The MBA (International Business) at UEL builds on our long-standing experience of offering a wide range of postgraduate programmes both in the UK and overseas. The programme is offered as a career development generalist programme within a given sector for those who have a first degree (or equivalent) and relevant work experience on which the learning process should build. The programme can be considered as a management conversion programme at Masters level. The MBA is based on the recognition that international and global business skills and understanding are required if firms and those working within them are to compete effectively and thus maximise the potential or their resources.To build on this recognition the programme offers an optional extra semesters study in Washington DC, USA at the Kogood School of Business which includes a business related internship, for UEL on-campus students. The main emphasis is on leadership through strategic management where students are expected to ground their new knowledge within the base of their previous professional experience. Students are expected to reflect on and learn from prior experience and combine this with new knowledge to apply to new situations. The main aims of the programme then are;

• To facilitate the advanced study of organisations, their management and the changing external context in which they operate.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of key areas of management.
• To develop a career in business and management through the development of relevant skills at the appropriate level or to facilitate further research or study in the area.
• To facilitate the application of knowledge and understanding of business and management to complex issues through critical and analytical approaches to management theory, practice and research.
• To enhance the ability to evaluate management techniques, tools and models in a variety of contexts.
• To recognise the relationship between ideas and practices.
• To develop personal and interpersonal skills that is relevant to management and communicates the arising issues in written and oral form.
• To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve the appropriate level of post graduate award and continue their lifelong learning development.

The programme consists of four 30 M-level credit modules and a 60 M-level credit Dissertation module:

• International Marketing and Operational Product/Service Delivery.
• Information Systems and Financial modelling.
• International Business Strategy.
• International Human Resource Management.
• Management Dissertation/Business Simulation

• To offer a programme that allows the advanced study of organisations, their management and the changing external international context in which they operate.
• To provide students with a programme offering a balance of theory and practical skills which will facilitate their intellectual and professional development.
• To develop the ability to critically engage with the current knowledge base of business and management theory. To apply  that knowledge and understanding to complex issues both systematically and creatively.
• To provide students with the tools to plan and carry out a piece of advanced research in a chosen field of business and management.
• To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve the appropriate level of post graduate award to enhance lifelong learning and personal development.

• Upon completion of the programme students are expected to have gained knowledge and develop understanding in the following areas:
• The impact of contextual forces on organisations including a range of contemporary issues.
• An understanding of the theories and approaches to the market and customers in terms of the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services.
• The concepts, processes and institutions in the production and marketing of goods and services.
• The finance of business and how it is managed and used for reporting.
• The management and development of people within organisations.
• The development and management of communication and information technologies and their impact on organisations.
• The development of relevant business policies and strategies within a changing environment to meet stakeholder needs.
• The use, range and limitation of research techniques

Thinking skills

• Critically evaluate relevant literature surrounding managerial issues.
• Relate general theory to specific contexts.
• Diagnose and evaluate managerial responses to given situations.
• Identify and critically reflect on previous managerial and problem solving responses.
• Demonstrate competencies in critical and creative thinking to key issues.
• Analyse data from collected research.
• Select and use appropriate methods and techniques of identifying, researching, diagnosing and resolving managerial and organisational problems and present findings in a clear and logical manner.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Critically analyse and reflect on subject specific knowledge and skills.
• Reflect on its relationship with past experience.
• Present research findings in an accepted manner.
• Complete a major problem solving exercise either within a specific area (management report) or business simulation.
• Use IT to search for, sort and retrieve information.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Work reflectively and sensitively with others either on an individual basis or in groups.
• Undertake individual research projects and assignments within deadlines set.
• Management of own time and group time where appropriate.
• Develop interpersonal and communication skills, including presentation and written.
• Develop understanding of the meaning of management and the skills required to become an effective manager.
• Strengthen competence in lifelong learning and continuing professional development.
• To manage within time frames.

The MBA is a 180 Level M credit programme and is offered in a full time and part time mode of study. Entry is at 2 points per year, in September and February. All full time cohorts are provided with 12 months tuition and 3 months self directed study. Those who commence their programmes in September can complete in 12 calendar months. Given the exigencies of university vacations those who commence in February can complete in 15 calendar months.

Where the programme is delivered at one of our collaborative partners in South East  Asia there are arrangements to allow for three intakes per year: September; January; April.

In line with the current University framework for the delivery of post graduate degrees the programme consists of four 30 Level M credit, core modules and one 60 credit Level M, dissertation module. All students would be expected to follow the programme of study shown below;

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. A typical full-time student will study two 30-credit modules per semester the 60-credit module will be delivered in the third semester. A typical part-time student will study one module per semester with the 60-credit module split across year 2.

Students must complete 180 credits in year one and pro-rata if 2 year part time. There are 2 points of entry, September and February (three at collaborative partners in South East Asia). At each point of entry the first week of study before teaching commences, will involve an in-depth induction into postgraduate study. This week is intended to facilitate the orientation of students into UK postgraduate study. The focus of the week will be on the necessary study skills that will enable students to maximise their UK learning experience. There will also be a substantial reflective element to the week which is supported by an on-line facility. Study support classes/workshops will continue throughout the year. The main elements that will be covered in this week will include:

• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Critical analysis
• Essay writing
• Report writing
• Presentation skills
• Research skills
• Reflective practice

See below for structure

Programme Structure

Full Time - September entry - UK delivery

Semester A Sept - Jan

• International Marketing and Operational Product/ Service Delivery (30 M level)     
• Information Systems and Financial Modelling (30 M level)

Semester B Feb-May

• International Business Strategy (30 M level)
• International Human Resource Management (30 M level)
• Semester C – summer period
• Management Dissertation or Simulation (60 M level)

Part Time  
Part time students studying in the UK would be able to study one 30 M level credit module per semester based on the full time timetable.

RFS
The programme is also delivered in collaboration with Rheinische Fachhochschule (Cologne) and is delivered in both the UK and Germany. The German modules are delivered on a part time morning and evening basis. The UK modules are delivered in three week long study blocks.  Students will study one module per semester.

WIM College
The programme is also delivered at Women’s Institute of Management College, Malaysia on a part-time basis.

The optional Washington DC semester will take place between semesters A and B meaning that semester b studies will commence for those students taking up the option in the following September.

• In order to gain a Post Graduate Associate Certificate you will need to obtain 30 credits at level M
• In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
• In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
• In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.

A variety of teaching methods will be used and students will be expected to lead discussion based on their own research activities and reflective practice. They will also be required to work in groups and present findings and solutions to problems to the cohort. At all times students will be encouraged to reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning. The tutorial and seminar groups are a key component of the programme and aim to help you to analyse the underlying principles and practices of management and assess their application to identified issues. The main approaches to teaching and learning on the programme can be summarised as:

• An emphasis on the role of learners in acquiring knowledge; the view that learning is not something that happens to students, it is something that students make happen.
• A need to develop the skills of self managed learning and self-assessment.
• An awareness of the challenge of working at postgraduate level and the importance of developing a critical approach to study.
• An awareness of learning as an activity to be supported by and shared with others - colleagues, mentors, tutors.

Knowledge is developed through

• Integrated tutor led lecture and class/group seminar/case study/discussion
• Private study to prepare for group discussion and presentations.
• Private study to prepare for assignments and report writing.

Thinking skills are developed through

• Structured group/seminar discussion.
• Problem solving activities.
• Linking of theory and practice in each module.
• Written assignments
• Presentations of prepared work.

Practical skills are developed through

• Researching presentations and projects both group and individual.
• Undertaking data collection and analysis.
• Group work.
• Case studies and work shops.

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Report writing
• Presentations
• Participation in group/team work.
• Completion of major research project.
• Continued directed learning between classes.

Knowledge is assessed by

• Group and individual presentations.
• Group and individual course work/assignments.
• Management Dissertation/ business simulation report.

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Group work
• Presentations
• Assignments/reports/case studies
• Management Dissertation
• Constructing research methodology.

Practical skills are assessed by

• Report outlines/guidelines
• Detailed marking and assessment schemes.
• Preparing presentations.
• Time management
• All other forms of assessment

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Presentations
• Assignments
• Report writing
• A variety of tasks including those undertaken on an individual basis or in a group.

Before the programme started, the following was checked:

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University’s Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluations
• Student representation on programme committees (meeting 2 times year)
• Programme notice board/UEL Plus

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• Circulating the minutes of the programme committee
• Providing details on the programme notice-board
• Oral communication/feedback on progress to the whole group.

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Formal contact with external examiners
• Approval for major changes in the programme via school board, programme committee, SQSC and external; examiners.
• External industry views.