Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

Scottish Highers: BBBC (102 UCAS Tariff points) including English, plus Maths at SQA National 5 (Grade C, or above), SQA Intermediate 2 (Grade C, or above), SQA Standard Grade (Credit).

or GCE

A levels: CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points) plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grade C, or above).
Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H4, including English, plus OL Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 24 points (4 at HL), plus SL English and Mathematics.

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

An appropriate HNC/HND award in a suitable subject area commensurate with the programme being followed, with the level of entry and/or credit being awarded being subject to the content of the HN programme.

Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.

Direct Entry is possible to the Business & Finance programme at SCQF Levels 8 and 9, with the necessary qualifications or pre-requisites. Support arrangements are in place to assist the integration of those students joining the programme in this way.

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

An applicant whose qualifications do not conform to the general entrance requirements but who presents other evidence which indicates an interest in personal educational advancement and an aptitude for academic study at the level concerned may be admitted to a programme of study at the discretion of the University. School Admissions Officers, Central Admissions Staff or Education Guidance Advisors will assess potential entry qualifications and their suitability for individual programmes of study. Guidance on qualifications can be found in UCAS publications on UK and International Qualifications. Students may be offered a programme of study that includes pre-sessional English language training in addition to their formal academic programme. The University also subscribes to the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) which provides definitive information on the equivalence of international qualifications in relation to those of the UK.
See University Regulations 2.12 for English Language Requirements and 2.13 to 2.25 for Recognition of Prior Learning and Recognition for Credit. See 2.26 to 2.36 for Admission with Prior Learning.

To support the admission of students from a wide and diverse backgrounds, UWS considers a range of additional contextual indicators as a means of assessing candidates suitability for entry to programmes. For example, applicants who have care experience; applicants that live in priority postcode such as SIMD 20/40; applicants that are progressing from Schools for Higher Education or similar; and applicants that have successfully completed access and participation programmes (see UWS website for Admissions procedure).

Further desirable skills pre-application

None.

General Overview

Students studying for a single title in Business & Finance are expected to achieve all of the learning outcomes in this programme specification.

The programme is one of four pathways that students can follow:

BA (Hons) Business

BA (Hons) Business & Finance

BA (Hons) Business & HRM

BA (Hons) Business & Marketing

Each pathway is developed around the core BA (Hons) Business, but each pathway will offer its own distinct core modules which will differentiate them from each other. A key component of the programmes and their Unique Selling Point (USP) is that each will offer professional institute exemptions or recognition. Every degree within the pathway will allow students either to gain an institute qualification whilst studying or on completion of their degree opportunities to claim exemption(s) from key institute examinations.

The degrees have been designed to deliver up to date practical and professional skills, underpinned by appropriate academic theory which will produce 21^st century graduates who are ready for the workplace; or who, where appropriate can expand their education into post graduate studies.

Each programme develops the students' intellectual and imaginative understanding and judgement, the ability to resolve problems effectively and the ability to recognise the relevance of a wide variety of approaches fundamental to business. Each programme will engender an analytical and creative approach, encourage independent judgement and critical self-awareness all directed towards continual improvement in the business and/or pathway sector. In addition each programme provides students with opportunities to acquire and develop generic and specialist transferable skills relevant to their chosen career paths.

On completion of an Honours degree, graduates may follow a variety of routes at post-graduate level both within the University and elsewhere. Many may pursue professional qualifications in their chosen specialist area of study.

Students taking a Degree in any of the pathways, will follow a common framework with pathway specialist modules. In agreement with their PL students will have the opportunity at levels 8, 9 and 10 to select any available modules at the University of the West of Scotland. Individual modules will normally offer a blend of lecture, tutorial, presentations, practical session, workshops and/or site visit. Lectures are used to introduce and develop the principles of the subject areas, while tutorial and practical sessions are used to confirm and enhance the understanding of the material presented in lectures. The classes are divided into smaller groups for tutorial and practical work to allow greater interaction between students and tutors. Assessment methods include formal examination, academic essays, formal reports, seminar discussion, participation and presentation of papers and preparation of business and project plans. Specific assessment methods are detailed in the module descriptors. Skills are developed through practical workshops, seminar discussions, industry visits, interactive group exercises, case study analysis and feedback. Professional Practice Skills are achieved through case study analysis, scenario development, role play and practical demonstration, guided practice of relevant techniques and behaviour. Achievement of such skills is assessed through a variety of means including but not limited to coursework, tutorial participation and presentations. Transferable skills are developed through; for example, group working interaction and team leadership exercises. Ability to the use of IT is developed through tutorial and seminar work and directed self-study. Assessment techniques used to gauge attainment of transferable skills include personal projects, individual and group assessments, presentations and interaction in class.

The programme will be structured over the 4 academic years each of which will follow a common conceptual approach:

1st years – Introductory Year

2nd year - Operational Year

3rd year – Managerial Year

4th year – Strategic Year

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

Learning outcomes throughout the programme have been designed to ensure that, in addition to the development of knowledge and understanding of the business and its components, students will have the opportunity to develop these skills and attributes that are most valued by employers. The programmes have employability embedded into the core curriculum, thereby ensuring that all students are exposed to the development of their key skills and have the opportunity to reflect on their own personal development. Employability skills development is continually reinforced throughout the programme.

Although the general policy is that PDP should be embedded into the curriculum, it is also proposed that Personal Development Planning should be supported by students' reflection on key points within the programme. A diagnostic on-line toolkit will be used to enable students to self diagnose abilities in areas such as numeracy, languages, study skills, writing skills, time management skills etc.

Our Graduates

The University puts you, the future graduate, at the heart of everything that is does. The BA (Hons) Business and Finance programme has been designed to ensure that you, on completion of your degree, have all the necessary attributes required of a modern graduate in a professional workplace.

Your modules are designed to develop a range of skills that are academic (developing your knowledge, skills and abilities to a high-level for academic study), personal (ensuring that your qualities and characteristics result in you being a well-rounded, developed, responsible individual, both in the workplace and in life), and professional (developing the range of skills that you need in a modern and constantly changing working environment). These are the keystones in modern business and finance.

Your modules, both in terms of content and assessment, are professionally focussed to develop:

Your academic skills (critical thinking, analysing, inquiring, improving knowledge, being digitally literate, problem solving, autonomy, being incisive and being innovative);

Your personal skills (being emotionally intelligent, being ethically-minded, being culturally aware, communicating effectively, being influential, being motivated, being creative, being imaginative and being resilient), and;

Your professional skills (collaborating, being research-minded, being socially responsible, becoming a potential leader, being enterprising, being ambitious, being driven, being daring, and being transformative). 

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

Representatives from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) regularly provide sessions on personal development and employability. 

Graduates may also return to UWS to complete Accounting and Finance modules to gain further professional exemptions.

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

Students are expected to engage with their programme and attend all timetabled events. The School of Business and Creative Industries sets a minimum threshold for engagement and attendance:

• Attendance at taught classes must be in excess of 75%, except in cases of illness and other authorised absence
• Students must engage with non-classroom based activity at least once per week on average (e.g. accessing Moodle or Library resources)
• Submission of all assessments, except in case of extenuating circumstances

For the most recent Academic Engagement Procedure (Sep 2020) see https://www.uws.ac.uk/media/6473/academic-engagement-procedure-061020.pdf

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Professional Services and the School’s Disability Coordinators ensure that students receive adequate academic support. For students with disability needs, materials are available in advance of classes via MyUWS/Moodle sites in formats that ensure the University’s Equality and Diversity policies are met.

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.