UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
BA (Hons) Business & Management
BA (Hons) Business & Management with a Year in Industry
1. Awarding Institution/Body
2. Teaching Institution
3. School responsible for management
of the programme
4. Teaching Site
5. Mode of delivery
6. Programme accredited by:
7. Final Award
8. Programme
9. UCAS code (or other code)
10. Credits/ECTs Value
11. Study Level
12. Relevant QAA subject
benchmarking group
13. Date of production/revision
14. Intended Start Date of Delivery of
this Programme
University of Kent
University of Kent
Kent Business School
Medway
Full-time and part-time
n/a
BA (Hons), Diploma, Certificate
Business & Management/Business &
Management with a Year in Industry (N104:K)
N104:K
360 credits, 180 ECTs or 480 credits (240 ECTs)
with a Year in Industry
Undergraduate
General Business and Management
October 2011/Revision January, 2013
September 2013
15. Educational Aims of the Programme
Programme aims have references to the subject benchmark statement for General Business
and Management degrees (SB).
The programmes aim to:
1. In the single honours programmes, develop understanding of a broad range of management
functions and their integration, and the critical examination of management practice.
(SB2.1a)
In joint honours programmes, develop understanding of a range of management functions
and their integration, and the critical examination of management practice. (SB2.1a)
2. Provide an academic preparation for a career in business and management. (SB2.1b)
3. Bring critical insights from the social sciences to bear on management issues. (SB3.4-3.6)
4. Provide a sound academic base from which students may continue to benefit from formal
and informal management education and experiential learning. (SB2.1c)
5. Develop key transferable skills with applications in management. (SB2.3, SB2.4)
6. Provide a curriculum which maximises local progression opportunities into higher education
and enhances student employability.
7. Develop and maintain contacts with local employers via the work-placement and other
programmes.
8. Provide teaching and learning opportunities which are responsive to, and supportive of, the
needs of our individual students.
9. Develop an understanding of key concepts, skills and techniques within the field of business
studies and appreciate how these are applied in the world of work.
10. Encourage the development and attainment of our students by providing a highly supportive
environment.
11. Maintain high standards of academic rigour, currency and innovation.
12. Develop key transferable skills in the areas of numeracy, communication, financial and
computer literacy.
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13. Widen participation in HE among mature students, ethnic minorities and those without
standard entry qualifications.
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 General Business and
Management (SB).
Teaching/learning and assessment methods
and strategies used to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Knowledge and Understanding
A. Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning: Lectures; tutor-led
1. Organisations, their environments
and their management, including
seminars; student-led seminars; self-directed
the management of people,
learning and research; computer-based
operations, finance, marketing and
learning and research; computing workshops;
organisational strategy (SB2.1,
case studies; small-group scenario-based
SB3.4-3.7)
exercises and informal presentations;
2. Social science concepts and
individual computational exercises; peer
theories and the ability to apply
assessment; individual project work;
them to business and management
extended work experience.
contexts (SB2.1, SB3.4-3.7)
Assessment: Written examinations;
3. Contemporary and pervasive
issues, deepening and/or
coursework essays, reports and
integrating core knowledge (SB3.7)
computational exercises; time-constrained in4. European and international
course assessments; individual and group
developments relevant to
assessed presentations; projects; peer
management (SB3.10)
assessment; self, employer and academic
5. 'Management' - the processes,
supervisor assessment of industrial work
procedures and practices for
placements.
effective management of
organisations, including theories,
models, frameworks, tasks and
roles of management together with
rational analysis and processes of
decision making within
organisations and in relation to the
external environment (SB 3.6)
6. Within the framework of the areas
of 'Organisations', 'External
Environment', and 'Management',
graduates will be able demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of:
Markets, Customers, Finance
People, Operations, Information
systems, Communication and IT,
Business policy and strategy,
Contemporary & pervasive Issues
(SB 3.7)
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B. Intellectual skills:
Ability to:
1. Critically evaluate arguments and
evidence (SB3.9)
2. Analyse and draw reasoned
conclusions concerning structured
and, to a more limited extent,
unstructured problems (SB3.9)
3. Apply core numeracy and IT skills to
problems (SB3.9)
4. Apply some of the intellectual skills
specified for the required core beyond
the standard attainable from the
required core alone.
C. Subject-specific skills
Ability to:
1. Identify, formulate and solve business /
decision making problems using
appropriate qualitative and quantitative
tools. (SB3.9)
2. Create, evaluate and assess options, in
a range of business situations, applying
concepts and knowledge appropriately.
(SB3.9)
3. Communicate effectively, orally and in
writing, about business issues. (SB3.9)
4. Apply core numeracy and ICT skills to
business problems (SB3.9)
5. Conduct research into business /
management issues for project work,
using a variety of sources and
appropriate methodologies that inform
the learning process (SB3.9)
Teaching/learning and assessment: As for
Section A above.
Teaching/learning and assessment: As for
Section A above.
D. Transferable skills:
Ability to:
1. Identify and make effective use of
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information from various sources to
assess ideas. (SB3.9)
2. Be an effective self manager of time,
so as to plan and deliver required
outputs effectively. (SB3.9)
3. Communicate effectively orally and in
writing, using media appropriate to the
purpose (SB3.9)
4. Work in groups effectively and apply
other inter-personal skills (SB3.9)
5. Apply numeracy and IT skills
appropriately. (SB3.9)
6. Apply some of the transferable skills
specified for the required core beyond
the standard attainable from the required
core alone.
Teaching/learning: The teaching/learning of
relevant transferable skills is incorporated within
module strategies. In addition first-year students
receive a compulsory, 12-week, non-creditbearing programme in Study Skills covering
topics such as essay and report writing;
presentation of data; referencing of written work;
presentation skills, and revision/examination
strategies. In addition, the Integrated Business
Projects running in weeks 7 and 19 will provide
students with an opportunity for their
development.
Assessment: Where appropriate, assessment
criteria for coursework will generally include an
element which specifically assesses relevant
transferable skills independently of the academic
content of the assessment. For example the
presentation of a written report; effective analysis
and interpretation of data collected; accuracy of
calculations; use of on-line research resources,
and so forth. The Integrated Business Projects
will provide an opportunity for self, peer, tutor and
client/employer assessment of these skills.
For detailed information on which modules aim to provide and/or assess which of the skills in
Sections A-C above, see the module mapping at the end of this document.
17. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The full-time programme requires students to complete modules totalling 120 credits in each year
of study, that is 360 credits. This excludes the Year in Industry, which has an additional 120
credits (90 of which are on a pass/fail basis). Part-time students are required to complete 360
credits over their six years of study.
The programme is studied over three years full time or up to six years part-time. The University’s
credit framework assigns each module to one of three ascending levels, Certificate (C),
Intermediate (I) and Honours (H). To be eligible for the award of an Honours degree students
have to obtain 360 credits, at least 210 of which must be at Level I or above and at least 90 of
which must be at Level H. For further information on modules and credits refer to the Credit
Framework at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/credit-framework/creditinfo.html Each module is
designed to be at a specific level. For the descriptors of each of these levels, refer to Annex 2 of
the Credit Framework at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/creditframework/creditinfoannex2.html.
Students successfully completing Stage 1 of the programme and meeting credit framework
requirements who do not successfully complete Stage 2 will be eligible for the award of the
Certificate in Business & Management. Students successfully completing Stage 1 and Stage 2 of
the programme and meeting credit framework requirements who do not successfully complete
Stage 3 will be eligible for the award of the Diploma in Business & Management. Failure of Stage
S would result in students reverting to the programme without a Year in Industry provided 360
credits are achieved.
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
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student has achieved the programme learning outcomes. For further information refer to the
Credit Framework at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/credit-framework/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.
CB311, Business Skills & Employability cannot be compensated, condoned or trailed
In line with the programme objectives, the range of compulsory and optional modules offered from
Stage 2 onwards allows a degree of specialisation in the later stages of the programme to
students whose career choices are already provisionally made, without sacrificing the breadth of
business understanding required by successful managers. For those as yet uncertain of their
future career path, the programme provides options that may help to identify a preferred
vocational direction.
As from September 2010, Stage 2 will contribute towards 40% of the degree classification and
Stage 3 will contribute 60%. Where a year in industry is being taken, the equivalent weightings
are Stage 2 – 35%; Stage S – 10%; Stage 3 – 55%.
BA (Hons) Business & Management/Business & Management with a Year in Industry
Code
Title
STAGE 1, Year 1
Compulsory Modules
CB311
Business Skills and Employability**
CB330
Financial Accounting 1 (Medway)
CB362
Data Management for Business
CB365
Economics for Business 1
CB331
Management Accounting 1
(Medway)
CB366
Management Principles
CB714
Marketing Principles
Level
Credits
Term/s
C
C
C
C
C
15
15
30
15
15
1
1
1&2
1
2
C
I
15
15
2
2
C
I
15
15
1
2
I
15
2
I
15
1
STAGE 2, Year 2
Compulsory Modules
CB343
Global Business Environment
CB676
Strategy Analysis and Tools
(note 1)
CB681
Managing Human Resources in
Contemporary Organisations
(note 2)
CB682
Managing People
60 credits (30 in Autumn term and 30 in Spring term) chosen from the options list:
CB514
CB561
CB612
CB613
CB683
SO686
Operations Management
Business Law
New Enterprise Start-up
Enterprise
Marketing Strategy
Social Justice Practice
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I
H
I
H
H
H
5
15
30
15
15
15
30
1
1&2
1
2
1
1&2
STAGE S (Sandwich year in Industry), Year 3
Compulsory Modules
CB699 Work Placement Experience
H
CB698 Work Placement Report
H
90 pass/fail
30
44 weeks
30
15
15
1&2
2
1
STAGE 3, Year 4
Compulsory Modules
CB542 Business Project
CB520 Service Management
CB679 Corporate and Business Strategy
H
H
H
60 credits (30 in Autumn term and 30 in Spring term) chosen from the options list:
CB561
CB605
CB514
CB612
CB613
CB684
S0686
Business Law *
European Business
Operations Management *
New Enterprise Start-up *
Enterprise *
Strategic Human Resource
Management
Social Justice Practice *
H
H
I
I
H
H
30
30
15
15
15
15
1&2
1&2
1
1
2
1
H
30
1&2
* Stage III elective modules marked with an asterisk can be taken if not already taken at Stage II
**These modules cannot be compensated, condoned or trailed.
Note 1 Pre-requisite for CB679
Note 2 Pre-requisite for CB684
The three-year full-time route is available only to students exempted from the Year in Industry or
those who fail to complete their Year in Industry but choose to return to qualify for the alternative
award. These students must successfully complete Stages 1, 2 & 3 of the Year in Industry
programme.
18. Work-Based Learning
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.
All undergraduates have the option of taking a year in industry on a professional work
placement, providing business and managerial experience.
Students are offered the
opportunity to enrich learning and develop their skills in a 12 month placement, usually 44
weeks in duration, which is integral to the chosen degree programme between the 2nd and 3rd
year of study. The student is encouraged to submit feedback to the School during the
placement and the placement student will be visited on site by an academic member of staff.
Students are required to obtain their own work placement but workshops and networking
events are provided to equip students with the skills to find a successful placement. All
placement reports are marked within the School.
All students will be required to complete a placement report and submit a portfolio of evidence
which will be marked by staff within KBS.
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19. Support for Students and Their Learning
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School and University induction programme
Programme/module handbooks
Library services, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/
Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS), see www.kent.ac.uk/ddss/
Centre for English and World Languages, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/cewl/index.html
Student Learning Advisory Service, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/about/slas.html
PASS system, see http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/documents/qualityassurance/codes/taught/pdf/AnnexG.pdf
Academic Advisor system
Kent Union, see www.kentunion.co.uk/
Careers and Employability Services, see www.kent.ac.uk/ces/
Counselling Service www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/
Information Services (computing and library services), see www.kent.ac.uk/is/
Undergraduate student representation at School, Faculty and Institutional levels
International Office, see www.kent.ac.uk/international/
Medical Centre, see www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/menu/Medical-Centre.html
20. Entry Profile
For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus.
20.1 Entry Route
For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus.
Stage 1
For standard entry to Stage I of the programme, 300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent - IB
34 points (16 at higher) is the minimum requirement. GCSE English grade C (or equivalent),
GCSE Mathematics grade C (or equivalent).
Mature students (21 or over at the date of entry) will normally be admitted on successful
completion of an Access course in any subject. Other mature students, and in particular those
with substantial relevant work experience, may be admitted with minimal or no formal
qualifications, subject to satisfying the Admissions Tutor that they can cope with the demands
of degree-level study. All entrants must, however, be able to demonstrate competence in
Mathematics and English Language to at least GCSE grade C or IELTS at 6.5 for students for
whom English is not the first language.
Stage 2
Direct entry to Stage 2 is at the discretion of the Director of Studies, but will always require
evidence of either:
(a) A minimum of 120 C-level credits gained on a predominantly Business degree
programme at Kent or another institution; or
(b) The award of HNC or non-credit bearing HND
Where the qualifying programme is generally acceptable but does not fully cover all the
required subject areas the Director of Studies may admit the applicant directly to Stage 2 of the
programme but may at the same time require the successful completion of specified Stage 1
modules before admission to the final year.
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In cases of partial completion of a Stage 1 programme (i.e. the applicant has gained fewer than
120 credits) the applicant will be registered for Stage 1 of the programme but AP(E)CL
exemption from specified modules may be allowed.
International Students
In order to enter directly onto a degree course, students also need to prove their proficiency in
English and we ask for one of the following:
 average 6.5 in IELTS test, minimum 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and
speaking
 a TOEFL score of at least 87, including 22 reading and writing, 21 listening and 23
speaking (Internet-based test)
 grade C in Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, including weak in all four
subtests
 grade B in Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English, including weak in all four
subtests
20.2 What does this programme have to offer?
 An excellent grounding in both the academic and the practical aspects of a wide range
of core business disciplines, together with opportunities to specialise.
 Flexibility to transfer from full-time to part-time study or vice versa, as personal and/or
employment circumstances may dictate.
 An exceptionally high level of personal support and guidance.
 A local opportunity for HE study, addressing both personal development aims and
consequent career progression, for students in ‘widening participation’ categories for
whom such study might otherwise be impossible.
 A 44-week industrial placement (full-time students), which can significantly enhance
academic performance, future employment prospects and earning potential.
 The opportunity (part-time students) immediately to apply their learning in the
workplace and reflect on the results in an objective and non-judgmental way.
20.3 Personal profile
The programme is for students who:
 Have a genuine interest in the business world and the management of organisations,
possibly gained as a result of experience in full- or part-time employment;
 Enjoy working with others and are keen to develop their skills in team-working and
team leadership;
 Are prepared to tackle problems across a range of functional specialisms and also at
whole-organisation level;
 Have clear personal goals and are prepared to work hard to achieve them.
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
curriculum and outcome standards
 Active staff development programme
 Annual reports on modules and programmes (including reviews of progression and
achievement) http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexe.html
 Annual staff appraisal
 Continuous monitoring of student progress and attendance
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External examiners' reports http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexk.html
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Quality Assurance Framework http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/index.html
Peer observation of teaching
Periodic programme review http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/taught/annexf.html –
last review April 2011
Personal Academic Support System
QAA Institutional Review http://www.qaa.ac.uk/InstitutionReports/types-ofreview/IRENI/Pages/default.aspx
Student evaluations of modules and programmes
Vetting of examination questions and marking schemes by module teams, Board of
Studies, Chief Examiners and external examiners
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21.2 Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
 Board of Examiners
 Board of Studies
 School Director of Learning and Teaching
 School Learning and Teaching Committee
 External Examiners (who make regular reports)
 External Examiners attending Boards of Examiners
 Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee
 Module Team Meetings
 University Learning and Teaching Board
 Faculty Board
21.3 Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their
learning experience
 Discussions with Senior Tutor
 Discussions with Academic Advisors
 Exit questionnaires
 Informal meetings and social contact with students
 Staff have office hours when students can discuss their modules/programmes
 Student module evaluations
 Student representation on Board of Studies
 Student representation on School Committees
 Student representation on Faculty Committees
 Student representation on University Committees
 NSS
21. 4 Staff development priorities include:
 All probationary staff unless already holding QT status are required to undertake the
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education programme on joining the School
 Conference attendance (with or without School funding)
 School research seminars
 Dissemination of good practice on new learning and teaching methods
 Health and Safety
 Meetings of module teaching teams
 Participation in new learning and teaching innovation projects
 Part-time staff are encouraged to enrol on the Associated Teacher Accreditation
Programme
 Programme of School and programme team learning and teaching seminars
 Programme team meetings
 Provision of support for development of innovative teaching and learning
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Regular formal and informal collaboration in programme development
Research seminars
Staff appraisal scheme
Study leave
22. Indicators of quality and standards
 Destination surveys indicate the acceptability of the qualification to employers, in that a
number of students report increased responsibility and significantly enhanced earnings
within 12 months of graduation.
 Graduates successfully pursuing Masters’ programmes at other institutions.
 Results of periodic programme review (April 2011)
 QAA Institutional Audit 2008
 Annual External Examiner reports
 Annual programme and module monitoring reports
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 Business & Management
School and Faculty plan
University Plan/Learning and Teaching Strategy
Staff research activities
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CB330
CB331
CB714
CB365
CB343
CB676
CB681
CB682
CB542
CB678
CB679
CB520
CB605
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CB698
CB362
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CB699
CB366t
A1
CB684
CB311
Programme Learning Outcomes:
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Last updated December 2012
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