2020-21 MSc International Business & Strategic Management Programme Design Document

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1	Advice on completing the document can be found in the INSTRUCTIONS tab and can be sought from your department’s Quality Support Officer in the Academic Quality Team, ASO. (Please note particularly the advice on copying and pasting from other documents into the Google Sheet).
2	1. Admissions/ Management Information
3	Title of the programme – including any lower awards Please provide the titles used for all awards relating to this programme. Note: all programmes are required to have at least a Postgraduate Certificate exit award. See guidance on programme titles in:
4	https://www.york.ac.uk/media/staffhome/learningandteaching/documents/programmedevelopment/Framework%20for%20Programme%20Design%20-%20PG.pdf
5	Masters			MSc International Business and Strategic Management
6	Postgraduate Diploma			Postgraduate Certificate in International Business and Strategic Management						Please indicate if the Postgraduate Diploma is available as an entry point, ie. is a programme on which a student can register, is an exit award, ie. is only available to students exiting the masters programme early, or both.					Exit
7	Postgraduate Certificate			Postgraduate Diploma in International Business and Strategic Management						Please indicate if the Postgraduate Certificate is available as an entry points, ie. is a programme on which a student can register, is an exit award, ie. is only available to students exiting the masters programme early, or both.					Exit
8	Level of qualification			Level 7
9	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:							2020
10	Awarding institution								Teaching institution
11	Unviersity of York								University of York
12	Department(s): Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department								Board of Studies
13	Lead Department		York Management School
14	Other contributing Departments:		n/a
15	Route code (existing programmes only)							PMMANSIBS1
16	Admissions criteria
17	An undergraduate degree normally awarded with a grade of at least 2i or equivalent. Relevant work experience may compensate for graduates with lower academic qualification. Students whose first degree was not taught in English should also have an appropriate English language qualification. Minimum acceptable qualifications are IELTS 6.5 with a writing score of no less than 6.5 and minimum score of 6.0 in all components.
18	Length and status of the programme(s) and mode(s) of study
19	Programme				Length (years/ months)	Status (full-time/ part-time) Please select	Start dates/months (if applicable – for programmes that have multiple intakes or start dates that differ from the usual academic year)		Mode
20
21									Face-to-face, campus-based			Distance learning		Other
22	MSC International Business and Strategic Management				1 year	Full-time			Please select Y/N		Yes	Please select Y/N	No
23	Postgraduate Certificate in International Business and Strategic Management				1 term (approx. 3 months)	Full-time			Please select Y/N		Yes	Please select Y/N	No
24	Postgraduate Diploma in International Business and Strategic Management				2 terms (approx. 6 months)	Full-time			Please select Y/N		Yes	Please select Y/N	No
25	Language(s) of study
26	English
27	Language(s) of assessment
28	English
29	2. Programme accreditation by Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies (PSRB)
30	2.a. Is the programme recognised or accredited by a PSRB
31	Please Select Y/N:		No	if No move to section 3 if Yes complete the following questions
32	2.b. Name of PSRB
33
34	2.c. Please provide details of any approval/ accrediation event needed, including: timecales, the nature of the event, central support / information required:
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36	2.d. Are there any conditions on the approval/ accreditation of the programme(s)/ graduates (for example accreditation only for the full award and not any interim award)
37
38	3. Additional Professional or Vocational Standards
39	Are there any additional requirements of accrediting bodies or PSRB or pre-requisite professional experience needed to study this programme?
40	Please Select Y/N:		No	if Yes, provide details
41	(max 500 words)
42	4. Programme leadership and programme team
43	4.a. Please name the programme leader for the year to which the programme design applies and any key members of staff responsible for designing, maintaining and overseeing the programme.
44	Yoo Jung Ha (September to April 2018); Beatrice D'Ippolito (April 2018-onwards); Shane Hamilton (head of International Business, Strategy and Management Group) - Bob Townley 2020/2021
45	4.b. Who has been involved in producing the PLOs, programme map and enhancement plan? (please include confirmation of the extent to which colleagues from the programme team /BoS have been involved; whether student views have been incorporated, and also any external input such as external examiners, employer liaison board)
46	Matthew Hollow has led the process of producing the PLOs and other relevant documentation for this programme. In this process, he has been assisted by module leaders on the programme, along with various other senior academic in the Management School. Advice has also been sought from ASO and colleagues from other Universities who have implemented similar schemes. Further input from students and external stakeholders (i.e. careers service, employers) will be obtained during the course of the first year of running this course as part of the development process for this new programme (see enhancement plan).
47	5. Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
48	5.a. Statement of purpose for applicants to the Masters programme Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective masters student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
49	In the MSc in International Business and Strategic Management you will gain an in-depth understanding of how global politics, technological change, and cultural difference shape the international business environment, as well as how business strategies are articulated and enacted in an ever-changing global context. You will expand your knowledge of management in international settings, develop the key critical skills needed to succeed in competitive markets, and learn how to integrate and deploy your knowledge in strategic management projects. As a result, after graduation, you will be well prepared for a range of careers in international business and management, including consultancy work, international sales, and other managerial roles .
50	5.a.i Statement of purpose for applicants registering for the Postgraduate Diploma programme Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective diploma student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	(max 500 words)
52	5.a.ii Statement of purpose for applicants registering for the Postgraduate Certificate programme Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective certificate student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
53	(max 500 words)
54	5.b.i. Programme Learning Outcomes - Masters Please provide six to eight statements of what a graduate of the Masters programme will be able to do. If the document only covers a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma please specify four to six PLO statements in the sections 5.b.ii and 5.b.iii as appropriate. Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
55	PLO	On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
56	1	devise socially and ethically responsible strategic solutions to real-life business problems in the international business environment
57	2	interpret and influence the strategic decisions of global organisations in complex business situations, drawing on advanced understanding of the international business environment
58	3	interpret and apply complex numerical and non-numerical data by utilising knowledge of relevant quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
59	4	define, design, execute, and present significant and extended pieces of independent research in a field of their choice related to international business and strategic management, deploying appropriate research methods
60	5	communicate complex information and well-evidenced arguments effectively and persuasively to professional and business audiences
61	6	complete individual and team projects to a high standard - through reflective and self-directed learning - and in a professional, responsible, and culturally aware manner
62	7	develop professionally by reflecting on personal strengths and weaknesses in order to identify areas for growth and plan self-directed learning
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64	5.b.ii. Programme Learning Outcomes - Postgraduate Diploma Please provide four to six statements outlining what a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma programme will be able to do. Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
65	PLO	On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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72	5.b.iii. Programme Learning Outcomes - Postgraduate Certificate Please provide four to six statements outlining what a graduate of the Postgraduate Certificate programme will be able to do. Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
73	PLO	On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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80	5.c. Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning Outcomes Please explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
81	i) ... in what way will these PLOs result in an ambitious, challenging programme which stretches the students?
82	The learning outcomes for this programme have been designed to give students the chance to acquire an in-depth understanding of how strategy is formulated, articulated and enacted in a global context. Most challenging is learning how to interpret as well as influence the strategic decisions of global organisations, which requires a holistic understanding of the international business environment. In this way, the programme will challenge and stretch students by not only requiring them to think about the practicalities of managing and working in an international context, but to also consider and critically evaluate the role that different organisations play in today's society.
83	ii) ... in what way will these PLOs produce a programme which is distinctive and advantageous to the student?
84	The learning outcomes have been designed to provide a hybrid programme distinct from degrees that focus solely on either international business or strategic management, by encouraging students to think about the relationship between the international business environment and the strategic choices that organisations make. In particular, there is a strong focus in this programme on getting students to think holistically about the wider social and political context within which business decisions are made, including the ethical and social consequences of those decisions. This is advantageous to students who seek to contribute to international organisations requiring a wide range of analytical skills as well as a commitment to ethics and social responsibility.
85	iii) ... how the design of the programme enables students from diverse entry routes to transition successfully into the programme? For example, how does the organisation of the programme ensure solid foundations in disciplinary knowledge and understanding of conventions, language skills, mathematics and statistics skills, writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity
86	The programme has been designed and structured in such a way that students from both management/business backgrounds and non-management/business backgrounds can succeed and fulfill their potential. In the first term, students will get the chance to learn more about the key foundational theories and concepts related to the study of international business, along with more specialist knowledge relating to the practicalities of managing and working in an international context. Specific attention will also given to ensuring that students receive formative feedback early in the course to ensure that the transition period onto our MSc is managed smoothly. The PLO regarding the ability to communicate complex information is core to the first-term modules, as students participate in in-class exercises and formative assessments that enable them to improve their oral and written communication skills. Programme-specific sessions with CELT are arranged to help students develop appropriate writing and referencing skills. From induction onward, students are encouraged to attend employability and careers sessions, including guest lectures and masterclasses from industry leaders as well as employability skills sessions. The second term then builds upon this knowledge by equipping students with knowledge of some of the key practical tools needed to investigate and research a variety of problems and challenges in the international business environment. Finally, the programme culminates with the independent research dissertation, which allows students to apply the knowledge they have acquired on the programme to a specific topic of their choosing.
87	iv) ... how the programme is designed to enable students to progress successfully - in a limited time frame - through to the end of the award? For example, the development of higher level research skills; enabling students to complete an independent study module; developing competence and confidence in practical skills/ professional skills. See QAA masters characteristics doument http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf
88	Alongside the research skills developed in the course of completing the various modular assessments for this programmes, students will also receive bespoke training in research methods directly relevant to international business. This training will include not only the practicalities of using different quantitative and qualitative research methods, but also the theories and assumptions underpinning these approaches. Teaching in this area will include both practical step-by-step workshops and group sessions in which students will get to study the research methods adopted by other academics. When it comes to writing their own independent research dissertations, students will also be supported by their own personal supervisor who will offer guidance and support on their proposed research project. The dissertation process for this programme was thoroughly redesigned in 2016 to include an introductory Advanced Topics in International Business and Strategic Management to help students select a manageable research topic that directly builds upon the knowledge base they have gained through the first two terms.
89	v) ... how this programme (as outlined in these PLOs) will develop students’ digital literacy skills and how technology-enhanced learning will be used to support active student learning through peer/tutor interaction, collaboration and formative (self) assessment opportunities (reference could be made to such as blogging, flipped classroooms, response 'clickers' in lectures, simulations, etc).
90	This programme give students the opportunity to develop their digital literacy skills in a variety of ways. During the course of their studies, they will create their own powerpoint presentations, use a variety of office-based software, and explore different ways of searching for information on the internet. In addition, students will gain experience of using quantitative computer research tools, such as SPSS. Module leaders provide support on discipline-specific software tools as well as feedback and suggestions for improvement on the digital outputs produced by students in formative and summative assessments. Across the programme, the VLE is also used extensively as a means of transmitting information to, and communicating with, students. Student presentations are uploaded. Additional support is also available from the Library for those who want to use it.
91	vi) ... how this programme (as outlined in these PLOs) will support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)? The programme's employablity objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
92	http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/careers/staff/
93	At the heart of this programme is a strong focus on enhancing student's employability. From the start to the finish, the programme has been designed to ensure that sutdents are able to develp their skills in critical analysis, information processing and data presentation - all skills that are of immense importance in today's global workplace. In addition, there is also a strong emphasis on encouraging to reflect upon their own learning and how the knowledge they are acquiring relates to their personal and professional goals. As a result, the programme not only offers students the chance to enhance their specialist knowledge of the global business environment, it also offers them the chance to develop the sorts of practical skills that they will need to succeed in today's rapidly evolving workplace. A variety of support mechanisms are provided in and out of the classroom to enable students to articulate their achievements in the programme to prospective employers, including employability lectures, practical workshops (e.g., CV workshops), and one-on-one careers guidance appointments.
94	vii) Consultation with Careers The progamme proposal should be discussed with Careers (tom.banham@york.ac.uk, ext. 2686) Please provide details of Careers' comments and your response.
95	Careers were consulted fairly early on in the process of drawing up the proposals for this new suite of programmes. The two key pieces of advice we received were: (1) to think about how this proposed new programme fitted with the wider aims of the York Pedagogy; and (2) to get feedback from employers about the design of our programme and (in particular) the skills we were equipping students with. In light of these comments, we have continued to revise and adjust the programme in accordance with the wider aims and ambitions of the York Pedagogy (with processes like completing this documentation assisting in this respect). In terms of consulting with employers, we are planning to consult with relevant individuals from industry and/or the York Management School's career service over the course of the following academic year as part of the wider review process for this new programme (see enhancement plan for further details).
96	viii) ... how learning and teaching on the programme are informed and led by research in the department/ Centre/ University?
97	Two of the key themes that define and distinguish the research done at the York Management School are the notions of 'interdisciplinarity' and 'ethically-informed management'. Both of these elements feature heavily in the way that this programme has been designed and the subject matter taught on it. In particular, the emphasis that we have put on promoting 'ethically responsible solutions and strategies to real-life business problems' in the learning outcomes for this programme will ensure that the staff teaching on this module are able to share and discuss the ethical implications and challenges of their own research. Likewise, given the interdisciplinary nature of much of the work done in the York Management School, it was also decided to give the staff the freedom to integrate and incorporate case studies and examples from their own work into the teaching for this programme (with the result being that students are able to learn from a much wider and more diverse range of examples than they would on a more 'traditional' management programme).
98	5.d. Progression For masters programmes where students do not incrementally 'progress' on the completion of a discrete Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma, please summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of the PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of the set of modules or part thereof. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules and in circumstances where students registered on a higher award will exit early with a lower one. Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each masters PLO, but this can be done if preferred.
99	On completion of modules sufficient to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate students will be able to: If the PG Cert is an exit award only please provide information about how students will have progressed towards the diploma/masters PLOs. Please include detail of the module diet that students will have to have completed to gain this qualification as an exit award.
100	>devise socially and ethically responsible solutions and strategies to real-life business problems in the international business environment >interpret and influence the strategic decisions of global organisations in complex business situations, drawing on advanced understanding of the international business environment >interpret complex numerical and/or non-numerical data by utilizing knowledge of relevant quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in order to inform strategic decision making in international contexts To gain this qualification, students will have to accumulate 60 credits from the following modules: 1. International Business in the Global Context (20 credits) 2. International Political Economy and Business (20 credits) 3. Exploring Strategic Management (10 credits) 4. Managing People (10 credits) 5. Research Methods (20 credits) 6. Strategy in Global Organisations (20 credits) 7. Optional module from list (20 credits)