Course Catalogue

The predominant assessment methodology is one piece of individual coursework per module, which will require participants to relate their learning to an organisational setting. These assessments will normally be developed from their own experience or setting by each individual student through the module activities with the application of theory to practice being a key element of the programme. During all modules formative feedback, which supports the summative assessments, is ongoing both within and outside the formal sessions. Students experiencing changing circumstances or difficulties with access may be supported by providing suitable case studies for their assessments, however this is not promoted. Modules will normally be delivered in block release format e.g. three full days per 10 credit module, however, days will be broken down into 2-3 hour workshops sessions. The universities VLE (Canvas) will be employed to allow teaching and extension materials to be readily available off-site and provide a means for participants to maintain contact. A strong emphasis is placed on recognising that the workplace is an important place to learn, learners will integrate key concepts and theories, assessing the impact of these on the working environment and report on findings. Action learning will be adopted as the key supportive and collaborative approach to learning, issues and challenges from the workplace can be discussed and peer reviewed by tutors and colleagues on the course, providing a forum to bring ideas, thoughts, issues and actionable remedies to the fore. The assessment methodology, as set out above, provides the opportunities for participants to demonstrate knowledge and skills. In addition to this a 'flipped learning' approach will also be encouraged, providing content prior to the teaching and learning session using the universities VLE, this approach brings the focus onto action learning, enabling the application of skill development. Masterclasses, where keynote speakers address current issues, emerging practice and thought leadership will also be employed on the programme, fostering intellectual skills and addressing the dynamic nature of leadership and management in the real world. An important element of the programme is the opportunity it provides for participants to apply their learning to organisational situations. The fact that learning is applied, rather than being purely theoretical, is of critical importance to students. In addition to students producing course work which links theory to practice, the application of learning is also achieved through case-study analysis and a sharing of understanding which draws on the group experience. The applied nature of the programme will normally require participants to relate theory to an organisational context. The ability to analyse organisational issues and apply recommendations supported by a theoretical framework is assessed. The students will investigate a business or management problem that requires independent research and the synthesis of acquired knowledge and data, to solve the problem. The nature of classroom sessions is devised as an interactive, student-centred experience with group activities playing a significant role.

The programme conforms to the QAA requirements for "a career development programme for those who have significant ... and relevant work experience on which the learning process should build". Manager and leader development is a shared responsibility, and the ethos of this programme is that it is best developed in partnership between the Business School, together with the organisation and the delegates for whom it is intended. The programmes approach to how manager’s and leader’s learn applies proven management and leadership development approaches. At the centre of the programmes philosophy is the notion that we learn best from experience, so action learning and coaching are a key part of the programme. This approach also builds strong peer learning groups where managers learn from each other. That is because the programme sees management and leadership development as a social and collaborative process. It also means that the programme takes learning from the workplace seriously. Consequently, everybody brings their experience from their area of expertise with them, and plans to apply knowledge and skills in practice and then to reflect on their experience and improve their performance.