2022-23 MSc International Business 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
6	Postgraduate Diploma			Postgraduate Diploma in International Business						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 Certificate in International Business						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:							2022
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		SBS						SBS
14	Other contributing Departments:		n/a						SBS
15	Route code (existing programmes only)							PMMANSINB1
16	Admissions criteria
17	2:1 or equivalent in any subject. We may give preference to students with knowledge of relevant areas, including Management or Business Studies, Economics, Finance, Accounting, or any social science. Alternatively, we may accept a 2:2 undergraduate degree supported by professional qualifications or at least one year of relevant work experience. Students whose first degree was not taught in English should also have an appropriate English language qualification. Minimum acceptable qualifications are IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in all other 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				1 year	Full-time			Please select Y/N		Yes	Please select Y/N	No
23	Postgraduate Certificate in International Business				1 term (approx. 3 months)	Full-time			Please select Y/N		Yes	Please select Y/N	No
24	Postgraduate Diploma in International Business				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:
35
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	n/a
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	Susan Cox
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, employees) has been sought as part of the development process.
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	The MSc in International Business will allow you to consider the role of economic, political, and social factors in shaping the complex international environment facing businesses today. You will also study how corporations respond to these challenges and how social and ethical responsibility plays a significant part in that response. Through engaging with a broad range of theories and cases and conducting your own research, you will develop advanced skills in quantitative data analysis, quantitative research methods and managerial economics. As a result, you will develop the critical knowledge and skills needed to help businesses succeed and, after graduation, be well prepared to progress to senior positions in multinationals, development agencies, policy-making bodies, and non-profit organisations.
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	n/a
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	n/a
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 complex international business situations by applying an advanced understanding of economic, political, and social factors that shape the international business environment
58	3	interpret complex numerical and/or non-numerical data by utilising their knowledge of relevant quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in order to address challenges in the international business environment
59	4	define, design, execute, and present significant and extended pieces of independent research in a field of their choice related to international business, 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
63		n/a
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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67	2
68	3
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70	5
71	6
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:
74	1
75	2
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79	6
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 with a specific emphasis on encouraging students to think about the social, political and cultural factors that shape the environment in which global businesses operate. In particular, there is a strong focus in this programme on gaining an in-depth, interdisciplinary understanding of the factors that drive these changes and the impact that they have on how global organisations operate. In this way, the programme challenges students to develop advanced analytical skills using a range of social science methodologies, including advanced quantitative analysis.
83	ii) ... in what way will these PLOs produce a programme which is distinctive and advantageous to the student?
84	Throughout this programme there is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to think about the wider ethical and social responsibilities of operating in the modern-day international business environment. This focus on ethics and sustainability differentiates the programme from the more narrowly operational offerings of other IB programmes. When students complete this programme, they will be especially well-prepared to help lead international organisations committed to ethical and sustainable practices.
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 helps 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 students 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 University of York Management School's career service as part of the wider review process for this programme.
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 University of 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 University of 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 to real-life challenges in the international business environment - interpret and influence complex international business situations by applying an advanced understanding of economic, political and social factors that shape the international business environment - interpret complex numerical and/or non-numerical data by utilizing their knowledge of relevant quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in order to address challenges in the international business environment - communicate complex information effectively and persuasively by preparing structured arguments, drawing on relevant and appropriate evidence, in oral or written forms suitable for presentation to a range of audience including professionals in business and management contexts To gain this qualification, students will have to accumulate 60 credits from the core modules and option module.