BSUB50
2011
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
BSc (Hons.) Retailing, Marketing and Management
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 expect to
achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are
provided.
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may
be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution
Teaching institution (if different)
Details of accreditation by
professional/statutory body
Name of final awards
Programme title
UCAS code
Subject Benchmark Statement
Date at which the programme
specification was written or revised
1.
Loughborough University
Not applicable
B.Sc. (Honours) and DPS
Retailing, Marketing and Management
NN25
General and Business Management
July 2009
Aims of the Programme
1.
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The programme aims to:
produce high quality graduates with the knowledge, skills and understanding for
an effective and valued career in retail management or other similar management
situations.
develop knowledge, concepts, numeracy, and skills in retail management and the
major academic disciplines of business and management and the ability to
integrate and apply them in business contexts to provide a sound basis for
practice, study and training retail management or a similar management
profession;
provide students with the opportunity to develop deep understanding in particular
areas of retail management by pursuing them over an extended period and to
substantial depth
provide a commercially relevant, practical and constantly updated programme
through close links with leading retail organisations, and through vocational
experience in an professional placement;
enable students to see ways in which theory can be applied in practice, both
through taught content and through individual experience on placement;
develop teaching and learning in response to advances in scholarship and the
needs of the retail business community;
enhance the employability of our graduates
attract well-qualified students from a variety of educational backgrounds;
encourage in our students hard work, enthusiasm and self-motivation, a positive
attitude to change, a desire for excellence, a visionary and positive approach to
future developments and openness to new ideas.
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The Business School at Loughborough University is distinctive amongst
'traditional' university business schools in incorporating a third year spent on
professional placement. This is an integral element of the programme and
something which we believe is of particular benefit in achieving these aims and
offers graduates of our degrees additional and valuable opportunities to develop
their knowledge, understanding and skills.
2.
Relevant Subject Benchmark Statements and other internal and external
reference points used to inform programme outcomes
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3.
The benchmark statement for General and Business Management
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
The University Teaching and Learning Strategy
Loughborough University Mission Statement
Business School Mission Statement and Statement of General Aims for
Undergraduate Programmes
The University Academic Quality Procedures
Intended Learning Outcomes
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, group tutorials
linked to lectures, seminars and workshops. Students are also assigned a
personal advisor who provides advice and guidance on academic progress and
study problems. Students are required to work both individually and within
groups for both study and assessment. Students are provided with a
departmental handbook which sets out general advice on study, key regulations
on assessment, programme regulations and module guides for all modules
available for study. On the first day of each module students are provided with a
module guide which sets out the main details of arrangements for teaching and
assessment and the detailed lecture schedule and associated reading.
Students progress from descriptive understanding to critical evaluation and
synthesis as the programme develops. Students are also expected to take
increasing responsibility for their learning as the course progresses. This is
reflected in the fact that students have considerable freedom of choice on
modules in the final year, providing the opportunity to pursue areas of interest in
depth. Constructive criticism is provided to students on coursework assignments
and feedback on exam performance is given on request to help students in their
academic progress through the course.
Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme students should be able to
demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas
1. the foundation disciplines of business and management including marketing,
economics, business mathematics and statistics sufficient to enable a clear
understanding of the central aspects of the main business and management
functions (B&M)
2. the economic, technological, financial, legal, cultural and political context within
which retail business operates (B&M)
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3.
4.
5.
6.
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10.
11.
12.
13.
integration of concepts from the various business disciplines to comprehend
retail business situations and develop appropriate analysis and solutions (B&M)
the processes of management and decision making;
concepts, analytical approaches, evaluative thinking and numeracy skills relevant
to solving problems in a retail context
the nature of retailing and other organisations and the behaviour of people within
them, both individually and working in groups (B&M)
the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services
including customer expectations, market orientation and the marketing mix
(B&M);
the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications
(B&M);
the management and development of people within organisations (B&M);
the management of operations in the retailing industries (B&M);
the development, management and exploitation of information systems and their
impact upon retailing organisations (B&M);
the key communication and information technologies used in business and
management (B&M);
the development of appropriate policies and retailing strategies at the corporate
level within a changing national and international environment (B&M);
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
The foundations for 1, and 4 to 12 are laid in core modules in stages A and B
through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, guided reading
and private study. Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 10 and 13 are particularly developed in the
context of this degree programme through core modules Retailing Environment 1
and Retailing Environment 2 in Part A, Merchandising and Retail Operations
modules in Part B, and International Retailing and Retailing Strategy modules in
Part C,
Students can chose to develop 4 to 13 further through their choice of options,
particularly in the final year. These are developed through a combination of
lectures, seminars, guided reading, group work and private study.
Assessment takes a wide variety of forms. Typical coursework assignments
include essays, reports (group and individual), group presentations, in class tests
and practical tests. Examinations are of varying lengths and formats. Many
modules have both coursework and exam components and some are assessed
by either 100% exam or 100% coursework.
Skills and other attributes
a) Subject specific cognitive skills
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to
1. Use critical thinking, analysis and synthesis to evaluate and apply concepts and
insights from business disciplines, including comprehension of complex scenarios
(B&M);
2. Formulate and solve both structured and unstructured business problems;
3. Advise on business decisions using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills,
including the ability to identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions (B&M);
4. Relate theory to practice in business and management(B&M).
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Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
All three outcomes are developed and assessed though all three stages of the
degree through core and optional modules. In Part A, this development would
normally be expected to relate to the analysis and solution of straightforward
situations with a limited number of possible alternatives but including a basic level
of discernment as to appropriate data collection and interpretation. Increasing
weight is attached to outcome 1 to 3 at stages B and C, particularly stage C. The
development and assessment of outcome 4 is central to the placement year and
its assessment through the Diploma in Professional Studies, which also lays a
foundation for further development of outcome 4 at stage C.
b) Subject specific practical skills
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to
1. Communicate effectively in a business context, using a range of styles and media
appropriate for management (B&M);
2. make effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in a
business context including word processing, storage and manipulation of data,
generation of presentations, use of the internet and e-mail using appropriate
software (B&M)
3. conduct research using a range of sources of business-related materials
including books, journals, trade and financial press, official statistics and the
internet (B&M)
4. use effective team-working skills, including leadership, team-building and project
management (B&M)
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Effective communication, ICT, research and team-working skills are developed
throughout the teaching and learning programme outlined above and the
Programme Structure shown below. The foundations of effective communication
and team-working skills are laid specifically in plenary sessions and workshops in
stage A (BSA006) as are ICT skills (BSA100). The relevant skills are also
assessed in these modules. These skills are further tested and developed in a
range of core and optional modules throughout the course. Research skills are
developed and tested in a range of core and optional modules in all three stages
of the degree and also during the placement year and the dissertation
requirements of the Diploma in Professional Studies. Effective communication
skills are important aspects of assessment in almost all elements of the
programme, whether by coursework or examination. Group coursework and oral
presentations are an integral part of the assessment in parts A and B of the
degree programme.
c) Key/transferable skills
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to
1. Organise themselves personally and independently to be a valued contributor
through time management, self-direction, self-motivation, tenacity and
proactiveness (B&M);
2. Analyse and assess their own personality, needs and abilities and be proactive in
managing their personal development (B&M);
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3. Deploy appropriate interpersonal skills to achieve the best from others, including
effective communication, listening, influencing and conflict resolution (B&M);
4. Display a positive attitude to change, with a desire for excellence and a visionary
and positive approach to future developments;
5. Accept and analyse new ideas and assess alternatives when presented with a
range of possible interpretations and/or solutions;
6. Learn and work independently (B&M);
7. Interpret numerical information, reason numerically and apply appropriate
mathematical and statistical techniques (B&M);
8. Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing (B&M);
9. Use information and communication technologies effectively and efficiently (ICT);
10. Work well in a team, using appropriate skills, including leadership, team-building
and project management (B&M).
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The foundations of effective personal organisation are laid down and assessed in
stage A (BSA006) and developed through core and optional modules in all three
stages of the degree. The foundation of outcome 2 is laid down in stage A
(BSA006) and specifically developed and assessed through the placement year
and the Diploma in Professional Studies. Outcome 3 will be developed and
assessed in a range of core and optional modules in all three stages, although
influencing and conflict resolution skills are not formally assessed. Outcome 4 is
most specifically developed and assessed through the placement year and the
DPS, but will be developed through all stages of the degree. Outcome 5 will be
developed and assessed through core and optional modules at all stages of the
degree, including the placement year, with particular emphasis at stage C. Whilst
outcome 6 is not formally assessed, it is a necessity in all individually produced
assessments. Outcome 7 is directly developed and assessed in a number of core
modules, particularly those related to quantitative analysis and finance and
accounting. It is also developed and assessed in a variety of other core and
optional modules.
As part of the requirements for the Diploma in Professional Studies, students
undergo formal appraisal with their placement supervisor which includes a
thorough assessment of their transferable skills. A record of the supervisor’s
assessments and the action plan arising from the discussion forming a
mandatory part of the portfolio required for the award of the Diploma. Students
are also normally required to reflect on their key skills development as part of
their dissertation.
Outcomes 1 and 7 are in part inherent in the challenges which must be met to
successfully complete a four-year sandwich degree and inevitably all aspects of
this development cannot be formally assessed directly.
Comments on the teaching, learning and assessment of skills 8-10 are as
described under subject-specific practical skills.
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4.
Programme Structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and
awards
The programme is a four-year, full-time course of study, with the third year spent
on a professional placement. The programme is divided in to units of study called
modules, which may be rated as 10 (single) or 20 credits (double). Each Part of
the programme comprises 120 credits taken over one year of study, 60 credits in
Semester 1 and 60 credits in Semester 2. Each semester lasts 15 weeks, with 11
weeks of teaching followed by revision time and examinations.
In Part A (Year 1), students take 120 credits of core modules, of which 20 are
specifically retailing-related to retailing and its environment. The remainder
provide the foundational subjects of economics, marketing, business
mathematics and statistics, organisational behaviour and information technology,
and financial framework. Part A also provides the specific opportunity for students
to understand and develop key transferable skills. The remaining credits provides
the opportunity to students to choose optional 10 credit modules in other
business-related areas or to develop foreign language skills.
Part B (Year 2) further develops students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in
specialist and other core areas and provides the opportunity to choose optional
10 credit modules in other business-related areas or to develop further foreign
language skills.
Students spend their third year on a professional placement. This is an integral
part of the degree programme and on successful completion of the placement
and the programme, students will be awarded the Diploma in Professional
Studies in addition to their degree.
Part C (Year 4) comprises core retailing related modules optional subjects, which
can be chosen from a wide range of management and other business areas.
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/index.htm
5.
Criteria for admission to the programme
Typical admission requirements for this programme can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/ug/courses/dept/bs/index.htm
6.
Information about the programme assessment strategy:
Full information about our assessment strategy can be found in section 6 of our
comprehensive statement to supplement this programme specification which is
available on our web site at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/ug/progspec-6to9.html
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7.
What makes the Programme Distinctive
The Business School was awarded an ‘Excellent’ grade in its school wide Teaching
Quality Assessment. It has also been very highly rated for research in the recent
RAE, indicating international excellence in research.
The Business School values its undergraduate programmes very highly and
excellence in teaching and related support activities amongst its staff is actively
encouraged, highly rated and fully rewarded.
All Business School Undergraduate Programmes have very high graduate
employment levels.
8.
Particular support for learning
Information about the support offered by the Business School for this programme
and the general support offered by the University for all programmes can be
found in section 8 of our comprehensive statement to supplement this
programme specification which is available on our web site at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/ug/progspec-6to9.html
9.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning
The official University statement about improving quality for all programmes can
be found in section 9 of our comprehensive statement to supplement this
programme specification which is available on our web site at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/ug/progspec-6to9.html
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