Introduction

The programme will help students develop skills in assessing the global environment for business, identifying new international business opportunities and analysing international markets and industries. A particular feature of the programme is commercial relevance and employability, designed to enhance knowledge and skills particularly sought by employers.

The University of Chichester, UK

The University of Chichester, a public university located in West Sussex, has been providing quality tertiary education since its founding in 1839. It has 14 departments and is member of the United Kingdom Cathedrals Group of universities. ERCI runs its classes on a lecture-tutorial system. The average teacher-student ratio for lectures and tutorials are as follows:

• Lectures – 100 Students to 1 Lecturer
• Tutorials – 35 Students to 1 Tutor

What is distinctive about the Chichester MBA?

In a world that is undergoing radical change in nearly every walk of life solving problems, working on new opportunities, anticipating and combating threats, seeking practical improvements becomes daily life. This is the foundation of the MBA; built upon throughout the programme culminating in a practical consultancy project on a subject that matters.

This part-time MBA programme combines experiential workplace learning along with theoretical and practical input to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours as outlined in the standards. The purpose is to enhance your management capability and overall performance of your organisation.

Develop your workplace skills

Action Learning Pedagogy

The programme will help students develop skills in assessing the global environment for business, identifying new international business opportunities and analysing international markets and industries. A particular feature of the programme is commercial relevance and employability, designed to enhance knowledge and skills particularly sought by employers.

Much of the learning and the assignment in the MBA will be in the form of projects, mainly centered around work of the students – Action Learning Pedagogy. It is important to draw a picture of what these might look like, appreciating that clarity will only fully come in the conversations when you are planning these out with the Faculty and work colleagues. Learning is better achieved in smaller clearly defined project work where students can explore inter-connected themes at play with, for example, strategy, leadership culture etc.

Teaching and Assessment

How you will learn

You will learn in small groups through discussion and tasks set by your lecturers. This course is mainly assessed through coursework.

This course is delivered by academics that have a proven track record as successful practitioners prior to university life.

What you will study

This MBA prepares you for a range of business and leadership careers. You will graduate with specific management knowledge as well as transferable soft skills including communication, teamwork and time management. You will study core modules in each term. Each module is delivered differently depending on its content and focus of study. Term sequence is subject to change.

Course Delivery

This programme is available in full and part time modes, and will take 18 months to complete. Students will attend 3 semesters of academic study, and are expected to complete between 30 credits to 45 credits each semester. Full-time students will attend classes 5 days a week on weekdays, while part-time students will attend classes 2-3 times a week on weekdays/weekends.

.

Course Structure: UOC Master of Business Administration

Term One:

• Organisational Impact: An Operational Perspective

This module focuses on the learning that comes from creating organisational impact. The learning sessions will equip you with knowledge and confidence to address an organisational opportunity. It is from this that you will be able to consider your learning within the contexts of what counts for knowledge in your professional field and more widely in academia. And from this to further develop your practice and knowledge.

• Developing People and Team: Operational Perspective

Long-term goals in organisations are achieved with the active participation and support of people. Enthusiasm, ingenuity, determination are some of the personal characteristics. Working together in teams there is a need for trust, recognising the importance of diversity and for others who see the world differently as well as working towards a clear vision are all vital. How we go about developing people and teams is therefore essential if those goals are to be achieved.

• Understanding Self and Our Wider Impact: An Operational Perspective

Being reflexive as to one’s impact on an organisation and particularly in this module for the immediate team, is important. Sometimes we are unaware of own strengths and weaknesses and how we affects others. In this sense what we do can amplify for good or bad creating long lasting impact. It is important that we develop a self-awareness and to do this in a practical grounded way in which decisions we take (or not take) are explored.

Term Two:

• Organisational Impact: A Wider Strategic Perspective

This module focuses on the learning that comes from wider strategic considerations and impact. The learning sessions will equip you with knowledge and confidence to become involved in strategy work and conversations. It is from this that you will be able to consider your learning within the contexts of what counts for knowledge in your professional field and more widely in academia. And from this to further develop your practice and knowledge.

• Developing People and Team: Strategic Perspective

Achieving longer-term impact requires the active participation and support of people, not just in one’s team, but also increasingly in the organisation at large, the sector and the wider environment. In these cases leadership is more defined by influence, encouragement and understanding the needs and impact of stakeholders. Here we are often talking about the leadership of loosely interconnected fields of people, sometimes referred to as systems, where impact can become amplified for good or ill. Developing these abilities in an uncertain and interconnected world is an increasingly important leadership ability.

• Understanding Self and Our Wider Impact: The Strategic View

Creating impact more strategically over the wider organisation or a system takes a further understanding of self. This is particularly the case as one moves from managerial control of direct reports to influencing people, teams and even organisations. In this sense, a further reflexive turn is important as one engages in new more strategic ways of working.

Term 3

• Consultancy and Business Solutions: Proposal Development

The module enables the participants to work with a client and to develop a consultancy proposal of work to address an organisational problem or opportunity. Upon successful completion, it will hold up to scrutiny and will offer clarity as to work and the resources needed to meet clear aims and objectives. In this sense this is not just about the development of a form of words that comprises a proposal, but it is about the development of effective working relationships.

• Consultancy and Business Solutions: Consultancy Project

The module focuses on the implementation of a consultancy project that has been agreed with the client in module Consultancy and business solutions: proposal development (MBA707) which seeks to address a real and practical opportunity or problem.

The participant will be required to:

• Effectively identify and engage with stakeholders through the consultancy project.
• Work out the most appropriate way to communicate and engage with people (including the client) in both written and oral forms.
• Decide what forms of insights will be required and how these are to be obtained in light of the resources available and the aims and objectives of the project.
• Effectively analyse the insights and subject matter using the tools selected and adapting approaches in the face of the emerging evidence.
• Appropriately manage the governance of the project to meet stakeholder expectations and ethics.
• Manage risks and issues through the project.
• To synthesise the data and develop a coherent and pragmatic case that the client can use as a basis for action.
• To appreciate areas of weakness in the project and suggest further areas of study.
• To proactively engage with the client, and the wider politics around the project, this might include 1:1 meetings, facilitating workshops and/or group presentations.

• Course Availability

  Intakes for the programme are available 3 times a year. All applications should be submitted to ERCI no later than 1 month before the commencement date.

  Assessment Framework

  Courses are assessed by a combination of coursework, practical assignments and examinations. Formative assessments will also be included, as well as self- and peer-assessment and a research project.

  Entry Requirements

  • In possession of an undergraduate degree or equivalent and/or a professional qualification at graduate level in a relevant field followed by at least two years management experience
  • A member of the academic team will consider applications on an individual basis

  *Other qualifications and working experience will be assessed by the University on a case by case basis.

  Language Proficiency

  • IELTS 6.5 (with none of the four components lower than 5.5) or equivalent

  Work Experience

  • At least 2 years management experience or substantial experience in a management or leadership role, usually in a middle or senior managerial post, where the applicant can demonstrate clear potential to operate at postgraduate level and benefit from the opportunity

  Administration is also contingent upon the applicant also being:

  • In, or about to be in, a supervisory, management or leadership role, or a role with significant management responsibilities throughout the programme;
  • At work where the applicant will be able to deploy and reflect upon the material of the programme.

  A member of the academic team will consider applications on an individual basis

  Remarks

  • Applicants should be at least 20 years of age at the time of registration.

  Graduation Requirements

  Students must successfully complete, or be credited with, at least 180 credits within the stipulated period of study as set by the University, either via module exemptions or completion of requisite modules.