Programme Specification

Programme Title and Name of Award

MSc Finance and Accounting

Professional Qualifications / Accreditation

This award is aligned to The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Professional Standards

Academic Level

7

Total Credits

180

UCAS Code

N/A

JACS Code

N300, N410

The University’s standard criteria for admissions apply. Please refer to the Applicant Information pages of the University website for more information. For APL, please refer to the University website. Criteria for Admission to the Programme

Please refer to the Applicant Information pages of the University website for more information. For APL, please refer to the University website. Detailed criteria for admission to this programme can be found on the programme webpage: http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate/finance -and-accounting/

Teaching Institution

University of Cumbria

Owning Department

Department of Business, Policing, Law and Social Sciences

Programme delivered in conjunction with

N/A

Principal Mode of Delivery

Blended Learning

Pattern of Delivery

Full Time, Part Time

Delivery Site(s)

Lancaster FT: 1 Calendar Year

Programme Length

PT: 2 Calendar Years Maximum registration:4 calendar years

All rights including copyright in the content of this programme are owned or controlled by the University of Cumbria. Except as otherwise expressly permitted under copyright law or by the University of Cumbria, the content of the programme may not be copied, duplicated, reproduced, republished, posted, distributed or broadcast in any way without the written permission of the University of Cumbria

Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

Upon successful completion of this programme, you may receive a Diploma Supplement/Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). You may be awarded one of the following Exit Awards if you fail to achieve the requirements of the full programme:

Exit Awards

Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Accounting (120 credits) Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (60 credits)

Programme Features The MSc Finance and Accounting award is embedded in professional practice. It is a technical degree which challenges you to embrace the continuous professional development needed for deep understanding and critical evaluation of the art and science of financial and management accounting. The programme has adopted the university themes of creativity, enterprise, employability and sustainability throughout its modules, see appendix 1. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning and reflective practice you will be equipped to enter organisations helping them, through using followership and leadership skills, to recognise that the global economy is entering a new era. Issues such as globalization, the use of finite natural resources, rising population and climate change are creating new challenges and opportunities for both the private and public sector; these concepts are debated and challenged within the context of strategic finance and accounting leadership. A key feature of this award is recognising sustainability is a financial but also a non-financial concept. You will develop an understanding of the changing financial and reputational factors that will affect organisational success in the short, medium and long term, and be able to take these factors into account in the decisions you make for your future organisations (A4S, 2012). The programme has, as a core tenet, the expectation placed on todays’ professional accountants in business and how they create, enable, preserve, and report sustainable value for their employing organizations in a rapidly changing economic and competitive environment. The MSc Finance and Accounting has three key themes: Strategic Financial Management, Strategic Decision Making and Professional Leadership. These are delivered via a number of modules which are underpinned by the university strategies of sustainability, creativity, employability and enterprise, see table 1. As a graduate of this award you will have engaged in clear work related activity that develop the skills, knowledge and attributes essential to the finance and accountancy profession. In addition you will have engaged in a substantive piece of independent study that allows you to conceptually challenge accepted accounting practices. Upon completion of this award you will be equipped to apply to the ACCA to undertake their Professional Level examinations however this will be your responsibility to arrange and finance.

3

Table 1: Programme Themes

The programme begins in September each year and you can study the award full or part time. Modules must be studied in a particular order; for more guidance you will be supported by the programme handbook, course leader and your personal tutor.

Aims of the Programme The overall aims of the Programme are: 1. To provide you with an advanced theoretical and technical understanding of the tools and

techniques of accounting and financial analysis. 2. To provide you with an opportunity for highly developed study of accounting and finance

suitable to a range of strategic leadership roles in the sector. 3. To stimulate you in developing your intellectual capacity and cognitive skills through the

acquisition of vocationally related knowledge and problem solving ability. 4. To promote the need and desire to reflect critically and act upon the sustainability and

ethical issues underpinning the accountant or finance professional’s role and responsibility within contemporary organisations operating in a pluralistic society. 5. To foster critical awareness of current thinking and synthesise developments in accounting

and finance as published across a range of media and thus advance familiarity with the concepts and research methods used. 6. To nurture the facility for you to engage in and contribute to accounting and finance

academic, regulatory and policy debates. 7. For you to engage in individual research and demonstrate the ability to understand and

critically apply appropriate theories. 4

8. To extend your independent research and time management skills by undertaking a

substantial research project which is self-managed and involves application of a variety of research practices to an Accounting and Finance issue.

Level Descriptors At Level 7 (Master’s level), you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability: 

To display a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of your academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.



Employ advanced subject-specific and cognitive skills to enable decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.



Generate new ideas and support the achievement of desired outcomes



Accept accountability for decision making including the use of supervision



Analyse complex concepts and professional situations by means of synthesis of personal and work place reflection and data drawn from scholarship and research in the field.

Programme Outcomes – Knowledge and Understanding The programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate the following: K1. Strategic and advanced technical competency of finance and accounting techniques which matches the standards expected of the relevant professional body. K2. Advanced knowledge of the frameworks in which finance and accounting functions operate, (including the regulatory environment, ethical settings and legal contexts) together with the ability to apply this to profession contexts and in developing your professional identity. K3. The ability to synthesise knowledge and understanding of the potential risks organisations face and the impact they can have on the financial sustainability of the organisation K4. Knowledge and understanding of leadership theories, models and contemporary leadership issues, in particular how these relate to the finance professional. K5. The ability to critically evaluate the role of senior financial managers against a background of change and uncertainty, in generating new ideas and assessing the impact of key decision making K6. A clear relationship between reflective and experiential practice to the enhancement of your professional practice and personal identity.

Programme Outcomes – Skills and other Attributes (including Employability Skills) 5

The programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate the following: A skills matrix for this award has been developed in conjunction with professional bodies and industry advisors, see appendix 2. S1: Technical Skills: A Professional Standard of technical competency (which includes digital literacy) & judgement at a strategic level S2: Personal Skills: Professional identity, time management, accountability & responsibility. S3: Interpersonal Skills: Collaboration and Partnering, resilience, emotional intelligence S4: Communication Skills: Professional communication S5: Business Management: Strategic Commercial Awareness, sustainability S6: Intellectual Skills: Critical evaluation of arguments & evidence set in a wider or more strategic context.

External and Internal Reference Points The following Subject Benchmark Statements and other external and internal reference points have been used to inform the Programme Outcomes: A4S (2012) Future Proofed Decision Making: integrating environmental and social factors into strategy, finance and operations. Accounting for Sustainability (A4S). www.accountingforsustainability.org published December 2012. ACCA (2015) Advanced Financial Management – syllabus and study guide. Available at: http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-examsstudy-resources/p4/syllabus-study-guide.html ACCA (2015) Advanced Performance Management – syllabus and study guide. Available at: http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-examsstudy-resources/p5/syllabus-study-guide.html ACCA (2015) Business Analysis – syllabus and study guide. Available at: http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-examsstudy-resources/p3/syllabus-study-guide.html ACCA (2015) Corporate Reporting (UK) – syllabus and study guide. Available at: http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-examsstudy-resources/p2/syllabus-study-guide/p2-united-kingdom-uk-syllabus-study-guide.html ACCA (2015) Governance, Risk & Ethics – syllabus and study guide. Available at: http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-examsstudy-resources/p1/syllabus-study-guide.html CIMA (2015) 2015 CIMA Professional Qualification Syllabus. Available at: http://www.cimaglobal.com/Documents/Student%20docs/2015-syllabus/CIMA-2015professional-qualification-syllabus.pdf ICAEW (2015) ACA Syllabus and Technical Knowledge Grids for exams in 2015. Available at: http://www.icaew.com/qualifications-and-programmes/aca-evolved/exams/exam-resources IFAC (2007) Defining and Developing an Effective Code of Conduct for Organisations. 6

International Federation of Accountants. Available at: http://www.ifac.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/Defining-and-Developing-anEffective-Code-of-Conduct-for-Orgs_0.pdf IESBA (2013) Handbook of the Code of Ethics for Accountants. International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. http://www.ifac.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/2013-IESBAHandbook.pdf PAIB (2011) Competent and Versatile: How Professional Accountants in Business Drive Sustainable Organizational Success. Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee. International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). August 2011. www.ifac.org. QAA (2012) UK Quality Code for Higher Education - Chapter B10: Managing higher education provision with others at QAA Quality Code Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval) QAA (2010) Master's degree characteristics at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-degree-characteristics.pdf QAA (2007) Master's degrees in business and management at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Subject-benchmark-statement-Mastersdegrees-in-business-and-management.pdf QAA (2007) Subject Benchmark Statements: Accounting. at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Subject-benchmark-statementAccounting.pdf University of Cumbria (2014) Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 2014-2017 at http://staff.cumbria.ac.uk/Public/AQS/Documents/LearningTeachingAssessmentStrategy.pdf

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies employed to enable the Programme Outcomes to be Achieved and Demonstrated The MSc Finance and Accounting has been developed keeping the University of Cumbria’s Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 2014-2017 as the ethos of teaching, learning and assessment. Specific to the strategy we are therefore: 1. Placing your learning at the heart of what we do by incorporating experiential and creative teaching that brings together theory and practice in a powerful combination to provide an educational experience that is inspirational for students and relevant to their future aspirations. In this award two modules in particular stand out as real life challenges; the first is AFBS7002 Financial Governance, Risk and Ethics where you work in teams to seek solutions. The second is AFBS7003 Strategic Performance Management which asks you to write a performance report to your ‘client’. 2. Promoting learning partnerships by utilising a team of industry advisors and professional organisations to ensure the programme is relevant, contemporary and focused on regional, national and international priorities. Thus modules such as AFBS7001 Financial Reporting and Communication and AFBS7004 Corporate Financial Practices will engage with a range of guest speakers and case study materials provided by industry partners. In addition all exams within the AFBS modules are aligned to professional body standards. Advisors contributing to this award included CIMA, ACCA, 7

ICAEW, Story Construction, and David Allen Chartered Accountants. 3. Embracing innovative blended learning approaches to learning, teaching and assessment by (i) the appropriate use of learning technology to support a high quality student experience [for example in the module AFBS7002 Financial Governance, Risk and Ethics where your group will need to communicate effectively through the use of digital forums on Blackboard, our virtual learning environment] (2) developing real world environments where the classroom becomes the accountants office, and vice versa, [for example in the module AFBS7003 Strategic Performance Management where you will liaise with your client] and (3) using proven teaching methods thus ensuring that you develop the skills necessary to the contemporary professional environment [for example in the module UCBS7017 Postgraduate Research Methods where the yearlong programme of face to face interaction leads into an extended period of independent study for the module UCBS7018 The Postgraduate Independent Project]. These approaches are assessed by you through module evaluation forms and the feedback inculcated into the modules and programme of study 4. Continuing to recruit and further develop well qualified, high quality staff: our teaching staff create, share and disseminate new knowledge through their disciplinary research, teaching, academic enterprise and partnerships and use their pedagogical and professional expertise to promote an environment for students to realise their full potential. Currently key staffs delivering on this programme are professionally accredited by CIMA. The academic team provide contributions to text books and research outputs through engagement with conferences and journal articles. In addition they provide consultancy for companies, for instance in supporting the Freshwater Biological Association develop strategies for growing income and surplus (Greenwood & Wiscombe, 2013-2014). Research outputs from staff contributing to this award include: Ryder ,S.,Dobson,K.C., Greenwood, A. & Wiscombe, C.A. (2015) Understanding the Quality of the Student Experience in Blended Learning Environments: focussing on student engagement as a learner need. Quality Criteria in Blended Learning Conference 27th – 29th August 2015, Malaga, Spain. part of the Multilateral Grundtvig Project "Quality in Blended Learning". Wiscombe, C.A. (2016) Financial Awareness in the Travel Sector. Robinson, P (Ed) (2016) Managing Operations in The Travel Industry. 2nd Ed. Oxford: CABI (in print) Wiscombe, C.A. (2009) Planning, Controlling and Evaluating in Bill, K. (ed) (2009) Sport Management. Exeter: Learning Matters. 5. Providing staff development opportunities appropriate to a University focused on student learning: In 2014-2015 staff on this award have become fellows of the Higher Education Academy and contributed to the annual Learning and Teaching Fest. Staff have submitted book proposals to Routledge and attended a range of training events including Curriculum Design and Validation organised by the university’s Academic and Quality Development team. This particular training event, attended by the student union, encouraged the staff to consider the role of ‘volunteering’ within this programme 6. Ensuring quality provision through robust review and enhancement processes thus this award has been designed in conjunction with industry partners and members of AQD who have attended workshops and seminars to help contribute to the curriculum. As a 8

result of this quality process the course team: i.

Have developed the Skills Matrix for M level study

ii.

Have considered whether new modules or existing business modules would be best fit for this award; pedagogic considerations and ‘fitness for purpose’ analysis illustrates that existing business modules which accounting and finance students would study alongside other M level students were best placed to serve your needs and fit with the professions needs at a strategic level.

iii.

Have specifically integrated professional leadership challenges as they are impacted by contemporary issues, for instance AFBS7002 Financial Governance, Risk and Ethics.

iv.

Will develop your academic skills through the adoption of the UCBS7017 Principles of Postgraduate Research Methods.

Assessment There are two types of assessment in any given module at the University of Cumbria; formative assessment helps you to develop the final pieces of work. They receive feedback but do not contribute to marks. Summative assessment is the name for marked work which contributes to the module mark. Formative assessment is designed to contribute to the learning and teaching strategy of the award. Types of assessment used are designed to: i.

test your knowledge and understanding to professional body standards (exams)

ii.

build your business communication skills (reports and presentations),

iii.

challenge your professional leadership capability (group and team work, reflective practice exercises)

iv.

foster Academic and intellectual skills (essays and research based project)

The timing of assessments is carefully managed, particularly where you will need to revise and engage in a series of examinations at the end of the spring term. Thus you can expect that course work would be due in week 12 of the module and examinations to take place in week 13 or week 14. All AFBS modules will provide a revision session as part of the preparation for the examination. However the challenge of the assessment period reflects real world experience in an accountancy firm where work can be bunched around key periods of activity; you will need to build resilience to cope with the examination period and time management skills will be vital. Both are essential attributes for accounting and finance professionals.

Student Support Supporting your studies outside the taught modules is an important facet of the MSc Finance and Accounting programme. This support begins in ‘Welcome Week’ held during the week before your study programme starts. We will ensure you have enrolled and registered, have access to your university email account, the online timetable and receive a tour of the campus. In addition you will meet fellow students, the programme leader and tutors who will 9

deliver the individual modules. You will be allocated a Personal Tutor as part of the Welcome Week activity. The personal tutor will usually be involved in the delivery of your programme and will have contact with you throughout your time at the University. They will have responsibility to support your learning and development and will make themselves available should you require pastoral, academic or other support. You will meet your personal tutor during ‘welcome week’. Thereafter you can contact them via their ‘office hour’ system to book appointments to suit your needs; you will be required to attend a formal appointment with your personal tutor no less than three times per academic year. As a student of the University of Cumbria, there is a great package of support out-with the core teaching team. Library and Student Services (LiSS) offer a wide range of support, including; access to library learning resources, academic skills, careers and employability, financial help, counselling, health and wellbeing and support for disabled students and those with specific learning requirements. We know that you want to get the most out of your programme, make the best use of your time and get that career you always dreamed of. Access university support and facilities easily and quickly via our help is at hand search. Support with your academic study is probably your first priority when you start your award. The Skills@Cumbria service can help support your academic skills and success throughout your programme. The service is delivered by a team of professional Learning Enhancement Advisers within LiSS. It includes a suite of online self-help resources accessible 24/7 via the University’s website and Blackboard site. It also provides group and individual advice and guidance accessible through and alongside your course and by different means such as face to face, email or virtual. As part of the business school postgraduate community you will have embedded skills interventions from LiSS as part of your induction experience and beyond. Typically the interventions have taken the form of workshops but equivalent online input could be chosen through liaison. Embedded induction input will cover IT network passwords, basic intro to Blackboard and webmail, library services and electronic resources (ebooks, ejournals, image collections etc). Later input will cover more advanced (including level 7) information literacy and critical reading and writing skills. The business subject resources pages provide a good start point for choosing relevant material for your ongoing research: http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Learning/Resources/Subjects/Business/Home.aspx LiSS have developed a number of specific student support services that will help you in your studies before, during and in nearing completion of your award. Preparing for M Level Study This free online pre-entry Master’s level course is available free of charge through the Open Education Platform powered by Blackboard as is Head Start Plus. It provides a useful insight into the academic requirements of study at postgraduate level and is recommended to students who are about to start their PG qualification. To access the course simply follow the link to https://openeducation.blackboard.com/cumbria and set-up a free account with Open Education. Once logged on, select the course free of charge and work through it at your own pace. Cumbria Mentor Scheme 10

This is the university’s one-to-one voluntary mentoring scheme, any student may request a mentor if needed. This scheme provides unique pastoral support to new students during their transition into university life. It is also a great opportunity for more experienced students to broaden their own skill-set through the specific training all new mentors undergo, and through the practices they will utilise throughout the mentoring process. If you would like to be put in touch with a mentor or are interested in becoming a mentor yourself, contact [email protected] Career Ahead Career Ahead is the University’s Employability Award that is accessible to all of our students regardless of level or programme of study. Available free through the Careers Team in LiSS, the award gives students the opportunity to make their graduate CV stand out. Based on what employers look for in an ideal candidate, this award works with students to identify any gaps in their skill set and reflect on their experiences. It also offers the opportunity to participate in exclusive programmes and activities with employers. The University of Cumbria’s employability award is split into three stages: Bronze, Silver and Gold, with a further Career Ahead + Platinum level. Students’ engagement in extra curricula activities such as volunteering, project and charity work and peer mentoring are recognised within Career Ahead. To find out more or to register email [email protected] Module leaders will collaborate with LiSS advisers to ensure that your reading lists are current and items are available via the library collections. In order to maximise access, availability and usefulness, ebooks and electronic journal titles will, in most cases, be prioritised. You can access a wide range of great electronic content using our Quest discovery system. Where appropriate, module reading lists will be made available to you electronically using the university’s online reading list system. The Student Union The Student Union, an integral part of the University, offer a range of social events, volunteering opportunities, counselling services and advice on academic regulations. You will automatically become a member of the student union on enrolment at the university however can pay a small fee to then receive substantial discounts at local retail outlets. More on the student union can be found here: http://www.ucsu.me/ Other Support Services Whilst you are at university there will be different times and events for which you may need support. From money and finance, faith, careers and employability to health and wellbeing or childcare you can find support at http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/InformationFor/CurrentStudents/Home.aspx International Student Welfare The International Development Office provides a pre-arrival guide to new students before they come to the UK. This guide includes information about: visas, travel to campus, finances, accommodation, student life, and international student support and resources. An orientation for international students is run by the International Development Office in both the first and second semesters. These sessions include an introduction to campus and the city, as well as discussions on academic and cultural expectations. During term time, further support is provided with academic skills sessions and social activities. International 11

students are also encouraged to contact the International Development Office with any questions or concerns they have during their programme of study.

12

Programme Curriculum Map1 Academic Level

Module Code

Module Title

2

Credits

Module Status3

Pre/Co Requisites

Map to Programme Outcomes4

Autumn Semester 7

UCBS7001

Leadership and Organisational Behaviour (adopted)

20

Compulsory

7

UCBS7002

Strategic Thinking and Effecting Change (adopted)

20

Compulsory

7

AFBS7001

Financial Reporting and Communication

20

Compulsory

UCBS7017

Principles of Postgraduate Research

20

Compulsory

K4, K5, K6 S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 K2, K3, K5, K6 S3, S4, S5, S6 K1, K2, K5 S1, S4, S5, S6

Year Long 7

K2, K5, K6 S1, S2, S5, S6

Spring Semester

7

AFBS7002

Financial Governance, Risk and Ethics

20

K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6

Compulsory

S1, S3, S5, S6

7

AFBS7003

Strategic Performance Management

20

13

Compulsory

Students must have studied AFBS7001 Financial Reporting and Communication or Equivalent

K1, K3, K4, K5 S1, S2, S4, S5

Programme Curriculum Map1 Academic Level

7

Module Code

AFBS7004

Module Title

2

Credits

Module Status3

Pre/Co Requisites

Corporate Financial Practices

20

Compulsory

Students must have studied AFBS7001 Financial Reporting and Communication or Equivalent

Postgraduate Independent Project

40

Compulsory

UCBS7017 is a pre-requisite for this module

Map to Programme Outcomes4 K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6 S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6

Summer Semester 7

UCBS7018

1

This programme operates in accordance with the University’s Academic Regulations and Academic Procedures and Process.

1

Please refer to the relevant programme webpage on the University’s website for summaries of the individual Module Aims.

Core Modules must be taken and must be successfully passed. Compulsory Modules must be taken although it may possible to carry as a fail (if the award permits). Optional Modules are a set of modules from which you will be required to choose to study. Once chosen, unless indicated otherwise in the table above, an optional module carries the same rules as a compulsory module (ie it may be possible to carry as a fail). Qualificatory Units. These are non-credit bearing pass/fail components that are used to satisfy relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body professional requirements that are associated with the programme. 1

This column references the Programme Outcomes that will be achieved through successful completion of each module (i.e. through successful completion of the module’s summative assessment) 1

14

Programme Delivery Structure Delivery Pattern Module Code

Autumn / Spring/Summer Semester

Method(s) of Assessment

Approximate Assessment Deadline

UCBS7001

Leadership and Organisational Behaviour (adopted)

Autumn Semester

100% Written [Report] 4,500 words

December

UCBS7002

Strategic Thinking and Effecting Change (adopted)

Autumn Semester

100% Project [Report] 4,500 word equivalent

December

AFBS7001

Financial Reporting and Communication

Autumn Semester

30% Oral Presentation

December

70% Exam 2 hrs

January

UCBS7017

Principles of Postgraduate Research (adopted) 1

100% Portfolio 4,500 word equivalent

April

70% Exam 2 hrs

End May

30% Set Exercise [Formative group work with summative reflective practice] 1500 word equivalent

Mid May

70% Exam 2 hrs

End May

30% Written Assignment [Business Report] 1500 word

Mid May

AFBS7002

AFBS7003

1

Module Title

Financial Governance, Risk and Ethics

Strategic Performance Management

Year Long

Spring Semester

Spring Semester

The topics submitted for the proposal must be bespoke to your target award. Bespoke finance and accounting texts and wider bibliography will be provided in the module guide.

15

AFBS7004

Corporate Financial Practices

UCBS7018

Postgraduate Independent Project (adopted)2

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

2

70% Exam 2 hrs

End May

30% Set exercise [Business Communication] 1500 word equivalent

Mid May

100% Project 9-11,000 word equivalent

End September

The topics under consideration for dissertations must be bespoke to the Finance and Accounting award. Supervisors for accounting and finance students would clearly come from the broader A&F staff pool.

16

Methods for Evaluating and Improving the Quality and Standards of Learning Documented Module Evaluations by Students and staff AER at course and department level Periodic review and revalidation activities Liaison with External Examiners Involvement of student representatives on course / school committees. Mechanisms used for the Review and Evaluation of the Curriculum and Learning, Teaching and Assessment Methods

Regular Programme Team meetings. Regular engagement via AQD Peer Review process Engagement of industry stakeholders in projects, conferences, seminars and real world experiences Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and other industry related activities Professional Body Accreditation Mechanism Industry Advisory Group Department Quality Committee (DQC) Module Evaluation forms Student Membership of DQC where appropriate

Mechanisms used for gaining and responding to feedback on the quality of teaching and the learning experience – gained from: Students, graduates, employers, WBL venues, other stakeholders, etc.

NSS & Penultimate Year Survey Feedback from students into personal tutor system Informal consultative meetings with students Peer Review Process Guest Speakers and Specialist Delivery Lecturers. Analysis of student results: progression, retention and classification profiles (Placement evaluations – where relevant)

Date of Programme Specification Production:

January 2016

Date Programme Specification was last updated: For further information about this programme, refer to the programme page on the 17

University website http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate/finance-and-accounting/

18

Appendix 1: University Themes and Module Matrices

Creativity

Enterprise

Employability

Sustainability

UCBS7001

Leadership and Organisational Behaviour (adopted)









UCBS7002

Strategic Thinking and Effecting Change (adopted)









AFBS7001

Financial Reporting and Communication









UCBS7017

Principles of Postgraduate Research (adopted)







AFBS7002

Financial Governance, Risk and Ethics









AFBS7003

Strategic Performance Management









AFBS7004

Corporate Financial Practices









UCBS7018

Postgraduate Independent Project (adopted)







19

()

()

Appendix 2: Skills Matrix

Level 7

Technical Personal (T) (P) Professional Standard of technical Professional identity, competency (which includes accountability & digital literacy) & judgement at a responsibility. strategic level.

Skill Development Interpersonal Communication (IP) ( C)

Business Management (B)

Collaboration & Partnering Professional communication Strategic commercial skills. and emotional intelligence. awareness.

20

Intellectual (I) Critical evaluation of arguments & evidence set in a wider or more strategic context.