Competencies in relation with the MBA programme learning outcomes

2 MBA Programme learning outcomes and competencies

2.2 Competencies in relation with the MBA programme learning outcomes

The Association of MBA’s (AMBA) describes the following competencies, relating to the required end level of an MBA programme. The table below shows how the MBA programme learning outcomes, presented in section 2.1, correspond with these competencies.

In terms of knowledge and understanding, an MBA graduate will be able to:

Programme learning outcomes MBA (number(s) of the MBA programme learning outcomes 1-8)

understand the concept of leadership through strategic management;

1,7

integrate new knowledge with previous learning and experiences;

1,3,8

know and understand organisations and their stakeholders, the external context in which they operate and how they are managed from a sustainable and long term perspective;

1,5,

integrate their learning from a comprehensive range of managerial subject areas to understand and address complex situations holistically;

2,3

be able to analyse, synthesise and solve complex unstructured business problems.

3,4

Employers can expect graduates, over time, to:

apply consistently in-depth knowledge and

understanding, based on previous work experience and advanced study, to complex business situations;

2,3,

apply strategic management skills at a senior level in changing business environments;

2,6,7

transform organisations through strategic leadership, intellectual rigour and professional ethical values;

2,3,7,8

understand and have experience of global issues; ^1,5 lead and develop others in an organisational context; ^7,8 have well-developed interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively and to interact with groups and individuals at all levels;

make sound judgements with incomplete data and communicate conclusions clearly to a range of audiences;

2,3,6

be self-directed and able to act autonomously in planning and implementing projects;

2,7

take responsibility for continuing to develop their knowledge and skills.

10 2.3 Dublin Descriptors

Agreements have been made in Europe about the general level of a Master’s degree. These agreements have been laid down in the so-called Dublin Descriptors. The national profile of the Master of Business Administration programme must relate to the Dublin Descriptors.

Five descriptors have been identified:

 Knowledge and understanding

 Applying knowledge and understanding

 Making judgements

 Communication

 Learning skills

The following is an explanation of the Dublin Descriptors relating to master’s degrees.

DD1. Knowledge and understanding

The student has demonstrated knowledge and understanding that is founded upon and extends and/or enhances that which is typically associated with bachelor’s level, and that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context DD2. Applying knowledge and understanding

The student can apply their knowledge and understanding and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study;

has the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity DD3. Making judgments

The student can formulate judgments with incomplete or limited information, that rather include reflection on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments

DD4. Communication

The student can communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously

DD5. Learning skills

The student has the learning skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous

2.4 Relations between learning outcomes and Dublin Descriptors

MBA Programme learning outcomes The student:

Dublin Descriptors 1. demonstrates knowledge and understanding of international

business management by making use of thorough evidence-based research, and making substantiated choices of business theories and models to apply in complex business contexts.

 Knowledge and understanding (DD1)

2. demonstrates the ability to manage and, if needed, to change processes, and to address the problems of general

management at the personnel, operational and strategic level in an organisation.

 Applying knowledge and understanding (DD2)

3. critically evaluates the validity and relevance of published research on business strategy and, based on that, formulates implementable and effective interventions, possibly

extrapolating these into new approaches to management practice.

 Applying knowledge and understanding (DD2

 Making judgement (DD3)

4. develops and conducts substantiated methodologically, sound and evidence based research in the area of strategic

international business and management, with the aim to deliver practical management solutions.

 Applying knowledge and understanding (DD2)

5. reflects on social and ethical responsibilities within business strategy, using historical and cultural insights in conjunction with his/her own uncertainty and personal judgments (with regard to implicit values and assumptions), and formulates clear decisions and creative interventions.

 Making judgement (DD3)

6. communicates effectively with any stakeholders in multidisciplinary and multicultural settings both as an individual and as a team player, within the organisational context.

 Communication (DD4)

7. demonstrates a proactive attitude to taking the initiative and displaying leadership and entrepreneurship while maintaining professional distance, and being aware of his/her impact on people.

 Communication (DD4)

 Learning skills (DD5)

8. demonstrates a proactive attitude to personal development for him/herself and his/her team members, and the ability to reflect on personal and professional performance within the strategic business and organisational management context.

 Making Judgement (DD3)

 Learning Skills (DD5)

12 3 Programme outline

3.1 Mode of study

The duration of the fulltime MBA programme is 17 months. The study load is expressed in terms of European Credits (ECTS). One European Credit represents 28 hours of work.

The MBA programme is made up of courses. Each course is a self-contained entity, with its own objectives and assessable learning outcomes. To gain the credits for each course students must pass an exam relating to each course.

The setup of the programme is presented in the curriculum scheme below. The contents of all courses of the MBA programme are described in detail in the separate course outlines, see appendix 1.

3.2 Specialisations and Differentiations

Within the MBA programme there are no specialisations or differentiations.

13 3.3 Curriculum Scheme for Osiris

* W = Exam organized by the Exam bureau; O = other form of exam, organized by IBS ** Min.grade: L stands for “letter” i.e. Pass/Fail; C stands for “cijfer” i.e. min. grade = 5.5

Master of Business Administration – Fulltime

Study Programme: MBA Fulltime Semester 1 Academic Year 2015-16

Block 1.1 Period 1

Module^ Assessment^ Codes^

ZAVM …

BRM1 Business Research Methods 1

 Written exam

Leadership  Assignment 1

 Assignment 2 Total Credits Semester 1 30

Study Programme: MBA Fulltime Semester 2 Academic Year 2015-16

Block 1.3 Period 3

Module^ Assessment^ Codes^

ZAVM …

NER1 New Economic Realities for

managers  Oral exam

LDM1 Leadership and Decision making

 Assignment 1 Total Credits Semester 2 30

Study Programme: MBA Fulltime Semester 3 Academic Year 2016-17

Block 2.1 & 2.2 Period 1 & 2

Module^ Assessment^ Codes^

ZAVM …

EC Min.

Grade**

O/W* Elective BRM2 Business Research Methods 2

 Assignment 1

Total Credits Semester 3 30 Total amount of credits MBA fulltime programme 90

15 3.4 Year planning 2015-2016

IBS Year planning 2015-2016 MASTER

Month Week

resit exams of all written exams 14/15

resit exams of all written exams 14/15 okt 15 40 1,5 week 4 28 29 30 1 2 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes

41 1,6 week 5 5 6 7 8 9 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes

42 1,7 week 6 12 13 14 15 16

Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes; Fri company visit?

Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes; Fri

company visit? Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes

43 1,8 self study week 19 20 21 22 23 self study week self study week self study week

44 1,90 week 7 26 27 28 29 30

study week and exam training; Fri company visit?

study week and exam training; Fri

company visit? study week and exam training

nov 15 45 1,10 exam week 2 3 4 5 6 finishing assignments finishing assignments

Mo, Tue regular classes; 16-18 self study

52 21 22 23 24 25 Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays

53 28 29 30 31 1 Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays

jan 16 1 2,6 week 6 4 5 6 7 8

Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes;

BRM3 workshop1

Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes;

BRM3 workshop1

Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes;

BRM3 workshop1 11-12/1 defences Thesis 11-12/1 defences Thesis 3 2,8 exam week 18 19 20 21 22 18/1 exam; 19, 20, 21 IP 22/1 or later travel to ARU 18/1 exam; 19, 20, 21 IP

4 2,9 week 9 25 26 27 28 29 finishing assignments semester 1 introduction at ARU finishing assignments semester 1

27/1 graduation (two days

BRM3 workshop 2 and regular

classes lessons at ARU

BRM3 workshop 2 and regular classes

apr 16 13 3,8 week 7 28 29 30 31 1

BRM3 workshop 3 and regular

classes Tue, Thu self study week to be confirmed

BRM3 workshop 3 and regular classes Tue, Thu

14 3,9 exam week 4 5 6 7 8

4/4 regular exam; finishing

assignments lessons at ARU

4/4 regular exam; finishing

BRM3 workshop 4 and regular

classes BRM3 workshop 4 and regular classes

20 4,4 week 4 16 17 18 19 20 Tue, Thu regular classes exams at ARU Tue, Thu regular classes

28/6 exam review p4 exams;

finishing assignments semester 2

third opportunity exams in week 3 third opportunity exams in week 3

Intensive Program exam week

National Holidays, school is closed Christmas 25 - 26 December 2015 New Year 1 January 2016

Good Friday/Easter 25-28 March 2016 King's day 27 April 2016

Liberation Day 5 May 2016 Ascension Day 5 May 2018 Whitsunday 16 May 2016

HG-Education free period

Christmas break 21 December 2015 - 1 January 2016 Maybreak 2-6 May 2016

Summer break 18 July - 2 September 2016

Staff holidays leave for teaching staff leave for all staff, school closed

compensation leave teachers/educational free period working week for teachers / educational free period for students

Start Academic Year on Monday 31 August 2015

Start Academic Year on Monday 29 August 2016 HG year plan 2016-2017 not published yet (21-5-2015)

4 Curriculum

4.1 Course Outlines

The content of all modules of the MBA programme are described in detail in the course outlines.

See Appendix 1 for the MBA course outlines.

4.2 Code of Conduct regarding the use of Foreign Languages

The Master programmes are taught entirely in English, as a good provision in English is an essential part of international business today. The student body is made up of truly international students, therefore the language of instruction for this international programme, is English. .

4.3 Thesis Phase

The thesis phase is made up of 30 credits. Five credits for the module Business Research Methods (BRM)2 and 25 credits for the thesis. The requirements for permission to start working on the thesis are as follows:

 The student has completed the modules Business Research Methods (BRM) 1 and 2.

 The student has obtained a total of at least 50 ECTS in the Master programme, including BRM 1 and 2.

More information about the intended thesis learning outcomes and the way to demonstrate the learning outcomes is described in the MBA thesis handbook, to be found on Blackboard.

https://blackboard.hanze.nl/webapps/login/

5 Admission Requirements

To attend the MBA programme at the International Business School of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen (Hanze UAS) a specific admissions procedure must be followed. The admission procedure and requirements are described below.

The Admissions Committee advises the Dean regarding all issues relating to the admission of students. It will also provide applicants with full, up-to-date information and guidance on the procedures. The Dean of IBS makes the final decision as to which candidates will be admitted to the Master programme.

The admission requirements for the MBA programme are as follows.

Required Academic background for the Master of Business Administration (MBA):

 Students must hold a valid bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a Hanze UAS approved degree awarding body, university or college (no GMAT required*).

 In the case of a NUFFIC-scholarship (additionally): a bachelor awarded by a NUFFIC approved university.

*only mature and experienced candidates with a valid GMAT test score of 600 are exempted from having a bachelor’s degree.

Other requirements

 A minimum of three years of professional work experience in the role of specialist (e.g.

Accountant, Financial Analyst, Lawyer, Consultant, Policy Advisor), manager or entrepreneur (see section 5.2. Employment Requirements for MBA Programme).

 English language proficiency should be proven with an IELTS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL score of 550 (see section 5.3 Language requirements).

 A letter of motivation

 References are not required unless specifically requested by the Admissions Committee during the admissions process.

5.1 Required Prior Learning

The applicant should have completed a Bachelor programme of at least 3 years duration.

5.2 Employment Requirements for MBA Programme

The applicant should have obtained a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience. Work experience is considered relevant when it is clearly linked to the field of the MBA programme.

Additional work experience might be taken into account at the discretion of the Admissions Committee: leadership positions and management positions outside of regular employment, e.g.

board member, etc. Employment needs to be more than 50% of 36 hour working week, so more than 18 hours a week. In the case of part-time employment being less than 50% of the working week, work experience is recalculated to the full-time equivalent.

5.3 Language requirements

When applying for the Master programme, all applicants need to prove that they have achieved a sufficient level of English by submitting the original results from an IELTS or TOEFL (English) test that is no more than two years old.

For the MBA an IELTS test with a minimum score of 6.0, or equivalent, is required.

Language test scores, other than IELTS, that are accepted by Hanze UAS are shown in the table below:

IELTS and TOEFL scores

IELTS TOEFL

Paper

TOEFL iBT

6.5 575 79-93

6.0 550 60-78

In the following cases students will be exempted from submitting an extra language proficiency test:

 students whose prior education was English-taught in countries where English is spoken as a first language by the majority of the population. These countries are: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (English speaking part), Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America.

 EU/EER students, who can prove that English was a compulsory course in their prior education, and who have a pass for English on their final transcript.

 Students with an International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate.

IBS reserves the right to ascertain the truth and correctness of an applicant’s IELTS or TOEFL score by examination. This examination is held in the form of a personal, standardised interview, conducted by specially trained IBS staff members and/or representatives, which tests the applicant’s English skills regarding listening, speaking, and writing.

Please note: although for admission to a University in the Netherlands, sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language (NT2-II) is required, IBS students are exempted from this requirement.

For further information, applicants can contact the International Student Office at the Hanze University.

5.4 Maximum/Minimum Number of Students

If fewer than 10 participants enroll for the programme, the Dean may decide not to run the programme in that specific Academic Year.

5.5 Enrolment limitations

The programme takes 17 months. In case students do not finish the programme within two years duration (4 semesters) they may apply to the Head of Education for an extension of the enrolment period needed to complete the programme. Extra tuition fee will be charged for this extension.

21 These costs are:

 €3.000,- for one extra semester to start and finish the thesis project. This means the student has to start a new Master thesis project. This project should be rounded off according to the

“deadlines for the new master project” shown in the Master thesis handbook.

 If a student needs to round off courses after they already passed their thesis report, the costs are €200,- per credit In this extended period. The student may use a maximum of four opportunities to pass a course. If students fail to complete the course after 4 opportunities they will have to leave the programme.

Students who fail the proposal repair (BRM2-course) their Master Thesis report repair , Reflection Report or thesis defence, cannot go through with their Thesis Project and must start a new Master Thesis project. That project should be rounded off according to the “deadlines for the new master project” shown in the Master thesis handbook. This extra opportunity to start a new Master Thesis project is only given once.

If a student fails to meet the requirements to start the thesis project after two years of enrolment, the student will be de-enrolled from the programme.

6 Examinations

All dates for written exams are published in the IBS Exam Schedule per Academic Year. The hand-in dates for assignments and course work will be published on Hanze.nl.

Schedules for oral exams will be published on Hanze.nl

6.1 Exam opportunities

Per Academic year, two exam opportunities will be offered for each exam.

If the student fails the repair opportunity of the Master’s Thesis, the student will have to start a new thesis project. A student may only start a new thesis project once.

In extenuating circumstances the student may appeal to the Exam Board for an extra exam opportunity.

6.2 Anti-Plagiarism Rules

The prevention, detection and punishment of plagiarism is good practice in terms of learning, teaching and assessment. IBS has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that plagiarism does not take place or, if it does, is dealt with appropriately.

Definition of plagiarism

It is difficult to give a simple, universally applicable definition. Different disciplines and institutions have varying traditions and conventions: for instance what might be considered ‘common

knowledge’ and thus not need referencing by an expert in a subject is different from that same knowledge when cited by a novice first-year student. However, a widely shared understanding is that

plagiarism occurs when someone tries to pass off someone else’s work, thoughts or ideas as their own, whether or not deliberately, without appropriate acknowledgement.

It is important to recognise that plagiarism does not just apply to written work - whether essays, reports, dissertations or laboratory results - but can also apply to plans, projects, designs, music, presentations or other work presented for assessment.

Plagiarism is seen as particularly harmful because it undermines the whole basis of scholarly academic values, and undermines academic standards and the credibility of awards. Whilst

plagiarism is not new, the availability of material on the internet and the explosion of information in some areas have raised concerns that students are making extensive use of ‘copy and paste’

functions available to them. A final issue is that, with the growing diversity of students in higher education - whether by age, educational background or national origin (including international students on exchange programme) - they may have different understandings of what plagiarism is, and not understand what conventions apply and why.

Plagiarism procedure

As a rule, all written assignments, reports, etc. leading to a grade or a pass/fail for an Osiris* code, must be submitted both on paper (in hard copy) and through Ephorus**. To submit the assignment, report, etc. through Ephorus, students need to access Ephorus via the Blackboard*** course of the specific module.

If a teacher suspects plagiarism, he/she will inform the Exam Board immediately. After providing the student with an opportunity to be heard and determine if plagiarism was indeed committed, the Exam Board will determine the appropriate sanction.

* Osiris: a computer application for processing course codes and grades

** Ephorus: a computer application that checks documents for similarities with other sources

*** Blackboard: a computer application with which Hanze communicates important information needed for courses

The Exam Board classifies the observed irregularity in one of the categories below:

Opportunistic cheating

Opportunistic cheating is understood to mean any act or neglect during examinations that has occurred in order to obtain or pass information unlawfully, such as the use of forbidden aids, copying, or giving opportunity to copy. The examination (paper) of a student who is found guilty of these practices will be declared null and void.

Premeditated cheating

Any premeditated act or neglect during an examination to obtain or pass information unlawfully, such as the use of crib notes, giving the opportunity to use crib notes, the copying of (parts of) texts

In document Prospectus 2015/2016 (Page 9-0)