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

A regular spot of interviews will be recorded with business leaders and posted on the LMS platform (BlackBoard)

Industry Projects

Industry Visits

N/A

Volunteering

N/A

Fieldwork

N/A

Fieldtrips

N/A

Work Placements or Internships

As practicing doctors employed in hospitals in India. They are responsible for their own learning but where opportunities exist to enhance the practice area students are encouraged to engage with employers.

Work-based Learning

Students, already employed, will directly apply the knowledge gained on the course with their everyday working practice, providing new insights from alternative paradigms to their organisations

Sandwich Years

N/A

Employer Forums

N/A

Other

Means of Assessment

Coursework, Visual Journal, Case Study, Report, Presentation, Poster, Portfolio, Proposal, Dissertation

Learning Support

Induction

The MBA (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) 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

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 (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) 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 2 year three, students dissertation. The project provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills gained throughout the MBA (Healthcare Management) program to a real-world management challenge. Both project and dissertation serve as a culmination of the MBA (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) course, we have an MBA (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) programme, research supervision as part of their academic journey. 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. 

Online Resources

SharePoint serves as a central hub for MBA (Healthcare Management) 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 environement for course delivery within the MBA (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) programme.

In addition to SharePoint and Blackboard, the MBA (Healthcare Management) 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 (Healthcare Management) 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:

Part-Time MBA (Healthcare Management) 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.

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.

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