Critically evaluate and conduct independent inquiry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will be trained to critique, evaluate and apply management theories to practice using a range of frameworks as appropriate to individual modules.

Class discussion, group activities will encourage students to critique knowledge in a collaborative setting.

Specific training in academic critique will be provided, alongside subjects that incorporate the interpretation and analysis of complex data including Accounting and Corporate Finance.

Independent enquiry is a key element in all modules. Students will be presented with a range of complex issues, ideas and management theories around core business disciplines and expected to undertake independent enquiry to better understand these. Specific teaching methods include: Independent academic enquiry: Imparted through training in essay preparation, library skills, literature search skills, analysis and review of academic literature.
Independent practical enquiry: Imparted via training in consultancy skills, qualitative and quantitative methods.

Methods of Assessment

Both formative and summative methods are used.

All forms of continuous assessment whether these are written assignments, presentations or the MBA project component incorporate an emphasis on students' use of their own judgement and ability to critically evaluate, interpret and apply a range of results and information.
Several forms of group and individual continuous assessment both written and verbal require the student to undertake independent enquiry. These include the MBA Project, and individual essays and group presentations.

Formulate solutions to business problems in dynamic environments.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will be expected to solve challenging problems using both the material taught, and through the material they have learned independently.

Across all modules, students work, in conjunction with the module coordinator, to evaluate applied business challenges with an emphasis on putting management theory into practice and using this analysis to logically generate solutions.

The challenges integrated into modules, and the SMRP, represent further opportunities to enhance reasoning skills.

A variety of teaching methods are used including Lectures, Role play, Directed reading, and Breakout sessions.

All modules focusing on core business disciplines have an applied focus to ensure management theories relate to practical managerial challenges students face in their organizations.

Teaching methods focused specifically on problem-solving include the analysis of case studies, consulting challenges, video and film analysis and guest speakers.

SMRP, and other module assessments require students to engage with real organizational challenges and identify solutions through the application of management theories.

Methods of Assessment

Most of the assessments will require students to conduct independent inquiry.

This skill will be assessed through continuous individual and group assessments. The SMRP (incorporating the MBA project) and Challenge based assessments focus on evaluation of relevant theoretical frameworks and their application in practice to challenges in organizations, logically generating solutions to these problems.

Coursework components (group and individual) and reflective exercises will test the students' understanding of core business disciplines and ability to put management theory into practice in their organizations.

A variety of assessment methods are used including: Individual and group essays, reflective essays on
problem-solving within professional experience, case study reports, presentations, the MBA Project,
assessed Challenges (e.g., Design Sprint Challenge).

Self-assess and reflect on personal and organisational effectiveness

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-assessment and reflection are central to the year-long Leadership Development Programme, and discussions within the Leaders in Residence forum, in which individual leadership development is supported by skills in communication; leadership; teamwork; dealing with ambiguity; negotiation; and ethical values. Students will learn to evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, which will feed into their motivation for self-learning.

Self-assessment relating to students' individual progress on the programme is also embedded in module teaching methods for example through reflective essays.

Reflective practice is emphasised in each academic module through for example group / case discussions.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be required to reflect on their own skills and abilities throughout the course (via reflective diary) and will be encouraged to work on any gaps in their own skills through both the core course material and self-directed learning. Students will also be required to reflect on their learning during various modules.

Understand the theoretical underpinnings of the major functions of the organization, general management and leadership.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Modules focus on teaching the core principles behind major organizational functions including accounting, marketing, operations and leading and influencing in organisations. Acquisition of knowledge and understanding, across modules, is through structured exposition based on lectures, tutorials, breakout sessions and master classes, directed reading, student presentations, group projects, reflective development, and private study.

Learning across modules is brought together during the SMRP module, ensuring that students learn about and are assessed on a holistic appreciation of the organization alongside the role of its component parts.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment elements to assess and demonstrate knowledge and understanding include written assignments, presentations, individual and group project reports (including the Consultancy Challenge).

Understand how theory can be applied to a variety of current and historical managerial challenges and contexts within core business disciplines

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching material in each of the modules has been specifically developed to expose students to methods for putting management theory into practice in contemporary organisations. This is provided through the use of case studies contemporary organizational problems and research studies.

Methods of Assessment

Assessments (formative and summative) will require students to apply theory to managerial challenges, to be demonstrated through the use of examples, frameworks and references. Methods include case reports, podcasts and individual and group essays.

Know how to effectively work in cross-cultural, globalized settings

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The importance of diversity will be embedded within the student cohort, in terms of gender, and professional experience. Teams used to undertake the group work assessments reflect this balance. The importance of diversity within teams and organisations is specifically explored in the People Management and Future of Work, and Leading and Influencing in Organisations and International Business Negotiations: addressing topics such as global trends in the future of work; high- performing and sustainable outcomes and cross-cultural management and negotiation.

MBA Launch Week introduces students to Belfast providing context to the local business environment. Many of the modules will also involve external speakers from local businesses, embedding a local context throughout the program.

The international context of management and decision making is featured in the majority of modules, but particularly in Global Economic Environment, Marketing Management, People Management and the Future of Work and the Strategy for Managers component of the SMRP.

Student also have the opportunity to choose an international study elective.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessments in various modules and the SMRP require analysis of both the local and international contexts - using frameworks to analyse organisations' external environments.

Understand the responsibilities of business leaders to stakeholders, society and the environment.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MBA, in line with Strategy 2030 and the wider School vision of QMS, places an explicit emphasis on professional responsibility and sustainability.

Sustainability reporting refers to the process by which companies manage their financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities (the integration of profits, people and planet).

These topics are integrated in taught modules (for example, Accounting for Managers, Operations Management, Sustainability and Social Innovation and the SMRP).

The SMRP and challenge activities allow students to work with partner organizations.

Methods of Assessment

Assessments (individual and group) relating to relevant aspects of each taught module incorporate a focus on responsibility and sustainability.

Furthermore, students will have separate sessions on ethical leadership via the Leadership Development Programme and Leaders in Residence forum.

Understand processes linked to the production, marketing and financing of goods and services.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

This will be embedded across the various core modules (for example, Operations Management, Marketing Management, Accounting for Managers, Entrepreneurship in 21st Century, Leading Transformation in a Digital World and Corporate Finance).

Examples of specific key areas covered by academic modules are as follows:

Accounting for Managers:
Concepts and applications of accounting, quantitative / qualitative methods, links to core functional areas such as operations and marketing.

Operations Management: sustainable supply chain management and process design.
Marketing Management: Understanding consumers, culture and society.

Leading Transformation in a Digital World: Understanding the implications of digital disruption on supply chain / finance etc.

Methods of Assessment

A wide variety of assessments to include:
academic literature evaluation e.g., individual essay, group essay, reflections on professional experience, case study reports, presentation, consulting challenge and SMRP.

Understand organisational theory and functions that support business operations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

This area will be the focus of various modules such as People Management and Future of Work; Leading and Influencing in Organisations; Leading Transformation in a Digital World and the Strategy for Managers. In addition, the integrated and cross-programme Leadership Development sessions, delivered by CLI, will encompassing individual assessments of leadership and group work styles, coaching, and continual reflection.


Guest lectures and Leaders in Residence forum will help provide a focus on understanding leadership in action drawing on key academic and practitioner perspectives.

Methods of Assessment

These modules will be assessed via business reports, reflective essays and consulting challenge.

Provide strategic direction and leadership to achieve organizational goals

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

At MBA level, the focus will be on developing robust understanding of relevant processes in order to make strategic decisions on behalf of the organization. Modules, such as People Management and Future of Work, Leading and Influencing in Organisations, Leading Transformation in a Digital World and the SMRP module (e.g., Strategy for Managers component) will provide a foundation for understanding the strategic leadership and direction needed to accomplish organisational mission and goals.

Students will be presented with case studies and integrated consulting challenges to help develop their skills. Guest speakers and Leaders in Residence forum will provide further insight into real-life practices.

Methods of Assessment

Relevant modules will be assessed via Individual and group essays and reports, presentations and the MBA
Project component of SMRP.

Work effectively in diverse team settings

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will have various opportunities both within and beyond the classroom to work as individuals and within groups.
This may involve independently analysing theoretical frameworks pertaining to core business disciplines in relation to challenges within 'real-world’ organisations. It will also involve working within groups to resolve complex functional challenges through application of relevant management theories.
In line with best practice, the MBA programme emphasises the importance of effective group / peer working and so group work is integral to the assessment strategy (formative and summative) inherent within a range of modules.

Students often find this challenging and to address this, the induction programme will incorporate psychometric testing to assess students' individual and group styles of working alongside a component on team development and group working.

Methods of Assessment

Group work has been specifically integrated into the summative assessment methods in some modules (e.g., Strategy for Managers component of SMRP and Leading Transformation in a Digital World).

Working independently is an integral feature in other components, including the MBA project component of SMRP although this often requires significant engagement with the client organization. The MBA represents a balance between both forms of working.

Communicate ideas in both written and presentational forms

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Interactive class sessions allow students to discuss complex theoretical frameworks pertaining to core business disciplines and present their findings and analysis in individual and group formats through verbal and written forms.


Specific modules focus upon the analysis and communication of complex data including Accounting for Managers, Corporate Finance and the Business Analytics component of SMRP.

Methods of Assessment

Through continuous assessment students demonstrate the ability to present ideas, discuss complex and ambiguous information in both written and oral forms within an individual and group-based format.

Formative and summative feedback strategies ensure that students can develop their skills / learning over the course of the programme.

Appreciate the potential of technology to enhance and disrupt business

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will use IT packages including word processing, data analysis, and presentation packages. They will also require these packages when submitting assessed work for consideration, for presenting to class both individually and in groups, and for presenting to client organizations during consulting challenges. Guidance in using presentation packages will be provided early in the programme.
The potential and problematics of technology is explored in some depth during the programme (e.g., Leading Transformation in a Digital World).

Methods of Assessment

The MBA project component of SMRP also includes a percentage of marks for presentation. Presentations to academic staff and representatives of external organizations form part of various modules' assessments. These require the use of presentation packages.

Effective management of personal and professional development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MBA provides a specific year-long Leadership Development Programme with some sessions focused on interview skills and networking strategies.
There is 1:1 career coaching, and a Leaders in Residence forum for sharing ideas. SMRP, International Study and People Management and Future of Work modules will also emphasise and draw on this skill.

Methods of Assessment

While Leadership Development programme is not formally assessed, attendance and participation is an integral element of the MBA programme.