BS2TX7 - Learning and Development in an International Context – Study Abroad 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BS2TX7
Module Title: Learning and Development in an International Context – Study Abroad
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Business Management
Faculty Sub Group: Business Management
Module Leader: Christine Atkinson
Module Team: Hazel Mawdsley, Anthony Thomas, , Liam Newton
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 60 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This is a not a taught module. Completion of this module requires students to complete a 10 week programme of study abroad at a partner institution.

The aims of the module are as follows:

  1. Students are to satisfactorily complete a 10 week programme of study, which is relevant to international business, at an overseas partner institution. This includes meeting the expectations for attendance, engagement and assessment on their chosen modules and, ordinarily, to pass a minimum of 70 per cent of the credits taken overseas.
  2. To support students’ personal and professional development in terms of organisational skills adaptability, resilience and other attributes acquired through studying in an unfamiliar environment.
  3. To enable students to develop reflect and develop cultural intelligence and the ability to communicate effectively with those from different cultural backgrounds.
  4. To enable students to gain knowledge and application of international business-related subjects.

Content Summary

The specific syllabus a student undertakes as part of their study year abroad will vary by country of study, institution attended and the specific interests and career aspirations of the students themselves but is to be related to International Business.

On the chosen programme of study at the partner overseas institution students are expected to conform to the requirements for attendance at scheduled classes and independent study for each module on which they are enrolled and for the institution that they are attending.

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for engagement with study at their host institution as set out above, all students are required, throughout the term, to complete two assessed tasks: 1) An individual portfolio to evidence academic learning in international-business related subjects 2) A digital diary which requires them to reflect on their personal and professional development in relation to cross cultural awareness and other skills. These are designed to support students’ academic and personal development and enable assessment of students’ learning and demonstrate personal and professional development to prospective employers.

Guidance on evidence gathering, using social media and other learning activities are scheduled in the pre- departure induction and detailed guidelines on assessment requirements are issued at the start of each module.

For this module students will spend 300 hours studying in a partner institution and the nature of the evidence collected for the portfolio will vary according to the nature of the study undertaken. The emphasis will be on the quality, rather than the quantity, of evidence to demonstrate skill development. The length of the reflective journal may also vary according to the media used. To recognise these factors, the summative assessment is given an indicative word count which is lower than maximum guideline outlined in the USW Assessment Tariff.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 12
Independent Study 176
Year abroad 300
Directed Study 52
Formative Assessment - Independent 60
Total Hours Selected 600

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Students will be able to demonstrate a deeper understanding of themselves and their ability to cope and adapt to an unfamiliar cultural setting through the successful completion of an agreed programme of study at an overseas partner institution.
LO2 To evidence cross-cultural intelligence by being able adapt to studying in a different cultural context and communicate effectively with those from different cultural backgrounds.
LO3 To demonstrate the development of specific academic competencies including problem solving, planning and organising, adaptability, resilience, networking, intercultural communication, using technology and reflection.
LO4 To illustrate knowledge and application of international business-related subjects.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Portfolio Portfolio 1 Evidence of learning and skill development 0 3000 50 No 40
Practical Assessment (CW) Visual Journal (CW) 1 A digital diary reflection produced through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which could include blogs, pod casts, photos, V-log etc) 0 3000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Portfolio 1
Visual Journal (CW) 1

Reading List

Latest editions of the following texts:

Due to the interdisciplinary and work based nature of this module there is no set text for this module, but the following are useful guides to self-reflection:

Bolton, G. (2014), Reflective Practice, Thousand Oaks: Sage

Moon, J.A. (2014), Reflection in Learning and Professional Development, Abingdon : Routledge Falmer.