Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Level 8 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers
Expert speaker series attracting highly successful business leaders with a global footprint.

Fieldwork
The research practicum requires fieldwork to acquire primary data.

Other
All DBA students are encouraged to present in the SWBS annual research conference.

Means of Assessment

• Blog/Vlog/Podcast

• Data analysis

• Portfolio

• Critique of quantitative journal

• Data analysis

• Poster

• Presentation

• Project

• Research Paper

• Research Proposal

• Thesis

Learning Support

Induction
Students will enjoy a comprehensive induction programme at the start of the course. The induction event will be delivered by the Graduate School and the DBA teaching team. The first week of induction will be at the University of South Wales’s Treforest campus. Induction content will introduce all aspects of student life, such as VLE training, pastoral care and wider University services, alongside events to build course identity. The induction will also be utilised to lay-down student expectations at the beginning of the course, familiarising students with pedagogic approach employed in this course, the assessment strategy, as well as setting expectations for students in terms of academic progression. In addition, the Graduate School has a full calendar of events to support postgraduate researchers, PGR presentation days as well as ongoing support from the Graduate School staff.

Personal Academic Coach
Students will be allocated a Director of Studies and a secondary supervisor to support them through the DBA course. There is no PAC offered at PG level.

Learner Analytics
Learner analytics will be used by module leaders and the course leader to identify students who may not be engaging on the course. The course leader will review the information and contact the student about individual modules or engagement across the course as a whole. Whether or not the issues relate to a single module or the course as a whole, the course leader will advise the student about the best course of action. In most cases, this will be to contact module leaders for academic support and the Advice Zone to discuss applications for extenuating circumstances and advice on appropriate support services.

Office hours
This information will be provided to students at induction. In addition, students will be advised about where they can find help outside of normal working hours in case of an emergency.

Tutorials
CAS sessions will incorporate tutorial activity for targeted academic and employability skills development support. These are available online in the Postgraduate Skills Organisation site.

Seminars
As can be seen in the learning and teaching section, seminars will be used as a pedagogical device. This will allow contextualisation and application of theoretical concepts explored throughout the module.

Formative Assessment
The use of seminars will allow formative assessment to be embedded in the course. This will take the form of academic debates, research presentations and group work exercises

Research Supervision
Students are expected to manage the relationship with their supervisory team to support them through the DBA course. Full time students will receive 50 hours supervision time per year for each academic year of level 8 study, part-time students 25 hours per year for each academic year of level 8 study. Supervision hours are allocated on a supervisory team basis (i.e., the team will be allocated 50 hours of time for doctoral supervision for full time students. Of note, this time accounts for both contact hours of 12.5 or 25 hours for PT/FT respectively and 12.5/ 25 hours for the supervisors to review work and prepare for supervision sessions). It is recommended that supervisory contact is maintained on at least a monthly basis in line with the supervisor guidelines detailed by the Graduate School. Supervisory meetings should be used to provide guidance to students, explore ideas and provide feedback. Students are required to engage regularly with their supervisory team to ensure sufficient progress is made each academic year. Ultimately the supervisory process is administered by the Graduate School.

Online Resources
All module content will be made available on Unilearn (VLE Blackboard). Additional online academic support will be provided as part of the post graduate skills provision. All modules make use of Unilearn for web-enhanced delivery to at the minimum recommended standard and for communications with students.
Additional support is provided through the Student Development and Study Skills Service who have self-directed online materials and tutorials and the opportunity for one-to-one academic support sessions.

Advice Zone
There is a Student Advice Zone located at the Treforest Campus and also provision for online support. They provide confidential guidance and advice to students on all aspects of their university experience and are integrated to make direct referrals University Professional and Support Services. Further information on their services and availability can be found here: Advice Zone.

Disability
As per QAA subject benchmarks, the University will ensure that the curriculum and learning opportunities are inclusive and therefore reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate needs of students with disabilities. Students requiring support for their studies are assessed by the Student Services Team and individual Learning Support Plans are put in place. For more information see: Disability Service.

IT/Library
Module resources and texts are where possible available electronically and any core texts for the course are stocked at Treforest library.
There is a dedicated Business School Librarian who guest delivers within modules, appropriate training to students at both the Treforest and Newport Campus. This training includes demonstrations and workshops for example on how to use USW FindIt, identifying sources of quality information, etc. The Librarian also offers students’ one-to-one or small group bespoke support.
For more information see: Library Services at the University of South Wales. There are computer labs with open access on both campuses, ensuring students have access to PCs. Wi-Fi is also available across both campuses and students can loan laptops for independent-study. Information on IT facilities and support can be found here: IT, Media and Technical Services.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Successful completion of the seven taught modules comprising 180 credits will qualify students to continue study on the DBA course to the thesis stage. Students that do not reach the minimum requirement of 60% for the Independent Research Report will be exited with the MSc Management Research award (please see course specific regulations).

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

All applicants must submit a research proposal and make themselves available for an interview to be considered for entry onto the DBA. Additionally, admission normally requires either an undergraduate degree with at least good second-class honours pass, or a Masters degree from a recognised academic institution. All applicants must be able to access organisations to conduct their research, this will normally be the applicant’s employing organisation but may include others. Access to support for the research study is essential in terms of initial selection and for the duration of the programme. All applications will be considered by the Faculty Research Degrees Committee. 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 6.5 overall or equivalent TOEFL score, or other evidence of English language abilities at this level.

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