Cardiff University

MSc Business Management with a Professional Placement Year

Year one of the MSc Business Management with Professional Placement Year programme is structured around six module blocks. The first and last module blocks are scheduled on their own as introductory and capstone learning experiences. The four other modules are scheduled in pairs.

We recognise that you will be making a transition from one area of study to another, to a more advanced level of learning, and possibly to a different learning culture. Consequently, the block structure provides an enriched opportunity for extended learning activities, class interaction and review of learning to enhance understanding. It also enables us to offer extra support for individual students to build their confidence.

The introductory module sets the scene for the rest of the programme by considering the key features of the business environment and how this shapes organisations and their decisions. You will then examine core management concepts and practices associated with a range of functional areas.

The modules that follow will help you consider the latest research and practice in business management, including core areas such as marketing, strategy, finance, logistics, economics and human resources.

Your enhanced knowledge and skills will be integrated and applied in a capstone ‘Business in Action’ module. Here you will explore a series of large-scale and complex global issues that present significant dilemmas for the effective management of business.

Choice and specialisation are embedded within modules. For example, the ‘Business in Action’ module will provide you with the opportunity to focus on a contemporary debate or issue that has particular relevance for your future career.

During your second year, you will undertake a professional placement providing you the opportunity to relate and apply the knowledge gained in the first year of the programme to a specific professional setting. Whilst on your placement, you will also undertake a consultancy project in which you will diagnose and recommend practical solutions for an organisational problem.

You will develop and apply the key technical and soft skills required for effective business management. You will see your confidence as a future manager build cumulatively across the programme as you are given multiple opportunities to respond to practical business management challenges.

All modules are underpinned by a concern to examine the contrasting political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and environmental factors that inform management decision-making in different international business contexts. Understanding these dynamics will help you to reflect on the multiple factors that offer opportunities and constraints on management decision-making.

Year One

The programme is a two-year full-time Master’s programme. In year one (stage one) you will complete two semesters of taught modules to the value of 120 credits. During the Spring semester, you will be supported in applying for placements in order to prepare for your placement year.

Students who successfully complete 120 credits at the end of stage one will be permitted to onto stage two.

Core Modules for Year One

• Understanding Organisations and the Business Environment
• Global Marketing
• Managing People
• Analysing Financial Performance
• Strategic and Operational Decision Making
• Business in Action

Year Two

In year two you will undertake a Professional Placement and a Consultancy Project. The placement should normally be of at least eight months duration.

Core Modules for Year Two

• Professional Placement
• Consultancy Project

How Will I Be Assessed?

The block programme structure provides plenty of opportunities for you to reflect on your learning and development informally. Short knowledge/skill review activities are built into each module to help you check your progress and improve your approach to learning. This will build your confidence and enhance your approach to formal assessment tasks.

A variety of formal assessment tasks provide the opportunity to explore concepts and models in creative and practical ways. These include poster presentations, case studies, group presentations, reports and videos. You will work individually and as part of a team, just as you would in the workplace.

All formal assessments are completed within each module. This enables more in-depth consolidation and application required for successful performance in assessment tasks based on the complex functional level work undertaken by professional managers. It also reflects realistic workplace timescales for the completion of tasks. The capstone module focuses explicitly on the challenge of multi-functional working and multi-faceted problems.

What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

Knowledge & Understanding

On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:

• Draw on knowledge from relevant functional areas to design solutions to complex business management problems
• Critically evaluate management frameworks, models, debates and evidence in a changing context
• Critically evaluate the effectiveness of different research approaches for understanding management problems
• Debate relevant business management issues in the context of contrasting the political, economic, socio-cultural and legal factors
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the significance of an organisation’s economic and social contribution to society

Intellectual Skills

On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:

• Analyse methods for generating data relevant to specific contexts
• Critically analyse and synthesise information
• Evaluate the practical application of theory to practice
• Develop and communicate evidence-based recommendations

Professional Practical Skills

On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:

• Undertake research to address business problems
• Utilise accounting techniques
• Develop effective work relationships and teamwork skills
• Function effectively in a professional workplace environment
• Reflect on work-related experiences and the learning from the workplace

Transferable/Key Skills

On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:

• Solve problems
• Communicate to diverse audiences through a range of media
• Demonstrate self-awareness and undertake self-reflection
• Work independently
• Use digital technology
• Analyse and reflect on own skills, identifying ways to improve through personal development planning

At Cardiff Business School, you’ll receive a career-changing education from world-leading academics who have different points of view. They’ll challenge your thinking as you consider the world of business from a range of alternative perspectives.

You’ll benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our Career Enhancer Team. They’re ready and waiting to identify events and opportunities to help you achieve your future aspirations.

We’ve developed relationships that range from the largest multinationals to the smallest micro-businesses, and include a wide variety of social enterprises and cooperatives. We use these networks to deliver value for our students through:

• Real-world case studies and insights
• Collaboration with our Public Value Entrepreneurs in Residence
• Guest lectures
• Field trips and workshops

Combining a dedicated Professional Placement Year with these learning opportunities means you’ll have absorbed practical skills and professional confidence to secure a management position in the graduate employment market.

This program will give you new opportunities for employment in business, supplementing the skills and knowledge you acquired in your first degree to build on what you learnt and the skills you acquired in your first degree with management insight, tools and techniques to give you an added advantage as you enter the workplace.

How Will I Be Taught?

An active learning approach is embedded in the MSc Business Management with a Professional Placement Year. We believe that effective learning is founded on your involvement in diverse experiences, and the way you make sense of those experiences, both individually and with others. A team that includes academics from multiple disciplines, and practitioners representing a range of functions and sectors will facilitate the modules. This will reflect workplace practice and encourage the cross-fertilisation of different perspectives.

Each block of learning includes a variety of activities such as case studies, videos, mini-team challenges, role-play, company visits, and industry speakers, all designed to introduce new ideas and develop your understanding.

We will help you to enhance the reflective skills you were introduced to during your first degree, including observation, analysis, and synthesis to ensure that you are able to develop comprehensive insight and clear conclusions about these experiences.