitment to practical learning, the programme integrates a spectrum of industry projects aimed at fostering experiential learning among students. These initiatives include real-world and live projects in ‘Management Project: Integrating Theory and Practice’ through course team liaison with industry and the Business Clinic. This approach offers avenues for in-depth business research on pertinent business issues.

Industry Visits

Enhancing employability and fostering employer engagement within MBA cohorts is achieved through integrated industry visits, which offer practical exposure to various sectors and facilitate interactions with industry leaders. Recently, an MBA cohort visited Amazon's Swindon fulfilment centre, gaining insights into logistics, supply chain management, sustainability practices and innovative technologies. Engagements with senior executives and logistics experts provided a deeper understanding of Amazon's operations while fostering networking opportunities. Such visits bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, preparing students for successful careers and strengthening partnerships between academia and industry.

Volunteering

In their pursuit of volunteering opportunities within the Rhondda Valley and Cardiff district of South Wales, MBA students are actively encouraged by their course team to engage with local non-profit organisations, community centres, and charities. The course team underscores the importance of leveraging university resources and networking channels to initiate involvement. Additionally, they actively seek support from the USW Careers to facilitate students' integration into the local volunteering landscape. MBA students are urged to reach out directly to organisations of interest, attend networking events, and utilise career centres or community outreach programmes facilitated by both the course team and USW Careers. By embracing this encouragement and collaborative support system, MBA students can effectively contribute meaningfully to the community, enrich their experiences, and expand their professional networks while making a positive impact in the Rhondda Valley and Cardiff district of South Wales.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork constitutes an integral component of the MBA programme, offering students immersive learning experiences beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings. Through fieldwork initiatives, students engage in hands-on exploration and analysis, gaining invaluable insights into real-world business environments and practices. The revalidated MBA has a dedicated assessment on fieldwork in ‘Contemporary Marketing and Entrepreneurship’ module.

Fieldtrips

Currently a work in progress, the course team is actively exploring opportunities to organise field trips for MBA students to both UK and European destinations. These field trips aim to offer invaluable experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to gain practical insights into real-world business environments and cultural contexts. The course team is carefully planning these trips to ensure they align with the curriculum and provide enriching experiences for all participants. By venturing beyond the classroom, MBA students will have the chance to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, network with professionals, and broaden their global perspectives, thereby enhancing their overall learning journey.

Work Placements or Internships

NA

Work-based Learning

NA

Sandwich Years

NA

Employer Forums

Regular events are organised for MBA students in conjunction with the USW Careers Service, aimed at fostering connections within the multicultural community. These events serve as invaluable platforms for students to engage with diverse perspectives, expand their professional networks, and explore career opportunities. Through collaborative efforts with the Careers Service, MBA students gain access to a wealth of resources and support tailored to their individual career aspirations, enhancing their overall academic experience and preparing them for success in the global business landscape.

Other

Case Competition: For MBA students at the University of South Wales (USW), a negotiation challenge, structured as a case competition, involves teams or individuals negotiating terms, agreements, or solutions with local businesses. Participants are provided with relevant background information and objectives, engaging in negotiations mirroring real-world scenarios such as contract negotiations or supplier agreements. Additionally, previous MBA cohorts took part in the International Negotiation Challenge at the University of Trento, Italy, highlighting the global reach and experiential learning opportunities available to USW students. The course team has further enhanced the visibility of community and practice-based projects by embedding them widely into the revalidated MBA curriculum. These events typically involve multiple rounds, feedback from judges, and recognition for successful negotiators. By incorporating local businesses and international experiences, USW MBA students gain practical experience, develop valuable skills, and build connections within their professional community on both local and global scales.

Literary and Debating Society for MBA: Participation in a literary and debating society offers significant employability benefits to MBA students, including enhanced communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Investigation into the potential uptake from the cohort is underway to gauge interest and ensure effective implementation of such initiatives.

Means of Assessment

The purpose of assessment is to provide a measure of the extent to which the aims and learning outcomes of the course and individual modules have been achieved and provide a basis for the determination of the award.

The principles guiding the assessment strategy are that the assessment: should provide a summative measure of student achievement in relation to the aims and learning outcomes specified for the MBA course and the aims and learning outcomes of individual modules; provide formative and summative feedback; clearly relate to the learning experience of students, reflecting learning activities used in the course be cast within the framework of the University regulations.

The assessment programme has been designed to provide greater opportunity for feed-forward to occur. Thus, leading to improvement in both student progression and success rates. The assessment programme is designed to harmonise the content of tutor feedback. Overall, the assessment methods should aim to assess achievement, both formatively and summatively.

Assessment strategy

The range of assessment methods will typically include:

• Assignments

• Projects

• Skills-based exercises

• Presentations

• Written examinations (including case study

• material distributed prior to the examination, and tasks requiring completion

• within a set number of hours or days)

• Case study analysis

• Analysis of work-based problems

• Essays

The range of assessment methods will be consistent with the teaching and learning methods utilised and appropriate to the learning outcomes being assessed. The specific nature of assessments may differ from module to module, depending on the learning outcomes, the teaching and learning strategies, and the \\\"style\\\" of the module. Examinations, for example, are used as a test of knowledge and understanding and as a test of \\\"mechanical\\\" skills and/or application skills, where this is achievable within a time-constrained situation. Such examinations may be \\\"seen\\\" or \\\"unseen\\\" as suits the situation. Continuous assessment, such as case-study, work-based, or group-based assignments, are used as a test of application and personal skills where this requires longer periods of time for data collection or analysis and/or access to certain types data. The MBA assessment criteria has been devised to support the development of key qualities, considered to be prerequisite in an MBA graduate.

Learning Support

Induction

The MBA Programme will feature two avenues of Induction to accommodate students who arrive on time and those who experience delays, such as visa approval or flight schedules. The first option is a Two-Day Conference Style Induction Event, mandatory for all students present in the country. This event, linked to the study goal of International Engagement, is delivered in person by the academic team, administrative team, USW professional services, and guest speakers. It covers essential topics such as study skills, academic misconduct, wellbeing, students' union, sports, health, international engagement, and In-sessional English sessions. Additionally, course leaders are developing a digital handbook for MBA students in partnership with the online learning partner for the faculty. The second option is comprehensive recap of first option, along with dedicated sessions on library, and careers mandatory for students arriving within the 'late arrival' window as well those who arrived on time. This serves as a supporting resource throughout the MBA Programme. Student representatives and staff will engage with late arrival students to ensure they feel supported and integrated into the MBA community at USW.

Personal Academic Coach[1]

NA

Learner Analytics

Learner analytics have been employed to monitor MBA student performance in real-time and offer additional support as needed. This includes ensuring compliance with the International Engagement team's requirements for international students. The course team has been supported by the MBA course support team, who have assisted with learner analytics, progression tracking, student wellbeing, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Office hours

For office hours, the course team, including course leaders and module leaders, have specified online office hours via Blackboard and in workshops to students. Additionally, the MBA support team has specified in-person office hours through induction sessions and Blackboard announcements.

Lectures

For MBA lectures, the course will offer a mix of one-hour live sessions and pre-recorded lectures. This approach combines the benefits of real-time interaction and flexibility. Live sessions allow for immediate engagement with instructors, facilitating dynamic discussions and clarifications. Meanwhile, pre-recorded lectures offer convenience and flexibility, enabling students to access course content at their own pace and review materials as needed. This combination ensures a well-rounded learning experience tailored to the diverse needs of MBA students.

Workshops

Each module will include a mandatory 3-hour workshop as part of the curriculum design, integrating the assessment journey into the learning programme. These workshops offer students a focused opportunity to interact face-to-face with tutors, enhancing the learning experience and facilitating practical engagement with the curriculum and assessment design. This change involves extending the workshops by 1 hour and eliminating the 1-hour plenary session per module, which has consistently experienced low student attendance (<2% over the past 3 intakes). Despite efforts to enhance these sessions with mapped out content and study skills, attendance has remained poor.

Formative Assessment

For the MBA course, all taught modules incorporate formative assessments, which are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum and assessment design. These assessments take various forms, including group work, in-class presentations, debates, professional discussions, and reflections on the leadership journey. These avenues provide students with less formal ways to demonstrate their understanding, while formal assessments offer written feedback or feedforward to aid in their continuous improvement. Module specifications contain further details on these assessment methods.

Moreover, in term 3, students undertake a management project or dissertation. The project provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills gained throughout the MBA program to a real-world management challenge. Both project and dissertation serve as a culmination of the MBA program, allowing students to demonstrate their ability to analyse complex business issues, develop strategic solutions, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Progress meetings

For the MBA course, we have an MBA support team dedicated to monitoring and facilitating students' academic journey. This team carefully tracks student progress, identifying any potential issues or challenges that may arise. They collaborate closely with the course team to address these concerns promptly and effectively, ensuring a smooth learning experience for all students. Additionally, the MBA support team offers personalised assistance to students, providing guidance and support tailored to their individual needs. They also serve as a valuable resource, directing students to appropriate student services when necessary, such as academic advisors, career counsellors, or mental health professionals. Moreover, course leaders are always available to conduct one-to-one meetings with individual students as frequently as required, ensuring that students receive personalised attention and support whenever the need arises. By offering comprehensive support and guidance, the MBA support team and course leaders play crucial roles in enhancing the overall student experience and facilitating academic success.

Research Supervision

For the MBA programme, research supervision is provided to students who opt to pursue a dissertation as part of their academic journey, instead of undertaking a management project. Research supervision involves close collaboration between students and experienced faculty members who provide valuable insights, methodological guidance, and feedback to facilitate the development of high-quality dissertations. Furthermore, students are supported in their research endeavours through dedicated workshops tailored to their academic needs and aligned with the subject areas of the modules.

Moreover, for students who choose to undertake a management project instead of a dissertation, mentorship and supervision are provided by a group of industry experts and professionals. These mentors offer invaluable insights, practical advice, and real-world perspectives to students as they work on their management projects. Through mentorship and supervision, students gain access to industry knowledge, professional networks, and practical guidance, enhancing the relevance and impact of their management projects in real-world business contexts.

Online Resources

SharePoint serves as a central hub for MBA students to access a wide range of resources at university. This includes essential information on campus facilities, sustainability initiatives, equality, diversity, inclusion, health and safety guidelines, financial support, Welsh language resources, wellbeing services, academic support, safeguarding protocols, and digital and IT services. Utilising Office365, students can easily navigate through various resources to support their academic and personal needs.

Blackboard serves as the primary online virtual learning environment for course delivery within the MBA programme. Here, students can access all course-related materials, including course organisation details, module briefs, timetables, assessment guidelines, handouts, and instructional videos. The platform facilitates collaboration among students by providing tools for sharing work and ideas. Additionally, staff can effectively communicate important information to students through course and module announcements, ensuring clarity and accessibility.

Learning materials related to MBA modules are thoughtfully curated to accommodate diverse learning preferences, following principles of English as an Additional Language (EAL), Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategies, and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) best practices. This approach ensures that students have access to comprehensive and inclusive learning resources in various formats, enhancing their overall learning experience within the MBA programme.

In addition to SharePoint and Blackboard, the MBA programme provides access to the library's online resources and reading lists, allowing students to access a wealth of academic materials and research resources remotely. Furthermore, students have access to the Advice Zone online platform and other student support services, enabling them to seek guidance, support, and assistance with various academic and personal matters, ensuring that they have the resources and support they need to succeed in their MBA studies.

Advice Zone

The Advice Zone serves as the primary point of contact for MBA students seeking advice and information regarding university life. Staffed by knowledgeable Advice Assistants, where they are provided on confidential and impartial guidance on a wide range of issues, including extenuating circumstances. Moreover, Advice Assistants are equipped to address and advise on queries, questions, or concerns related to booking appointments with specialist teams such as Counselling, Disability and Dyslexia Support, Money Advice, and Progression Advice. Students are directed to the Advice Zones for assistance and support.

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

MBA students will benefit from access to a comprehensive array of USW facilities, including the university library and student union. The university library services offer an extensive range of high-quality resources tailored to the needs of academics and researchers. With a focus on business and management, the library houses a diverse collection of contemporary journals, databases, statistics, and other resources to support student skill development, both in physical and online formats.

Digital fluency is seamlessly integrated into the academic curriculum throughout the MBA programme. IT and media resources play a pivotal role in enriching students' learning experiences. These resources encompass various tools and platforms, including the online student account, Blackboard (the online learning environment), open access to campus computers, printing services, and media equipment. Moreover, the USW Business School is committed to providing technology-based learning environments, offering laptop loans to students upon request. This ensures that students have access to course materials anytime and anywhere, facilitated by a secure two-factor authentication system.

To further enhance their learning journey, students can rely on dedicated support from the Business School library staff. They offer guidance on locating relevant resources for their courses, including access to recommended texts, journals, and periodicals, both in print and digital formats. This comprehensive support system ensures that MBA students have the tools and resources necessary to excel academically and stay abreast of the latest developments in their field.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Doctor in Business Administration

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

The Full-Time Master of Business Administration programme at the University of South Wales adheres to Type 2 Business and Management courses, as defined by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Unlike Type 1 courses such as MScs in Business and Management disciplines, the FT MBA requires candidates to have a minimum UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, along with a minimum of 2 years of managerial experience.

Additionally, candidates must meet the university's English language requirements, typically a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all sub-skills.

Other equivalent qualifications are also accepted based on criteria set by admissions. The programme emphasises leadership and strategic management, leveraging participants' professional backgrounds through reflective learning and peer-to-peer interactions. Admissions criteria ensure candidates meet academic standards and English language proficiency requirements, aligning with the university's postgraduate standards.

Part-Time MBA requires candidates to have a minimum UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, along with a minimum of 4 years of managerial experience. Candidates who do not have academic qualifications, but have 4 years of middle management experience, will be sent a case study to research and ask to provide a business report on the strategic implications pertaining. This report will be considered and together with an interview the candidates suitability for the course will be determined.

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