Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 16/12/2024
College College Social Sciences
School Birmingham Business School
Department Management
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.Sc. Business Management with Psychology Full-time
Programme Code 970E
Delivery Location Dubai
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 3 Year(s)
Accreditations UAE CAA
Aims of the Programme This programme aims to develop the intellectual, analytical and communication skills of students by providing them with a breadth of knowledge of Business Management with Psychology, together with the transferable skills (for example in group and team working) that are necessary to apply this knowledge in new and challenging contexts. The underlying philosophy of the programme is that students study many aspects of Business Management and develop a speciality in Psychology.

The proposed Psychology pathway aims to equip students with specialized skills in Psychology while still allowing them to gain broad-based knowledge from other themes offered within the Business Management degree.

Consultations with employers revealed that while they value graduates with the broad based knowledge that our graduates bring to their graduate trainee schemes, they also place great emphasis on Business graduates with specialties in Psychology, having an in depth knowledge of relevant skills, being conversant with digital platforms and research competencies (both qualitative and quantitative). The ‘With Psychology’ pathway is designed to give such competences and skills to the students so that they are better prepared for the job market.

Furthermore, given the fact that business is conducted today in a global environment and that it is necessary to be able to interact with other markets and cultures, an international underpinning is to be found in most modules.

The programme progresses an understanding of the role of individuals and business in society. It develops effective problem-solving skills and an ability to communicate well using a range of media. The programme recognises the increasing role of business in society and so develops knowledge of ethical issues and practices across the discipline whilst evolving awareness of individual and collective citizenship as a part of responsible business.

Each year of the programme has 80 credits of Business Management modules and 40 credits of Psychology modules.

Year One is a foundation year. In this year all the key Business Management themes of the programme are introduced, and students are given a thorough grounding in the subject areas they are to continue in later years. In addition, students will learn two Psychology modules, namely, Introduction to Psychobiology and Cognitive Psychology.

In Year Two students continue to develop a deeper understanding of responsible business and the relevancy of discipline relevant research. Although still broad based, modules begin to become more focused and specialised within programme themes. In addition, students will learn two Psychology modules, namely, Language and communication, Social and Cognitive Development.

Year Three features Business Management modules that are increasingly advanced, allowing students more specialisation whilst maintaining a relatively broad spectrum across the discipline. In addition, students will learn two advanced Psychology modules, namely, Neurobiology of Mental Illness and Contemporary Issues in Social Psychology. The year is underpinned by a compulsory dissertation (40 credits) in Business which allows the student to investigate in depth an area of personal interest.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Business Management
1. A broad and analytical integrated study of business and management.
2. Relevant knowledge and understanding of organisations including the role of individuals in organisations (internal aspects, functions and processes including diverse nature, purposes, structures, governance, operations and management).
3. Relevant knowledge and understanding of the external environment in which organisations operate, including the role of business and individuals in society.
4. Relevant knowledge and understanding of management (processes, procedures, theories, models, frameworks, tasks and roles, together with rational analysis and other processes of decision making.
5. Understanding of markets, customers, finance, people, operation, information systems, communication and IT, business policy and strategy, contemporary and pervasive issues.
6. The interrelationship among organisations and the external environment and the integration of these areas (ethical, economic, environmental, legal, political, sociological and technological – at local, national and international levels).
Psychology
1. The principle, theoretical underpinnings and approaches to the modern, empirically based study of psychology.
2. The existing scholarship in psychology and how to relate it to pure and applied problems within the discipline.
3. The range of influences of psychological functioning and how they are conceptualised across the core areas.
4. The key issues dealt with by the five core areas of psychology, that is, in biological, cognitive, developmental, social psychology and individual differences.
5. The different methodologies of psychological investigation including the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods.
6. How to carry out an extensive piece of independent empirical research including how to: define a research problem, formulate testable hypotheses, choose appropriate methodologies, plan and carry out a study efficiently, discuss findings in terms of previous research, evaluate limitations of methodologies and analyses employed
7. The theoretical and practical use of a variety of psychological tools including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments
Business Management:
Lectures, classes, case study work, canvas online assignments and quizzes, presentation, self- directed study.

Psychology
  • 1. Tutorials, lectures, seminars, practicals, experiment workshops, research projects, private directed study embedded in all parts of the course.
  • 2. Same as (1)
  • 3. Same as (1)
  • 4. Same as (1)
  • 5. Lectures and practicals in research method modules, experiment workshops, Year 3 research project.
  • 6. Practicals in research method modules, experiment workshops, Year 3 research project.
  • 7. Practical’s in research method modules, experimental workshops, Year 3 research project.

 Business Management:
Exam, coursework, presentations, extended essay.

Psychology
  • 1. Essays, class tests, examinations, written reports and oral presentations of practicals, workshops, and research projects, non-essay coursework in Year 3 (research proposals, discussion minutes, media reports)
  • 2. Same as (1)
  • 3. Same as (1)
  • 4. Same as (1)
  • 5. Class test, examination, written report and oral presentation of practicals, workshops and research projects
  • 6. Written report and oral presentations of practicals, workshops and research projects
  • 7. Written report and oral presentation of practicals, workshops and research projects
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Business Management
1. The ability to think critically in relation to the knowledge base outlined above, the ability to analyse issues using different theoretical viewpoints and synthesis these viewpoints.
2. An understanding of how to approach and instigate effective discipline related problem solving and decision making using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills.
3. An understanding of how to produce and communicate convincing arguments, individually and in groups, across a range of channels, including orally and in writing.
4. The ability to interpret numerical data; knowledge of how to conduct commonly used statistical analyses.
5. Effective use of communication and IT across a range of relevant channels.
6. Effective self- management and ethical citizenship (demonstration of awareness of ethical practice in business, academic study, research, and communication and develop awareness of individual and collective citizenship.
7. Reflective, adaptive and collaborative learning.
8. Teamwork, including leadership, team building, influencing, adaptive and collaborative learning and project management skills.
9. Effective communication including listening, negotiation, persuasion, and presentation across a range of contemporary media.
10. Expertise in the broad discipline of Business Management, including an appreciation of discipline relevant research and an ability to conduct research in business and management issues, individually and as part of a team.
11. An in- depth knowledge of analytics and strategic planning skills.
12. Expertise and skills in digital technology and platforms.
13. Research competencies in Business Management (both qualitative and quantitative).
Psychology
1. A more limited number of specialised areas of psychology at a deeper level, which are at the cutting edge of research.
2. To be able to communicate effectively with psychologists and non-psychologists in written reports, seminar presentations and informal discussion.
3. Use of computers for word processing, data management, and statistical analysis and use the internet as a learning, research and communication tool.
4. To retrieve and organise primary source material, viewing it analytically and subjecting it to critical evaluation, integrating different perspective on issues and problems, prior to drawing conclusions.
5. To undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives.
6. To work productively with others on tasks involving psychology while also developing the necessary skills to work independently
7. To be able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and understanding outlined above by being able to retain, recall, explain, apply and critically evaluate body of knowledge without access to external materials
Business Management
Lectures, classes, case study work, canvas online assignments and quizzes, presentations, self-directed study.

Psychology
  • 1. Lectures, seminars and private directed study at Year 3
  • 2. Preparation of project reports and delivery of project talks, oral and poster presentations in research method classes, course work in Year 3
  • 3. Research methods classes for statistics and for developing IT skills, private direct study at Year 3
  • Embedded within all aspects of teaching and learning in the programme
  • 4. Embedded within all aspects of teaching and learning in the programme
  • 5. Embedded in most aspects of the programme but most apparent in final year modules which have substantial defined private directed study components and in research project
  • 6. The development of skills to work independently is embedded in most aspects of the programme but note that practical classes and some tutorial tasks in research methods require group work
  • 7. Embedded within all aspects of teaching and learning in the programme

 Business Management:
Exam, coursework, presentations, extended essay.

Psychology
  • 1. Essays, class tests, examinations, written reports and oral presentations of research projects, non-essay coursework in Year 3 (research proposals, discussion minutes, media reports)
  • 2. Project reports and project talks, oral and poster presentations in research method classes, course work in Year 3
  • 3. Class tests for statistics, course work assessments, Year 3 research project
  • 4. Embedded in all assessments within the programme
  • 5. Embedded in most aspects of the assessments but most apparent in final year modules, which have substantial defined private directed study components
  • 6. The development of skills to work independently is rewarded in most aspects of assessment, and especially important for Year 3 project. The group work undertaken in practical classes in research methods are assessed by group oral
  • 7. Unseen examinations