ObjectivesTo provide students with the opportunity to appreciate and examine the guise of management and organization life from a contemporary European Perspective. This is an approach which seeks to complement the traditional analytical approach and is largely informed by an eclectic tradition gleaned from mainly European literature and adopting a first-person perspective. To equip students with a knowledge of research methodologies covering qualitative approaches to empirical research. To develop students critical, reflective and analytical skills which will prepare them for employment in different types of organizations seeking a contemporary approach.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications 2.1 First degree or equivalent IELTS 6.5, OR TOEFL (PB) 570, OR TOEFL (CB) 230, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C OR IELTS 6.0, OR TOEFL (PB) 540, OR TOEFL (CB) 207, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C AND Successful completion of a pre-sessional English course offered at the University of Essex of at least 8 weeks.
Academic titleMSc Contemporary European Management
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Contemporary European Management allows students to follow the scientific-led introduction of more traditional approaches to the advanced study of management and organisation. Students are challenged to draw upon a different set of influences that originate mainly from Europe. These demand a new perceptive relationship with the character and potential of management and organisation life in the twenty-first century.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
ASSET PRICING
AUDIT THEORY
BANK STRATEGY AND RISK
BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE
BUSINESS ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Compulsory: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
Compulsory: MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS
Core: CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT
Core: MSC/MA DISSERTATION
Core: RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES IN ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT
CORPORATE FINANCE
CRITICAL MARKETING
DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE RATES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
FINANCIAL MODELLING
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
ISSUES IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ISSUES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
MODERN BANKING
PERSPECTIVES ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
PROFESSIONALISM AND THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION
RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Developing a critical and reflexive interpretation of the character of management and organizations.
A2 : The historical and varied influences, especially European on the guise of management and organisations.
A3 : The contexts, both internal and external that underpin and contribute to the character of managing and organizations.
A4 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of management and organizations.
A5 : An in-depth understanding of particular areas of the various research methodologies available to investigate management and organizations and the influences of these methods on the understandings generated.
A6 : In-depth understanding of specific areas in which the student has chosen to specialise.
Teaching Methods
Outcomes A1-A6 are acquired through lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. The development of the dissertation in consultation with a supervisor provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A6
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understandings to facilitate students exploration the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of management and organisations, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual and group tasks, enable the further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Outcomes A1-A6 are informally assessed via group work and oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Formal:
Outcomes A1-A6 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.
Outcomes A1-A3 will also be assessed in AC951 and AC981.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas.
B2 : Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks.
B3 : Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B4 : Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence.
B5 : Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.
Teaching Methods
Skills B1-B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, group and individual tasks given for their courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students' independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant management theories and the analysis of empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work. Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students undertake for the MSc dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills B1-B4
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills
Formal:
Skills B1-B4 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. The MSc dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through AC951 and AC981.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Analyse and evaluate financial statements;
C2 : Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to management and organizational practice
C3 : Develop a critical and reflexive appreciation of the implications and impact of management and organizations.
C4 : Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
C5 : Research presentation and written presentation skills.
C6 : Undertake independent research
Teaching Methods
Skills C1-C6 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Research skills will be taught and assessed specifically in course AC951
Skill C6 is further acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1-C5
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills C1-C5 are informally assessed through group work and oral presentations along with the associated informal feedback. This further enables students to explore and enhance their understanding, and develop research and presentation skills
Formal:
Skills C1-C5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. This enables the demonstration of the relevant theories of accounting and finance and empirical evidence and facilitates the demonstration of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation and course work
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Improving own Learning/Performance.
D2 : Use information technology, such as word processing, databases and the web to locate and analyse data and other relevant information
D3 : Basic skills in quantitative research
D4 : Problem-solving and analytical skills
D5 : Participating in group work in undertaking research and preparing informal presentations.
D6 : Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines.
Teaching Methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through group tasks involving oral presentation and group discussion in the lecture.
Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through small group project reports and individual tasks.
IT skills (D2) are developed as individual tasks require extensive research involving web-based material, internet and various electronic medias.
Numeracy skills (D3) are introduced in Research Methods, and may be developed, if appropriate, in the dissertation.
Problem solving skills (D4) are developed principally through specific problem based exercise and project given to the students.
Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D5) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers. These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses
Assessment Methods
Informal Assessment
The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the management schemes; however the approach to assessment varies. Written communication skills, problem solving and IT skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme. Verbal communication skills are not formally assessed although feedback on communication skills forms part of the formative feedback provided on small group tutorial presentations.
Formal
Skills D1-D6 are formally assessed via coursework assignments: in relation both to their process and final output. D2 and D4 will be assessed through the content of submitted work.