Course aims
The aims of this course are to enable the student to:
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develop a knowledge and critical understanding of the principles and concepts of management, and the way those principles have developed
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develop an ability to construct lines of argument and make sound judgements based upon an ability to present, evaluate and interpret data
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apply underlying management concepts and principles in the work context
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critically evaluate different approaches to problem solving managerical problems in a work context
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understand the limits of their knowledge and how this should influence their activity in a work context
Entry Requirements
160 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent). Applications are welcome from all who can benefit from and successfully complete the course. For mature students and those with non-traditional qualifications and work experience each application will be considered on their indivdual merits.
Learning Outcomes
These courses aims are broken down into sets of related skills, which are known as learning outcomes.
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course you should be able to have a broad knowledge and understanding of:
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a variety of organisational types, objectives, operational behaviour and managerial and strategic approaches, both within and between organisations.
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markets and resource allocation, 'market failures' and policy corrections, both product and factor markets.
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consumer behaviour in response to a variety of price and non-price 'signals'
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contribution of the internal environment to formulating and implementing business decisions, including internal relationships, sources of power, communication structures, management and development of people.
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the external environment within which businesses operate, including economic, technological, demographic, environmental, ethical, legal, political socio-cultural and cross-cultural aspects.
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strategic behaviour in response to local, national and international external environment.
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principles and functions of management, including human resourcing, marketing, accounting and finance, and knowledge of information management.
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sources, uses and management of finance, including the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications.
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contemporary issues such as globalisation, sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation, social responsibility, knowledge-based economies, demographic and structural change.
B. Mental or cognitive skills
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
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Use inductive, deductive and other analytical approaches to identify potential linkages between variables and generate testable hypotheses.
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Evaluate the contribution of various qualitative and quantitative techniques to the solution of problems identified.
Course Delivery
The course is delivered at University Campus Bury St Edmunds, mainly in Suffolk House and the main lecture theatre.
Placements/Work Based Learning/Work Experience
Students will negotiate a programme with their employer or work experience provider and a supervising lecturer normally based upon the achievement of management competences. Students will also be required to identify skills they will achieve and evidence during the period of work-based learning. They will be encouraged to develop 'working with others' and 'information technology' skills.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning will be guided by the need to acknowledge and cater for the diverse experiences of the student population, each with their own individual objectives in following the programme. The course is designed to encourage students to achieve the programme's aims through engaging in activities which are related to a management context. In particular, integration between the college and work-based elements is central to this programme.
Material will be presented in an appropriate form depending on the nature of the individual or group and the learning environment, whether college or work-based. This will be accompanied by supervised problem based learning, project work, seminar discussions and/or tutorial sessions as best suited to the associated learning environment. Sufficient time will also be allowed for self-directed learning and reflection.
Assignements are devised to assess a range of skills and abilities and allow for opportunities to build on student knowledge and experience a variety of assessment methods is used to enhance and develop the student experience, for example, essays, case studies, reports, presentation, business simulations, projects, portfolios and examinations.
Assessment at level 1 will centre upon the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills to realistic work-related problems.
While specific assisgnments for each module will be available, it will be possible for students to individually negotiate a substitute assignment normally based upond their work circumstances.
Timetabling
The teaching is divided into two semesters, one runs from September to January and semester two from February to June. A full-time student is expected to take three modules each semester, making six modules in one year. A part-time student will take one or two modules each semester. Students can expect to have to attend College for three hours per module for the twelve weeks of the semester and to spend an appropriate amount of time per week in independent study. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course. Part-time students may attend either daytime or evening session. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Tutorial and study support
Tutorial support is seen by the team as an essential underpinning of the student higher education experience. During the course induction programme, each student will be placed with an individual tutor. Twice each semester, each student will meet with the individual tutor to review progress.
The nature of the foundation degree ensures that additionally each student receieves substantial personal support from the course team. The compilation and monitoring of individual action plans will be occasions for individual support. Support will also be available at the place where work-based learning is carried out. This could range from a workplace 'buddy' through to more formal mentoring and support arrangements. This will be done within the terms of the HE placement policy.
Opportunities on completion of the course
The Foundation Degree will, in its own right, meet the vocational and educational needs of its holders. This will allow them to undertake work of the associate professional and higher technician type. Such occupations would include those working in support of professionally qualified persons in roles which themselves required a significant amount of technical knowledge. These would include technicians working in such fields as insurance and the financial sector, accountancy and the law. Employment as team leaders and first line managers should also be available in the public, private and not for profit sectors. In short students will be prepared to undertake roles which require the display of personal responsibility and the need to make decisions.
The Foundation Degree will allow progression to other awards and qualifications. Progression to Level 3 of the BA (Hons) Business Management degree at the College will be availalbe for successful candidates upon completion of the appropriate 240 credits. The content and rigour of the Foundation Degree will also enable entry, and in some cases exemptions, from the qualifications of professional bodies. The work based learning elements will also prepare students to undertake higher level NVQ programmes.