s PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Final PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION Course summary Final award BSc(Hons) International Business Intermediate award BSc, DipHE, CertHE Course status Validated Awarding body University of Brighton Faculty Brighton Business School School Brighton Business School Location of study/ campus Moulsecoomb Partner institution(s) Name of institution Host department Course status 1. SELECT 2. 3. Admissions Admissions agency UCAS Page 1 of 16
Entry requirements Include any progression opportunities into the course. (Applicable for 2016 entry. Check the University website for 2017 entry requirements.) Typical entry requirements BBC at A level or equivalent (excluding General Studies) OR Nat Diploma DMM Plus GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above For non-native speakers of English: IELTS 6 (with minimum 6 in writing and 5.5 I other elements): CAE grade C, or TOEFL: 233 (computer), 575 (paper) or a min of 89 (internet based) with appropriate written scores as applicable for overseas applicants. OR International Baccalaureat: 28 points with 16 at Higher Level. Applicants without English Language will need to gain a min grade 4 in HL English or min grade 5 in SL English on the IB. OR Via Access or other progression agreements approved by Brighton Business School and the University of Brighton. OR Start date (mmm-yy) Normally September Other: Mature, 21 years or over, applicants without the above qualifications should be able to show an ability to benefit from the course by, for example, work or professional experience. All mature applicants are considered on an individual basis. Sept 2016 Mode of study Mode of study Duration of study (standard) Maximum registration period Full-time 4 years 10 years Part-time Select Select Sandwich 4 years 10 years Distance Select Select Course codes/categories UCAS code N110 Contacts Course Leader (or Course Development Leader) Admissions Tutor Helen Berry Moulsecoomb Admissions Team Page 2 of 16
Examination and Assessment External Examiner(s) Name Place of work Date tenure expires Dr Andrew Timmings Prof Abby Ghobadian St Andrews University 30/09/2018 University of Reading 01/01/2017 Dr Gillian Armstrong Dr Yingli Wang University of Ulster 01/12/2016 Cardiff University 30/09/2019 Dr Gareth White University of South Wales 30/09/2019 Examination (AEB/CEB) Approval and review Board(s) UG Business Examination/Award Board Approval date Review date Validation Sep-92, Jun-12 1 2016/17 2 Programme Specification Sept 16 Sept 17 Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 1 (if applicable): Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 2 (if applicable): Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 3 (if applicable): 3 1 Date of original validation. 2 Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years). 3 Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body. Page 3 of 16
PART 2: COURSE DETAILS AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Aims The aims of the course are: 1. To provide a course in International Business that provides students with a broad, relevant, challenging and imaginative educational experience, in preparation for a wide range of business career opportunities in either home or international countries; 2. To provide a sound knowledge and understanding of the internal functions of business and how they are managed and interrelate, and an opportunity to specialise in one major area of business activity; 3. To increase awareness of the impact of international, cultural and environmental influences on business activity; 4. To provide a structured forum for the study, analysis and discussion of contemporary issues in Global, European and British business settings; 5. To prepare students for managing new, changing and challenging situations in the dynamic international business environment; 6. To develop a wide range of relevant inter-cultural business and lifelong learning skills to enable graduates to make an effective contribution in their careers. 7. To provide the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of international business activity through two semesters of study at a partner institution abroad and/or international work placement; 8. To enhance student employability through a cross-cultural experience. Learning outcomes The outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference points where appropriate 4. Knowledge and theory Students will have the ability to: 1. Demonstrate an appreciation of cultural difference and the ability to employ frameworks in the analysis of cultural difference. (Course Aims 1,3,4 & 8) 2. Describe and define the internal structures, functions, operations and management of business, how they interrelate, how they are influenced by the international business environment and how they adapt to change. (Course aims 1, 2, & 5) 3. Demonstrate understanding of the cultural dimension as it impacts organisational structure and behaviour. (Course Aims 1,3,4,5 & 8) 4. Analyse national contextual impacts on the organisation and relate how external factors such as customer and market requirements, competition, national, international, economic, political, sociological, ethical, legal and technical influences impact on business decisions. (Course aims 3, 4 & 5) 4 Please refer to Course Development and Review Handbook or QAA website for details. Page 4 of 16
5. Propose appropriate methods of measuring, analysing and improving the financial operational performance of business organisations. (Course aims 1, 3 & 5) 6. Demonstrate awareness of the challenges of managing and developing people within organisations and cross-cultural teams. (Course aims 2, 3 & 4) 7. Critically appraise the development and implementation of different business strategies in an international context. (Course aims 3, 4 & 5) 8. Recognize the importance and impact of a range of contemporary and pervasive issues such as sustainability, globalisation, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management, risk management, and ethical, social and environmental concerns. (Course aims 3, 4 & 5) 9. Demonstrate an understanding of cross-cultural differences gained through the year abroad. (Course aims 4, 5, 7 & 8) 10. Demonstrate ability to build an independent research project based on the ability to analyse alternative cross-cultural perspectives and approaches. (Course aims 1,3,4,5,6 & 8) 11. Demonstrate ability to employ appropriate analytical frameworks for critical analysis of complex contemporary problems.(1,3,4,5,6 & 8) Skills Includes intellectual skills (i.e. generic skills relating to academic study, problem solving, evaluation, research etc.) and professional/ practical skills. Following QAA benchmarks for Business Management programmes, students should be able to demonstrate the following skills: Cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, to detect false logic or reasoning, to identify implicit values, to define terms adequately and generalise appropriately. (Course aims 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) Effective problem solving and decision making using appropriate quantitative and qualitative skills including identifying, formulating and solving business problems. (Course aims 2, 5 & 6) The ability to critically appraise, evaluate and assess a range of options together with the capacity to create and apply ideas and knowledge to a range of situations. (Course aims 2, 4, 5 & 6) Effective verbal and written communication skills developed through a range of methods such as preparation and presentation of business reports. (Course aims 2, 4, 5 & 6) Numeracy skills including the ability to manipulate, interpret and analyse gathered data and present findings in an appropriate format. (Course aims 5 & 6) Effective management of time, resources and skills, with particular emphasis on effective use of pooled resources in managing teams. (Course aims 4, 5 & 6) QAA subject benchmark Business and Management Page 5 of 16
statement (where applicable) PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable) Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external requirements, and what students are required to undertake, are included. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for the purpose of gaining CIM qualifications through the Graduate Gateway. All students will be able to take the Introductory Certificate in Marketing award from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Brighton Business School is also currently negotiating with CIPS (the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply) regarding exemptions from its qualifications. Students interested in maximising exemptions from this professional body should choose the level 5 elective Purchasing and Supply (OP219) and the level 6 electives Purchasing and E-Procurement (OP314) and Supply Chain Management (OP317). LEARNING AND TEACHING Learning and teaching methods This section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours and any specific requirements in terms of practical/ clinical-based learning. The indicative list of learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course delivered by each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element of the course. All modules will involve a combination of taught sessions and guided independent study. For a typical double module, approximately a quarter of the 200 hours comprises taught sessions (2 hours per week for a 20 credit module running throughout the year). The remainder is guided independent study (which includes all work for assessment e.g. coursework and examination preparation). 5 Please refer to the QAA website for details. Page 6 of 16
ASSESSMENT Assessment methods This section sets out the summative assessment methods on the course and includes details on where to find further information on the criteria used in assessing coursework. It also provides an assessment matrix which reflects the variety of modes of assessment, and the volume of assessment in the course. The information included in this section complements that found in the Key Information Set (KIS), with the programme specification providing further information about how the course is assessed. The primary assessment methods (and proportions of the total assessment) based on the core modules for the course over all three levels are: Examinations : demonstration of knowledge, understanding and ability to apply knowledge. Individual Reports, Essays and Projects : demonstration of independent research skills, evaluation skills, analytical ability, project management and written communication skills. Group Reports and Projects : Seminar based assessment : demonstration of knowledge, analytical ability and verbal communication skills. Presentations : demonstration of knowledge, understanding and verbal communication skills Other : including reflective study, on-line tests SUPPORT AND INFORMATION Institutional/ University Course-specific Additional support, specifically where courses have nontraditional patterns of delivery (e.g. distance learning and work-based learning) include: All students benefit from: University induction week Student contract Course Handbook Extensive library facilities Computer pool rooms E-mail address Welfare service Personal tutor for advice and guidance In addition, students on this course benefit from: Student central, the University s intranet which provides: Information to support study & assessment requirements Year Abroad information: outgoing & returning Links to Partner institutions Referencing Handbook Career Links Page 7 of 16
PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS COURSE STRUCTURE This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study and progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here. Modules Status: M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award) C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award) O = Optional (optional modules) A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules) Lev e l 6 Module code Status Module title Credit 4 EC163 C Business Economics 20 4 FN163 C Financial Knowledge and Skills for Business 20 4 MK187 C Principles of Marketing 20 4 HR173 C Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management 4 DB155 C Year 1 Understanding International Cultural Difference 20 4 ML150 C Academic and Professional Skills 20 20 C OR Languages route: 4 DB158 C Understanding Cultural Difference (with Language route) 10 4 ML152 C Academic and Professional Skills (with Language route) 10 4 C Language (French, German or Spanish) 20 5 HR250 C Working Across Cultures 20 5 OP282 C Business Operations & Systems 20 5 EC221 C International Business Analysis 20 5 LW212 C Business Law 20 5 DB250 C Building Cross-Cultural Awareness 20 5 O Option (NB: Those on the Language route must choose Language) 20 Compulsory Placement/Exchange Year abroad 6 DB365 C Cultural Insights for International Business 20 6 ST371 C Strategy for International Business 20 6 DB325 C Year Abroad Report 20 6 O Business Options 60 6 All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which Page 8 of 16
corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module. Page 9 of 16
Level 5 Options: CA270 CREATIVITY IN ENTERPRISE (20) MK291 DESIGN AND INNOVATION (20) OP219 PURCHASING AND SUPPLY (20) CA295 WORKING IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR (20) FA266 PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING (20) ML232 GAMIFICATION (20) Level 6 Options: CA380 NEW BUSINESS PLANNING (10) CA381 SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP (20) CA382 SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: NEW BUSINESS PLANNING (20) EC363 EMERGING FINANCIAL MARKETS (10) EC364 GAME THEORY IN ECONOMICS, FINANCE & BUSINESS (20) EC380 POLITICAL ECONOMY IN EUROPE (10) EC381 FINANCIAL & CAPITAL MARKETS (20) EC382 GLOBALISATION & INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (20) EC383 BUSINESS ETHICS & CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (20) EC391 CONTEMP ECONOMIC ISSUES(20) FN315 CURRENT ISSUES IN FINANCE (20) HR325 UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYEE RELATIONS (20) HR315 EMPLOYEE SELECTION & DEVELOPMENT (20) HR375 RESEARCHING CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN HRM (20) HR376 LEADERSHIP IN ACTION (20) HR382 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (10) HR388 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE (20) IT382 DIGITAL MARKETING (20) IT383 INNOVATIONS IN E-BUSINESS & MOBILE COMMERCE IT384 E-COMMERCE AND ON-LINE BEHAVIOUR (20) LANGUAGE (FRENCH/GERMAN/SPANISH) (20) LW315 COMMERCIAL LAW (20) LW356 NEGOTIATION, MEDIATION & ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR LAW AND BUSINESS (20) LW368 HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS (20) LW369 EMPLOYMENT LAW (20) LW371 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW (20) LW381 FAMILY LAW (20) MK321 RETAIL MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION 1 & 2 (20) MK328 MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS 1 & 2 (20) MK327 MARKETING PLANNING & STRATEGY (20) Page 10 of 16
MK342 CONSUMER PSYCHOLOGY (10) MK382 SOCIAL MARKETING (20) MK390 MARKETING ACROSS CULTURES (20) MK385 BUSINESS VALUES, RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST (10) MK389 PUBLIC RELATIONS: PRINCIPLES & PRACTICE (10) MK388 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MARKETING (20) OP314 PURCHASING & E-PROCUREMENT (10) OP317 SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (10) OP382 PROJECT AND EVENT MANAGEMENT (20) OS301 BIG DATA AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE (20) ST374 CURRENT ISSUES IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ( = Research Elective) NB these are indicative lists of options they are offered subject to demand and availability of resources Page 11 of 16
AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION Award type Award* Title Level Eligibility for award Classification of award Final BSc (Hons) Total credits 7 Minimum credits 8 Ratio of marks 9 : Class of award International Business 6 Total credit 360 Minimum credit at level of award 120 Final BSc International Business 6 Total credit 300 Minimum credit at level of award 120 Intermediate DipHE International Business 5 Total credit 240 including 120 at level 5 Minimum credit at level of award 120 Intermediate CertHE International Business 4 Total credit 120 at level 4 Minimum credit at level of award 120 Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at level of award Select *Foundation degrees only Progression routes from award: Levels 5 and 6 (25:75) Levels 5 and 6 (25:75) Select Select Select Honours degree Award classifications Mark/ band % Foundation degree Honours degree Postgraduate 10 degree (excludes PGCE and BM BS) 70% - 100% Distinction First (1) Distinction 60% - 69.99% Merit Upper second (2:1) Merit 50% - 59.99% Lower second (2:2) Pass 40% - 49.99% Third (3) Pass Select Select Select Select 7 Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award. 8 Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award. 9 Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding class of award. 10 Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters. Page 11 of 16
EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS Please refer to the Course Approval and Review Handbook when completing this section. The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance with the University s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses (available from staffcentral or studentcentral). Specific regulations which materially affect assessment, progression and award on the course e.g. Where referrals or repeat of modules are not permitted in line with the University s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses. Exceptions required by PSRB These require the approval of the Chair of the Academic Board As per Business School regulations, detailed in the International Business course handbook In line with the previous programme specification, normally no referrals are permitted at level 6. Document template revised: 2010 Page 12 of 16
Erasmus+ staff and student mobility: recognition policy 1 Introduction The University of Brighton has been awarded an Erasmus+ charter for staff and student mobility, and other cross-eu activities, for 2014-2020. The new charter brings with it new requirements in respect of the recognition of mobility activities and language preparation. This document sets out the University s policy on recognition of participation in Erasmus+ mobility from 2014-15 onwards, as approved by Academic Standards Committee at its meeting on 27 February 2014. This policy will be reviewed no later than the academic year 2019-2020, and may be reviewed earlier if changes are made to Erasmus+ policy and guidance which requires this. This policy has been informed by the ECTS User Guide 2009 11 and Chapter B10 of the UK Quality Code for HE 2012. 12 2 Recognition of Erasmus mobility: the requirements The 2014-20 Erasmus Annotated Guidelines sets out the following requirements for student mobiity 13 : Recognition/transfer procedures should ensure that the student s mobility activities at the partner institution are recorded in a transparent way (indicating the original course/subject titles at the host institution in the national language and English) and that the credits gained abroad have been recognised as an integral part of the student s degree programmes. All the credits that the student earns during the mobility period and were originally agreed in the Learning Agreement should be recognised by the home institution without the need for the student to take any further courses or exams. Erasmus study must usually be full-time Erasmus study/placement must be assessed by the host institution Erasmus credit must be recognized and must count towards the student s final mark Institutions must be satisfied that the programme of Erasmus study is acceptable for the degree or diploma the student is currently working towards Only periods of study which are part of the student's curriculum are eligible Home institutions must award full recognition preferably by using ECTS credits or compatible system Home institutions must ensure full recognition for satisfactorily completed activities of study mobility and, where possible, traineeships in terms of credits awarded using ECTS credits or a compatible system The Erasmus Handbook refers on to the ECTS User Guide; Annex 2 of this document gives guidance on recognition of credit from student mobility as follows: home institutions should agree with the student, in advance of Erasmus study,, a Learning Agreement containing a programme of study abroad [ ]; this programme will have similar, complementary or coherent learning outcomes 11 http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/docs/ects-guide_en.pdf 12 http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationandguidance/pages/quality-code-b10.aspx 13 http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/funding/2014/documents/annotated_guidelines_en.pdf Document template revised: 2010 Page 13 of 16
in relation to the programme in the home institution, but it will not necessarily have the same content guarantee in advance that all credits gained abroad in the approved programme of study will be fully recognised, transferred into the home programme and used to satisfy the qualification requirements Neither the Erasmus Handbook or the ECTS User Guide includes detailed requirements on how to transfer grades when recognising Erasmus study, but the Learning Agreement signed by the home institution, host institution and student includes the statement Fair translation of grades must be ensured and the student has been informed about the methodology. The Annotated Guidelines also require participating universities to specify how staff participation in Erasmus+ mobility will be recognised. 3 Policy on recognition of Erasmus+ student mobility and award of credit 3.1 Mode of study Erasmus study should normally be full-time, that is 60 credits/30 ECTS per semester If Schools wish to agree a reduced programme of study for an individual student, the School should provide an academic rationale for this reduction with the Learning Agreement. 3.2 Erasmus study as part of the curriculum In order to ensure that Erasmus study is formally recorded as part of the curriculum following tasks must be undertaken. i) Schools define the learning outcomes for the student s programme that will be met by Erasmus study and the amount and level of credit to be awarded. Schools may wish to develop generic learning outcomes for Erasmus study. ii) iii) iv) Schools agree with the student a study programme, comprising modules offered by the host university to be undertaken during the Erasmus placement, which will allow them to achieve the defined learning outcomes. The amount of credit to be taken during the Erasmus placement will inform the amount of credit to be awarded on successful completion. Schools include the learning outcomes and credit information in the Recognition of Studies form. If a programme includes Erasmus placements as a study option, this should be recorded in the Programme Specification. 3.3 Mechanism for recording credit from Erasmus study When students return from their Erasmus study, the credit they have achieved as stated on a transcript from the host institution should be recorded on their SITS record using the process for recording pathway credit. Pathway credits can be allocated a mark/grade if required. Students who return from Erasmus study with only partial credit achieved should have that credit recorded, and the relevant Course Examination Board will be responsible for making progression or award decisions for students with a shortfall of credit in the usual way. The credit will appear on the Document template revised: 2010 Page 14 of 16
student transcript as Erasmus credit. When recording Erasmus credit, schools must use the Erasmus pathway APL code ERAS. 3.4 Transfer of grades The following policy on transfer of grades has been approved. i) Credit achieved through Erasmus study will be graded PASS or FAIL with no transfer of marks or grades. This system is compatible with the University s approach to APL credit and with Erasmus credit recognition at other UK HEIs. ii) This will be a phased implementation to begin in 2014-15. Those Schools who can implement this immediately will be asked to do so. Those Schools who have arrangements for grade recognition that have already been communicated to students who will undertake exchanges in 2014-15 will be supported to devise a phased implementation. In exceptional circumstances where additional partnership arrangements are in place, the current arrangements for transfer of grades will remain in place. ASC has approved the following programme as an exception to this policy: BSc (Hons)/DEST European Computing In the instance of this course, arrangements for grade transfer were approved at validation and periodic review, and the student is eligible to receive two awards. 4. Erasmus as part of a placement year A number of programmes use Erasmus study to form all or part of a placement year. There are various practices in place to recognise the credit achieved, but issues remain to be resolved regarding the contribution of credit to degree classification and use of synoptic modules to recognise Erasmus study. The ECTS User Guide states that institutions should use the credits gained abroad for accumulation purposes to satisfy specific curricular requirements, as previously agreed in the Learning Agreement; recognising credits gained abroad as additional credits would not fulfil the commitment to full academic recognition. 14 The following policy on using Erasmus within a placement year has now been approved in order to ensure that Erasmus placements used in this way meet the requirements of the Erasmus+ charter: i) The policy and process set out in section 3 above apply to Erasmus study undertaken during a placement year. This will help ensure that Erasmus study is related to learning outcomes which in turn relate to the students programme of study at Brighton. ii) iii) The placement year must be a defined part of the course which enables students to achieve the learning outcomes for the programme, and be described in the programme specification. The placement year must have specific learning outcomes, which are assessed (in part for those placement years that include a shorter Erasmus placement) through Erasmus study/work placements. 14 EU, ECTS User Guide (2009), p40 Document template revised: 2010 Page 15 of 16
iv) The University recognises the achievement of students during Erasmus placements as a means of achieving the learning outcomes specified for the placement year v) Students who achieve credit for Erasmus study during a placement year will achieve extra credit in addition to their required 360 credits, but as this credit will be recognized as PASS/FAIL only, it will not count towards their final degree classification. As described above, this credit will be recorded as pathway credit and not against any specific module. vi) Synoptic modules that draw on learning achieved during Erasmus study but require the completion of additional assessments, or condense the amount of credit achieved, will be phased out. This change is to ensure that students achievement during Erasmus placements is recognised without further assessment. 5 Recognition of staff participation in Erasmus+ mobility Recognition of staff participation will be managed through the annual Staff Development Review process. TI 11 March 2014 Document template revised: 2010 Page 16 of 16