Coventry University London Campus
STUDENT HANDBOOK
for
MBA Programme
MBA
Programme Coordinator: Adewale Adeyemi
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COVENTRY UNIVERSITY LONDON CAMPUS
A WELCOME TO ALL NEW MBA STUDENTS
Dear Student
My name is Wale Adeyemi and I am the coordinator for the MBA programme. On behalf of the entire Coventry University London Campus (CULC) team I would like to welcome you to what promises to be a very exciting and rewarding educational journey. I also want to say congratulations for choosing to study for your MBA at CULC where rigorous academic study is combined with a real business experience to make you an effective graduate in the global market place.
It is our pleasure to have you as our student and client. We commit to delivering to you an outstanding and value added learning experience through a well-designed, career-oriented, business -focused, technology-enabled and fun-filled curriculum.
As an MBA student at CULC, in addition to this programme handbook, you will also be supplied with module guides which contain important information on the structure and specific requirements of your modules. You must ensure that you are familiar with these documents and other regulations available on the web site.
You have a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and acquire skills that will transform your life and lay a good foundation for your career. We will support you to make the best of it.
We wish you the very best.
Adewale Adeyemi
Academic Tutor and MBA Programme Coordinator
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Contents
1 Course Introduction 7
1.1 Introduction to this handbook 7
1.2 Key Contacts 8
1.3 Background 8
1.4 Summary of Expectations 9
1.5 Aims of the programme 9
1.5.1 Knowledge and Understanding: 9
1.5.2 Cognitive (thinking) Skills: 10
1.5.3 Practical Skills: 11
1.5.4 Transferable Skills: 11
1.6 Access to Campus Facilities 12
2. Course Duration and Delivery 13
2.1 Teaching 14
2.2 Student effort 14
2.2.1 Time management 14
2.2.2 Study time 14
2.2.3 Group meetings/rehearsals and Room booking 15
2.2.4 Engagement/Interaction /Involvement 15
2.2.5 Attendance 15
2.2.6 Conduct 16
2.2.7 Dress code 16
2.2.8 Lecture/seminar conduct 17
2.2.9 Conduct around the campus 17
3 Course Structure and Modular System 17
3.1 Time table and class design 19
3.2 Module Information 20
3.2.1 Module Guides 20
3.3 Module Definition 21
3.4 Core Module Specifications 21
3.4.1 Advanced Business Practice (M001LON) 22
3.4.2 Sustainable Strategy- from Planning to Implementation (M002LON) 22
3.4.3 Marketing in a Global Age (M003LON) 22
3.4.4 Finance, Funding and Legislative Framework for Success (M004LON) 22
3.4.5 Leading in a Changing World (M005LON) 22
4 Learning Resources and IT Support 23
4.1 CULC Library resources 24
4.2 Access to other libraries 25
4.3 Research Skills 25
5 Assessment 26
5.1 Assessment 26
5.2 Assessment Methods 26
5.3 Types of Assessment 26
5.4 Submission 27
5.5 Feedback/Result 27
5.6 Academic dishonesty 28
5.6.1 Collusion 28
5.6.2 Falsification 29
5.6.3 Deceit 29
5.6.4 Plagiarism 29
5.6.5 Re-presentation 29
5.6.6 Cheating 29
5.7 Review and Appeal 30
5.8 Results 30
5.9 Award classification 31
6 Student Support 32
6.1 Student Services 32
6.2 Student Feedback 33
6.2.1 Expressing your views about the course 33
6.2.2 Representation on Academic Board 33
6.2.4 Further academic/In-session study skill support 33
6.2.5 Tutorial support 34
6.2.6 Special Needs 34
6.3 Career advice 34
6.4 Communication 34
6.5 Administrative Enquiries 35
6.6 Extenuating circumstances that affect your studies 35
7 Plagiarism and how to avoid it: 37
9 Appendices 40
Appendix 1 A Coventry University London Campus Code of Conduct 40
1. Identification Card 41
2. Punctuality & Classroom conduct 41
3. Safety Regulations 42
4. Discipline 43
Appendix 2 Definitions Explained 44
Teaching Periods and styles: 44
Virtual Learning & Electronic Resources 45
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1 Course Introduction
1.1 Introduction to this handbook
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a user-friendly guide to the MBA programme at Coventry University London Campus (CULC). An electronic version of this handbook and most of the information you will need to complete your course is available on Moodle, our virtual learning environment. You should consult Moodle on a regular basis as there will be frequent announcements relating to your studies.
Full details of CULC’s principles, regulations and procedures are available in the ‘Academic Regulations for Programmes at Coventry University London Campus’ (http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/LondonCampus/students/Pages/AcademicRegulations.asp). These regulations provide a set of rules that must be applied when determining the requirements for the construction and completion of your MBA course. The regulations also contain information regarding Intellectual Property Rights protection at CULC. This handbook only contains a summary of these regulations as they apply to the MBA Programme.
The specification and module guides to your programme of studies are also available on Moodle. Each module guide contains important information on the structure and specific requirements of that module. You must read these documents: familiarise yourself with the information, and refer to them throughout your studies, especially when preparing for your assessed assignments. Failure to consult this information to gain adequate knowledge will not constitute an acceptable defence in the case of your failure to comply with the requirements.
In signing your enrolment form, you accept and agree to abide by the Academic Regulations for Programmes at CULC, including the Code of Conduct (Appendix C of this handbook) and other provisions, and accept your responsibilities as a student. By enrolling at CULC, you also accept liability to pay fees at the appropriate level and by the due dates.
1.2 Key Contacts
Your first point of contact for most problems and queries should be reception, where our student services team shall try to help you and refer your issue to the appropriate person if necessary.
Role / Name / EmailProgramme Coordinator / Adewale Adeyemi / Adewale.adeyemi@ culc.coventry.ac.uk
Academic and Student Services Office (Including Admissions) / Basil Papageorge /
Employability / Jo Blissett / Employability@ culc.coventry.ac.uk
Learning Resources, Learning Support and IT / Catherine Davies / LRIT@ culc.coventry.ac.uk
1.3 Background
As one of the largest providers of business related degree courses in Europe, Coventry University has expanded its distinctive portfolio by creating a Coventry University London campus offering specialised business programmes in close partnership with the city.
CULC believes there is no better place to learn about business than to study and work in the heart of the world’s financial markets and one of its most powerful global cities, London. The MBA Programme has been designed to meet QAA standards and has been constructed in close partnership with the business sector. Upon successful completion of the MBA degree from CULC graduates can expect to find themselves in a strong position to offer a prospective employer not only a contemporary business degree, but also the added experience of having studied or worked in an international context. Students who successfully complete the programme will join the ranks of Coventry University Alumni. (http://alumni.coventry.ac.uk/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191)
1.4 Summary of Expectations
‘From CULC to YOU’
At CULC, we are committed to helping you to build your career by ensuring you have a real business experience through a combination of activities during your studies that will give you knowledge and help you to acquire skills to become an effective graduate in the market place.
‘From YOU to CULC’
To ensure you benefit from the CULC experience, the staff team expects you prepare for each unit of study in advance through background required reading, to be diligent in your studies, conduct yourself professionally in and out of classroom and present yourself professionally at all times.
1.5 Aims of the programme
1.5.1 Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of the programme students will be able to show knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
· The impact of contextual forces on organisations including legal systems; ethical, economic, environmental, social and technological change issues; international developments and corporate governance
· Markets and customers; the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services; expectations of customers and equivalent stakeholders, service and orientation.
· The concepts, processes and institutions in the production and marketing of goods and/or services; the management of resources and operations;
· The financing of the business enterprise or other forms of organisations: sources, uses and management of finance; use of accounting for managerial and financial reporting applications;
· The management and development of people within organisations: organisational theory, behaviour, industrial/employee relations, human resource management, change management;
· The uses and limitations of a range of research methods/techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain organisational environment;
· The development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact on organisations;
· The use of relevant communication and information technologies for application in business and management within a international knowledge-based economy;
· The development of appropriate business policies and strategies within a changing context to meet stakeholder interests.
1.5.2 Cognitive (thinking) Skills:
In addition to the knowledge and understanding developed throughout course, on successful completion of the programme students are expected to be able to show the ability to:
· Critical thinking and creativity: managing creative processes in self and others; organising thoughts, analysis, synthesis, critical appraisal. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately.
· Problem solving and decision making: establishing criteria, using appropriate decision techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions.
· Information and knowledge: scanning and organising data, abstracting meaning from information and sharing knowledge.
1.5.3 Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the programme students will be able to
· Apply business and management models and theories in an organisational context.
· Continuously develop skills and knowledge in business and management to be able to apply appropriate and timely solutions to business problems.
· Conduct research into business and management issues.
1.5.4 Transferable Skills:
On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
· Apply numeracy and quantitative skills including the use of models of business situations; qualitative research skills.
· Make effective use of Communication and Information Technology (CIT).
· Use two-way communication: listening, negotiating and persuading or influencing others; oral and written communication, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports.
· Demonstrate personal effectiveness: self-awareness and self-management; time management; sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations; the ability to continue learning.
· Demonstrate effective performance within a team environment and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes; team selection, delegation, development and management.
· Demonstrate leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for situations; setting targets, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring, continuous improvement.
· Recognise ethical situations, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices.
· Demonstrate learning through reflection on practice and experience.
Transferable/key skills are generally incorporated within individual modules and are related to relevant assessments as appropriate. Self-directed learning forms an element of all modules and the necessity to work within tight deadlines is an essential requirement across the curriculum. The ability to communicate orally and in writing will be developed across the range of modules. The wide range of assessment techniques will ensure that students are given every opportunity to demonstrate their skills in these areas.
1.6 Access to Campus Facilities
The building is open from 8 am until 6 pm on weekdays. You will need your identification card, known as a smart card to access the parts of the building and the facilities described in this handbook, so make sure that you have it with you at all times. See the code of conduct in appendix 1 of this handbook for further information about the use of smartcards.
By using CULC IT resources you are undertaking to abide by the Coventry University IT Policy with can be found online:
http://www.coventry.ac.uk/cu/external/content/1/c4/19/50/v1251884025/user/Appendix%204%20ICT%20Facilities.pdf
Emergency Evacuation Procedures are in place to ensure your health and safety. The fire alarm is tested at regular intervals, usually a Wednesday morning. If the fire alarm rings outside of these times, or for longer than ten seconds, it is not a test and the building must be evacuated using the emergency exits. Please take time to familiarise yourself with the location of the exits.
2. Course Duration and Delivery
TheMBA is full-time with start-dates in October, January, April and July The academic year is split intofour ‘Quadmesters’ or terms, each of which lasts for 10 weeks, followed by a short break.
2.1 Teaching
CULC has adopted methods of module delivery that are consistent with “the real business experience” to ensure effectiveness in student learning and the development of employability skills.
Every student will have four contact hours per week per module, with the exception of Advanced Business Practice which has two contact hours in each of three terms. The four hours are broken into hourly blocks of knowledgecast, seminar, group activity and small group seminars.
2.2 Student effort
Detailed information about attendance, punctuality, and classroom behaviour is available on the Coventry University London Campus Code of Conduct (see Appendix A at the end of this Handbook).
For all students attendance is necessary at all lectures, seminars and workshops to ensure that the full content of each module is covered. You will be allocated into Small Groups for group presentation, class participation and coursework assignment. You are required to be fully involved in your group activity and to fully participate in seminars. You are required to read the code of conduct carefully and abide by it in all aspects of your study
2.2.1 Time management
Students are expected to manage their time on the programme very well by prioritising work and activities in order of importance and urgency. The lack of proper time management will lead to work overload and consequently missing deadlines and possibly failure.