PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
BSc in Management Science
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
BSc
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N991
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2014 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Engineering Sciences
Parent Department:
Management Science & Innovation
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
https://www.msi.ucl.ac.uk/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
3 Grade A A-Levels (including Mathematics) and a good level of
English (IELTS 7)
Length of the programme:
3 years
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Level 6
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: General Business &
Management
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Management Science BSc
The BSc in Management Science provides students with a rigorous
foundation in the key knowledge and skills needed to build successful
careers in global businesses, through a combination of core and
elective modules, assessed by coursework, and research and
consulting projects.
Core modules in mathematics, critical analytical thinking, business
economics, data analytics and behavioural science provide a solid
grounding in the concepts and tools that underpin the practice of
management in complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven
environments. Additional core modules, including strategy, marketing,
operations and finance, provide an in-depth understanding of how
companies work and build the insight and skills needed to deliver
result through people.
The design of the core modules will draw on the extensive body of
material available from existing MS&I courses. This material will be
integrated and extended to incorporate a strong quantitative element
and a focus on the knowledge and skills needed to deal with key
interdisciplinary management challenges (e.g. complexity, scale,
growth, uncertainty, risk), including how people from different
disciplines approach business problems.
Scenario weeks focused on example business challenges will be
used to support problem-based learning and provide a context for the
application of the knowledge and skills from the core modules.
Interdisciplinary examinations and research and consulting projects
will be used to assess students’ ability to apply this material in
practice.
The programme structure is aligned with the design of the Integrated
Engineering Programme (IEP) initiative. In Years 2 and 3, students
take an Engineering Sciences minor in another discipline (0.5 credit
unit in Year 2; 1 credit unit in Year 3). This provides students with an
opportunity to explore an area in greater depth and continuity than
could be done by taking individual electives.
Board of Examiners:
i) Name of Board of Examiners:
MSINUMS BSc/MSci Management Science Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The Management Science BSc/MSci programme is designed to provide students with a rigorous foundation in the
key skills required to build successful careers in global businesses. It aims to produce graduates who combine
strong quantitative and analytical skills with an in-depth understanding of how companies work.
The programme has the following educational objectives:
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Provide students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of management science and how it can be
applied in practice;
Prepare students for practice in a diverse range of complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven
environments;
Prepare students for jobs in industries and organisations characterised by rapid changes in tools, problems
and opportunities, requiring self-development over an entire career.
Enable students to develop the awareness, background, and skills necessary to become responsible
citizens, employees, and leaders who can make a contribution to tackling some of the world’s most difficult
social and economic problems.
In particular, the programme will help students develop:
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A critical appreciation of the relevant principles of mathematics, science, and engineering and how they can
be applied in practice to managing complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven environments;
A knowledge and understanding of management in a global context and the opportunities and problems
faced by different types of organisation;
An understanding of key interdisciplinary management challenges, e.g. complexity, scale, growth,
uncertainty, risk;
An ability to use quantitative and qualitative methods in a creative and systematic way to make wellinformed, evidence-based decisions;
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve management problems, based on critical analytical thinking;
An ability to design and implement management systems and processes to meet desired needs;
An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
An ability to communicate effectively;
An ability to deliver results through people;
A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
A knowledge of contemporary issues necessary to understand the impact of business in a global and
societal context
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
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Management science and how it can
be applied in practice
Relevant principles of mathematics,
science and engineering
Management in a global context
Management in complex, innovationintensive, data-driven environments
Key interdisciplinary management
challenges
Contemporary issues necessary to
understand the impact of business in
a global and societal context
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Combination of core and optional modules that
combine the foundations and principles of
mathematics, science and engineering with an
in-depth understanding of how companies work.
Examples, applications and case studies used in
courses will be selected to be relevant to the
practice of management.
Examples, applications and case studies used will
include global companies and international
organisations.
Scenario weeks focused on example business
challenges will be used to support problem-based
learning and provide a context for the application of
the knowledge and skills from the core courses.
In Years 2 and 3, students take a IEP minor in
another discipline (0.5 credit unit in Year 2; 1 credit
unit in Year 3). This provides students with an
opportunity to explore an area in greater depth and
continuity than could be done by taking individual
electives.
Assessment:
Coursework and/or projects
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
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Strong mathematical and quantitative
skills
Critical analytical thinking
Evidence-based decision-making
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In Years 1 and 2, students take three modules on
the Mathematical Foundations of Management and
two modules on Data Analytics.
The programme includes core modules on Critical
Analytical Thinking,and Decision and Risk Analysis
and rigorous approaches to identifying, formulating
and solving management problems will be
reinforced in all courses.
Assessment:
Coursework and/or projects
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
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Ability to identify, formulate and solve
management problems
Ability to design and implement
management systems and processes
Ability to function on multidisciplinary
teams
Ability to deliver results through
people
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The programme includes core modules on Critical
Analytical Thinking and The Art and Science of
Management which equips students with the
underlying principles, approaches and core skills
needed to plan, design and implement complex
economic and technological management systems.
The programme includes core modules on
Behavioural Science and Delivering Results
Through People and will use opportunities for group
work to develop skills required to function on
multidisciplinary teams and deliver results through
people.
Assessment:
Coursework and/or projects
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
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Ability to communicate effectively
both orally and in writing
Computing skills
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The programme includes a core module on Critical
Analytical Thinking and will use opportunities for
group work and interaction in seminars and
Scenario Weeks to develop communication skills.
Computing skills will be developed as part of the
Data Analytics and Computational Thinking
modules.
Assessment:
Coursework and/or projects
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Stephen Todd
Name(s):
Date of Production:
16th January 2013
Date of Review:
September 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
September 2014
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2014
January 2015