Prospectus 2015/2016
Master programme fulltime Master of Business Administration
International Business School
International Business School
Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
Approved by the Dean of the International Business School on … These regulations take effect from 1 September 2015
2 Contents
Introduction ... 4
1 Study Programme ... 5
1.1 Programme Description ... 5
1.2 Exam Board and Assessment Committee... 5
1.3 International Student Office, ISO (Zernikeplein 7) ... 6
1.4 Admission Committee ... 6
1.5 School Representative Council ... 7
1.6 Education Committee ... 7
2 MBA Programme learning outcomes and competencies ... 8
2.1 MBA Programme learning outcomes ... 8
2.2 Competencies in relation with the MBA programme learning outcomes ... 9
2.3 Dublin Descriptors ... 10
2.4 Relations between learning outcomes and Dublin Descriptors ... 11
3 Programme outline... 12
3.1 Mode of study ... 12
3.2 Specialisations and Differentiations ... 12
3.3 Curriculum Scheme for Osiris ... 13
3.4 Year planning 2015-2016 Masters programme ... 15
4 Curriculum ... 18
4.1 Course Outlines ... 18
4.2 Code of Conduct regarding the use of Foreign Languages ... 18
4.3 Thesis Phase ... 18
5 Admission Requirements... 18
5.1 Required Prior Learning ... 19
5.2 Employment Requirements for MBA Programme ... 19
5.3 Language requirements ... 19
5.4 Maximum/Minimum Number of Students ... 20
5.5 Enrolment limitations ... 20
6 Examinations ... 21
6.1 Exam opportunities ... 21
6.2 Anti-Plagiarism Rules ... 21
6.3 The use of aids during written exams ... 23
6.4 Rules for the proper conduct of examinations ... 23
3
6.5 Exam review ... 23
7 Placements and Excursions ... 24
8 Compulsory Attendance ... 24
9 Tutoring ... 24
10 Cum Laude Regulations ... 24
11 Credits and Assessment Schemes ... 24
11.1 Codes, credits and grades ... 24
11.2 Credit and grading system ... 25
APPENDIX 1: COURSE OUTLINES MBA ... 27
APPENDIX 2: Examination Regulations for Master’s Degree Programmes at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen and Examination Protocol for Students ... 63
4
Introduction
Welcome to IBS! IBS offers truly international education at a Master and Bachelor level. We welcome students from all nationalities and we certainly welcome diversity. Working and studying in an international environment is exciting, challenging and rewarding.
This Prospectus contains information about our School, our Master of Business Administration programme, and the rules and regulations that apply to this programme. With faculty and students from so many different cultural backgrounds, it is of extra importance to be clear about the rules and regulations that apply at our school. Please read this Prospectus carefully and use it as your
reference in case of questions about your study and IBS rules and regulations.
IBS is proud to be the first International Business School in a Dutch University of Applied Sciences. IBS started in 1988 with the first IBMS programme in the Netherlands, as the international version of the core economic bachelor programme at that time. The new programme was designed to reflect the open-mindedness in the Netherlands concerning economics and cultures as well as the further development of the global perspective in business.
A few years after starting the successful IBMS bachelor programme, IBS expanded to include Master programmes. Currently we offer a Master of Business Administration and a Master in International Business & Management.
All our programmes are truly international and are meant to prepare you for a successful international business career.
At IBS we strongly believe that our students are key stakeholders in our education. We welcome student participation in many ways, for example:
oral evaluations with the head of education in which students provide valuable input that we need to further improve our education.
the Education Committee (EC): this committee consists of lecturers and students, and advises the Dean on proposed changes to our education.
the School Participation Council (SPC): this is the formal body approving policy documents such as the School Year Plan and the School Strategic Plan.
the student union ‘IBS-U’
I wish you all the best in your study here at IBS.
With kind regards, Bram ten Kate Dean IBS
5
1 Study Programme
1.1 Programme Description
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme is a 17 month (90 EC), full time
postgraduate programme that is targeted at business professionals who want to become tomorrow’s leaders and managers, who seek to support their practical experience with theoretical knowledge and benchmark their expertise with the experiences of other professionals. In today’s dynamic global environment, an international MBA opens up new international career opportunities.
In this programme students learn to integrate the main business processes of organizations into effective and efficient corporate strategy. In addition, they learn to deal with the diverse and sometimes diverging interests of various stakeholders involved in international business. The programme requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience and prepares graduates for senior and general management positions. The programme focuses on (strategic) leadership and management in a (inter)national business context.
Our overall educational concept is characterized by small group sizes, and intensive contact between students and staff. Next to lectures and workshops, students work both individually and in teams on practice-based and experience-based projects and case studies. Students interact with the world of professional practice through guest lectures by entrepreneurs, senior business executives and knowledge experts, seminars, real life consultancy projects and company visits.
Our teaching staff is selected to ensure an interesting mixture of business experience and expertise in applied research. Throughout the programme the integration between different knowledge areas is strongly emphasized. The programme is full time and is taught in English.
1.2 Exam Board and Assessment Committee
The Exam Board is responsible for assuring the quality of the programme by supervising the content, method and level of the examinations. It has a duty to determine whether graduates have achieved the learning outcomes described in the Prospectus. Members of the Exam Board are appointed by the Dean. The composition of the Exam Board can be found on Hanze.nl.
https://www.hanze.nl/eng/education/economy/international-business- school/organisation/committees/exam-board
The Assessment Committee is responsible for monitoring the quality of examinations and operates under the supervision of the Exam Board.
The composition of the Assessment Committee can be found on Hanze.nl https://www.hanze.nl/eng/education/economy/international-business- school/organisation/committees/ibs-committees
Students who wish their case to be discussed in the Exam Board meeting must write a letter and submit it (on paper) to the Exam Board, via the IBS Info Desk. Emails regarding Exam Board matters that are sent to individual Exam Board members, the Secretary or to other members of IBS staff will not be accepted as a formal appeal. Requests letters must include the following*:
6
• A clear explanation of your case/complaint in clear English
• Be motivated with a request for a specific action/solution. i.e. What do you want exactly and why do you think you deserve it?
• If applicable, refer to the rule/regulation in the Prospectus, Student Charter or elsewhere which you think applies in your case and include a copy of the rule.
• Be accompanied by copies of all relevant supporting documents, copies of e-mails from teachers or student counsellors, your grade list, etc.
• If applicable, include the name of the student counsellor to whom you spoke and the date of your discussions with him/her. If you are claiming extenuating circumstances you must have spoken to a student counsellor at the time the circumstances arose or your claim will not be accepted.
• All requests need to be submitted individually, and be dated and signed.
*Appeal letters which fail to meet these requirements will be returned for completion.
Please be aware that the Exam Board is only authorised to deal with appeals regarding those matters stated in the Student Charter of Hanze University. If a student does not agree with an existing rule, he should consult the IBS Management Team and not the IBS Exam Board. Please be informed that it could take up to 10 working days to receive an answer from the Exam Board.
Contact details of Exam Board:
Hanze University of Applied Sciences International Business School Exam Board
P.O. Box 70030 9704 AA Groningen
1.3 International Student Office, ISO (Zernikeplein 7)
The ISO provides information to international students on housing, insurance, visa requirements and various aspects regarding the procedures for your study abroad.
Contact details of the International Student Office:
1.4 Admission Committee
The Admission Committee advises the Dean about the admission of students. The Committee members are appointed by the Dean. For reference to the Admission Committee, check https://www.hanze.nl/eng/education/economy/international-business-
school/organisation/committees/ibs-committees Contact details of the Master Admission Committee:
7 1.5 School Representative Council
The representative council of a school, the School Representative Council, is a democratically elected body comprising four student members and four members of IBS staff. For more information about the School Representative Council, please refer to Hanze.nl (www.hanze.nl > Onderwijs >
International Business School > Organisation > Committees > The School Representative Council).
Contact details of the School Representative Council:
Ms. Susan Olthof –Mulder (secretary), email: [email protected] 1.6 Education Committee
The IBS Education Committee (Study Programme Committee as referred to in Article 10.3c of the Higher Education and Research Act) advises the Dean on all matters relating to the education within the School. It comprises four students and four IBS lecturers. The members are appointed by the Dean.
For more information on the Education Committee (members and contact details), please refer to Hanze.nl (www.hanze.nl > Onderwijs > International Business School > Organisation > IBS Committees).
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2 MBA Programme learning outcomes and competencies
This chapter presents the competencies which students must acquire in order to become a Master of Business Administration. The programme learning outcomes of the MBA programme are presented first. The MBA programme learning outcomes are related to the Association of MBA’s (AMBA) profile: criteria for the accreditation of MBA Programmes. The AMBA criteria describe what is expected of a student in order to become an international business professional at Master level in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills.
Agreements have been made in Europe about the general level of the Master degrees. These agreements have been laid down in the so-called Dublin Descriptors. The learning outcomes of the Master of Business Administration programme relate to the Dublin Descriptors. At the end of the chapter, the Dublin Descriptors are presented followed by an overview showing the relationship between the MBA programme learning outcomes and the Dublin Descriptors.
2.1 MBA Programme learning outcomes The MBA graduate:
1. demonstrates knowledge and understanding of 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.
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.
3. critically evaluates the validity and relevance of published research on business strategy and based on that formulates implementable and effective interventions and possibly
extrapolates these into new approaches to management practice.
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.
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.
6. communicates effectively with any stakeholders in multidisciplinary and multicultural settings both as an individual and as a team player, within the organisational context.
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.
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.
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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;
6,
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.
8
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
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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 …
EC Min.
grade**
O/W* Elective HRM1 Human Resource Management
Written exam
Assignment
…15HRM1
...15HRM1A
...15HRM1C 5:
3
2
C C
W O EFA1 Ethical Finance and Accounting Assignment …15EFA1C 5 C O
Block 1.2 Period 2
MAS1 Marketing Strategy
Written exam
Assignment
… 15MAS1
…15MAS1A
…15MAS1C 5:
3
2
C C
W O Block 1.1 & 1.2 Period 1 & 2
BRM1 Business Research Methods 1
Written exam
Assignment
…15BRM1
...15BRM1A
...15BRM1C 5
2
3
C C
W O ICL1 Intercultural Competences and
Leadership Assignment 1
Assignment 2
…15ICL1
...15ICL1C
...15ICL1D
5:
2
3
C C
O O INP1 Integrative Business Project
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
…15INP1
...15INP1C
...15INP1D
5:
4
1
C C
O O Total Credits Semester 1 30
14
Study Programme: MBA Fulltime Semester 2 Academic Year 2015-16
Block 1.3 Period 3
Module^ Assessment^ Codes^
ZAVM …
EC Min.
grade**
O/W* Elective STM1 Strategic Management
Written exam
Assignment
…15STM1
...15STM1A
...15STM1C
5:
3
2
C C
W O INC1 Innovation and Change
Management
Assignment …15INC1C 5 C O
VCM1 Value Chain Management
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
…15VCM1
...15VCM1C
...15VCM1D 5:
4
1
C C
O O
Block 1.4 Period 4
NER1 New Economic Realities for
managers Oral exam
Assignment
…15NER1
…15NER1B
…15NER1C
5:
3
2
C C
O O IMP1 Integrative Management Project
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
…15IMP1
…15IMP1C
…15IMP1D
5:
3
2
C C
O O Block 1.3 & 1.4 Period 3 & 4
LDM1 Leadership and Decision making
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
…15LDM1
...15LDM1C
...15LDM1D 5:
2
3
C C
O O 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
Assignment 2
Assignment 3
…15BRM2
...15BRM2C
...15BRM2D
…15BRM2F 5:
1
1
3
C L L
O O O
THE1 MBA thesis Assignment …15THE1C 25 C O
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 Hanze
periods IBS WEEKS Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri MIBM MIBM going to ARU MBA MIBM cohort Sept'14 MBA cohort Sept'14
aug 15 35 24 25 26 27 28 28/8 Welcoming day ISO 28/8 Welcoming day ISO 28/8 Welcoming day ISO
sep 15 36 1,1 INTRO 31 1 2 3 4 bootcamp bootcamp bootcamp
37 1,2 week 1 period 1 7 8 9 10 11 bootcamp + kick off lessons bootcamp + kick off lessons bootcamp + kick off lessons
38 1,3 week 2 14 15 16 17 18 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 14/9 exam review resit July 14/9 exam review resit July
39 1,4 week 3 21 22 23 24 25 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
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
regular exam; finishing assignments
46 1,11 IP 9 10 11 12 13 Intensive Program -ICB Intensive Program -ICB Intensive Program -ICB
47 2,1 week 1 period 2 16 17 18 19 20 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 48 2,2 week 2 23 24 25 26 27 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes dec 15 49 2,3 week 3 30 1 2 3 4 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
50 2,4 week 4 7 8 9 10 11 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 11/12 deadline Thesis 11/12 deadline Thesis
51 2,5 week 5 14 15 16 17 18
Mo, Tue regular classes; 16-18 self study
Mo, Tue regular classes; 16-18 self study
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
7/1 BRM exam; Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
7/1 BRM exam; Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
7/1 BRM exam; Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
2 2,7 week 7 11 12 13 14 15
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 needed for validation)
27/1 graduation (two days needed for validation) feb 16 5 2,10 self study week 1 2 3 4 5 finishing assignments semester 1 start lessons at ARU finishing assignments semester 1
6 3,1 week 1 period 3 8 9 10 11 12 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes lessons at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 7 3,2 week 2 15 16 17 18 19 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes lessons at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
8 3,3 week 3 22 23 24 25 26
BRM3 workshop 2 and regular
classes lessons at ARU
BRM3 workshop 2 and regular classes
mrt 16 9 3,4 self study week 29 1 2 3 4 self study week lessons at ARU self study week
10 3,5 week 4 7 8 9 10 11 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes lessons at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 11 3,6 week 5 14 15 16 17 18 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes lessons at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 12 3,7 week 6 21 22 23 24 25 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes self study week to be confirmed Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
ZTV ZTV ZAV
16
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 assignments
15 3,10 week 9 11 12 13 14 15 intensive program lessons at ARU intensive program
16 4,1 week 1 period 4 18 19 20 21 22 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes lessons at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes 17 4,2 week 2 25 26 27 28 29 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes lessons at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
mei 16 18 self study week 2 3 4 5 6 self study week Mo-Wed last week at ARU self study week Mo-Wed
19 4,3 week 3 9 10 11 12 13
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 21 4,5 week 5 23 24 25 26 27 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes exams at ARU Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes
jun 16 22 4,6 week 6 30 31 1 2 3 board room board room
23 4,7 week 7 6 7 8 9 10 Mo, Tue, Thu regular classes finishing assignments exam training / study week 24 4,8 exam week 13 14 15 16 17 finishing assignments finishing assignments 14/6 exam; finishing assignments
25 4,9 week 9 20 21 22 23 24 BRM pressure cooker BRM pressure cooker BRM pressure cooker
jul 16 26 4,10 week 10 27 28 29 30 1
27/6 BRM poster presentations;
finishing assignments semester 2
27/6 BRM poster presentations;
finishing assignments semester 2
27/6 BRM poster presentations;
28/6 exam review p4 exams;
finishing assignments semester 2
27 4,11 resit week 4 5 6 7 8 resit exams all year =p1,2,3,4; resit exams all year =p1,2,3,4;
28 11 12 13 14 15 15/7 graduation 15/7 graduation
29 18 19 20 21 22
30 25 26 27 28 29
aug 16 31 1 2 3 4 5
32 8 9 10 11 12
33 15 16 17 18 19
34 22 23 24 25 26
sep 16 35 29 30 31 1 2
36 1,1 start year 5 6 7 8 9 exam review resits exam review resits
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
17
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)
18
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.
19
*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.
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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
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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 from others without referencing or intentionally pretending the authenticity of fake interviews or false data from research.
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The examination (paper) of a student who is found guilty of these practices will be declared null and void and the student will be barred from taking this examination for a period of one year.
Criminal Fraud (theft, embezzlement, forgery)
Any act or neglect intended to obtain or pass on information unlawfully, which is based on any form of theft, embezzlement or forgery; the complete copying of documents from others and offering them for evaluation under one’s own name; the forging of a signature from an assessor; wrongfully indicating, or making an indication of presence, on an attendance list; next to anything the student has done or not done to falsify the submitted work or the awarded grade result.
The student will be punished by being barred from taking examinations for a period of one year.
Repeated acts of plagiarism can lead the Exam Board to set a higher penalty within the boundaries of the law.
6.3 The use of aids during written exams
Aids such as calculators, graph paper, etc., may be used in a number of examinations. Dictionaries are NOT permitted. Only those aids listed on the examination paper are permitted and they may not contain any notes, unless this is specifically mentioned as permitted on the examination paper.
Students are not permitted to use their mobile telephone during any examination. Students should switch it off before entering the exam room and only switch it back on again after they have left. If their telephone is used or activated in any way (rings, beeps, vibrates or makes any noise
whatsoever) they will be required to leave the exam; their work will be declared null and void and they will need to re-sit the examination at a later date.
6.4 Rules for the proper conduct of examinations
Students must be aware of the rules and regulations laid down in the Examination protocol, which is chapter 5 of the Hanze Student Charter. This Examination protocol is added to this Prospectus in Appendix 1.
In addition to this, there are some IBS specific rules:
for multiple choice exams, it is not allowed to write the answers on the exam paper itself.
Students are only allowed to circle their answer and use the answer sheet. Not sticking to these rules will lead to an Exam Board case.
It is not permitted to go to the toilet during exams.
6.5 Exam review
After every exam period, teachers have 10 working days to grade exams and 15 working days to grade projects and other assignments. Exam review sessions for written exams and assignments will be offered to students after every exam period. Students can review their exam(s)/assessment(s).
This is an opportunity for students to briefly review their exam with the teacher and to make an
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appointment for a more in-depth review if necessary. During this exam review, it is not allowed to copy or photograph the exam, without the permission of the teacher.
The exam review hours and venues will be published on Hanze.nl
If the student does not attend the exam review session, it is not possible to make an additional appointment with the teacher.
Attending an exam review may never lead to the student receiving a lower grade than before the exam review because the exam is reviewed question by question.
7 Placements and Excursions
Every year IBS plans company visits as part of some courses. These companies differ from year to year.
8 Compulsory Attendance
Attendance at lectures, workshops and other educational activities is strongly advised but not strictly required, unless compulsory attendance is stated in the course outlines.
9 Tutoring
Every student has an academic advisor who is the contact person for study related and personal issues.
10 Cum Laude Regulations
The Exam Board can award a distinction of Cum Laude, if students fulfil the requirements as
described in the Examination Regulations for Master Programme MBA 2015-2016., Article 4a.12 Cum Laude. The Cum Laude applies to the final diploma.
The weighting of the separate exams (number of ECs) is taken into account when calculating the average grade and includes the grade for the Thesis which must be at least 8.0.
11 Credits and Assessment Schemes
11.1 Codes, credits and grades
Each module comprises one or more assessment components (‘courses’), which have their own unique code in the Hanze grade registration system ‘Osiris’. Assessment component codes used in Osiris are 11 characters long. The first four characters define the various programme: for the MBA
“ZAVH”
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The numbers following these relate to administrative processes.
The assessment codes are provided in the Curriculum Overview Schemes (chapter 3.3 ).
The first five characters, standard to the programme, have been omitted for clarity and only the remaining characters are shown, for example: 4FAC1A, which is the code for an assessment for the Financial Accounting module where ‘FAC1’ identifies the module and ‘A’ is the type of assessment.
The codes for the different assessment types are:
A or E = written exam B = oral exam
C or D = assignment which could include e.g. attendance, class activities or portfolio The Credits & Assessment Schemes define the modules, periods in which the modules are offered, Osiris codes/assessment components and the number of credits. The general rule is that the scheme, current at the time a student enrolls, either in the First Year or in the Second Year, is the one that applies to that student (for the First Year or the Second Year respectively). If changes are made to the curriculum, a transition scheme is published on Hanze.nl (access www.hanze.nl > Onderwijs >
International Business School > Programmes > Master Programmes > Transition Schemes).
Detailed grade composition for each module can be found in the Course Outlines.
11.2 Credit and grading system
The study load is expressed in terms of European Credits (EC): one credit represents 28 hours of work, including contact hours in classes and tutorials, hours spent preparing assignments,
independent study and study-related activities. Full-time study requires approximately 1.5 credits per week, 60 credits per year. The complete MBA programme consists of 90 credits.
Grading system
The following grading system is used for all courses:
Grade Dutch term English term pass/fail
10 uitmuntend excellent pass
9 zeer goed very good pass
8 goed good pass
7 ruim voldoende amply sufficient pass
6 voldoende sufficient pass
5 bijna voldoende almost sufficient fail
4 onvoldoende insufficient fail
3 gering low fail
2 slecht poor fail
1 zeer slecht very poor fail
26 Grade calculation
On the scale of 1 to 10, a grade of 5.5 or more represents a ‘sufficient’ grade.
Every assessment needs to be sufficient. If an assessment is made more than once, the highest grade is the one that counts.
Grades and Grade Lists
Students are responsible for checking that their grades are entered correctly into the Osiris grade registration system. Students can access their grade list through Osiris (access www.hanze.nl > Quick launch Osiris).
Please refer to chapter 6.5 for more information on grades and exam reviews.
If a student is missing a grade or if an incorrect grade has been entered on their grade list, the student should contact the teacher concerned within 20 working days after the Exam/Assessment Review session has taken place.
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APPENDIX 1: COURSE OUTLINES MBA
SEMESTER 1
Modules in block 1.1
Human Resource Management (HRM1)
Ethical Finance and Accounting (EFA1)
Modules in block 1.2
Marketing Strategy (MAS1)
Modules in block 1.1 and 1.2
Business Research Methods 1 (BRM1)
Intercultural Competences and Leadership (ICL1)
Integrative Business Project (INP1)
28 Course outline: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 1 Course name Human Resource Management
Course code ZAVM15HRM1
Academic Year 2015-2016
Period Semester 1, Period 1
Course size 5 ECTS (= 5 x 28 = 140 hrs student workload) Level/type Master level. Obligatory course for MBA Entry requirements None
Lecturer(s) Prof. Dr. Franz Josef Gellert Language of instruction English
Course content This course will cover the following topics:
The role of HRM
Strategic HRM
Performance Management
Compensation
Staffing, Recruitment, and Selection
Motivation; Job satisfaction
Management Development; Staff Development
Organizational Development
International HRM; Cross-cultural Management
Labour Law; Health & Safety; Business Ethics
Essay writing, and examination
Guest speakers (optional) Course Learning
Outcomes
After completing the course the students:
demonstrates knowledge and understanding of management by making use of relevant business and economic theories and models to apply in complex and dynamic business context
demonstrates an ability to recognize and address changes of strategic importance for the organization, and demonstrate the ability to manage and transform business processes in order to respond to the changes adequately, in particular
Describe and show an understanding of HRM strategies in relation to international corporate, organizational, and/or institutional strategies.
Describe, explain, analyse and value HRM practices, tools &
instruments in relation to HRM strategies. Students do this in international business context, in cross-cultural context, and in ethical context.
Critically evaluates the validity and the relevance of published research on relevant business theories and practices, and based on that formulates implementable and effective interventions, plus new approaches to management practices, in particular
Critically analyse, and value the impact of HRM on organizational behaviour, organizational culture, and on (team) performance, in international business context.
Independently analyse, compare and discuss current HRM theory, concepts, and models in relation to HRM policies and practices in
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an actual international corporate or institutional HRM environment
Didactical form Seminars and guest lectures Essay writing
Assessment Assessment
method(s)
Written exam
Individual assignment
Min.Grade 5,5 5,5
Number of ECTS:
3
2
Code:
ZAVM15HRM1A ZAVM15HRM1C Course literature Compulsory literature:
Human resource Management, Garry Dessler, Pearson Education, 14th edition-GLOBAL EDITION Inc.,Hadow (UK) 2015 (ISBN
9781292018430)- including access to MyManagmenLab
International Human Resource Management; Policies and Practices for multinational enterprises, Ibraiz Tarique, Dennis Briscoe & Rahdall S. Schuler, Routledge, New York 5th edition, 2016 ISBN 9780415710534 (* if available 5th edition)(otherwise 4th edition)
International Human Resource Management; Policies and practices for multinational enterprises, Dennis Briscoe, Randall Schuler & Ibraiz Tarique, Routledge, New York 4th edition., 2012.(ISBN 978-0-415-88476-1)
Recommended reading:
Building Human Resources from the Outside in, Dave Ulrich, et.al., McGraw Hill, 2009.(ISBN-13: 978-0071638708).
Background Reading:
Organizational Behaviour, Stephen P. Robbins, Timothy A. Judge
& Timothy T. Campbell, Pearson Education International. New Jersey, 2010. (ISBN 9780273739630)- or later edition if available Costs Approximately € 75,- / € 120,-
Course support &
information
See Blackboard.
Student Workload Seminars and guest lectures = 20 hrs Presentations = 3 hrs Essay writing = 40 hrs Reading/preparation/cases = 77 hrs Total: 140 hours Other information For useful class attendance and underpinned essay writing; start reading
from week 1
