Objectives
-prepare graduate-level students for careers in industry and commerce through the study of the business organisation and its environment within the framework of the EU; -promote understanding of the functions of business, its organisation and methods of decision-making through a synthesis of different programme components, giving an interdisciplinary focus for the studies; -enable students who may have no business background to pursue the above aims through core modules, and to follow individual interests and career preferences through a programme of options; -allow language graduates to adapt their language skills to business-related areas; -allow language and non-language graduates to become skilled in the applications of information technology to promote effective communication skills, orally, in writing, in the foreign language (where appropriate) and in interpersonal relations; -foster analytical thinking in solving business problems, via team work and student-centred learning; -promote understanding of technology's role in the operation and management of business information systems, and the applications of such systems in relation to organisations and people.
Course description
Content
In the first semester all students study:
-European Strategic Management
-European Business Environment
-European Business Culture
-Principles and Practice of European Marketing
and one of the following business options:
-English for Economics, Finance and Business Studies
-A foreign language other than English at Level 3 or M Level or,
-Business Communication Networks (taught in English)
The second semester consists of:
-European Strategic Management: Case Studies
-The Market Research Process in Europe
-Intercultural Business Communication
-Language option from first semester continued
-The European Consultancy Project
MA dissertation
Independent research, under the supervision of UWE staff, will take place on completion of the Diploma. Full MA preparation will commence with a Research Methodology workshop, designed to reinforce skills acquired during the Diploma, and to focus on the research proposal.
Content of research
Those students who are in employment following their Diploma studies may wish to focus their research on a topic which is relevant for their company. Alternatively, students may wish to pursue more in-depth investigation of a subject covered during their Diploma study. The choice of topic will reflect individual student interest, combined with staff expertise. Topics which have been studied for the MA include:
-Managing change and innovation in French and UK organisations
-The influence of organisational culture on the integration of companies following acquisition
-Privatisation, deregulation and re-regulation in the telecommunications market in Spain and the UK
-Regional strategies to attract foreign inward investment
-Forecasting consumer uptake of digital television in European countries
Students are expected to take a comparative approach to their research and use examples from more than one European country.
Language opportunities
In addition there is an opportunity to study a language on the UWE Language programme (ULP) but this does not form part of your award. Languages include: Arabic, Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.
Placements
In addition, there may also be the opportunity to undertake a placement (subject to availability) under the Erasmus scheme at our partner institution in Paris (Negocia Business School; all modules taught in English).
Teaching and learning
The intensive nature of the programme necessarily entails a strong student commitment to independent study in addition to the formal class-contact hours.
A variety of teaching/learning methods are used, including lectures, student-led seminars, hands-on computer sessions and case studies, group and individual oral presentations and project work.
Assessment
One of the key themes of the programme is group work, and all students will learn how to undertake team tasks.
The assessment programme reflects the varied nature of programme components, but is based on:
-a programme of continuous assessment, internally set and externally moderated;
-project work (involving group and individual inputs);
-end of module assessment under controlled conditions.
Careers/further study
The curriculum has been designed to provide a broad business base. This, in combination with more in-depth study of option subjects, offers graduates exciting career opportunities which vary according to the option path chosen. The general nature of the programme means that graduates have the flexibility to fit into many roles in the junior management and administration fields, especially in international companies in this country or abroad. The growing internationalisation of several sectors, including financial services, along with the effects of the Single European Currency, mean that the demand for good graduates with a European business perspective and a foreign language will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from:
-graduates with an honours degree in any discipline, with at least a second class award;
-students who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements but whose work experience or experience living abroad may make them suitably qualified for admission.
