Primary Purpose:
Course management, monitoring and quality assurance.
Secondary Purpose:
Detailed information for students, staff and employers. Current students should refer to the related Course Handbook for further detail.
Disclaimer:
The University of Portsmouth has checked the information given in this Programme Specification and believes it to be correct. We will endeavour to deliver the course in keeping with this Programme Specification but reserve the right to change the content, timetabling and administration of the course whilst maintaining equivalent academic standards and quality.
Copyright
The contents of this document are the copyright of the University of Portsmouth and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the University of Portsmouth.
Control Page
Issuing Authority Head of OSM Subject Group
Owner SBS: MSc SQM Course Team
Faculty Portsmouth Business School
Authors F Brocklehurst
Distribution List All relevant academic and support staff
Classification Unclassified
Major Release Date June 1999 Minor Release Date September 2007 Last Change Date September 2007
Review Date September 2010
Effective Session 2014-15 Withdrawn Date
V7 Updated September 2010 for the Curriculum Review 2012 V6 Updated September 2007 – annual review of documentation
V5 Updated July 2006 for changes in academic regulations (2005), inclusion of DL unit codes, and clarification of minor points V4 Updated September 2005 for minor changes, e.g. effective session
V3 Updated September 2004 for minor changes, e.g. change of Department name V2 Updated February 2003 for minor changes, e.g. change of Department name V1 Definitive document dated June 1999
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION: MSc Strategic Quality Management
Primary purpose: Programme management, monitoring and quality assurance.
Secondary purpose: Detailed information for students (particularly current students), staff, and employers.
1. Awarding Institution or Body 2. Teaching Institution
The University of Portsmouth The University of Portsmouth
3. Programme Accreditation 4. Final Award
None (see section 16a) MSc
5. Programme Name (Title) 6. Course Codes
Strategic Quality Management C1234F,C2431P, C2432P
7. QAA Benchmark Group(s) 8. Document Control Information
QAA benchmarks for masters awards in business and management – specialist masters degrees
Version 7, September 2010 Version 6, September 2007 Version 5, July 2006 Version 4, September 2005 Version 3, September 2004 Version 2, February 2003 Version 1, June 1999
8b. Effective Session 8d. Author
2014-15 F Brocklehurst
8e. Faculty 8f. Department or School
Portsmouth Business School Operations and Systems Management
9. Educational Aims
a. The MSc Strategic Quality ManagementProgramme
Provide a challenging and stimulating framework of study for full-time, part-time, and distance learning students.
Provide an opportunity for appropriately qualified candidates to develop high level knowledge and a critical awareness of current Strategic Quality Management issues in a multidisciplinary context.
Develop a systematic understanding of relevant knowledge and a critical awareness of current issues at the forefront of the Quality Management discipline.
Facilitate personal, academic and professional development through a coherent programme of study. Enable students to develop high-level knowledge in a range of business and project management
related disciplines.
Provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate the learning outcomes and to identify and analyse the context of the application of the learning.
10.1 Programme Learning Outcomes – Reference Points: Subject Benchmark Statements and Other Reference Elements
This is an interdisciplinary degree providing students with the knowledge to act as an effective quality professional in any size of organisation. It will also be instructive to managers of other disciplines who need to understand how to manage change within a quality management environment.This programme seeks to provide students with appropriate knowledge and understanding to enable them to make an effective contribution to the implementation of the practices of good quality and continuous improvement. The knowledge and understanding is developed in respect of the operational, functional and strategic management of quality, with appropriate academic rigour in the taught stages.
The Masters element is achieved after the Diploma through research activity, which requires an extended application of the theory learned during the Diploma stage. In addition, it demands the capacity to identify and solve complex problems, which are relevant to the management and improvement of quality. The dissertation subject will normally be of practical value to the student’s organisation and is intended to demonstrate a clear integration of theory and practice.
There is demand for graduates who have understanding of effective tools and skills to manage change in a dynamic environment and with a focus on customer requirements and achieving excellence in performance. Often graduates are already employed; however, graduates from this programme have proved very attractive to employers, finding a range of employment within business generally. Typical employment destinations have included business analyst, manufacturing management, business consultancy, retail management and the service sector.
The emphasis is on the holistic approach in the study of human organisational activity, and its support from and interfaces with other disciplines. Hence the programme provides students with the skills needed to use knowledge gained effectively in meeting personal and organisational objectives.
Major reference points are the University of Portsmouth Curriculum Framework Document2012 , subject Benchmark Statements, National Qualification Framework, the QAA Benchmarks for specialist master’s degrees in business and management, the QAA Codes of Practice and the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) Body of Quality Knowledge (BOQK).
The programme addresses the following topic areas:
The principles of quality management systems and their application to all aspects of business. The theories, concepts and basic principles of TQM and its role within the context of operations
management and the overall business environment.
The requirements for interpersonal and personal skills and attitudes in effective team building as a key element in implementing quality improvement initiatives such as Total Quality Management.
Business Excellence and Continuous Improvement theories and techniques.
Quality planning tools and techniques.
TQM principles in a Strategic Quality Management context.
Promoting and enabling the development of a culture conducive to quality throughout an organisation so it may attain its quality vision.
Organisational capability to maintain quality products, services and processes and to improve its performance.
The role of the quality manager in modern organisations.
The means and skills to transfer the concepts and experience gained from the course into work situations.
The formulation, planning and execution of a research project in the field of quality/strategic quality management.
Critical evaluation and assessment of the literature, research and knowledge gained throughout the course.
Demonstration of the ability to analyse data, make decisions and plan both critically and objectively, and to present results and conclusions in the form of coherent arguments with an assessment of future10.2 Programme Learning Outcomes – Details of the learning that students should be able to demonstrate
10.2.1 MSc Strategic Quality Management
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able, at threshold level, to:
1. Apply and evaluate methods and techniques from the Business subject disciplines to solve business problems.
2. Apply and evaluate methods and techniques from the Quality Management subject discipline to solve related problems.
3. Integrate methods and techniques from both the Business and Quality disciplines.
4. Develop critical skills with regard to literature search, appraisal and evaluation from a variety of sources and synthesising the results.
5. Evaluate, synthesise and interpret information from a variety of viewpoints. 6. Plan, conduct, report and evaluate a programme of original research.
7. Communicate effectively visually, orally and in writing, and read and understand complex documentation.
8. Identify and interpret numerical data effectively and perform numerical analysis on data. 9. Use ICT effectively as an integral part of their studies.
10. Solve problems of various types within business problem domains and evaluate solutions.
11. Improve own learning performance by reflecting on attainment of goals and activities related to them. 12. Work with others to achieve business goals whilst being distinctively individual.
A. Knowledge and Understanding of:
1. The key principles and processes in the quality management environment and the appropriateness of different strategies.
2. The importance of understanding TQM principles and also applying the theories of Organisational Behaviour.
3. Application of the principles of statistics to develop practical programmes for quality and reliability. 4. The way in which Business Systems may contribute to the effectiveness of organisations.
5. The way in which non-performance measures and tools are essential to monitor the achievement of business goals.
6. Application of key research methods in project and business management.
7. The role of organisational and people development in managing change.
8. The fundamental importance of customers and achieving excellence in the realisation of organisational objectives.
9. Specialist subject knowledge in the area researched for the dissertation.
Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods:Teaching and learning is through a combination of
lectures, seminars, workshops and work-based learning opportunities addressing outcomes A1 - A8. The aim of the LTS is to give students an excellent learning experience as articulated in the four principles of Curriculum 2012 (Curriculum Framework Document 2012, v1.1). This will enable students to achieve the Unit learning outcomes by engaging in a range of learning activities derived from the context of work-related learning, ie building on students’ professional experience and simulations of the workplace environment.. Learning opportunities include study resources on Moodle (unit guidance), self-tests, discussion forum, WebEx classroom actitivities to facilitate group interactive discussion and feedback, and a Unit online reading list.
Students engage in individual projects in order to pursue their own interests within the broader framework of the programme (A9).
Assessment:Assessment is through the demonstration of successful application of theory to practice
B. Cognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills – be able to:
1. Analyse and interpret data and information from a variety of sources to identify organisational problems. 2. Deal with complex issues and make sound judgements based on available data.
3. Critically evaluate the relevance of theories of planning, monitoring and control.
4. Apply and adapt theories of management style and tools within a multidisciplinary context. 5. Demonstrate creativity, decision analysis and original thinking in the design and applications of
management solutions.
6. Evaluate the implications of decisions and interventions when managing.
Teaching and LearningStrategies and Methods:
Teaching and learning is through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and work-based learning opportunities (B1 - B6)Distance Learning is facilitated through learning opportunities that include study resources on Moodle (unit guidance), self-tests, discussion forum, WebEx classroom actitivities to facilitate group interactive discussion and feedback, and a Unit online reading list. Academic source materials as well as source material from external commercial, business and project management contributors.
Cognitive skills are developed through the use of problem-solving exercises where the solution is accompanied by scientific and logical argument.
Assessment:
All cognitive skills (B1 - B6), in particular higher-level cognitive skills, are assessed by means of related coursework assignments and a ‘dissertation aims/objectives’ assignment all of which necessitate the use of creative thinking, application and critical evaluation. Assessment is by examination and coursework or coursework only. In the case of the dissertation, assessment is made on the basis of a written report
.
C. Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills – be able to:
1. Undertake independent study through research, both primary and secondary.
2. Assess, critically evaluate, synthesise and present information from a variety of sources.
3. Construct reports and assignments coherently, evaluating alternatives and supporting recommendations. 4. Select and apply relevant models to support high-quality analyses and decisions.
5. Present complex arguments coherently and comprehensively.
6. Influence the implementation of change in organisations through the successful management of objectives.
Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods:
As part of the development of practical skills all students are provided with an introduction to the library and other key sources of information (including electronic) within the course induction programme and using Moodle (C1, C2). Practical skills (C1 - C5) are further developed as part of Research Methods and other units. Students are required to display a range of practical skills (C1 - C6) as an integral part of the work-based learning. Coursework assignments and the workplace projects require students to make use of all practical skills, collecting and interpreting data, applying relevant models, organising and controlling resources, producing reports, and presenting and justifying analyses and recommendations.
Assessment:
D. Transferable (Graduate & Employability Skills)– be able to:
1. Design and implement creative solutions to problem solving. 2. Manage independent study and work with others.
3. Communicate concepts and findings to professional standards.
4. Employ ICT to support scholarship, conduct analysis, and articulate concepts and findings.
Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods:
Graduate and employability skills are developed in small-group contexts, such as seminars, workshops, and tutorials, and in supervised independent research supported by a research supervisor. The tutorial
programme provides occasions for critical reflection on the accumulation of skills. Cumulatively, these activities address learning outcomes D1-4.
Assessment:
Assessment, particularly non-examination assessments, allow students to demonstrate their capacity to manage their own learning, and to exhibit academic management skills, their ability to work with others, and their commitment to professional and ethical standards. These opportunities are particularly notable with respect to project-based work undertaken within the programme. Assessments typically address Learning Outcomes D1-4.
11. Programme Structure, Progression and Award Requirements: 11.1 Overview
Standard University rules apply. 180 credits are required to achieve the final award. The regulations must be consulted for a full description of exit awards.
All units are worth 30 credits except for the dissertation which is worth 60 credits.
The programme may be studied over 12 months full time, 30 months part time or by distance learning (approximately 27 months).
11.2 Employability Statement
As a specialist Masters Programme, most MSc SQM students will have work experience. Employability skills are therefore less key to the programme. However, given that the purpose of this Masters is to develop the critical and practical skills that will enable the individual to enhance their performance and career development, graduate and employability skills still remain embedded throughout the programme with respect to:
Encouragement of reflective learning through appropriate feedback and tutorial support.
Use of case studies modelled on real-life work situations and the appraisal of recent research findings.
Use of External speakers
The scope for cross-cultural experience and networking (provided by the international nature of the students).
12. Support for Student Learning
The Course is managed by a Course Leader (Taught) and a Course Leader (Distance Learning).
Extensive induction programme introduces the student to the University and their course. Each student has a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance.
Personal Development Planning documentation is given to Taught students during induction and the PDP process is cascaded to distance learning students using Moodle.
Student Centre incorporating Students Union and Student Services. Excellent library facilities.
The University of Portsmouth has consistently been awarded an excellent rating for student support and guidance in a number of Quality Assurance Agency inspections.
Student and course handbooks provide information about the course structure, local regulations, etc. Unit content documentation provides extensive material and self-test exercises for DL students. Individual and cohort written feedback is provided for all assessment.
13. Admission Criteria
a. Academic Admissions Criteria
The programme accepts students from a broad range of backgrounds. Ideally, students will have a first degree or equivalent of a good standard in a relevant subject, but applicants with substantial relevant managerial experience will be considered. Students with a first degree should ideally have relevant work experience to enable them to contextualise the material; however, the overriding focus is the ability of the student to pass the course. Students whose first language is not English should be able to provide evidence of their ability in English (minimum entry level with an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent qualification).Distance learning applicants are not required to provide such evidence particularly if their education was carried out in English. Applicants should have experience of communicating in English (assessed by the application form including the Personal Statement and a telephone interview with the course leader).
b. Disability
The University makes no distinction in its admissions policy with regard to disability and will endeavour to make all reasonable adjustments in order to make it possible for students to study at Portsmouth on a course of their choice.
14. Evaluation and Enhancement of Quality and Standards in Learning and Teaching a. Mechanisms for review and evaluation
Head of Subject’s Group Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review to Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Faculty Executive.
Unit and Course Level student feedback considered at Board of Studies.
Unit Assessment Board consideration of student performance for each programme.
Annual Standards and Quality Report to Board of Studies, including consideration of Subject and Award External Examiner reports.
Student Representatives and Student/Staff Consultative Committees.
Annual Staff Appraisal and Peer Teaching observation
Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee.
Periodic Departmental Standards Quality and Review and report to the Quality Assurance Committee.
b. Responsibilities for monitoring and evaluation
Unit Co-ordinators for unit content and delivery. Course Leaders for day-to-day running of course. Course Director for overall evaluation and development.
Board of Studies with overall responsibilities for operation and content of course.
Head of Subject Group.
Head of Postgraduate Taught Programmes.
Associate Dean (Academic) andAssociate Dean (Students).
Unit, Award and Progression Board of Examiners.
c. Mechanisms for gaining student feedback
Student representation on Board of Studies.
Student Staff Consultative Committees.
Unit and Course level student questionnaires.
Student meeting with the External Examiner
Personal contact with tutors and the Course Leaders
d. Staff Development Priorities
Academic staff undertake activities related to research, scholarship, teaching and learning and student support and guidance.
Annual staff appraisals match development to needs.
Managers undertake a variety of management development programmes.
New academic staff required to undertake PgCLTHE.
All academic staff encouraged to seek Higher Education Academy membership.
Support staff are encouraged to attend short courses in areas such as minute taking, and specific IT packages.
15. Assessment
15.1 Assessment Strategy
Formative and summative assessment are used on the Programme. These approaches have been selected to enable students to develop and demonstrate a systematic understanding and mastery of the course content and its application in the business environment. The Assessment map is shown on p.12.
15.2AssessmentRegulations
a.Assessment and Classification Rules
Standard university rules apply. In summary, the main points relating to assessment are as follows but the regulations must be consulted for a full description:
Unit overall pass mark is 40%.
Second attempt assessment is allowed to a student (in all or some assessment components), who has
failed a unit or units at the first attempt but only to limits prescribed in the regulations
Repeat assessment is allowed to students who fail a unit after second attempt assessment. Such students must attempt all the assessment components specified in the assessment schedule and are usually expected to attend all class sessions.
At the final stage units, to limits prescribed in the regulations, failed at the first attempt may be compensated at the discretion of the Award Progression Board.
Special provision may be made in approved Extenuating Circumstances cases.b.Interpretation of Marks in Classification
Standard University rules apply. The main points relating to classification are as follows but the regulations must be consulted for a full description:
Pass: overall weighted average of 40-59% from all relevant units
c. Role of Externals
Subject External Examiners – oversee unit assessment and: sample assessment artefacts
present report to Unit Assessment Boards.
Award External Examiners – a Subject External Examiner who will oversee and attend award/progression Boards.
16. Indicators of Quality and Standards a. Professional Accreditation/Recognition
Chartered Quality Institute – the course meets the academic requirements for student membership of the Institute.
b.Previous Subject Review (or equivalent)
None.
c. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent) April 2014 (Specialist Masters Programmes): Courses under review:
MSc Project Management/Project Management and Leadership MSc Strategic Quality Management
MSc Risk/Risk, Crisis and Resilience Management MS/PgDip/PgCert Coaching and Development
Outcome, ‘Continued validity and relevance of the curriculum for all Programmes’ agreed and ‘Annual Monitoring and Review Processes’ considered to be ‘effective’.
Two conditions:
i. ‘Update the unit and course level documentation so that it more accurately reflects the
distinctive programme’
ii. ‘Implement processes to ensure the assessment schedule enables the timely return of feedback to students, providing appropriate support to new and part-time lecturers’
Note also:
November 2007 Periodic Programme Review – outcome successful with no actions required. d. Quality Assurance Agency
QAA Institutional Audit, April 2004, ‘broad confidence’
e. Others
17. Other Sources of Information may be found in
Course Approval Document
Student and Course Handbook
University of Portsmouth Postgraduate Prospectus
Assessment Regulations
University of Portsmouth (www.port.ac.uk) andUnit Assessment Map
UNITS for the MSc SQM full-time ‘Taught group’ and part-time ‘DL’
group
1COURSEWORK
EXAMINATION
Level Name Codes2 Credit Delivery Core/
Option Total % Type of Artefact Duration/ Length Weighting % Total % Open / Closed Duration (hrs) Weighting %
7
3Management and EvaluationBusiness Systems: Concepts, U20565/U20683 30 YR C 100Written assignment, including essay– individual –Written assignment including esay – individual 2750 words 2750 words 50 50
x
x
x
x
7
BusinessTransformation through Quality Management U20566/U20629 30 YR C 100 Essay– individual Essay – individual 2500 words 2500 words 50 50
x
x
x
x
7
4ExcellenceStrategic Organisational U20601/U20682 30 YR C 100
Case study – individual Case study – individual Reflective essay – individual 1,500 words 1,500words 2,000 words 40 25 35
x
x
x
x
7
Quantitative and Research Methods U20595/U20684 30 YR C 50 Report – individual Report – individual 4,000 words 52,000 words 50 50
x
x
x
x
1C1234F MSc SQM Full-time Taught group; C2431P MSc SQM Part-time DL group
2First listed codes are for the full-time ‘Taught’ delivery. Second-listed codes are for the part-time DL group.
3DL Students follow the same assessment pattern, but with adjusted word counts and weightings to reflect the logistics associated with ‘off-campus’ groupwork (1. 50%, 2500 words; 2. 20% 1000 words; 3. 30% 2500 words). (1. 40% individual, 2500 words; 2. 60% individual 3000 words)
UNITS for the MSc SQM Hewlett Packard ‘closed’ course
6COURSEWORK
EXAMINATION
Level Name Codes7 Credit Delivery Core/
Option Total % Type of Artefact Duration/ Length Weighting % Total % Open / Closed Duration (hrs) Weighting %
7
Business Systems: Concepts, Management and Evaluation U20683 30 YR C 100 Report – individual Report – group2,750 words
2,750 words 50 50
x
x
x
x
7
8through Quality ManagementBusinessTransformationU20629
30 YR C 100 Essay – individualEssay - individual
2,500 words
2,500 words
50
50
x
x
x
x
7
Effective Strategic Quality
Management
U23099 30 YR C 100 Essay – individual Report– individual4,500 words
1,500 words 75 25
x
x
x
x
7
9MethodsQuantitative and ResearchU20684
30 YR C 50 Report – individual Report – individual4,000 words
102,000 words
50
50
x
x
x
x
7
Dissertation U20574 60 C 100 Dissertation 15,000 words 100%x
x
x
x
6C2433P MSc SQM Hewlett Packard ‘closed’ course
7First listed codes are for the full-time ‘Taught’ delivery. Second-listed codes are for the part-time DL group. 8‘Business Transformation through Quality Management is an APEL unit, so not on the HP route
