Programme Specification
Course record information
Name and level of final award: BA (Hons) Business Management – Amsterdam
The BA Honours Business Management – Amsterdam is a degree that is Bologna FQ- EHEA first cycle degree or diploma compatible.
Name and level of intermediate awards: Not applicable
Awarding body/institution: University of Westminster Status of awarding body/institution: Recognised Body
Location of delivery: Nyenrode New Business School - Amsterdam / Westminster Business School – London Language of delivery and assessment: English
Course/programme leader: Mr. B. Wijering Course URL: http://lmsnbs.com Mode and length of study: Full time / 1 Year University of Westminster course code:
JACS code: N100
UCAS code: Not applicable
QAA subject benchmarking group: General Business and Management Professional body accreditation: Not applicable
Date of course validation/review: July 2013 Date of programme specification: 2013-14
Admission requirements
The BA (Honours) Business Management - Amsterdam is not an open recruitment course. It is offered specifically to NNBS students who have obtained 60 European Credits (EC) Foundation Year (or equivalent) & 120 European Credits* from the BBA New Business Degree programme Nyenrode New Business School (Amsterdam).
* This is equivalent to 120 Level 3, 120 Level 4 and 120 Level 5 UK credits.
Aims of the course
The course seeks to provide an academic experience with a strong emphasis on development of the business knowledge, skills and capabilities appropriate to the rapidly changing global, cultural and technological business environment. The course aims to develop an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to ideas and issues, enabling successful graduates to contribute proactively to: the world of private business; to public or ‘third’ sector organisations; to the main business-related professions; to self-employment; and to the wider society within which businesses operate.
More specifically, the course aims to:
• provide a coherent study of business organisations and their management
• develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities graduates require to respond proactively and creatively to the challenges of the contemporary business environment
• develop a range of intellectual, professional attributes and transferable skills that will enable graduates to gain employment and then to add value to a business
organisation and to the knowledge economy
• foster an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to ideas and issues in a range of organisations and sectors
• equip graduates with the knowledge, understanding and academic skills to continue to post-graduate study
Employment and further study opportunities
Today’s organisations need graduates with both good degrees and skills relevant to the workplace, i.e. employability skills. The Nyenrode New Business School and the University of Westminster are committed to developing employable graduates by ensuring that:
• Career development skills are embedded in all courses
• Opportunities for part-time work, placements and work-related learning activities are widely available to students
• Staff continue to widen and strengthen the University’s and Nyenrode New Business School’s links with employers in all sectors, involving them in curriculum design and encouraging their participation in other aspects of the University’s and Nyenrode New Business School career education and guidance provision
• Staff is provided with up-to-date data on labour market trends and employers’
requirements, which will inform the service delivered to students.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes are statements on what successful students have achieved as the result of learning. These threshold statements of achievement and are linked to the knowledge, understanding and skills that a student will have gained on successfully completing a course.
Knowledge and understanding
• possess a cross-cultural perspective on the operational and strategic position of organisations
• critically examine contemporary issues influencing business thinking and behaviour
• critically evaluate alternative policies and strategies a company may adopt to meet stakeholder needs and minimise risk within changing internal and external
environments Specific skills
Business awareness
• critique theoretical frameworks and apply to practice
• critique and apply, personal corporate and professional responsibility
• correctly choose applicable academic knowledge in professional situation Key transferable skills
Communication
• engage in debate in a professional manner, using communication to persuade and convince
Teamwork & Leadership
• work effectively as a member of a team, negotiating in a professional manner and managing conflict
• build a shared understanding of team goals
• continually reflect on the group process to improve personal and group effectiveness Cognitive skills
• critically analyse theories, concepts and problems
• formulate a complex argument within a theoretical and contextual framework
• challenge received opinion and use own criteria and judgement Information for decision-making
• evaluate options within the limitation of imperfect and incomplete information
• develop appropriate criteria to identify a range of solutions to a complex problem and use decision-making in unpredictable contexts
Research
• develop and implement own research strategy, working with a minimum of guidance
• critically review those aspects of current research relevant to self-determined
research topic
Personal Awareness and Career Management
• initiate own activity, plan and manage own time effectively
• manage own personal development
• translate own strengths into evidence for personal marketability for employment
• effectively operate in both professional and academic environment International and cross-cultural skills
• continually reflect on one’s own profile in a cross-cultural context
• build a solid understanding of different institutional organisations and cultures
Learning, teaching and assessment methods
Learning
Education as an experience: The focus in the educational concept is on the learning process of the individual and context is used to bring students out of their comfort zone and to trigger their curiosity by engaging all aspects of human experience, including (new) knowledge, skills, feelings and ‘taken-for-granted’ assumptions.
A learning environment is provided which stresses education through academic development and professional application, in strong cooperation with industry.
In this way priority is given to the value of academic development. In addition, reflection on entrepreneurship and creativity and sustainability is a key element of the programme which aims to incorporate trends in the fast changing professional practice.
Teaching
The focus at Level 6 is on the students’ independent learning. At Level 6, students are provided with opportunities to learn through group analysis of case-studies and work related materials. They will be expected to identify information required to meet module learning outcomes, then to research and present this for the benefit of themselves and the group.
The teaching concept can be described through the following key-words:
• knowledge based & both case study and real life based academic education
• profiling according to the student’s own talent and choice
• business oriented research
• increasing complexity
• development- geared education (attitude, self-motivation, self-responsibility) The forms of work correspond to the teaching concept through lectures (academic education), workshops (skills), project work (integration: academic, research and
professional), counselling & coaching (personal development), one- on -one tutoring and group coaching.
Assessment
Recognising that a business course needs to assess students’ ability to work with others,
group work has been incorporated into the Level 6 core module. However, it has been
identified from research on past students that, although the ability to work in a group is
valuable in future employment, the derivation of fair, individual assessment marks is
regarded highly by most students. Therefore all modules will incorporate individual
assessment elements that have the same or higher overall weighting than the group assessments. Peer-assessment and negotiated activities will be incorporated in the
assessment for some option modules. Many options will use unseen written examinations or problem-based exercises to assess the acquisition of knowledge and intellectual skills and to reflect the assessment methods used by the relevant professional body.
An assessment is any test of the Learning Outcomes acquired by a student during a module and the evaluation of this. Internal verification and quality check of the exam design and grading is maintained.
Several forms of assessment are used to measure students’ study progress and performance.
Forms of assessment
Assessment Activities Indication of the Knowledge and Skills Assessed
Examinations
Memory, knowledge, working under pressure, analytical capability,
writing skills, organization and presentation of information, arguing a case, problem solving
Essays Gathering/selecting/presenting information, writing skills, debating, discursive skills, ability to focus
Reports Knowledge of reporting formats, presentation of information, writing skills, ordering of material, analytical skills
Individual and group oral presentations
Verbal, non-verbal and interpersonal communication skills, skills using visual aids, structuring and presentation of information.
Individual and group case studies
Problem-solving, relating concepts to situations, application of knowledge, decision-making, ability to work in a group or team, ability to assume certain roles, responsibility to others
Individual and group assignments
Planning. Group work - delegation, negotiation, team work, responsibility to others
Multiple choice tests Memory, knowledge of subject (Electronic) Portfolio
creation
Creating a record of personal/groups progress, skills/self- development, applying theory, managing material, presentation skills.
Video or films Team work, planning, technical/presentation/editing skills, creativity, decision making.
Professional activities:
Events and performance (e.g. running seminars)
Self-presentation, team work, pitching material appropriately, selecting material, relating to an audience.
Student logs, diaries, minute-keeping
Selection of key issues/elements, reflection, self-awareness, record of process/progress, planning/organizational skills.
Diagnostic tests
May be any form of assessment and aims to provide students with
insight in to their level of progress in any given module.
Exemption tests May take any of the above forms.
The assessment of the course is in compliance with the following characteristics:
• Significant weight is given to individual (exam) work, largely reflecting “academic
rigour”.
• Group work is an important aspect of assessment because students can learn a great deal from other people, their insights, experience and approach to business problems.
• Assignments are typically based on using the theories within a real-life situation, thereby reflecting the “practical relevance” component of the programme.
• Communication skills (e.g. debating, speeches, presentations) are tested in class.
• Group work always entails individual assessment, next to group assessment, to countervail ‘free-riding’ practices.
Course structure
This section shows the core and option modules available as part of the course and their credit value. Full-time undergraduate students study 120 UK credits (60 European Credits) over one year.
Credit Level 6
Module code Module title Status UK credit ECTS
BNBS601 Strategic Perspectives (delivered by NNBS) Core 30 15
BNBS602 Major Project (delivered by NNBS) Core 30 15
4 Level 6 option modules selected from the Westminster Business School list of option modules (delivered by University of Westminster)
Option 60 30
Award of BA Honours available.
Please note: BNBS601 and BNBS602 are the equivalents to Westminster Business School core modules BKEY601 and BBUS613. Therefore students who have studied BNBS601 or BNBS602 cannot study the equivalent module at the University of Westminster and vice versa.
Please note: Not all Westminster Business School option modules will necessarily be offered in any one year. Information meetings on option modules are scheduled in Amsterdam prior to the start of the final year.
Academic regulations
The BA Honours Business Management – Amsterdam operates in accordance with the University of Westminster's Academic Regulations and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in 2008.
All students should make sure that they access a copy of the current edition of the general University handbook called Essential Westminster, which is available at
westminster.ac.uk/essential-westminster. The following regulations should be read in conjunction with Section 17: Modular Framework for Undergraduate Courses and relevant sections of the current Handbook of Academic Regulations, which is available at
westminster.ac.uk/academic-regulations.
Award
To qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Business Management - Amsterdam a student
must have passed modules worth at least 120 credits (60 EC) at Credit Level 6 and including
BNBS601 and BNBS602.
The class of the Honours degree awarded is decided in accordance with the following mark and credit range:
First An average of 70% or above in the best 105 credits at Credit Level 6 Upper Second An average of 60% or above in the best 105 credits at Credit Level 6 Lower Second An average of 50% or above in the best 105 credits at Credit Level 6 Third An average of 40% or above in the best 105 credits at Credit Level 6
Support for students
Induction
Prior to the start of the study period at the University of Westminster, an induction programme by the Course leader will introduce students to this programme and the staff responsible for the course. Students are also allocated a personal tutor who can provide advice and guidance on academic matters.
Following the NNBS induction you will receive an orientation to services at the University of Westminster.
Student support at Nyenrode New Business School, Amsterdam
Nyenrode New Business School has overall responsibility for student support including ensuring that students are appropriately supported when studying in London for Westminster Business School modules.
Students should also refer to the Course Handbook NNBS BBA New Business for relevant information.
NNBS uses Moodle as its Virtual Learning Environment and WBS uses Blackboard.
Students can use the Virtual Learning Environments to access their course and module materials, and to communicate and collaborate with staff and other students.
Student support at University of Westminster, London
During your period of study at the University of Westminster you will have access to a range of learning support services. Learning support at the University of Westminster includes four libraries, each holding a collection of resources related to the subjects taught at their School.
Students can search the entire library collection online through the Library Search service to find and reserve printed books, and access electronic resources (databases, e-journals, e- books).
Students can choose to study in the libraries, which have areas for silent and group study, desktop computers, laptops for loan, photocopying and printing services. They can also choose from several computer rooms at each campus where desktop computers are available with the general and specialist software that supports the courses taught at their School. Students can also securely connect their own laptops and mobile devices to the University wireless network.
At University level, Services for Students provide advice and guidance on accommodation,
financial and legal matters, personal counselling, health and disability issues, careers and
the chaplaincy providing multi-faith guidance. The University of Westminster Students' Union
also provides a range of facilities to support all students during their time at the University.
Reference points for the course
Internally
• University of Westminster Handbook of Academic regulations
• University of Westminster Quality Assurance and Enhancement Handbook
• Essential Westminster
• Student Representative Handbook
• Nyenrode New Business School Course Handbook
• Course Handbook BA (Hons) Business Management - Amsterdam
Externally
The University of Westminster: external validating body Course management
The Course Management for the BA (Hons) Business Management – Amsterdam consists of the following individuals:
Course leader: Ben Wijering Deputy course leader: Matthijs Bos
The Management Team of the Nyenrode New Business School consists of
• Timo Timmerman MLD, Dean NNBS
• Gert Meijer MA, Associate Dean NNBS, Dean of Studies NNBS
• Ben Wijering MA, BA (Hons) Dean of Education NNBS, Course Leader BABM The course delivery team consists of both NNBS faculty (core modules) and WBS faculty (option modules). Detailed information about the course team can be found on Moodle.
Course approval, monitoring and review
The course was initially approved by a University of Westminster Validation Panel in 2013.
The panel included internal peers from the University and an external subject specialist to ensure the comparability of the course to those offered in other universities and the
relevance to employers. Periodic course review helps to ensure that the curriculum is up-to- date and that the skills gained on the course continue to be relevant to employers.
The course is monitored each year by the School to ensure it is running effectively and that issues which might affect the student experience have been appropriately addressed. Staff will consider evidence about the course, including the outcomes from the Course
Committee, evidence of student progression and achievement and the reports from external examiners, to evaluate the effectiveness of the course. The Annual Monitoring Sub-
Committee considers the School action plans resulting from this process and the outcomes are reported to the Academic Council, which has overall responsibility for the maintenance of quality and standards in the University.
Student involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement
Student feedback is important to the University of Westminster and Nyenrode New Business
School, student views are therefore taken seriously. Student feedback is gathered in a
variety of ways. The most formal mechanism for feedback on the course is the Course Committee. Student representatives will be elected to sit on the Committee to represent the views of their peer group in various discussions.
The Course Committee represents the NNBS student body and faculty and consists of 2 students on this programme of study, the course leader plus staff representatives for the core modules being delivered. The committee convenes twice a year in a formal meeting.
All students are invited to complete a Module Feedback Questionnaire before the end of each module. The feedback from this will inform the module leader on the effectiveness of the module and highlight areas that could be enhanced.
Students meet with review panels when the periodic review of the course is conducted to provide oral feedback on their experience on the course. Student feedback from course committees is part of the NNBS and WBS quality assurance evidence base.
Please note: This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. This specification should be read in conjunction with the Course Handbook provided to students and Module Handbooks, which provide more detailed information on the specific learning outcomes, content, teaching, learning and assessment methods for each module.
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