PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
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AWARD and ROUTE TITLE
INTERMEDIATE AWARD TITLES
MSc International Business Management
PgC International Business Management
PgD International Business Management
Name of the Teaching Institution
Sheffield Hallam University
Mode(s) of Attendance
(eg. FT/PT/SW/DL)
UCAS CODE
FT/PT
N120
Professional/Statutory/Regulatory
Body Recognising this
Programme
QAA Subject Benchmark
Statement or other relevant
external reference point
Business and Management
Date of Validation
January 2010
1
PROGRAMME AIMS
The aim of the programme is to allow students with first degrees in business or
significant business experience to further develop knowledge, skills and
competencies relevant and transferable to companies that have international aspects
to their operations so that they are equipped to develop their careers in a variety of
organisations.
In particular to:
1. Build upon the knowledge and intellectual abilities developed at first degree level
through an academically rigorous course of study, informed by the latest
developments in the field of international business and management.
2. Facilitate the development of skills, competencies and personal attributes
relevant to the international business manager.
3. Provide the opportunity for a degree of specialism in a chosen area of business.
4. Strengthen independent learning, foster personal responsibility and initiative and
develop team working and cooperative skills within a cross-cultural medium.
5. Develop information collection, interpretation and evaluation skills.
6. Refine skills in problem solving, communication and the application of information
technology.
7. Develop the student’s critical abilities both to evaluate and synthesise current
research and to undertake original research based on alternative methodologies.
2
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
2.1
Knowledge and understanding covered within the Programme. By the
end of the programme you will be able to
1. Evaluate the usefulness of appropriate theories and current research,
some of which will be at the leading edge of the disciplines relating to
international business and management.
2. Ascertain the complex and dynamic nature of the global business
environment.
3. Select and apply this knowledge and understanding to strategic problems
facing international business management.
4. Apply a range of management skills to the problems of managing
organisations in a cross- cultural context.
5. Analyse the significance, complexities, and opportunities of managing
global alliances.
6. Identify the influences on, and changing forms of supply chains in different
contexts.
7. Explain alternative methodological approaches and methodological issues
relevant to research and consultancy in the areas of international
business management
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of ethical issues and
their impact on international business and management.
9. Deliver an in-depth, systematic and analytical issue or problem based
investigation within the area of International Business.
2.2
Intellectual/Subject/Professional/Key
skills
covered
within
Programme: by the end of the programme you will be able to
the
1. Synthesise, analyse and evaluate the contributions of leading contributors
to the literature on international business and management.
2. Critically evaluate the major competitive strategies adopted by global
firms.
3. Develop a degree of specialism in a chosen area of international business
and management.
4. Make and justify independent judgements concerning complex, and
possibly conflicting, issues and policy problems in the areas of
international business and management.
5. Recognise and demonstrate that knowledge in the relevant subject area is
dynamic, multifaceted and open to challenge.
6. Apply relevant techniques, models and frameworks drawn from the area
of international business and management.
7. Formulate, develop and critically evaluate competitive strategies for doing
business in the Global Economy.
8. Use effective communication techniques (including ICT) to enhance the
understanding of issues, problems and policies in global business
9. Manage the development and effective operation of teams to help in
information acquisition and policy formulation and implementation.
10. Conduct empirical research and consultancy using the appropriate
methods.
11. Present data in a clear and logical form using appropriate techniques
12. Use various theoretical frameworks and analytical models in research.
13. Design and carry out rigorous research related to issues facing global
business.
14. Reflect on achievements and identify opportunities for self-improvement
and continuing professional development.
3
LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
3.1
The approach to Learning and Teaching within the Programme
A variety of learning and teaching methods will be used to facilitate the development
of knowledge, understanding, and skills. The approaches taken vary between
modules as appropriate for the subject material and the required learning outcomes.
They include formal lectures, seminars, problem solving exercises, case studies,
individual and group presentations, and directed learning activities. The directed
learning activities are designed to extend and consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the specialised areas of study in global business.
There will be a core of lectures supported by specially prepared learning materials,
which will provide students with a framework of knowledge on which to build and also
a stimulus for independent study. Students will be encouraged throughout to apply
their knowledge to specific contemporary globalisation issues and vice versa. They
will also be required to locate relevant materials from various sources, including
electronic sources. The aim of the seminars will be to provide students with
opportunities to examine and debate issues pertaining to global business and to
probe more deeply into subjects addressed in the lectures.
The interaction with other learners in seminar group-work will enhance the
opportunity for reflective learning and the development of cultural intelligence and
management skills.
Detailed guided readings and self-study electronic resources will be provided to
consolidate and reinforce the learning process.
A variety of activities will be used throughout the course to further the development of
key skills throughout the course. This includes seminar participation and the
interaction with dissertation and consultancy project supervisors. Directed learning
activities will be used to focus on the relevance of literature and research findings in
the area of international business and management. Students will be required to
develop and communicate independent judgements and be able to identify
alternative solutions and evaluate their implementation.
International students will be assisted in adapting to new forms of assessment via the
induction programme and the SBS Graduate Skills Programme.
3.2
The approach to Assessment and Feedback within the Programme
Knowledge and understanding are assessed by a mixture of formative (enabling a
measure of the student's progress and process of learning) and summative (enabling
a measure of the student's achievement in objective terms at the end of each
module) methods. Student performance will also be used to indicate the extent to
which the LTA strategy is operating successfully. The precise assessment methods
used will vary between modules in line with the differences content and
requirements. These methods will include group and individual coursework and an
individual 15,000 word dissertation. Where appropriate some assignments will be of
a time constrained nature.
Cognitive skills are assessed through the use of coursework and the final
dissertation. The dissertation aims to develop the student’s capacity for the critical
examination and evaluation of literature and research studies and to design and
deliver an independent and original investigation.
Professional and practical skills and subject specific skills are assessed in all
modules and the precise nature of such knowledge and the methods of assessment
are made explicit in the learning outcomes and assessment criteria listed in the
module specifications and student handbooks. These skills are assessed through a
variety of assessment methods involving coursework and in the dissertation.
Each module has its own explicit assessment strategy and criteria and these are
clearly communicated to students at the commencement of each module, and fully
explained in the individual module guides. The balance of the overall assessment
load, and its effectiveness, will be monitored on a regular basis by the course team,
in addition to the normal checks through examination boards and external examiner
feedback.
All students will receive feedback on their assessment and this will normally be within
three weeks of the submission of the assignment. The feedback will indicate the
extent to which the students have satisfied the assessment criteria and achieved the
relevant learning outcomes.
4
PROGRAMME DESIGN AND STRUCTURE
Mandatory Modules
Global Business Environment
Global Business Strategy
International Management Competencies
Global Supply Chain Management
Managing Global Alliances
International Consultancy Project
Research Methods and Dissertation
Elective Modules (two from)
Relationship Marketing
Export Management
Information Strategy for a Global Economy
Entrepreneurial Marketing and Innovation
Perspective on International Human Resource Management
International Business Finance
5
PROGRESSION/CAREER ROUTES
There is a need that has been identified for highly qualified managers with a global
perspective. It is expected that graduates from this programme will obtain career
opportunities in major sectors of public and private industry on fast track
management development programmes for companies operating in the global
economy. This will include large, medium and small companies.
The MSc International Business Management offers graduates of business related
degrees the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the context of the
management of international business. This enables graduates to offer such
organisations the background required for successful international managers.
There are also opportunities for graduates to remain within the education sector
either in terms of the teaching profession and academic management within the
subject area and also in terms of progression onto higher degree programmes such
as DBA and PhD study. The MSc is a recognised qualification that provides a wide
range of possible career development and opportunities for continuing professional
development and lifelong learning.
Some graduates will wish to develop and manage their own businesses and it is
recognised that the MSc will equip them with the range of skills and knowledge to
enable this type of career pathway. It is anticipated that graduates will build upon
their existing knowledge and reflect upon their practice and that they will proactively
identify and develop their own career goals, through which the course will facilitate
their achievement.
6
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND ENTRY PROFILE
6.1
Specific Entry Requirements for entry to the initial stage of this programme are
 Academic Qualifications
(including A / AS level grades
and subjects, where
applicable)
1
A strong Bachelor's degree1 from a
nationally recognised institution in
the country concerned or an
equivalent professional
This means the equivalent of a minimum of a UK lower second degree. The equivalent varies from country to country and
here we rely on our officers and agents and our own experience when making decisions.
 Level of English language
capability
qualification. This must be a
business related degree.
TOEFL score of at least 570 or an
IELTS score of at least 62.
or:
 Any other specific, formally
certified qualifications
 Previous relevant work or
work-related experience
 Any specific articulation
arrangements recognised for
this programme
 Professional qualifications
 Any other specific entry
requirements
Evidence of having passed a
bachelor's degree taught and
assessed in English together with
strong English mark in their final
year at school3.
None
None
None
None
None
Note
Students narrowly failing to satisfy the above criteria may be considered for the
Graduate Diploma in Business and English. Students passing the Graduate Diploma
will be automatically offered a place on one of the Masters Degree courses offered
by Sheffield Business School.
6.2
APPLICANT ENTRY PROFILE: the knowledge, skills and qualities etc. required
to enable you to benefit from, and succeed on the programme of study are
Students wishing to enter the MSc International Business Management will have
demonstrated their academic ability and their command of English before entry on to
the course. They will also have brought knowledge and skills from their
undergraduate study of business and management and will be aiming to build on this
during their postgraduate course.
They will be looking to the MSc International Business Management to help them to
develop their managerial skills and equip them for future careers in international
business.
Some students will wish to redirect their education towards international business
immediately after their first degrees. In other cases students will be seeking to
change the direction of their careers after a period of work experience and so will be
looking to develop their management skills. Other students may have already begun
a career in business but wish to strengthen their performance and future potential by
a formal study of global business.
2
3
This also includes a minimum of 5.5 in any individual component.
This means 70% in year 12 in India.
6.3
The University will select non-standard entrants to the programme in the
following ways
In cases where the applicant either does not hold a suitable qualification or where the
Programme team are unsure of the applicant's abilities or motivation, then the
applicant may be asked to respond in writing to an appropriately designed piece of
work. The task is intended to assess the candidate's ability in respect of:





interpreting a set task correctly
responding to a brief in an appropriate manner
demonstrating an appropriate level of knowledge
critically analysing a problem or situation
finding an appropriate solution or solutions to a problem
structuring an argument
The task should require no more than 2,000 words of text. The submission of the
written work will be followed by an interview to discuss its content. A successful
submission will not lead to the award of credit but will provide access to the
Programme.
6.4
Use of Prior Credit (APCL/APEL): prior certificated credit or prior experiential
credit may be used within the Programme in the following ways
Standard University and Faculty criteria and processes for both APCL and APEL will
apply.