UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
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 passes the programme. More detailed information on the
learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module
can be found in the programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this
specification is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education.
MSc in International Business and Economic Development
1. Awarding Institution/Body
University of Kent
2. Teaching Institution
University of Kent
3. School responsible for management of
the programme
School of Economics
4. Teaching Site
Canterbury
5. Mode of Delivery
Full/Part-time
6. Programme accredited by
None
7. Final Award
MSc; PGDip& PGCert (last two fallback
awards)
8. Programme
International Business and Economic
Development
9. UCAS Code (or other code)
N/A
10. Credits/ECTS value
180 (90 ECTs)
11. Study Level
M
12. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking
group(s)
Masters awards in business and management
(2007)
13. Date of creation/revision (note that
dates are necessary for version control)
January 2015
14. Intended Start Date of Delivery of this
Programme
from September 2015
15. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
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Provide a pre-experience Master’s programme for those wishing to pursue a career in
international business and economic development.
Equip future business specialists with knowledge and skills in economics, econometrics
and international development
Prepare students for a career in international business and economic development by
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Postgraduate programme specification
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
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developing skills in international business, economics and development or as preparation
for research. Add value to first degrees by developing in individuals an integrated and
critically aware understanding of international business, economics and organisations in
international environments.
Develop a deeper understanding of the way economics and quantitative techniques can be
applied to problem solving in international business and development.
Develop in students the ability to apply economic knowledge, analytical tools and skills in
range of theoretical and applied business and development problems.
Develop students’ knowledge and understanding of organisations, the economic context in
which they operate and how they are managed.
Develop skills necessary for independent research in business and economic development.
Develop an appropriate range of cognitive, critical and intellectual skills, research skills and
relevant personal and interpersonal skills.
Foster enhancement of lifelong learning skills and personal development so as to be able to
work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to business and economic
development of society at large.
Provide teaching and learning opportunities that are informed by high quality research and
scholarship from within the Kent Business School and the School of Economics.
Provide information and advice on future employment and further postgraduate study.
Support national and regional economic success via the development opportunities offered
by the programme, including those related to an understanding of international business
practices and economic development.
16 Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge
and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. The programme
outcomes have references to the subject benchmarking statement for QAA Subject Benchmark
Standards for Business and Management (2007)
A. Knowledge and Understanding of:
1.
The concepts, principles, theories, models and methods of modern international business,
economics, economic development and quantitative methods
2. The concepts, processes and institutions in the production and marketing of goods and/or
services; the management of resources and operations in international contexts (SB 3.9)
3. Application of economic theory and reasoning to topics in international business and
economic development
4. Model building in economics and critical analysis of such models
5. Econometric, statistical and computing methods used in business and economics (SB 3.6)
6. Sources of business and development data, methods to analyse such data and ability to
make use of sources and data (SB 3.5, 3.6)
7. The impact of contextual forces on organisations including: legal systems; political,
ethical, economic, environmental, social and technological change issues; international
economic development; corporate governance (SB 3.2, 3.4, 3.5)
8. Markets and customers: the development and operation of markets for resources, goods
and services; expectations of customers and equivalent stakeholders; service and
orientation in international contexts (SB 3.9)
9. The concepts, processes and institutions in the production and marketing of goods and/or
services; the management of resources and operations in international contexts (SB 3.9)
10. The financing of the business enterprise or other forms of organisations; sources, uses
and management of finance; use of accounting for managerial and financial reporting
applications (SB 3.7, 3.9)
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
11. The management and development of people within international organisations;
organisational theory, behaviour; industrial/employee relations, HRM, change
management (SB 3.6, 3.7, 3.9)
12. The uses and limitations of a range of research methods/techniques, both qualitative and
quantitative, and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses for providing
information and evaluating options in international business and economic development
(SB 3.9)
13.The development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact on
organisations (SB 3.9)
14.The use of relevant communication and information technologies for application in
business, economics, economic development and management within a global
knowledge-based economy (SB 3.9)
15.The development of appropriate business and economic policies and strategies within a
changing international development context to meet stakeholder interests (SB 3.9)
16. Critical evaluation of major debates and articles in international business and economic
development literature.
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
•
Readings
•
Lectures
•
Visiting speakers
•
Company visits
•
Tutor-led workshops
•
Seminars
•
Case studies
•
Discussions
•
Business games
•
Individual and group project work
•
Business and management reports
•
On-line learning materials
•
Computer workshops and projects
•
Supervised dissertation
Assessment methods and strategies
•
Tests
•
Seminar contribution
•
Coursework assignments
•
Written seen/unseen examinations
•
Presentations
•
Project reports
•
Management reports
•
Computer projects
•
Dissertation
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual Skills:
1.
Critical thinking and creativity; managing creative processes in self and others; organising
thoughts; analysis, synthesis, critical appraisal. This includes the capability to identify
assumptions, construct and test hypotheses, evaluate statements in terms of evidence,
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and
generalise appropriately (SB 3.10)
Ability to select, organise, develop and synthesise complex material (SB 3.10)
Skills necessary for the analysis of problems and the identification of appropriate solutions
(SB3.10)
Ability to plan, work and study independently and to use resources in a way which reflects
best current practice and anticipated future practice (SB3.10)
Ability to review literature critically and appreciate alternative explanations and analyses of
a problem
Integrative capability to communicate and co-ordinate or eventually lead a team of
multifunctional specialists (SB 5.1, 3.10)
Ability to manage a supervised dissertation
NB. Learning outcome B7 only applies to the Master’s qualification and is not required for
PGDip or PGCert.
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
•
Readings
•
Lectures
•
Visiting Speakers
•
Company visits
•
Tutor-led workshops
•
Seminars
•
Case studies
•
Discussions
•
Business games
•
Individual and group project work
•
Business and management reports
•
On-line learning materials
•
Computer workshops and projects
•
Supervised dissertation
Assessment methods and strategies
•
Tests
•
Coursework assignments
•
Seminar contribution
•
Written seen/unseen examinations
•
Presentations
•
Project reports
•
Management reports
•
Computer projects
•
Dissertation
C. Subject-specific Skills:
1.
Problem solving and decision making; establishing criteria; using appropriate decision
techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business and economics
problems; the ability to construct and test hypotheses; the ability to create, identify and
evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions (SB 3.10, 5.1)
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2.
Numeracy and quantitative skills including the use of models of business and economic
systems, estimating econometric models and knowledge of sources of economic data;
qualitative research skills (SB 3.10)
3. Ethical and value management: recognising ethical situations; applying ethical and
organisational values to situations and choices (SB 3.10, 5.1)
4. Ability to conduct research into international business and development issues (SB 3.10,
5.1)
5. Ability to identify, find, record, organise and manipulate knowledge relevant to the
development and management of organisations (SB 5.1)
6. Ability to research literature on business and economic development
7. Ability to apply business and economic development skills to investigate supervised
dissertation
NB. Learning outcome C7 only applies to the Master’s qualification and is not required for
PGDip or PGCert.
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
•
Readings
•
Lectures
•
Visiting Speakers
•
Company visits
•
Tutor-led workshops
•
Seminars
•
Case studies
•
Discussions
•
Business games
•
Individual and group project work
•
Business and management reports
•
On-line learning materials
•
On-line discussions in ‘virtual’ learning sets
•
Computer workshops and projects
•
Supervised dissertation
Assessment methods and strategies
•
Tests
•
Coursework assignments
•
Written seen/unseen examinations
•
Seminar contribution
•
Presentations
•
Project reports
•
Business and management reports
•
Computer projects
•
Dissertation
D. Transferable Skills:
1.
2.
3.
Information and knowledge; organising, managing and presenting data; abstracting
meaning from information and sharing knowledge (SB 3.10)
Effective use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and use of statistical
and econometric software packages (SB 3.10)
Two-way communication: listening, negotiating and persuading or influencing others; oral
and written communication, using a range of media, including the preparation of business
and economic development reports (SB 3.10)
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4.
Personal effectiveness: self-management; time management; the ability to continue
learning (SB 3.10)
5. Effective performance within a team environment and the ability to recognise and utilise
others’ contributions in group processes (SB 3.10)
Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to
be achieved and demonstrated
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
•
Readings
•
Lectures
•
Visiting speakers
•
Company visits
•
Tutor-led workshops
•
Seminars
•
Case studies
•
Discussions
•
Business games
•
Individual and group project work
•
Business and management reports
•
On-line learning materials
•
On-line discussions in ‘virtual’ learning sets
•
Computer workshops and projects
•
Supervised dissertation
Assessment methods and strategies
•
Online tests
•
Coursework assignments
•
Written seen/unseen examinations
•
Seminar contributions
•
•
Presentations
•
Project reports
•
Business and management reports
• Computer projects
• Dissertation
For information on which modules provide which skills, see the module mapping
17 Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
This programme is studied over one year full-time.
The programme is divided into two stages. Stage 1, the taught stage, comprises modules to
a total of 120 credits and stage 2 comprises a 60 credit Dissertation module. The taught
stage of the programme is arranged in 2 x 12-week teaching periods and a final 6-week
examination period. Students must successfully complete each module in order to be
awarded the specified number of credits for that module. Each module is taught at the
Masters credit level (M). Modules have a credit value of 15 credits. One credit corresponds
to approximately ten hours of 'learning time' (including all classes and all private study and
research). Thus obtaining 180 credits in an academic year requires 1,800 hours of overall
learning time. For further information on modules and credits refer to the Credit Framework
at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/credit-framework/creditinfo.html The direct contact
teaching time is not less than 24 hours per module.
In the dissertation stage, students undertake a supervised project on an issue in
international business or economic development chosen by the student. Advice on choice of
dissertation topic and management is given during the taught stage of the programme in the
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Research Methods module and initial work on the dissertation also starts in this module. All
stages of the dissertation are supervised by a member of staff.
Candidates who obtain 60 credits at M level in the taught modules only are eligible for the
award of the PG Certificate. Candidates who obtain 120 credits in the taught modules at M
level only (Stage 1 of the MSc programme) are eligible for the award of the PG Diploma.
Candidates who obtain 180 credits (ie by successfully completing both the taught modules
and the dissertation (Stages 1 and 2) are eligible for the award of the Masters degree. It
should be noted that the aims, learning outcomes and skills acquired and developed in
PGDip and PGCert are similar but less extensive than those given here for the full MSc
degree programme.
The International Business and Economic Development programme involves eight taught
modules (seven of which are compulsory). Compulsory modules are core to the programme
and must be taken by all students studying the programme. There are compulsory modules
in Economic Principles, Quantitative Methods for Economists, Business in an International
Perspective, Managing the Multinational Enterprise, Strategy, Econometrics for Business
and Economic Development, and Research Methods. Research Methods takes place in
sessions running in both Terms 1 and 2. Optional modules provide a choice of furthering
knowledge in economic development or business areas. It is anticipated that students
wishing to follow a business oriented dissertation will primarily choose the optional module
Globalisation and Corporate Social Responsibility, and those following an economic
development route will choose the module Economic Development.
By the beginning of Term 2, students opt for a business or economic development
orientated dissertation and are supervised by a member of staff of the appropriate school –
KBS or School of Economics.
Where a student fails a module(s) due to illness or other mitigating circumstances, such
failure may be condoned, subject to the requirements of the Credit Framework and provided
that the student has achieved the programme learning outcomes. For further information
refer to the Credit Framework at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/creditframework/creditinfo.html.
Where a student fails a module(s), but has marks for such modules within 10 percentage
points of the pass mark, the Board of Examiners may nevertheless award the credits for the
module(s), subject to the requirements of the Credit Framework and provided that the
student has achieved the programme learning outcomes. For further information refer to the
Credit Framework.
This programme comprises subject- specific compulsory modules at Stage 1 Term 1 and
other subject-specific compulsory and elective modules at Stage 1 Term 2.
Code
Title
Level
Credits
Term(s)
M
M
M
15/ECTS7.5
15/ECTS7.5
15/ECTS7.5
1
1
1
M
M
M
M
15/ECTS7.5
15/ECTS7.5
15/ECTS7.5
15/ECTS7.5
1&2
2
2
2
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
EC833
Economic Principles
EC835
Quantitative Methods for Economists
CB936
Business in an International
Perspective
EC817/
Research Methods
CB859
Managing the Multinational Enterprise
CB934
Strategy
EC837
Econometrics for Business and
Economic Development
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Optional Modules Students must select one option from the following:
CB900
Corporate Responsibility and
M
15/ECTS7.5
Globalisation
EC836
Economic Development
M
15/ECTS7.5
Stage 2
2
2
Compulsory Modules
CB9083
Dissertation in International Business
M
60/ECTS30
3
Or
EC998
Dissertation in Economic Development
M
60/ECTS30
3
Alternative options not listed above may be substituted under exceptional
circumstances with the agreement of the Director of Studies and on a case by case
basis.
18 Work-Based Learning
Disability Statement: Where disabled students are due to undertake a work placement as part
of this programme of study, a representative of the University will meet with the work placement
provider in advance to ensure the provision of anticipatory and reasonable adjustments in line
with legal requirements.
Where relevant to the programme of study, provide details of any work-based learning element,
inclusive of employer details, delivery, assessment and support for students.
There is no work-based learning element which constitutes a formal part of this programme.
19 Support for Students and their Learning
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School and University induction programme
Programme/module handbooks
Individual academic support through module conveners and academic advisor
Student support https://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport/
Student Learning Advisory Service http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/about/slas.html
Counselling Service www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/
Kent Union www.kentunion.co.uk/
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/community/woolf.html
Graduate School (Provision of (i) skills training (workshops and online courses) (ii)
institutional level induction and (iii) student-led initiatives such as social events,
conferences and workshops) www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/index.html
Information Services (computing and library services) www.kent.ac.uk/is/
Postgraduate student representation at School, Faculty and Institutional levels
Centre for English and World Languages www.kent.ac.uk/cewl/index.html
Careers and Employability Services www.kent.ac.uk/ces/
International Development https://www.kent.ac.uk/international/
Medical Centre www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/menu/Medical-Centre.html
Library services http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/
Student support http://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport/
Student wellbeinghttp://www.kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeing/
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20 Entry Profile
The minimum age to study a degree programme at the university is normally at least 17 years
old by 20 September in the year the course begins. There is no upper age limit.
20.1 Entry Route
For fuller information, please refer to the University website and/or University prospectus
Minimum requirements
 An upper second class degree in Business, Marketing, Management, other Social
Sciences or Sciences from a United Kingdom university or an equivalent degree from a
non-UK university
 Good quantitative background
 This programme is not intended for students with single or joint economics degree
International applicants
In order to enter the programme you also need to demonstrate your proficiency in English and
we ask for one of the following:
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Applicants must normally achieve an overall IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5
in both Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
Applicants who do not meet the required IELTS score can apply to undertake a presessional programme (19, 12 or 6 week) in order to reach the required 7.0 IELTS score
or equivalent.
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Grade A in Cambridge Advanced Certificated in English.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) 68 (including 65 in all four subjects)
20.2 What does this programme have to offer?
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An excellent postgraduate education in the core principles of international business and
economic development
The development of a broad set of skills that are highly sought after by global employers
A structured approach to developing the knowledge and skills required to pursue
successfully a career in international business and/or economic development
The opportunity to learn from and develop networks with fellow students
The chance to develop an international perspective on business and economic
development issues through working with an international group of students
20.3 Personal Profile
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Good English communication skills
A willingness to develop knowledge and understanding across all aspects of international
business and economic development
Good quantitative skills and a willingness to develop them further
Good ICT skills and a willingness to develop them further
A commitment to independent as well as supported learning
An interest in the application of academic knowledge to business and economic
development issues in an international context
A drive to develop research and analytical skills that can be used in many different
occupations.
A desire to pursue a career in international business and economic development
21 Methods for Evaluating and Enhancing the Quality and Standards of Teaching and
Learning
21.1 Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the
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curriculum and outcome standards
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Quality Assurance Framework http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/index.html
Periodic Programme Review http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexf.html
External Examiners system http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexk.html
Annual programme and module monitoring reports
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexe.html
QAA Higher Education Review, see http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports/how-wereview-higher-education/higher-education-review
Student module evaluations
Annual staff appraisal
Peer observation
Reports to the School of Economics and KBS Graduate Studies Committees and School
meetings
Team teaching
21.2 Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
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Board of Examiners
School Graduate Studies Committee
Faculty Graduate Studies Committee
Faculty Board
Graduate School Board
Postgraduate Staff/Student Liaison Committee
21.3 Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their
learning experience
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Staff-Student Liaison Committee
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
Student module evaluations
Postgraduate Student Representation System (School, Faculty and Institutional level)
Feedback from individual students
21.4 Staff Development priorities include:
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Annual Appraisals
Institutional Level Staff Development Programme
Study Leave
Academic Practice Provision (PGCHE, ATAP and other development opportunities)
PGCHE requirements
Professional body membership and requirements
Programme team meetings
Research seminars
Conferences
22 Indicators of Quality and Standards
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Annual External Examiner reports
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
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Results of periodic programme review
Annual programme and module monitoring reports
Graduate Destinations Survey
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) results
QAA Institutional Audit 2015
22.1 The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
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QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education
QAA Benchmarking statement/s for (Masters awards in business and management (2007)
School of Economics, KBS and Faculty plans
University Plan/Learning and Teaching Strategy
Staff research activities
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Postgraduate programme specification