Paper - Academic Registry and Council Secretariat - Queen Mary ...

Taught Programmes Board
TPB2012-016
Admission, progression and achievement
The requirements of a good 2:1 and an IELTS of 7.0 or equivalent are appropriate for this degree. Because the skills of
accounting and management are required across the economy, graduates could as easily work in the public as the private
sector, in either a technical, specialist position as an accountant or a more general management position. The more academic
content which deals with theoretical concerns around accounting, and in particular the work on financialization and business
models could even open up avenues for doctorates and a career in academia.
Learning resources and facilities
The reading lists on the three new modules are appropriate for the subjects they cover, though I did notice the Bezemer article
appeared twice.
Learning Centre resources & Student Guidance/Support
Although not indicated, I presume learning resources are provided centrally and that virtual learning environment like
blackboard are used by most course modules. In terms of student support and guidance, the DDS would appear to support
students with disabilities. I presume other pastoral modes of support are also offered (an academic advisor/personal tutor
service) – as these would be standard for any PG course.
Quality management and enhancement
The arrangements for programme management seem OK, though the absence of a course Programme Committee may prove
problematic going forward. Students have a voice via the Staff/Student Liason Committee, whilst the Learning & Teaching
Committee also takes on board these student comments. There is also a School Annual Programme Review which looks at the
individual programmes. But I can’t see any information on a degree-focused programme committee. Given this is a new degree
with three new modules it might be sensible to have one of these in place to gauge student sentiment more directly and have a
focal point for strategy and curriculum development.
Name & Title of External Adviser
Current Post & Institution / Organisation
Dr Adam Leaver
Manchester Business School - Business Analysis
Address for Correspondence (and email) adam.leaver@mbs.ac.uk
7) Response to External Adviser Comments
This should include a full response to the comments provided by the External Adviser. Each point / issue
raised by the External Adviser that requires further consideration should be addressed in detail in this
response.
I was very please to receive such a comprehensive and carefully thought through series of responses from the external. There
are a number of issues that need to be addressed in response:
a] It is important to ensure that this MSc programme develops linkages into professional practice as the course unfolds.
Actively involving practitioners as: teaching fellows (delivering and developing learning materials), provision of guest seminars
and "off the record" expert presentations.
b] At this stage their is no immediate intention to provide students with the possibility of exemptions from professional
accounting / or other exams --This needs to be made clear. We do recognise the value of the externals comments on
professional exemption possibilities and this will explored with relevant professional bodies with a view to the construction of
future pathways.
c] The scheduling of assessments by module needs to ensure that bunching does not take place as and when this programme is
put on stream
d] There is a need to be more explicit about the virtual learning resources available and use of QMplus as a learning resource