UNIVERSITY of Bradfordschool of Managementprogramme/Course Title:MBA Architectural And

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of ManagementProgramme/course title:MBA Architectural and Construction Management RIBA (NW)

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / RIBA Architectural and Construction Master of Business Administration (NW) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level M]
Programme title: / Master of Business Administration:
MBA Architectural and Construction Management
Programme accredited by: / AMBA accreditation(to be applied forif needed)
EQUIS
Duration: / Block and Distance learning: 24months - 6 years
Date produced: / 17th March 2010
Last updated : / 7thMay 2010

Introduction

In accordance with the University’s stated aim of ‘Making Partnerships Work’, the School of Management aims, through the provision of this programme, to provide a industry themed MBA in conjunction with the Royal Institution of British Architects (NW) (RIBA NW)that educates individual who are involved in the architectural and construction sector as managers and business specialists. The NW section of RIBA will be the contact point for this collaboration. The overarching objective of this programme is to improve the quality of management within the construction and architectural professions.

The programme’s primary mode of delivery is by ‘distance learning’ providing students in professional practice with opportunities to study for a higher degree whilst continuing to work. A number of sector specific ‘themed’ modules are delivered during residential sessions at Bradford’s School of Management and at the premises of RIBANW. The minimum duration of the course is 24 months, with the timing of the block modules being placed in line with existing delivery from both RIBANWand the Bradford School ofManagement. The block delivery of the Legal Environment of Business will take place in April and the Law and Sustainable Construction in the Built Environment delivered by RIBA NWin July. The distance learning provision will be delivered by Bradford whereas the RIBA modules will be delivered by the RIBA and Bradford University in collaboration.

The programme is intended to:

• Deliver a programme of study in international business and management that reflect areas of School and partner organisation expertise;
• Develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue careers in business and management or related practice
• Encourage participative, independent and reflective learning and the development of personal and professional skills

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme you will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge and Understanding

• A systematic and critical understanding of management knowledge and awareness of current business problems; insights informed by current research and practice in business administration;
• A broad and rigorous understanding of the techniques applicable to business administration;
• Specialist knowledge in subject areas relating to the Architectural and Construction sectorand areas of business management.

Discipline Skills

• The ability to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in management and business;
• The ability to evaluate approaches to research in business and to develop research designs to investigate propositions/ hypotheses as appropriate.
• A personal and critical understanding of sustainability and to be able to make business decisions, taking into account the complexity of the sustainability agenda in its broadest sense.

Personal transferable skills

• Adaptability and originality in tackling and solving problems, and the ability to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks;
• Initiative, personal responsibility and resilience in complex and unpredictable situations;
• The ability to assess ongoing professional and career development needs and to take action to maintain the knowledge and skills required to practice.

Curriculum

The programme is organised into three phases:

In the first phase, the functional disciplines of management are covered. They provide the knowledge, skills and techniques that are fundamental to the whole area of management and provide the foundation for second phase of the programme when students are able to develop a more detailed understanding of particular management topics alongside the sector specific ‘themed’ modules.

In phase two, students will study themed modules alongside the management modules which will be delivered in distance learning mode. The themed modules are typically delivered in block format over a four day period; the location of each residential will vary depending on operational circumstances but would normally be delivered at the School of Management or at the training premises of RIBANW, These modules will further develop an industry theme to the MBA without disrupting the core provision that provides management training at an advanced level. Students are also required to undertake modules in Strategic Management and Business Research, which are ‘integrative’ to the programme.

The final phase of the programme of study involves the completion of a management project, in which students address real and challenging organisational issues. Projects are managed under the auspices of the School of Management and RIBANW and may be suggested by the student, e.g.could be based on previous experience or anticipated future business engagement, or be a project proposed by a local enterprise/organisation. The MBA project is worth 40 creditsand as the capstone of the programme will be expected to based on or around a theme that is germane to the sector.

Phase 1

On completion of 60 credits, students will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Management. The modules studied by programme are shown below:

Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural and Construction Business Administration (Block and Distance learning)

Students on this course can attain a post graduate certificate if they successfully achieve 60 credits which will include those outlined below. Students will start in September and January and use the existing DL carousel as appropriate.

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
APL / The RIBA Advanced Professional Practice and Management. / C / 20 / M / Block Mar and July
MAN4100M / Business Economics (DL) / C / 10 / M / Sep - Dec
MAN4054M / Business Accounting (DL) / C / 10 / M / Sep- Dec
MAN4042M / Marketing (DL) / C / 10 / M / Jan - Apr
MAN4048M / Operations Management (DL) / C / 10 / M / Jan - Apr

The RIBA Advanced Professional Practice and Management APL will be delivered over two four day residential trainingperiods, and will typically take place in March and July each year. This sector specific module is worth 20 credits and is currently undertaken by RIBA NW members as a part of their professional development. The articulation agreement relating to the APL modules have the added advantage of providing a final stage quality assurance process to the external delivery.

The notion of the MBA as a “post-experience” programme has consistently been regarded as meaning entrants should have at least 3 years’ experience in work. The Advanced Professional Practice in Management module will further progress the material already delivered by RIBANWand submission for the purposes of this pathway will only take place when this criteria has been fulfilled.

For those students who have been an architect or have worked in construction for a number of years APL (whether certificated (APCL) or experiential (APEL) will be used where appropriate in regard to this module. This aspect will be dealt with in personam according to the potential student. The skills needed will be present in the who is requesting to join the programme. As there may be Architects who will not be able to evidence experience in the last 5 years from the training; they will have the opportunity to evidence it in other

Phase 2

On completion of a further 60 credits, students will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management. The module diet is shown below:

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
MAN4247M / Managing People(DL) / C / 10 / M / Apr - July
MAN4215M / Business Research (DL) / C / 10 / M / July - Sep
MAN4092M / Strategic Management (DL) / C / 10 / M / Sep –Dec
MAN4030M / Corporate Finance (DL) / C / 10 / M / Sep–Dec
TBA / Legal Environment of Business / C / 10 / M / Block Mar - Apr
TBA / Law and sustainability in the Built Environment / C / 10 / M / Block July

The Legal Environment of Business will be delivered in a block format at the School of Management and will be open to all of the MBA cohorts. Law and Sustainable Construction in the Built Environment will be delivered in a block formaton the premises of RIBANWwith quality assurance being undertaken by Bradford. It is envisioned that this will take place on the same sites that are currently used by RIBA for their Part III Architectural training.

Phase 3

On completion of 180 credits,students will be eligible for the award of Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Masters (Block and Distance learning)

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
MAN4068Q / MBA Management Project (15,000 words) / C / 40 / M / Up to1 year
TBA / Project and Practice Management (DL) / C / 10 / M / Jan –Apr
APL / RIBA StrandCPD / C / 10 / M / Jan - Dec

The Standard PDP delivery used in the other MBA deliveries is replaced by the RIBA CPD module that fulfils similar learning outcomes but is based around industry specific skills. The MBA Management Project (15,000 words) will be jointly supervised by RIBA (NW) and Bradford University.

Notes on structure

The majority of the modules that make up this provision will be delivered by ‘distance learning’ mode on a predefined carousel. However, at set points, students will be able to take modules that have been tailored to the architectural and construction sector. Irrespective of the start date (September or January), the order in which these modules are taken remain the same.

Further Support

In addition to the assessed components of the programme, there are a number of skills-based non-assessed courses available to students on programmes delivered in Bradford. These students also have the opportunity to attend sessions on study and presentation skills in order to assist with the preparation of their personal development portfolio. A range of beginner, intermediate and advanced level language courses (currently French, German, Spanish and Japanese, or Business English in the case of non-UK students.) are also available to Bradford students.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

Taught modules

Generally, the MBA programmes aim to integrate applied and theoretical knowledge with assessment processes that test knowledge, application and analysis of the disciplines. Therefore, teaching on the programme will typically involve a combination of formal lectures, group discussions, tutorials, seminars, directed reading and personal research.

Case study analysis and discussion is used to contextualise the learning and the application of techniques. Students are assigned to small study groups for this purpose. These encourage participative learning, provide experience of working with people from different cultures and help develop organisational and project management skills.

Each module represents approximately 100 hours' study time. One or more texts provide the basis for most modules but students will be encouraged to develop theirunderstanding by making use of the School’s library and online facilities.

Additionally, a detailed manual is provided with each module to minimise note-taking in lectures and provide details of the preparatory work required. Additional support materials – cases, video clips, audio recording, lecture notes/slides, etc. are also provided via the School’s VLE.

The CPD strand provided by RIBA is an integral element of the programme. An induction period where students undertake a skills audit to help identify development needs and provide a framework on which to plan, manage and demonstrate learning is offered.

To effectively assess whether a student has achieved a module’s learning outcomes a combination of assessment approaches are typically applied.

Distance Learning

Each distance learning module equates to 100 hours of study. Given the geographic dispersion of distance learning students, emphasis is placed on individual learning,which requires highly motivatedstudents that are willing to develop understanding through self directed study. To facilitate this and ensure that maximum benefit is derived from this mode of study a number of teaching methods may be used to support the student’s studies:

• The provision of a detailed module manual made up of 8 learning units and 1 revision/overview unit introducing key areas and guiding the studentthrough additional materials (e.g. relevant textbook chapters, information on the VLE)
• The provision of relevant set text and additional practitioner based and academic literature
• On line module manuals incorporating interactive formative tasks
• Complete on line lecture audio, selected lecture videos and presentation slides
• Module leader ‘talking heads’ introducing and concluding each module
• Access to an automatically updated contemporary resource centre (Diigo)
• Test Yourself questions for each module learning unit
• Dedicated DL tutor support
• Weekly online tutor/student discussion topics
• On line live tutorials with a dedicated module tutor using case studies to further develop understanding of key issues

Closed and open book examinations and course work are used extensively in the assessment of distance learning students.

The approach outlined above – using a wide variety of learning delivery methods – will ensure that students from a diverse range of backgrounds and learning styles will be able to cope with the demands of this programme. Furthermore, the dedicated DL tutor support will ensure that any difficulties students might find with the programme can be discussed openly, to enhance your experience as a student.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

The University of Bradford is committed to providing students with opportunities to learn about sustainable development (SD). The School of Management sees sustainable development as a key issue for society and recognises the need for all our graduates, regardless of discipline, to be aware of sustainable development issues, and to understand the way in which their discipline and professional practice can impact on sustainability. The School is working to explicitly integrate ESD into its Learning Teaching and Assessment strategy; in the current EQUIS accreditation documentation the following is stated. As a School we are: “Committing ourselves to the principles of education for sustainable development within the curriculum, in line with the University's position as an 'Ecoversity'’ (p5)

In the context of Ecoversity and the University’s commitment to ESD, the School has reflected on the issues confronting management education and practice related to SD and has concluded that, where possible and appropriate, there is pedagogic value in incorporating ESD throughout the programme’s modules. This approach will build on the programme’s emphasis on developing philosophical understanding, critical thinking and research as a method of problem solving.

The key issues that will be emphasized or addressed under ESD have been developed through a curriculum review process, referenced against the UNESCO framework for ESD. The key issues, drawn from the UNESCO framework for ESD, are:

• Respect for the dignity and human rights of all people throughout the world and a commitment to social and economic justice for all
• Respect for the human rights of future generations and a commitment to intergenerational responsibility
• Respect for cultural diversity and a commitment to build locally and globally a culture of tolerance, non-violence and peace
• Respect and care for the greater community of life in all its diversity which involves the protection and restoration of the Earth's ecosystems.

These represent the foundations upon which critical thinking will be developed. Many of the programme’s lecturers and supervisors are critical management theorists, whose goal is to root out the (often unthinking) oppression, indignities and injustices that feature in organisational life. For students working and managing organisations, the issues of how their activities contribute to SD will be brought into focus. Students will be expected to address these issues in each of their taught modules and in their research proposals. Throughout, a critical approach to SD will be adopted and students encouraged to consider the nuances of the SD statements, the contradictory research evidence that underpins some of the debates in SD, and how theories and knowledge become legitimised.

The University’s policy on SD, the School of Management’s policy, and the UNESCO statement are in the Programme Handbook.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link:

The School operates a non-numerical assessment system. All assessments (coursework and examination) are graded as below:

ADPass with Distinction

BPass with Merit

CPass

DMarginal Fail

EFPoor Fail

Supplementary assessment is required for any assessment graded at EF. A maximum of 20 credits at grade D can be condoned without the need for supplementary assessment. To gain a Masters degree all subjects should be completed at Pass level or not more than 20 credits condoned as Marginal fails (D). A D grade in the Management Project cannot be condoned, a Pass grade or above is required.

On successful completion of 60 credits students are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Management. On successful completion of 120 credits students are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management.

Where 100 credits are gained at the Pass with Distinction level including the projectstudents will be eligible for the award of MBA with distinction. If 100 or more credits are gained at the Pass with Merit level including the project students will be eligible for the award of MBA with merit. Further information on award and progression is available on request.

Admission Requirements

Applications for the School’s taught postgraduate programmes are made directly to the School and are processed through the recruitment office.

The standard requirements for the enrolment on a Bradford MBA must be met and it is envisioned that individuals would need to be members of the RIBA (Architects Registration Board) to enrol on this particular course. These candidates will have workplace experience and a second degree depending on the Architectural school attended e.g. BArch or MA. Other relevant qualifications/experience in the construction industry may be considered. As there may be Architects who will not be able to evidence experience in the last 5 years from the training; they will have the opportunity to evidence it in other ways. This requirement is related to AMBA and EQUIS requirements. It is possible for non architects to undertake this course. However this is expected to be an exception rather than the rule. The impediments that are currently present on the course ensure that only suitable candidates can take part