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Postgraduate Programme Specification

MSc Business for Agri-food & Rural Enterprise

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MSc Business for Agri-food & Rural Enterprise Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Science
Programme Code AFL-MSC-BA UCAS Code HECoS Code 100517 - Agriculture - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Full Time or Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Part Time - 3 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise

School/Department

Biological Sciences

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009)

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

n/a

Programme Specific Regulations

Programme Specific Regulations Work Placement Two periods of work placement are offered to full-time students on the course; Teaching and training opportunity where students gain experience planning, implementing and assessing a development situation via teaching. This is an assessed component of module BIO9003 The second work placement takes place in a 'commercial' environment where the student completes a specific project related to his/her option and lasts for approximately 60 hours. This is an assessed component of module BIO9015 There is opportunity to
complete BIO9008 in Austria via the
ERASMUS/SOCRATES link. There is also the opportunity to complete BIO9008 in Kenya through Christian Aid, as the programme section has an exchange relationship with a development organisation in that country. Awards, Credits and Progression of Learning Outcomes Examinations * Full-time candidates who fail to submit a dissertation by 15th September following completion of the taught modules may, with permission of the Head of School and the Adviser of Studies, be granted an extension of 3 months. Part-time candidates who fail to submit a dissertation by 15 May following completion of the taught modules may, with the permission of the Head of School and Adviser of Studies be granted an extension of 6 months. Only in exceptional circumstances will an additional extension be granted. * Candidates, who are allowed to re-submit their dissertation, must do so within one year of the first submission. No deferrals or further re-submissions will be permitted. * The award will be one of: * MSc in

2
Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise- Rural
Enterprise Development for those studying BIO9011 * MSc in Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise – Innovation management for those studying BIO9016 *
MSc in Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise- Business communication for those studying BIO9017 * MSc candidates, who fail the dissertation or fail to submit a dissertation within the required period, may be awarded the appropriate Postgraduate Diploma. Candidates who fail to complete successfully a second semester or second year module successfully may be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate. * NB. The information in this section must be read in conjunction with the general University regulations.

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

On completion of the programme students will be able to:
1.Effect positive change and development within the Agri-food and rural business sectors
2.Communicate effectively within a job context
3.Apply the principles of business management across a range of Agri-food and rural business sectors with particular reference to innovation development, people development and business communication.
4.Plan, implement and evaluate programmes of change relevant to Agri-food and rural business
5.Complete a research project that includes primary data collection and analysis of an identified

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Apply critical thinking and modelling to individual, group and organisational situations to provide explanations for behaviour

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Independent thinking is encouraged within the programme when applied to unique industry based problems. Case study material analysed and reported upon. Work based skills and classroom presentations incorporated into classroom activities.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis.

Apply a number of decision making frameworks to the solving of problems with predicted and non-predicted outcomes

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Case studies, Placement experiences and the use of ICT technology assisted in delivery. Class discussions support development of skills

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework, and thesis.

Demonstrates critical analysis skills in evaluating proposals, projects and programmes

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Discussion groups and seminar feedback

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework, and thesis.

Conceptualise and analyses situations and determining appropriate theoretical frameworks

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Development of research proposal based upon real life industry problems

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework, and thesis.

Demonstrate and exercise independence, innovation and the necessity for continued development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Development of research proposal based upon real life industry problems

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework, and thesis.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate the use of simple models as a means of analysing communication situations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Interactive class lectures and class discussions.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Specify in behavioural term, objectives and criteria of performance

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Real life case study material to support argument development.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Identify different types of group and how they develop

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Portfolio building allows students to make decisions regarding their own learning.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Apply scientific methodology to the collection , analysis and evaluation of data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Information searches related to project choices

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis

Uses the principles of planning to manage projects of change

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

IT assisted delivery tools using real-life case study material

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Select evaluation techniques to determine the effectiveness of programmes formatively and summatively

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Case studies and classroom discussions

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Uses applied technology (ICT and AV) as required in presentations and within programmes to affect change

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Role play exercises and skills development through the teaching placements (full-time) and through class room teaching (part-time)

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework.

Collects data using appropriate communication skills for both qualitative and quantitative situations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Planning and implementation skills are developed through the work based learning experiences of both full-time and part-time students

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis

Present information to defined target audiences using the appropriate methods

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practical sessions, supportive feedback and case study discussions

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Plan, implement and present findings of research in the form of a thesis based upon primary data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Conceptual development of subject through interactive discussions with tutor and supervisors

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through thesis

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Effectively plan and organise resources under his/her control

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Setting of objectives that relate to students own performance and aims

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis.

Work effectively independently and in teams

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Team exercises, subject presentations using wide range of media, presentations.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis.

Select and apply the appropriate communication method(s) to achieve change using individual, group and mass methods to achieve the desired effect

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Presentations related to work based learning experiences

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis.

Appreciated the views of others in discussions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Feedback provided at all times on students’ performance.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development and in a wider context throughout their career

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials and guest speakers on relevant career routes

Methods of Assessment

Self evaluation

Apply statistical methods to analyse data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practical classes with real life case studies

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework and thesis.

Judge findings and make recommendations based upon research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practical classes with real life case studies

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework

Apply quality assurance procedures to a range of programmes

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Work based learning feedback and evaluation

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through coursework.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Rural Enterprise Development BIO9011 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Business Communication BIO9017 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
MSc Research Project BIO9008 7 60 YES YES 36 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Innovation Management for Rural Business BIO9016 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Planning and Evaluating Change Management Programmes BIO9015 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Rural Business Dynamics BIO9002 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Integrating Learning with Business Needs BIO9003 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Research and Development BIO9009 7 20 YES YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Skills to Affect Change within Businesses BIO9001 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Should you wish to choose the Business Communication sub-plan please ensure to choose optional module BIO9017 Business Communication
Should you wish to choose the Innovation Management sub-plan please choose optional module BIO9016 Innovation Management
Should you wish to choose the Rural Enterprise Development sub-plan please choose optional moduule BIO9011 Rural Enterprise Development