Mba full-time-handbook-2011-12

Full-Time MBA

Masters Programme Handbook

2011/2012

Disclaimer
This handbook has been published by the University of Edinburgh Business School to give
information to applicants and students about the Full-Time MBA. It should be read in
conjunction with the University of Edinburgh’s Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate
Programmes. The handbook does not supersede the University regulations, and the formal
requirements for the programme are as set out in the University of Edinburgh’s annual
Postgraduate Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study (http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/11-
12/regulations/index.php).

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in the handbook was
correct at the time of going to print. However, the handbook does not form part of any contract
between the University and a student or applicant, and must be read in conjunction with the
Terms and Conditions of Admission set out in the University of Edinburgh’s annual
Postgraduate Prospectus.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4

2. Your Programme................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Aims and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Programme Structure................................................................................................... 6
2.3 The MBA Capstone Project .......................................................................................... 6
2.4 Teaching and Learning ................................................................................................. 7
2.5 Assessment .................................................................................................................. 7
2.6 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.8 Monitoring Student Attendance................................................................................ 13
2.9 Interruptions of Study .................................................................................................. 13

3 Academic Support, Facilities and Staff .............................................................................. 13

3.1 Pastoral and Academic Support and Guidance .......................................................... 13
3.2 Disabled Students ....................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Student Welfare .......................................................................................................... 15
3.4 Representation and Feedback .................................................................................... 16
3.5 Facilities ...................................................................................................................... 17

Appendices ........................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix 1: Degree Programme Table............................................................................. 18
Appendix 2: Specialisations .............................................................................................. 20
Appendix 3: Coursework Marking Criteria......................................................................... 21
Appendix 4: Key Dates for Academic Year 2011/2012 ..................................................... 22
Appendix 5: MBA Career Development ............................................................................ 23
Appendix 6: Group working............................................................................................... 24
Appendix 7: Outdoor Development ................................................................................... 26
Appendix 8: Additional Learning Opportunities ................................................................. 27

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1. Introduction
Welcome to the University of Edinburgh Business School and to the Edinburgh MBA
programme.

The Edinburgh MBA provides you with a unique opportunity to develop your knowledge and
skills with the help of leading academic faculty and, equally importantly, an experienced,
international and culturally diverse student body. This is an opportunity which takes place
within an environment in which mutual co-operation, learning and support provide an
underlying philosophy, all set against the backdrop of the dynamic, diverse and beautiful city
of Edinburgh.

We hope that you will find your time with us both enjoyable and rewarding. We appreciate
the significant investment you are making by undertaking the Edinburgh MBA. The
Programme has been designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and experiences to
help maximise the opportunities for you to realise that investment in your future career.

We look forward to working with you to help you realise your full potential academically,
personally and career-wise. This handbook outlines the framework within which our mutual
co-operation will deliver that rewarding experience and also details the facilities of the
Business School.

Programme Director Programme Manager
Dr Tony Kinder Samantha Rice
University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh
Business School Business School
Room 2.06 Postgraduate Office Reception
29 Buccleuch Place Ground Floor
Edinburgh 29 Buccleuch Place
EH8 9JS Edinburgh
M: 07775 804708 EH8 9JS
W: 0131 651 3858 Tel: 0131 651 5332
Email: tony.kinder@ed.ac.uk Email: samantha.rice@ed.ac.uk

Programme Secretary Programme Co-ordinator
Stuart Mallen Andrew Macaulay________
Postgraduate Office Reception Postgraduate Office Reception
Ground Floor Ground Floor
29 Buccleuch Place 29 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh Edinburgh
EH8 9JS EH8 9JS
Tel: 0131 650 8071 Tel: 0131 650 8072
Email: office+mba@business-school.ed.ac.uk Email: office+mba@business-school.ed.ac.uk
Executive Programme Director (retiring) Head of School
Dr Inger Seiferheld Professor Nick Oliver
Room GF.21 Room 4.02
29 Buccleuch Place 29 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh Edinburgh
EH8 9JS EH8 9JS
Tel: 0131 650 3801
Email: inger.seiferheld@ed.ac.uk

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2. Your Programme
2.1 Aims and Objectives

The programme aims to provide you with:

− a solid grounding in the major management disciplines and concepts
− tool-kits and techniques for analysing business and management issues
− the skill-sets and critical thinking processes to synthesize and integrate applications
− the opportunity to enhance your leadership and professional competencies in one of
Europe’s ancient seats of learning
− an awareness of the need for continues learning

During your time on the Programme, you will have a considerable opportunity to gain a
joined-up overview of the whole management field, particularly through working on 'real
world' problems in small student teams. Ultimately, the aim of the Edinburgh MBA is to
assist you to progress with confidence and competence to an executive management
position.

Knowledge and understanding
• Describe and critically analyse the environment in which purposeful organisations
operate and the way that they are effectively managed in this environment;
• Use frameworks to devise suitable plans of action for any specific purposeful
organisations through analysis and integrated problem solving;
• Identify global aspects and social responsibility in the management of purposeful
organisations

Intellectual skills

• Reflect on interpersonal skills and abilities;
• Undertake independent learning and display independent thought, acknowledging the
importance and limitations of their own knowledge.

Careers

• Your career pathway and opportunities is very important to us, as it is to you. We will
ensure that in regular meetings with staff and your Director of Studies (Dr Kinder,
assisted initially by Dr Seiferheld) that throughout your MBA, you focus on your career
and focus on supporting and helping you in practical ways.

Transferable skills

• be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• be able to advance reasoned and factually supported arguments in written work and
oral presentation;
• have acquired lifelong learning skills and personal development so as to be able to
work with self-direction;
• search for information using different media, e.g. internet and libraries;
• have skills in time management and planning work.

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2.2 Programme Structure

The programme consists of 180 credits of taught courses studied over semester 1, 2a and 2b,
plus a MBA Capstone Project worth 40 credits undertaken over the summer. Semester 1 will
focus on core courses while Semester 2a and 2b offer additional core courses and option
courses. The Leadership Programme and the Career Track take place throughout your MBA.
You will receive separate information about these offerings. The Degree Programme Table in
Appendix 1 explains the timing and credit weighting for each component in the MBA
programme. Appendix 5 offer more detail on MBA Career Development.

Provided semester 1 and 2a courses are completed successfully, students progress to writing
a MBA Capstone Project of approximately 10,000-14,000 words on the subject of their choice
within the subject area.

Progression will be decided at the Board of Examiners meeting at the end of the summer
exam period. (See Section 2.5 for detailed progression and award rules.)

• Candidates who fail to progress at this stage may be entitled to receive the Postgraduate
(PG) Diploma in Business Administration.
• Candidates who reach a satisfactory standard in the course work but whose MBA
Capstone Project is not of a masters level may also be awarded the PG Diploma.
• Candidates who reach a satisfactory standard in the course work but for good reason are
not able to submit a MBA Capstone Project may be awarded the PG Diploma.

2.3 The MBA Capstone Project
The MBA Capstone Project is your final project and provides a challenge to your ability to
integrate a wide range of material, to organise the many, often conflicting, themes that
inevitably enter into such work. Many MBA students will select to do a Business Plan,
Business Report or report on an internship, though a traditional research project remains an
option. Your Director of Studies, Dr Kinder will offer you advice and help you select a
personal Capstone supervisor.
The project is an extended piece of work in which students have the opportunity to study in
some depth a topic largely of their own choosing, under the guidance of a supervisor. In
practice, the subject will be chosen on the basis of the students’ own interest - we encourage
MBA students to choose topics that help with career choices - the topics that staff are able to
supervise, and what is feasible given the literature and time available. The MBA Capstone
project is significantly different from earlier assessed work by the greater depth of
comprehension and critique demonstrated. Students are not expected to undertake the
exhaustive literature review or empirical work typical of higher research degrees, such as a
PhD study, though a limited amount of empirical research may be included in the preparation
of the project. Rather, the MBA Capstone project provides an opportunity for students to refine
and extend their grasp of particular aspects of the material introduced in the taught
coursework, through critical and detailed engagement within a particular field of interest to the
student.

Two copies of your project must be submitted in envelopes or wallet folders (there is no
need to bind the project as that is arranged for you)

For further guidelines on writing your MBA Capstone Project, including important formatting
information and a front cover template, please visit MyBiz:
http://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/mybiz/full-time-mba/my-
study/guidelines2?heading_id=6

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2.4 Teaching and Learning

A variety of different teaching methods are used by staff, depending upon the nature of the
subject. You should not therefore expect all subjects to be taught in the same way; some may
emphasise individual study more, some will rely on the framework of the lecture, and in other
courses you will be expected to do work outside of the direct contact time. However, you can
expect that all teaching relates theory to business practice and current issues. For us, our
style of learning and teaching in a problem and student-centred way differentiates us from
many other business schools.

Learning takes place through attending lectures, individual reading and reflection, and group
discussion initiated by student presentations. From the outset, students must cultivate the
study skills required for scholarship at an advanced level – using library and other online
sources, effective note taking, critical analysis and writing. The University provides some
tuition in these areas; in addition teaching staff generally provide feedback on seminar papers
and assessed work.

Students are expected to read extensively and deeply in preparation for all seminars, and to
participate fully in group discussions. This means being familiar with and having an informed
opinion on the relevant reading material before the lecture and seminar starts. It also means
being prepared to listen as well as to talk in the seminars.

During the MBA Capstone Project stage , learning takes place on a much more individual and
independent basis. Structure and guidance is provided through meetings with a capstone
project supervisor, and through informal discussion sessions with other students on the
programme. Students’ and supervisors’ rights and responsibilities during the capstone project
stage are described in section 7.2 of the Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate;
http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Codes/CoPTaughtPGProgrammes.pdf

Throughout the programme, discussion with staff and with others on the programme is a key
element in student learning. The students of this programme come from a large diversity of
national cultures with distinctly different educational traditions and may, therefore, not always
be accustomed to this teaching approach. However, as the students bring with them a wide
variety of perspectives and experiences, we want to take full advantage of this diversity and,
therefore, we strongly encourage students to actively participate in class. Students have
much to learn from each other, and from a shared engagement with the course and
capstone project work. Indeed, it is the quality of the students, as much as the ability of the
teaching staff that determines the value of this programme.

2.5 Assessment
All assessed work is internally and externally examined. Any mark a student receives is
provisional before the meeting of the relevant Board of Examiners, which may change it in
either direction and by any amount. Further information on assessment is contained in
individual course booklets.

The University’s Common Marking Scheme specifies the following descriptions of numerical
course grades.

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Mark Grade Description
%
90-100 A1
An excellent performance, Satisfactory for a
80-89 A2
distinction
70-79 A3
60-69 B A very good performance
A good performance, satisfactory for a masters
50-59 C
degree
A satisfactory performance for the PG Diploma, but
40-49* D
inadequate for a Masters degree
30-39 E Marginal Fail
20-29 F Clear Fail
10-19 G
Bad Fail
0-9 H

Please note that penalties are applied if work is submitted late without good reason,
extensions must be agreed in advance. Students are advised to contact the relevant course
organiser to discuss any difficulties as soon as possible.

Award of PG Diploma
Successful completion of the taught courses, subject to the following rules, qualifies
candidates to receive the PG Diploma. A PG Diploma will be awarded if the student has 120
credits (at SCQF level 11) at 40% or above and an overall 180 credits with a weighted
average of at least 40%.

Progress to MBA Capstone Project
Progression to MBA requires:
a) 120 credits (at SCQF level 11) with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which
make up these credits
AND
b) an overall 180 credits with a weighted average of at least 50%.

When all the marks for the taught components of the programme (120 credits) are available, if
the student has achieved PASS marks (40%) in at least 80 credits and has an overall average
of 40% or more over the full 120 credits, then they will be awarded credits on aggregate for
the failed courses.

Award of MBA
For the award of MBA, a student must progress to the capstone project stage and achieve at
least 50% for the 40 credits project component.

MBA with Distinction
To be awarded the MBA with Distinction, students must have marks of:

1. At least 70% for the capstone project; and
2. A weighted average of at least 70% over the taught component.

Borderlines, for both the capstone project and course average elements, are considered for
distinctions. Borderline marks are defined as marks from two percentage points below
boundary up to the boundary itself, e.g. 68.00% to 69.99% for the dissertation and for the
average of other courses.

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Further information on assessment procedures can be found in the University’s Code of
Practice for Taught Postgraduate Programmes and the Taught Assessment Regulations:
http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Regulations/TaughtAssessmentRegulations
.pdf

2.6 Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the appropriation of other people’s work by copying or even paraphrasing
without due acknowledgement. It is considered to be a matter of serious dishonesty and will
not be tolerated by the University. The official University definition stresses the intentions are
not a critical feature of plagiarism.

“Plagiarism is the act of copying or including in one’s own work, without adequate
acknowledgement, intentionally or unintentionally, the work of another, for one’s own benefit.”

This serves to emphasise that it is the responsibility of the student to become aware of what
plagiarism involves. The full text of the University’s policy on plagiarism and the guidance it
contains can be found at:

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/academic-services/students/postgraduate-
taught/discipline/plagiarism

Use of plagiarism detection software

Computers may be used to detect plagiarism, whether by using something as simple as a
search engine such as Google (it is as easy for a marker to find online sources as it is for
you) or something more complex for specialized comparisons of work. Most courses will use
‘Turnitin’ plagiarism detection software.

‘Turnitin’ is an online service hosted at www.submit.ac.uk that enables institutions and staff
to carry out electronic comparison of students' work against electronic sources including
other students' work.

Further information on ‘Turnitin’ is available from Information Services:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/services/learning-
technology/assessment/plagiarism/overview

There is an on-line demonstration of the system available at http://www.submit.ac.uk/

2.7 Further Information on Assessment Procedures

Setting and marking assessed work
The coursework and examination paper(s) that count towards the final mark for a course are
set by the course organiser and lecturer(s) concerned. Course organisers must show a draft
of the final, end-of-semester exam question paper to an appropriate colleague for
moderation. All final exam question papers are seen in draft and approved by an External
Examiner. All work is marked anonymously.

All assessment is also moderated; that is to say, a small sample is examined by another
colleague to check that they agree with the level and the approach to marking. The scripts
with the lowest marks will almost always be part of this sample to ensure that the pass mark
is appropriate. It is important to note that all course and MBA Capstone project marks are

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provisional until ratified by the Board of Examiners in June for semester 1 and 2a and
October for semester 2b and the MBA Capstone project. The University does not allow re-
sits of course assessment.

The role of the External Examiner, with regard to marking, is to ensure that the marks of the
relevant piece of assessment are fair across students on the course and in relation to other
courses on the programme, given the nature of the course and of the specific assignment or
exam paper that was set. Their role is not to second-mark the work of students with
borderline marks.

MBA Capstone Projects
All projects are marked independently by both the project supervisor and by a second
academic. Each marker awards a separate mark and they then agree a final mark. The
External Examiners see a sample of projects including any for which the internal markers
cannot agree a final mark.

The deadline for submission of the MBA Capstone Project is 4pm on Thursday 30 August,
2012.

Students will incur a penalty for late submission at a rate of five percentage points per day,
unless an extension has been agreed. An extension to the deadline of up to one month is
possible in exceptional circumstances, by agreement with your adviser and the Programme
Director. Requests for extensions of more than one month require, in addition, a written case
to be made to the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the College of Humanities and Social
Science (of which the School is a part). Students need to be aware that any extension in
capstone project submission may cause administrative delays to their original date of
graduation and they may incur a fee.

Resubmission of MBA Capstone Project
1. An MBA student may resubmit their Capstone Project if they receive a mark below 50%
but not if the mark falls below 40%.

2. The mark for a resubmitted Capstone Project is not capped but the University’s
assessment regulations state that, for a distinction to be awarded at Masters level, a mark of
70% in the Capstone Project will have to be achieved at the first attempt. Therefore, even if
a mark of 70% or above is awarded the student will not be awarded the Distinction, even if
they otherwise meet the stated criteria.

3. The student will be allowed to meet twice with the superviser; at the first meeting to
discuss the changes needed, based on the feedback provided by first and second marker,
and at the second to discuss changes made. If the student has left Edinburgh
communication via telephone may stand in place of meetings. It is strongly recommended
that communication via email is supplemented with meetings or phone calls so as not to
delay the process.

4. The student will be given two calendar months dated from the first
meeting/communication with the superviser to complete the work. It is the responsibility of
the supervisor to advice the programme office about this having taken place.

5. The superviser will be allowed to comment on a maximum of 10% of the work.

The rule applies to the MBA programmes only.

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Board of Examiners

The Board for the MBA degree is the committee of the School that decides students’ marks,
on an anonymous basis, and recommends the award of MBA or Diploma in Business
Administration. The Board consists of all the lecturers on the MBA, together with at least one
External Examiner. For details of the 2011 - 2012 External Examiner(s), please contact the
PG Office.

There are two meetings of the Board each year. The first is in early June 2012, at which the
semester 1 and semester 2a marks are finalised and decisions are made about who can
proceed to The MBA Capstone Project. The second is in October 2012, at which the marks
for semester 2b courses and MBA Capstone Projects are finalised and recommendations
are made about the award of MBA or Diploma in Business Administration. The graduation
ceremony is in late November or early December 2012.

Role of External Examiner

Each course is reviewed by an External Examiner, who is a senior academic in the subject
at another UK university, appointed for a maximum of five years. The role of the external is
to seek to ensure that each course, and the programme as a whole, meets the standards
that are expected of an MBA at a UK university in terms of content and assessment. In
particular, the External will comment on the programme content and course content, as
shown in this handbook and in course booklets; comment on drafts and outline solutions of
all final exams; review assessment procedures and the marking of assessed coursework
and exams; review a sample of MBA Capstone Projects; attend meetings of the Exam Board
and comment on the proceedings; and write an annual report about the degree that is read
by the Postgraduate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Head of
School and the Programme Director.

Special circumstances

Exam Boards are sympathetic to students who have experienced personal difficulties that
have affected their studies or performance in assessed work. Before each meeting of the
Board there is a meeting of a Special Circumstances Committee, which is a subset of the
main Exam Board, to consider students with circumstances that they wish the Board to take
into account. The information provided by students remains confidential to the members of
the Committee. The Committee will recommend to the Board a response to the student’s
circumstances, though the recommendation will not always be to take any action.

The Special Circumstances Committee and the Exam Board can only consider
circumstances that they know about. It will be difficult to convince people that a case is
genuine if information is only provided after the Board has met and the results have been
announced. Therefore, if you have circumstances that have affected your performance,
either on an ongoing basis or for a specific exam or assignment, please inform your
Director of Studies or the Programme Director in good time before the relevant Exam
Board meets. A request for illness to be considered will need to be supported by a medical
certificate. Other types of special circumstances may also require evidence to support a
student’s case.

Release of marks and performance after first semester

Provisional marks will be released via WebCT in January by the Postgraduate Office. All
students should be aware that these marks are subject to internal moderation and external
examination and may be amended at the discretion of the meeting of the Board of
Examiners in June. Any student with fewer than 70 credits at PG Diploma level (40%) after

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the first semester will be asked to leave the programme. It would not be possible for such a
student to pass at either MBA or PG Diploma level, were they to continue.

Coursework
Each piece of coursework will have a deadline for submission. One electronic copy is to be
posted on WebCT and one hard copy should be submitted to the Postgraduate Office, NOT
to the course organiser. Students will lose marks for late submission at a rate of five
percentage points per day, unless an extension has been agreed in advance with the course
organiser and the Postgraduate Office informed.

Some assignments will be done in small groups. Group work is an important part of the
learning process on the MBA, and employers value the ability to work with others. Should
there be any problems with the group dynamic, these should be raised by two concurring
members of the team with the course organiser before the mid point of each course.

All coursework, and the MBA Capstone Project, will be checked for plagiarism using Turnitin.
Please see Section 2.6 above for a fuller statement regarding plagiarism.

Examinations

The times and locations of exams will be available from the University Academic Registry
website, http://www.registry.ed.ac.uk/Examinations/examdet.htm. Please bring your student
card with you as you have to display this in each exam. It is important to be on time for
examinations. You will not be given extra time if you arrive late at the exam room.

You cannot bring any notes into an exam, in electronic or hard copy, unless the exam has
explicitly been designated as ‘open book’. Exams are invigilated and invigilators will check
on students. A dictionary is allowed, but it will be checked. A calculator is allowed (indeed, it
is essential for some subjects), but only of a type from the following list:

Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional)
Hewlett Packard 12C (including HP 12C Platinum)
Casio fx85 (any version, e.g. fx85WA, fx85MS)
Casio fx83 (any version, e.g. fx83ES)
Casio fx82 (any version)
Sharp EL-531 (any version e.g. EL-531W, EL-W531)

The restriction to calculators on the list is intended to prevent unauthorised access to
material in examinations that could give an advantage to the student.

Return of coursework and inspection of exam scripts

You will be provided with feedback by means of a feedback form for all of your coursework.
Coursework and exam scripts cannot be taken away by students. If you wish to inspect a
marked piece of coursework or an exam script, please consult your Programme Secretary to
arrange a time.

Appeals

Students have the right of appeal against the decisions of Board of Examiners on specific
grounds, which are set out in the University’s Appeal Regulations:
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/academic-services/staff/appeals

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Further information

For information on assessment procedures please refer to the University’s Code of Practice
for Taught Postgraduate Courses and Postgraduate (Taught) Assessment Regulations, both
available at
http://www.acaffairs.ed.ac.uk/Regulations/CoP/PGT/Index.htm

2.8 Monitoring Student Attendance

The Legislation passed recently by the UK Government relating to Points-Based Immigration
requires all universities to monitor the attendance of their international students. The College
of Humanities and Social Science intends to meet this duty by monitoring the attendance of
all our students, as this will give us a positive opportunity to identify and help all students
who might be having problems of one kind or another, or who might need more support. In
the Business School, this duty will be fulfilled by closely monitoring coursework submission
and examination attendance. This reinforces the importance of letting the Programme
Secretary know immediately if there is a problem preventing the completion of an
assignment or attendance at an examination.

To find out more about how we are doing this and how it will affect you, please read the
Guidance for Students at My Study section on MyBiz:
www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/mybiz

2.9 Interruptions of Study

The UKBA regulations on students requiring UK visas impact concessions as follows:
− If an Interruption of Studies (IoS) is 60 days or more then the University must temporarily
terminate its visa sponsorship unless it is sure it can continue to fulfil its visa sponsor
duties (In practice, there are very few scenarios under which the University would be
able to continue to meet its sponsor duties for a student on IoS for 60 days or more, so
the presumption would be to terminate sponsorship).
− For those IoS less than 60 days or where the University can continue to meet its sponsor
duties, it can continue to sponsor students.

3 Academic Support, Facilities and Staff
3.1 Pastoral and Academic Support and Guidance
The Programme Director is responsible for the academic content and development of the
MBA programme, including admissions, coordinating teaching, examinations, programme
evaluation and curriculum development. Dr Kinder is also Director of Studies to all students on
the programme: he will meet with you frequently and operates an open door policy. The
Postgraduate Office is responsible for the administration of the programme, facilitating your
orientation and smooth progression through the degree.

Your Director of Studies (DoS), Dr Kinder, who acts as your first line of pastoral support and
advice for any other scholarly or personal issues which may arise whilst on the Programme.
He can advise you on how to seek concessions through the Special Circumstances
Committee (Section 1.4), explain the procedure for submitting Appeals (Section 1.4),
facilitate contact to Student Counselling etc. Some areas we are for legal reasons not
allowed to advise on e.g. visas, but we can then point you in the right direction.

13

It is very important that you keep Dr Kinder informed of your progress and of any difficulties
you encounter or anticipate. It is your responsibility to inform him immediately of any
problems or personal circumstances, including a medical condition, which may affect
performance in any form of assessment, or in any other way, during the period of study. In
the case of a medical condition, a medical certificate will be required if formal allowance is to
be made for the condition (for example, interruption of studies or extension).

Academic problems or complaints should be conveyed first to the course organiser/
capstone project supervisor. Should these not be resolved at this level appeal may be made
(in this order) to the Programme Director (Tony Kinder), the School’s Director of PGT
Programmes (Professor Dave Marshall), the Head of School (Professor Nick Oliver), and the
College Postgraduate Dean. Note that Appendix IV of Code of Practice for Taught
Postgraduate Programmes offers a list of other sources of academic and pastoral support.

Employment during the programme

The degree is designed to be a demanding full-time programme of study. You will seriously
compromise your performance if you undertake part-time employment. In practice very few
of our students have part-time jobs of more than a few hours a week. It is possible to
undertake an internship during the summer months, but you will be expected to apply for an
interruption of studies and submit your MBA Capstone Project later. If you do choose to
work, please check your Visa regulations prior to working within the United Kingdom.

Interruption of studies
It is possible in exceptional circumstances for you to interrupt your studies and to re-start the
programme at a future date. Please see Dr Kinder if you want to discuss a possible
interruption of your studies. Please also see section 2.9 above.

3.2 Disabled Students

The University of Edinburgh is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for disabled staff
and students and aims to create an environment which enables disabled people to
participate fully in the mainstream of University life. The University of Edinburgh Business
School welcomes disabled students (including those with specific learning difficulties such as
dyslexia) and is working to make all our courses accessible. Although teaching practice
within the School reflects a variety of approaches adopted by individual staff members,
meeting the particular needs of disabled students is prioritised within this diversity of
approach.

The School encourages disabled students to discuss, in confidence, any appropriate
requirements or adjustments with an appropriate member of staff and to do this as early as
possible so that your needs may be considered and responded to. This process involves
meeting a Supervisor from University’s Disability Office, which can be arranged at any time
by direct contact with the Disability Office. A Supervisor will be happy to meet you and can
discuss possible adjustments and specific examination arrangements with you, assist you
with an application for Disabled Students’ Allowance, give you information about available
technology and personal assistance such as note takers, proof readers or dyslexia tutors,
and prepare a Learning Profile for your School which outlines recommended adjustments.
You will be expected to provide the Disability Office with evidence of disability or specific
learning difficulty - either a letter from your GP or specialist, or for dyslexia or dyspraxia. This
evidence must be a recent Chartered Educational Psychologist's assessment. If you do not
have this, the Disability Office can put you in touch with an independent Educational
Psychologist.

14

Please note that once your Learning Profile has been prepared by the Student Disability
Service it will be used by the School to determine the adjustments applied to each course
that you have registered for. This allows adjustments to be communicated directly to course
organisers and eliminates any need for you to discuss the same issues with multiple
members of staff.

The University of Edinburgh Business School will keep the needs of disabled students under
regular review, and welcomes feedback from students as to the suitability of our provision of
teaching and learning services to meet their particular needs.

For general information on the University’s support for disabled students and preparation of
a Learning Profile please contact the Student Disability Service:

Student Disability Service
The University of Edinburgh
Third Floor
The Main Library Building
George Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9LJ

Telephone: 0131 650 6828
Email: disability.service@ed.ac.uk
Website: http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-disability-service

For information on how the adjustments are implemented within the Business School, or to
provide feedback on the suitability of our provisions, please contact:

Lorraine Edgar
Coordinator of Adjustments
29 Buccleuch Place
EDINBURGH
EH8 9JS
Tel: 0131 650 3828
Email: adjustments@business-school.ed.ac.uk

There are a number of other staff with whom you might usefully discuss your requirements
as this might have an impact on your course preferences. Key points in the academic year
when such a discussion might take place are, for example, with your Director of Studies at
the beginning of the academic year, or with a Course Organiser at the time of option course
sign-ups. In all cases, the School recommends that you have these discussions as early as
possible.

3.3 Student Welfare

There is a Student Counselling Service where any student may consult a student
counsellor. All counsellors are professionally trained and are experienced in dealing with a
wide range of problems. The service is entirely confidential and no information will be given
to anyone without your consent. The address of the Counselling Service is;

Student Counselling Service
Third Floor
George Square

15

Edinburgh
EH8 9LJ
Tel: 0131 650 4170
Fax: 0131 651 1359
Email: Student.Counselling@ed.ac.uk

You are required to register with a GP while you are in Edinburgh.
The University Health Service is at;

Richard Verney Health Centre
6 Bristo Square
Edinburgh EH8 9AL
Tel: 0131 650 2777
Fax: 0131 66 21813

The EUSA Advice Place is an impartial, accessible, free, confidential advisory service for all
University of Edinburgh students. The service advises independently of the University of
Edinburgh or any other organisation or authority and is delivered by professional advisory
staff, trained to provide both generalist advice and advice in individual specialist areas of
expertise. Advice is offered on a walk-in basis at either of our offices or, by appointment for
more specialist areas such as welfare benefits, academic issues and immigration.

Potterrow Advice Place
Bristo Square
Tel: 0131 650 9225
Email: advice@eusa.ed.ac.uk

The Careers Service is at;
Third Floor
George Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9LJ
Tel; 0131 650 4670
Fax 0131 650 4479
Email careers@ed.ac.uk.

You can also see the MyBiz student portal ‘My Future’ pages for more Careers information
related to your MBA programme.
http://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/mybiz

The School offers specialist and personalised careers advice, details of which will emerge
early in your time with us.

3.4 Representation and Feedback

Student feedback and evaluation is a valued input to curriculum and programme development
at the University of Edinburgh. Formally, students are asked to complete an evaluation form
on each course they take, and course representatives attend the staff-student meetings (one
per semester). Representatives are also welcome to participate in the Edinburgh University
Students’ Association.

A Staff-Student Liaison Committee for the MBA takes place each semester. For further
information on these, please see relevant pages on MyBiz:

16

http://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/mybiz/home

The Students’ Association website can be found here;
http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/representation/

3.5 Facilities

For further information on the facilities available in the Business School buildings, including
lecture theatres, computer labs, syndicate rooms and The Hub, please see relevant pages
on MyBiz:
http://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/mybiz/home

N.B. Please note that use of all computing facilities must be in line with the University’s
Computing Regulations,
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/about/policies-and-
regulations/computing-regulations.
In particular please be aware that while private use is allowed, as a privilege and not a right,
if abused it will be treated as a breach of these Regulations. Downloading and storage of
streaming-media e.g. films, music etc, is both monitored and classed as “unacceptable use”.

Email Communication

When you join the University you will get a University of Edinburgh (UoE) e-mail account and
address which will be used for a variety of essential communications. You must access and
manage this account regularly as the University will send you vital information from time to
time, for example on exam arrangements, and will assume that you have opened and acted
on these communications. Failure to do so will not be an acceptable excuse or ground
for appeal.

If you already have a web-based e-mail account and think that you are unlikely to check your
UoE e-mail account, it is your responsibility to set up a forward on the UoE account to ensure
that all official University communications are received. There are on-screen instructions if you
wish to do so – please see
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/services/computing/comms-
and-collab/email/webmail/help/imp/filters/forwarding

If one or more of your courses use WebCT email, Wikis, chat-rooms or ePortfolios, you will
need to ensure that you either check both the WebCT email account and the UoE email
account in order to be sure to receive urgent and critical items of email, or alternatively you
could set up forwards on the WebCT account to your UoE email account so that you have
only one place to check for important email. Information about forwarding WebCT mail can be
found at:
http://www.elearn.malts.ed.ac.uk/webct/student_faqs.phtml#new_mail

17

Appendices
Appendix 1: Degree Programme Table

For the purposes of assessment, the courses and capstone project each has a weighting
designated as a number of credit points. The total number of credit points is 220. The
courses in the taught component total 180 credits and the MBA Capstone Project has a
weighting of 40 credits.

Semester Credits

Compulsory courses:
Accounting 1 10
Business Ethics 1 10
Business Simulation 1 10
Career Track 1 & 2a 0
Finance 1 10
Leadership Programme 1 & 2a 0
Macroeconomics 1 10
Marketing 1 10
Operations Management 1 10
Organisational Behaviour 1 10
Strategic Management 1 10

Corporate Strategy 2a 10
Decision Analytics 2a 10
Critical Enquiry for business:
doing and using research management 2a 0
Consultancy Project 2a & 2b 10

Leadership and High Performance Teams 2b 10
MBA Capstone Project 40

Elective Courses

Business Finance 2a 10
Business Law 2a 10
Carbon Accounting 2a 10
Consuming and Communicating Brands 2a 10
Developing Inclusive Business Strategies 2a 10
Economics of Strategy 2a 10
Emission Reduction Project Development 2a 10
Entrepreneurial Growth for the Family Business 2a 10
Family Business Management 2a 10
Financial Analysis 2a 10
The Entrepreneurial Manager 2a 10
Green Entrepreneurship 2a 10
International Business 2a 10
Investment and Securities Markets 2a 10
Investment in a Low Carbon Economy 2a 10
Management Consultancy 2a 10
Management of R & D and Product Innovation 2a 10

18

Negotiations 2a 10
Project Management 2a 10
Strategic Human Resources and the New Economics of Personnel 2a 10

Business Coaching 2b 10
Business to Business Marketing 2b 10
Global Strategy 2b 10
Lean Business 2b 10
Planning, Budgeting and Control 2b 10
New Venture Creation and the Entrepreneurial Process 2b 10
Takeovers and Mergers 2b 10
Work Psychology 2b 10

Not all elective courses may run in any one year.

19

Appendix 2: Specialisations

Specialisations are available in the MBA Programme which lead to the University of
Edinburgh Business School Certificate in Finance, Carbon Management, Entrepreneurship &
Family Business, or Strategy. Such specialisations must be agreed in advance with the
Programme Director. In order to achieve the certificate you must take at least two courses in
Semester 2 from the specific specialisation track and in addition prepare your MBA
Capstone Project within the topic area. Courses in each track will be provided at the time of
selecting options in October 2011. We hope that students will choose career paths early
and use the Consultancy and Capstone Projects to strengthen networks, leading to
employment opportunities. Additionally, once we know any specialisation, we can link you
directly with useful people from our 5,000 alumni database and lists of business contacts.

20

Appendix 3: Coursework Marking Criteria

General descriptors for marking scheme

80-100% (A) Work of exceptional, that is, publishable quality, based on a
comprehensive knowledge of the topic, producing an analysis of such
originality as to potentially change conventional understanding of the
subject treated.

75-79% (A) Outstanding work which delivers insights and depth of analysis that are
illuminating and challenging for the markers. It will be thoroughly documented
and show convincing evidence of command of the relevant literature.

70-74% (A) Significantly and consistently above the average for post-graduate work.
Effectively and convincingly argued, with a high scholarly standard of
presentation, and showing a critical awareness of conflicting theories and
evidence.

60-69% (B) Work of high quality, sometimes above average, displaying substantial if not
comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topic. Shows a critical
awareness of the sources used and clear understanding of the concepts and
theories relating to the topic.

50-59% (C) Work which shows solid knowledge of the topic but where there may be
significant gaps. Satisfactory though improvable in its presentation. The
argument may occasionally be unclear or sometimes not quite convincing in
its use of evidence. Satisfactory to proceed to the masters degree.

40-49% (D) Work which shows some knowledge of the topic and sources but the handling
of evidence in relation to the argument is likely to raise doubts. Not adequate
to the topic, though not fundamentally flawed. Satisfactory for PG Diploma.

0-39% (E) Flawed in its understanding of the topic, showing poor awareness of the
sources, and in general unconvincing in its approach and grasp of the issues.
Not of a standard appropriate to a graduate with a good honours degree.

21

Appendix 4: Key Dates for Academic Year 2011/2012

Semester 1: Monday 12 September – Friday 16 December 2011

The semester opens with the Induction Programme, 12 – 16 September, which is an integral
part of the Semester – attendance at some sessions is mandatory.

Block 1 Teaching: Monday 19 September – Friday 14 October
Latest date which students can join a MBA programme: Monday 26 September
(first day of Week 2)

Revision/Assessment/Examination Week: 17-21 October

Leadership Programme: 24-28 October

Block 2 Teaching: Monday 31 October – Friday 25 November
Revision/Assessment/Examination Week: 28 November – 2 December

Business Simulation: 5-9 December.

Please note that the School is closed from 1300 on Friday 23 December 2011 (provisional
date) until 0900 Wednesday 4 January 2012. Firm details about this closure period will be
circulated closer to the date.

Please note that you should not plan to leave on or before 16 December 2011 as
assessment may be scheduled on this date.

Semester 2a: Monday 16 January – Friday 6 April 2012

The School reopens on 4 January and courses begin on 16 January.

Semester 2a Teaching: Monday 16 January – Friday 30 March.

Latest date which MBA students can register for a different optional course:
Friday 20 January (last day of Week 1)

Semester 2a Examination period: Monday 19 March – Friday 6 April 2012

Semester 2b: Monday 16 April – Thursday 21 June

MBA Capstone Project submission: 30 August 2012

From 22 June you will be free to concentrate on your MBA Capstone Project. The Project is to
be submitted by 4pm on Thursday 30th August, 2012.

Meeting of Exam Board: Early June & Mid October 2012

Graduation Ceremony: November/December 2012

22

Appendix 5: MBA Career Development

Just as you probably do, we see the MBA as a means to achieving your goals. Whilst we
cannot find a job for you – no MBA programme can -, we will do everything we can to
provide you with the support you need to manage your career and achieve your aspirations,
both during and after your MBA studies. Our chief approach to this is through networking –
networking, and connecting with other people, is the NUMBER ONE way for MBA graduates
to secure a job.

We will encourage you to focus your MBA on your future career and we will help you do so
via MBA Careers Development. As you will have noticed, this support began even before
you arrived here via the Career Survey. Other activities will follow and have been timetabled
in both semesters. You will receive a separate programme for MBA Career Development.
Some events have been prepared already and others will be developed as we gather input
from you.

Some of the activities in the Leadership Programme and MBA Career Development will
overlap and you will probably find that Leadership Programme activities will inform your
career thinking and vice versa. There will be opportunities to network with business leaders
at a number of guest practitioner talks, company presentations and other events throughout
the year. Many of these talks are open to the wider business community. In addition to the
industry sector talks by alumni, there will be opportunities to network with alumni at evening
events as well as on an individual basis, subject to your needs. Our Alumni Manager will
help you connect with former MBA students who work in the careers or industries that you
are interested in – people who can offer advice or share their experiences. Information on
how to contact alumni will be given out by the Alumni Manager in week 1.

All in all, MBA Career Development will offer you vast opportunity to gain insight, network
and connect with people who may be instrumental in securing your first job after the MBA.

23

Appendix 6: Group working

The University of Edinburgh Business School expects you to be ethical, professional and fair
in your dealings with other students, staff, visitors and corporate contacts. We expect you to
be supportive, to respect other people’s views, display tolerance and understanding. In
particular, in relation to interaction with external contacts we ask you to remember
that you are an ambassador for your school - your dealings with these people will
affect the image of the school. Therefore, allow two weeks as a reasonable timeframe for
making contact.

Group Working
A major aspect of the programme is teamwork and the presentation of your group's
conclusions. We would like to pass on some advice from past MBA students, in Edinburgh
and abroad. Working in international groups is a major skill development.

▪ Be on time for group meetings. Being late suggests lack of respect for other people's
time, so do not be late for group meetings unless you have a good explanation.

▪ Come to meetings prepared. Every group member has a duty to be well prepared for
group meetings, bringing with them the work that has been agreed previously. Study the
assignment or the case study in detail even before the first group meeting and bring to that
first meeting your answers to the questions.

▪ Plan ahead. Things often take a lot longer in the group because you need to discuss with
the other group members what to do and how to do it.

▪ Get out of your comfort zone. It is easy to focus on your strengths but does this give you
the challenge you came for?

▪ You do not need to like all group members. You have to respect them and, even if you
do not get on with them on a personal level, you still have a job to do.

▪ Be clear about who will do what. When divvying up work first discuss what each section
should include and maybe how to do it. Make sure the each group member understands
what he or she is responsible for.

▪ Deal with free-riders. Do not ignore the problem. Attempt to solve the problem in the
group but call in School staff if needed. Remember that some may have been forced into a
free-rider role by the group.

▪ Encourage quiet group members to speak up. If someone is quiet then it is up to the
rest of the group to make sure that this person is heard. Remember – in many cultures it is
rude to keep pushing your own argument and maybe the quiet group members just work
according to their own culture, which may be just as right as your culture.

▪ Learn when to take a step back. If all group members want to take charge then it is
difficult to get something done. Learn when you should step back and let someone else take
charge.

▪ Do not be afraid to disagree. Often, the most well-informed work is a product of
disagreements. If a conflict arises, make sure it doesn’t turn personal.

▪ Have empathy. There are times when you will have to pick up the slack for other group
members. You may need that yourself some day.

24

It is possible for you to sit back and let the more energetic and hard driving team members
do all the work but you will lose an important opportunity to practise your managerial skills in
a context in which there are no losers. And if you do this continuously you may gain the
reputation for being a free-rider and end up being unpopular with the whole class.

Equally, groups should be aware of not marginalising group members who take more time to
work out their proposals, or group members who may, for cultural reasons, be uncomfortable
about entering into heated discussions. The person who shouts the loudest, or comes up
with a solution the fastest is not necessarily right. Also, in some cultures people who are
considerate and moderately spoken earn more respect than fast-talking, agitated group
members. Therefore, it is important that your group works out how to respect and value each
member’s contributions.

Please note that it is the responsibility of each group to handle internal team conflict in a
constructive and responsible manner.

25

Appendix 7: Outdoor Development

We offer a series of outdoor development weekends at the University’s outdoor centre –
Firbush at Loch Tay in the Highlands. Weekends are attended by students on all MBA
programmes. The programmes are designed to accommodate all levels of ability and activity
so no one should be worried about participating. Activities will vary depending upon the
weather.

All specialist equipment and clothing will be provided as required as will transport to/from
Edinburgh. Accommodation is in 4 bedded rooms, on a full board basis (packed lunch
included). A dining room, bar and lounge area are available at the centre.

The experience of students who go on these weekends is very positive and enthusiastic. We
know from previous occasions that some people will be reluctant to go on the first weekend,
and spaces will be available because of this. When those who do go on the first weekend
return and describe their experiences, there is a rush to sign up for subsequent weekends,
and spaces are not always available then. Please take the chance when it is open to you As
there are limited places on each week-end session, we do expect your commitment if you
sign up to go.

Each Firbush weekend can accommodate 28 attendees. Students may attend a maximum of
2 weekends during their MBA studies. Places will be assigned on a first-come first-served
basis, so if you can make it to the first weekend, please book early. The weekends for
2011/12 are as follows:

− 14-16 Oct 2011
− 4-6 May 2012
− 8-10 June 2012

Costs

If you wish to attend any of the weekends, please complete the form on www.business-
school.ed.ac.uk/mybiz and submit it to the Post Graduate Team office. If you wish optional
personal accident insurance, there is a charge of around £3.50 per participant (payable to
the University of Edinburgh). A list of names will go on MyBiz confirming whether (a) you
have a place or (b) you are on the waiting list. Detailed information regarding the weekends
will be sent to you closer to the date(s) on which you are booked.

Key points

Issue Action
Accommodation Accommodation and all meals are provided. Please inform us of any
allergies you may have or if you have any dietary restrictions.
Equipment All specialist equipment is provided
Travel Travel is provided at no extra cost. Details of all your travel and
accommodation arrangements will be confirmed when you make a
booking.

26

Appendix 8: Additional Learning Opportunities

Team MBA

Organised by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), why not participate in
Team MBA and help an identified charity, build houses, raise money for research or provide
food for those in need? Check the Team MBA website. The School can help you get
organised.
http://www.gmac.com/teammba

Internships

It is possible to undertake an internship in relation to your MBA. You can only undertake this
after you have completed the coursework element so a realistic start time for an internship
would be 1st July and for a maximum of two months. Undertaking such an internship
requires discipline and we strongly recommend that you apply for an Interruption of Studies
during your internship period. This will work as a stop-the-clock exercise and will not take
away time from your MBA Capstone Project. If you are considering an internship you should
consult both the Careers Manager and your Programme Director. Your Programme Director
will advise you on how to apply for an Interruption of Studies. You should be aware that
undertaking an internship is most likely to affect your Graduation date.

Visiting Speakers and other Networking Functions

These will be scheduled in Semester 1 and 2a and we would ask all of you to make every
effort to attend these sessions. It is a great opportunity for networking and job hunting. In
addition, it reflects badly on the Business School if senior executives make the effort to find
time in their busy schedules to give talks here and find only a handful of students attend.

Speakers are often chosen for their relevance to the core and option courses and are
therefore a source of useful information that can be used for assignments and exams. The
speakers can also be useful from a networking point of view. Visiting speakers are often also
invited to Option classes, and where appropriate, these will be advertised so that students
not taking that course may attend.

Seminars

You are all members of a specialist community during your time on the Programme, and you
can derive much benefit by participating in its scholarly meetings. Please see MyBiz for
information on seminars and talks which are not part of the MBA programme but which may
be of interest to MBA students.

Exclusive MBA intensive language classes

During your MBA you may want to take one of our exclusive MBA intensive language
classes in Arabic, French, Mandarin or Spanish, offered by "Language Service for Business"
(LSBI) at the University of Edinburgh. We have been able to negotiate a special price for you
of only £25 to attend these intensive business focussed language classes.

All classes take place in Semester 2a and please note that you can take only one of these
classes. For pedagogic reasons, a group will be a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of
16 students.

Sign-up for these language classes will be at the same time you sign up for your semester
2a courses (date to be confirmed) and you must pay your fee directly to LSBI before 30

27

November, otherwise you will be deleted from the list. LSBI will arrange timing of the classes
and if your chosen language collides with one of the MBA course that you have chosen you
will be refunded the £25, unless you want to transfer to another course. Please note that a
refund will not be possible if you simply change your mind.

28

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