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University of Brighton Brighton Business School

Brighton Business School

BSc (Hons) International Business BSc (Hons) International Business

(French/German/Spanish)

Course Handbook

September 2015

PREFACE

The purpose of this course handbook is to provide you with key information about your course, including administrative and academic procedures, and to give you some practical advice on how to make the most of your studies and to explain what to do if you experience any difficulties. Please read the handbook very carefully and keep it at hand for future reference. Other key documents that you should be familiar with are:

the University of Brighton Student Contract;

the University of Brighton Plagiarism Awareness Pack;

the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook;

the University of Brighton General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR).

Copies of all these documents are accessible in electronic format on the University’s student intranet, studentcentral (see 7.6 below), via your Course Area. You will also be provided with copies of the University Student Contract and the University Plagiarism Awareness Pack.

Because of increasing incidents of cases of plagiarism both in this university and others, you are strongly urged to carefully read the Plagiarism Awareness Pack. Penalties for plagiarism can be very harsh and ignorance is no defence! The University has access to special software which can detect plagiarism and we will be using this at random throughout the year at all levels, so you have been warned.

If you would like to see any other items included in your course handbook please contact your course leader and, whilst we cannot promise to change things straight away, we will do our best to improve the handbook in future years.

IMPORTANT Please note that the provisional dates for 2015/16 resit examinations are 22 August to 2 September 2016. Any referred student unable to attend examinations between these dates will be required to resit in 2016/17 academic year and will be unable to

proceed with the course meanwhile.

CONTENTS

1. COURSE LEADER INTRODUCTION

2. ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL – BRIGHTON BUSINESS SCHOOL

3. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - STRUCTURE AND CONTENT 3.1 Course aims and learning outcomes 3.2 Course structure and content 3.3 Exit awards 3.4 Academic calendar 3.5 Placement year 3.6 Languages 3.7 Careers planning agreement 3.8 Exemptions from professional institutions 3.9 Academic prizes and scholarships

4. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

4.1 Course management team, course board and examination board 4.2 Communications between staff and students 4.3 Where to turn for advice and guidance 4.4 Student representation and feedback 4.5 Annual academic health process

5. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - ASSESSMENT

5.1 Nature of assessment 5.2 Coursework marking guidelines 5.3 Coursework presentation 5.4 Referencing your work 5.5 Coursework word limit and word ranges 5.6 In-class assessments 5.7 Coursework submission 5.8 Late coursework 5.9 Coursework extensions 5.10 Return of coursework 5.11 Examination timetables 5.12 Examination past papers 5.13 Examination results 5.14 Mitigating circumstances 5.15 Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in examinations 5.16 Appealing the decision of an examination board

6. YOUR COURSE-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

6.1 Undergraduate modular programme 6.2 Minimum pass mark 6.3 What happens if I fail a Level 4 or Level 5 module 6.4 More on referrals 6.5 What happens if I then fail a referral? 6.6 Deferrals 6.7 What happens if I fail a Level 6 module? 6.8 Calculation of the final mark for the degree classification 6.9 Awarding honours 6.10 Border zone decisions

7. LIBRARY, COMPUTING AND MEDIA SERVICES

7.1 The library service 7.2 Library services for part-time students 7.3 The Online Library 7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb 7.5 Media Centres 7.6 Studentcentral 7.7 ASK Study Guide 7.8 Useful web addresses 8. STUDENT SERVICES 9. STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

9.1 Student Charter 9.2 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy 9.3 Disability statement 9.4 Fire evacuation 9.5 Observing copyright laws

APPENDIX

Career Planning Agreement

Employability

1. COURSE LEADER INTRODUCTION

A warm welcome to all students on the BSc(Hons) International Business Degree (BScIB). The course aims to prepare you for a career in the global business environment. It provides you with the opportunity to network with students from a range of international partners with whom we share exchange agreements. In the Third Year you will have the option to study or find work abroad in an approved placement. In your final year, you will be joined in your studies by exchange students from other European and North American and Australian business schools and universities. During the first week of the first year, we will ask you to name your intended third year destination. On the basis of your response you will be allocated a Country Manager from the School’s academic staff who will act as your Personal Tutor. Your Country Manager will meet you formally at least once per semester to discuss your progress and is a useful source of advice at any time should you have concerns about anything that is affecting your studies. During the first year you will be given opportunities to meet and discuss options with final year students and incoming students from our exchange partnerships. This will enable you to gain greater knowledge of the exciting opportunities open to you, so that by the end of the year you will be able to confirm your third year destination. We then begin negotiating a place for you with our international partners. You have the first year to finalise your choice. Use it wisely to ask lots of questions about the year abroad experience. In most cases students should be able to go to their first choice destination, however, in some countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA, we have only limited spaces and depending on demand, you may be asked to select a second choice destination in Europe. You will be joined in your studies by students on other business programmes in the Business School so you will have opportunities to make friends with students on other courses. You may find that study at University is a new experience and will take a little while to get used to. If you experience any problems during the year, whatever level you are on, it is important that you seek help as soon as possible. There is a lot of support available from both within the School and from Student Services. Many issues are resolvable and will be treated sympathetically and in confidence, where appropriate. An essential ingredient of the approach adopted on this course is that we assume that you will take responsibility for your own learning. This does not mean that staff are indifferent or insensitive to your needs; it means that you must organise your own learning process using the resources which the institution has to offer. The consequence of this is that there will be a good deal of private study required in addition to the formal contact hours that are timetabled, and to the assessment tasks that are set. Your responsibilities therefore are to prepare for each class, to take an active part in class discussions, and to consolidate your learning on a weekly basis, in addition to reading beyond the recommended texts and completing the assessed and non-assessed tasks that are set. Our responsibility to you is to prepare you for the assessments by providing a framework for your learning, by introducing you to the syllabus topics, directing you to important and relevant subject areas, and recommending extra work. That is the nature of our learning contract with you. There are many things to learn about the course and the University. This Handbook is full of the key information alongside more specific documents which you will also find online. Please take time to look through and digest the key ingredients so that you will know where to look or find guidance when you need it. The Handbook covers the entire course and relevant rules regarding assessment, progression and completion of the final degree. There is significant information regarding the Year Abroad which will help you in your choice and prepare for a great opportunity! The Course Team are here to help and guide you to build a successful outcome to your studies.

2. ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL – BRIGHTON BUSINESS SCHOOL

Your School is Brighton Business School. The Director and Head of Brighton Business School is Professor Aidan Berry. More information about the work of the School may be found on the school web site at: www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs. The current Vice Chancellor of the University is Professor Julian Crampton. From 1 December 2016, the Vice Chancellor will be Professor Debra Humphris. The Business School’s contact details are: Brighton Business School University of Brighton Mithras House Lewes Road BRIGHTON BN2 4AT Tel: (01273) 600900 (Switchboard) Fax: (01273) 643597 or 642153 The Academic year dates for the School are: AUTUMN TERM 28 September 2015 – 11 December 2015 SPRING TERM 4 January 2016 – 18 March 2016 SUMMER TERM 11 April 2016 – 10 June 20116 w/c 16 May 2016 to w/c 6 June 2016 (examinations for year-through modules) SEMESTER DATES Semester One 28 September 2015 – 5 February 2015 Semester Two 8 February 2016 – 6 June 2015

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs

3. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - STRUCTURE AND CONTENT 3.1 Course aims and learning outcomes 3.2 Course structure and content 3.3 Exit awards 3.4 Academic calendar 3.5 Placement year 3.6 Languages 3.7 Career planning agreement 3.8 Exemptions from professional institutions 3.9 Academic prizes and scholarships ___________________________________________________________________

3.1 Course aims and learning outcomes

The key aims of the course are:

to provide a course in International Business at undergraduate level that provides students with a broad and imaginative educational experience, in preparation for a wide range of business careers in the UK or more globally;

to provide a broad knowledge and understanding of the internal functions of business and how they are managed and an opportunity to specialise in one major area of business activity;

to increase awareness of the impact of international and environmental influences on business activity;

to provide a structured forum for the study, analysis and discussion of contemporary issues in Global, European and British business settings;

to prepare students for managing new, changing and challenging situations in the dynamic international business environment;

to develop a wide range of relevant business and lifelong learning skills;

to provide the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of international business activity though two semesters of study at a partner institution abroad and/or international work placement;

to enable graduates to make an effective contribution in their careers.

The course provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding Students will have the ability to:

Describe and define the internal structures, functions, operations and management of business, how they interrelate and how they are influenced by the international business environment and how they adapt to change.

Relate how external factors such as customer and market requirements, competition, national, international, economic, political, sociological, legal and technical influences impact on business decisions.

Propose appropriate methods of measuring, analysing and improving the financial operational performance of business organisations.

Demonstrate awareness of the challenges of managing and developing people within organisations.

Critically appraise the development and implementation of different business strategies.

Recognize the importance and impact of a range of contemporary and pervasive issues such as sustainability, globalisation, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management, risk management, and ethical, social and environmental concerns.

Cognitive and Intellectual skills

Cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, to detect false logic or reasoning, to identify implicit values, to define terms adequately and generalise appropriately.

Effective problem solving and decision making using appropriate quantitative and qualitative skills including identifying, formulating and solving business problems. The ability to create, evaluate and assess a range of options together with the capacity to apply ideas and knowledge to a range of situations.

Business and Management Techniques

Effective communication, oral and in writing, using a range of media which are widely used in business such as the preparation and presentation of business reports.

Numeracy and quantitative skills including data analysis, interpretation and extrapolation. The use of models of business problems and phenomena.

Effective use of Communication and Information Technology (CIT) for business applications.

Ability to conduct research into business and management issues, either individually or as part of a team for projects/dissertations/presentations. This requires familiarity with and an evaluative approach to a range of business data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, and for such to inform the overall learning process.

Personal and Interpersonal skills

Effective self-management in terms of time, planning and behaviour, motivation, self-starting, individual initiative and enterprise.

Effective performance, within a team environment including: leadership, team building, influencing and project management skills.

Interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation.

Self reflection and criticality including self awareness, openness and sensitivity to diversity in terms of people, cultures, business and management issues. Also, the skills of learning to learn and developing a continuing appetite for learning; reflective, adaptive and collaborative learning.

3.2 Course structure and content Copies of all module descriptors are accessible, by module code, via the school area on Student central.

BSc (Hons) International Business (Without Language)

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6 Core

Core

Option

Core & Options

EC163 Global

Business Environment

EC221 International

Business Analysis

CA270 Creativity in Enterprise

Stu

dy/P

lacemen

t Overse

as

DB365 Cultural Insights for

international Business

20

20

20

20

HR173

Organisational Behaviour &

HRM

OP282 Business

Operations & Systems

CA295 Working in the Voluntary

Sector

ST371 Strategy for International

Business

BSc (Hons)

International Business

20

20

20

20

MK187 Principles of Marketing

LW212 Business Law

FA266: Personal Financial Planning

DB325 Year Abroad Report

20

20

20

20

FN163 Financial Knowledge and

Skills

HR250 Working across Cultures

MK291 Design and Innovation

Business Electives

20

20

20

60

DB155 Understanding

Cultural Difference

DB250 Building Cross-Cultural

Awareness

ML232: Gamification: Using Game

Design Principles in Business

20

20

20

ML150 Academic & Professional

Skills

OP215 Environmental Sustainability

20

20

OP219 Purchasing and

Supply

20

120

100

20

120

120

BSc(Hons ) International Business – With French/German/Spanish

Level4

Level 5

Level 6 Core

Core

Core

EC163 Global Business Environment

EC221 International Business Analysis

Stud

y/Placem

ent O

verseas

DB365 Cultural Insights for

international Business

20

20

20

HR173 Organisational Behaviour & HRM

OP282 Business

Operations & Systems

ST371 Strategy for International

Business

BSc (Hons) International

Business (French, German, or

Spanish)

20

20

20

MK187 Principles of Marketing

LW212 Business Law

DB325 Year Abroad Report

20

20

20

FN163 Financial Knowledge and Skills

HR250 Working across Cultures

Business Electives (to include

Language module if necessary)

20

20

60

ML152 Academic Skills

DB250 Building Cross-Cultural Awareness

10

20

DB158 Understanding

Cultural Difference

Language (French/German/

Spanish)

10

20

Language (French/German/

Spanish)

20

120

120

120

Copies of all module descriptors are accessible, by module code, via the school area on studentcentral.

Before the start of your final year you should agree with your Country Manager a set of Level 6 elective modules totalling 60 credits (which may be single or double modules or a combination). Under the credit transfer scheme however, students who have studied abroad at one of our partners in year 3 will take electives totalling only 40 or 50 credits, giving them a lighter final year workload. Those students that fail their year abroad may be allowed to proceed, if there have been mitigating circumstances which account for the failure. They will then have to undertake a full workload, 60 credits from electives one of which may be capped at 40% if the failure was not considered to have been beyond the student’s ability to redeem (e.g. via resit examinations).

For those exempt from year three the norm would be to choose a Research Elective. Again, discuss this with your Country Manager or Course Leader, if in doubt. Your electives collection should reveal a serious effort to give your final year a pronounced international flavour.

3.3 Exit awards

The course is offered in the following modes:

BSc International Business 4 years FT

BSc International Business (Language: French, German, Spanish) 4 years FT These are described below:

BSc International Business: 4 years Full-Time

For this route students do not need to study a foreign language nor have a language as an entry requirement. For the four year route students will either study:

at one of our overseas English speaking partners or

at one of our other language speaking partners if they are totally fluent in the language of the partner institution

A three year route will only be offered to those students who can provide evidence of prior experience overseas in an appropriate working or higher education environment of 36 continuous weeks.

BSc International Business (Language: French, German, Spanish): 4 years Full-Time

Those undertaking this route will have their language studies recognized with the language studied added in brackets to their degree title. Thus somebody completing this degree with French will receive the award of BSc (Hons) International Business (French).

During Years 1 and 2, students will not only develop a broad base of business knowledge and essential skills in computing, communication and research, but also study a language.

At least 36 weeks of year 3 are spent abroad - in business schools in France, Spain and Germany (an A level or equivalent in the respective language is required). There are also study options in The Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Italy, the USA, Turkey and Australia. The requirement of Year Abroad Report will enhance the development of cultural understanding and will significantly contribute to the final year award. Year 4 offers specialisation via internationally-oriented options and further in-depth international research.

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE THREE DIFFERENT DEGREE ROUTES

1. Do I need to study a foreign language? No! See below.

2. What are the differences between the international business degrees? The

award BSc(Hons) International Business(Language) is reserved for those studying a language during their first two years, who go abroad in their third year and reach and pass Advanced 3 level before they graduate. The three year BSc(Hons) International Business is only open to those who are non-native English speakers or native English speakers who can provide evidence of appropriate prior experience overseas of 36 continuous weeks.

3. What’s Advanced 3 Level? The level of language study is determined by the following entry criteria:

4.

Language Qualification on Entry

Level of Study

Foundation GCSE Elementary

Intermediate A/S level Advanced 1 ‘A’ level Advanced 2

Advanced 3

5. Are there restrictions on the levels of language that I can take as part of my

degree? Yes. In the final year languages can only be studied as part of your degree if you are studying at Advanced Level 3. In the second year you can only include language study if studying at Advanced Level 2 or above. But it is possible to study languages that are not part of the course - see below.

6. What level of language must I have before being allowed to study abroad? If

you are going to a partner where the level of instruction is in English, you do not need to have any language apart from English! To study abroad in a foreign language or do a placement in a foreign tongue, you must have achieved a pass in at least Advanced Level 2 before going abroad; Advanced Level 3 is normally recommended for such activity

7. I am a native English speaker and want to take a four year course and spend a year abroad as part of my course. You can either enrol on the BSc(Hons) International Business (Language) if you have the relevant entry qualifications in a foreign language and take and pass language courses as part of your studies OR you can enrol on the BSc(Hons) International Business, not take a language as part of your course and either go to a foreign language partner where the medium of instruction is in English or undertake a placement abroad, or a combination of the two.

8. I am a native English speaker and want to take the four year BSc (Hons) International Business (Language) but don’t have an ‘A’ level or equivalent in a foreign language. As long as you have an A/S level in French, German or Spanish you can take the language route and study at a partner university where the language of instruction is English. It is expected that you will continue with your studies in the language by taking an appropriate language module at the partner university and then take and pass Advanced Level 3 in your final year.

9. I don’t want to study languages as part of my course, but would still like to

study a foreign language. This is possible. The University is trying to encourage more students to speak foreign languages and offers every registered student the opportunity of studying for free language modules IN ADDITION to their normal course modules.

10. I am a native English speaker and want to take a three year course without

going abroad. Normally you should enrol on the BSc (Hons) Business Management. Only if you can provide evidence of appropriate prior experience overseas in a working or higher education environment of 36 continuous weeks, OR where English is not your native language and the UK is not your native place of residence, will you be allowed to enrol on the three year BSc (Hons) International Business.

11. I am not a native English speaker but want to take a four year course and spend a year abroad as part of my course. You should enrol on the non language BSc (Hons) International Business. If you are relatively fluent in the language of the country you want to go to and/or fluent in the language of instruction of a foreign partner then you may go abroad as part of your studies.

12. I am not a native English speaker but want to take the three year course. This is possible only if you satisfy our rules about providing evidence of prior experience overseas in a working or higher education environment of 36 continuous weeks>

13. Can the University help me find an overseas work placement in year 3? Whilst

we are happy to allow students to do an approved overseas placement in year 3, unfortunately we cannot provide much assistance in helping students find overseas work placements as we put our resources into developing our study links. Students wishing to work for all or some of this year will therefore need to use their own initiative and contacts to find a suitable job.

3.4 Academic calendars - 2015/16

YEAR-THROUGH MODULES

YEAR ONE (LEVEL 4)

Sem Time table week

Teaching Week No

Week Beg

Monday

Lectures & Workshops

Seminar Notes

1

28.09.15

Welcome Week

10 1 1 11 2 05.10.15 Yes Yes

1 12 3 12.10.15

Yes Yes

1 13 4 19.10.15 Yes Yes 1 14 5 26.10.15 Yes Yes 1 15 6 02.11.15 Yes Yes 1 16 7 09.11.15 No No Reading Week 1

1 17 8 16.11.15 Yes Yes 1 18 9 23.11.15 Yes Yes 1 19 10 30.11.15 Yes Yes 1 20 11 07.12.15 Yes Yes Term Ends Fri 11.12.15 21 14.12.15

22 21.12.15 23 28.12.15 1 24 12 04.01.16 Yes Yes Term Starts Mon 04.01.16 1 25 13 11.01.16 Yes Yes

1 26 14 18.01.16 Yes Yes 1 27 15 25.01.16 Yes Yes 1 28 16 01.02.16 No No Reading Week 2

2

29

17 08.02.16

Yes

Yes

Sem 2 Starts Mon 08.02.16

2 30 18 15.02.16 Yes Yes 2 31 19 22.02.16 Yes Yes 2 32 20 29.02.16 Yes Yes 2 33 21 07.03.16 Yes Yes 2 34 22 14.03.16 Yes Yes Term Ends Fri 18.03.16

35 21.03.16 36 28.03.16

37 04.04.16 2 38 23 11.04.16 Yes Yes Term Starts Mon 11.04.16 2 39 24 18.04.16 Yes Yes 2 40 25 25.04.16 Yes Yes

2 41 26 02.05.16 Revision Revision Bank Holiday May 2

2 42 27 09.05.16 Revision Revision 2 43 28 16.05.16 Examinations 2 44 29 23.05.16 Examinations

2 45 30 30.05.16 Examinations Bank Holiday May 30 2 46 31 06.06.16 Examinations Term Ends Fri 10.06.16

YEAR-THROUGH MODULES

YEAR TWO (LEVEL 5)

Sem Time table week

Teaching Week No

Week Beg

Monday


Seminar Notes

1

28.09.15

Yes* No

*Lectures start from

Thursday, Oct 1st

10 1 1 11 2 05.10.15 Yes Yes

All lectures, workshops

and seminars run, unless

advised otherwise 1 12 3 12.10.15 Yes Yes





2

29

17 08.02.16

Yes

Yes


2 30 18 15.02.16 Yes Yes 2 31 19 22.02.16 Yes Yes 2 32 20 29.02.16 Yes Yes 2 33 21 07.03.16 Yes Yes 2 34 22 14.03.16 Yes Yes Term Ends Fri 18.03.16 35 21.03.16 36 28.03.16




2 45 30 30.05.16 Examinations Bank Holiday May 30

2 46 31 06.06.16 Examinations Term Ends Fri 10.06.16

YEAR-THROUGH & SEMESTER-BASED MODULES

FINAL YEAR (LEVEL 6)

Sem Time table week

Teaching Week No

Week Beg

Monday


Seminar Notes

1

28.09.15 Yes* No

Business (Top-up)

Induction only begins

Monday, Sept 21st

*Lectures start from

Thursday, Oct 1st 10 1

1 11 2 05.10.15 Yes Yes

All lectures and seminars

run, unless advised

otherwise 1 12 3 12.10.15

Yes Yes





2

29

17 08.02.16

Yes

Yes


2 30 18 15.02.16 Yes Yes 2 31 19 22.02.16 Yes Yes 2 32 20 29.02.16 Yes Yes 2 33 21 07.03.16 Yes Yes 2 34 22 14.03.16 Yes Yes Term Ends Fri 18.03.16 35 21.03.16 36 28.03.16




2 45 30 30.06.16 Examinations Bank Holiday May 30 2 46 31 06.06.16 Examinations Term Ends Fri 10.06.16

3.5 Year Abroad After completion of Level 5 studies you will need to spend a minimum of 36 weeks of your third year in study abroad at one of our partner institutions and/or on a placement abroad. A list of partners is given below and further details may be found in Appendix 2 at the end of this handbook. As far as possible, students will be allowed the opportunity to study at the affiliated partner institution of their choice - chosen from the selection below - but as entry is also determined by the partner business school, there is no guarantee that places can be made available when required and students may have to accept study opportunities at another business school. As stated earlier, places in Australia, Canada and the USA are restricted and normally we can send annually up to two or three students to each partner in this region. Please note that it will NOT normally be possible for you to spend the first semester at one partner university and the second semester at another. The International Business degree provides students not only with the possibility of studying abroad, but also with the option to carry out an appropriate work placement (outside the UK) for either one or both semesters. However, choosing the placement route puts the onus on the student to use his/her own initiative and personal contacts to secure a position which then needs to be formally approved as suitable by the Course Leader. For such approval to be granted, a letter or e-mail addressed to the Course Leader from the placement company should be sent confirming the dates and location of the placement and an outline of the duties and responsibilities involved in the job. The type of work should be in the business/management arena in order to further the student's education and training in a practical dimension. It should be noted that although the School is supportive of students working overseas instead of studying in year 3, there little that the University can do in assisting in the job search process as our main effort and resources go into the course’s main activity in supporting and developing the year 3 study links. If a student studies for the first semester at a partner and then decides to work for the second semester, the placement does not have to be in the same country as the country in which they have studied. Depending on where the placement is, it will not normally be possible to provide a supervisory visit, in which case, phone, fax and/or e-mail should be used for regular communication with your supervisor. Students who opt to work for the year or combine study with work experience should confirm this prior to the end of Year one. The combination of study and placement is particularly appropriate for some of our international links where a 'stage' fits in the third year of the course abroad. In such cases, the student may have the advantage of residence in the host country while searching for a 'stage'. The student will be required to submit details of the 'stage' to their supervisor one month prior to its commencement and for those in receipt of ERASMUS funding, this would normally be required before Christmas of the third year, which must then be approved by the Course Leader. It may be possible for a student to propose an alternative international programme for the year abroad. This should be discussed with the Country Manager and Course Leader.

Overseas partner business schools/universities: Partners where the language of instruction may be totally, in a language other than English (and therefore requiring an ‘A’ level entry requirement), are as follows:

France École Supérieure du Commerce Extérieur, Paris École Supérieure de Management de l'Entreprise (ESPEME), Lille and Nice.

Germany Fachhochschule Mainz, Mainz University of Hamburg

Spain Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca Universidad San Pablo C.E.U, Madrid (Double Degree Partner)

Turkey Koç University, Istanbul

Partners where the language of instruction can be all in English are as follows:

Canada University of Ottawa, Ottawa

France École Supérieure du Commerce Extérieur, Paris École Supérieure de Management de l'Entreprise (ESPEME), Lille and Nice.

Germany Fachhochschule Mainz, Mainz

Italy Scuola di Amministrazione Aziendale, Universita degli Studi di Torino, Turin

Netherlands Hogeschool van Amsterdam.

Sweden The University of Örebro, Örebro.

USA Grand Valley State University, Michigan State Clarkson University, New York State

Australia Flinders University, Adelaide

Turkey Koç University, Istanbul

3.6 Languages This section relates only to those undertaking language studies as part of the BSc (Hons) International Business (with a Language). However, students on the BSc(Hons) International Business (non-language route) are still able to learn/develop a knowledge of French, German or Spanish at beginner, intermediate or advanced level, but this will normally be in addition to the usual course workload. All students wishing to pursue an international career are advised to develop at least some basic foreign language skills.

According to the language qualification(s) held by the student at entry, specified targets of achievement are required following designated language classes.

In addition to satisfying the general entry requirements of the Programme, students will normally be required to hold a GCE 'A' or ‘AS’ level or equivalent in French, German or Spanish if they wish to study a language as a formal part of their degree course. Those students with GCE ‘A’ Level or equivalent will be considered for entry to Advanced Level 2 classes, whilst students with GCE ‘AS’ Level or equivalent will be considered for entry to Advanced Level 1 classes. All other students will be required to take classes at a lower level and these regrettably cannot be taken as a formal part of the degree course. Which of these routes a student takes will be determined at the start of the first semester by the School of Languages staff, who will assess the student’s competence in the language concerned. The following table shows the normal patterns of language study for this course:

Language qualification on entry

Language Level studies

‘A’ Level Language

Year 1 Advanced Level 2 Year 2 Advanced Level 3 Year 3 – Abroad Beginning to become really fluent if studying

in an environment where you can use the language.

Year 4 -

A/S Level Language

Year 1 Advanced Level 1 Year 2 Advanced Level 2 Year 3 – Abroad Keeping those language skills warm by

normally taking a language module Year 4 Advanced Level 3

The minimum language attainment for the award of the BSc (Hons) International Business (Languages) degree is a pass in the Advanced Level 3 assessments of one foreign language. Advanced Level 3 is also the lowest level that may be studied in the final year. Please note that students who have only studied a foreign language to GCSE level or below only are not permitted to study a language as a formal part of your course, however, you are welcome to study the language of your choice informally alongside your degree.

3.7 Year abroad 3.7.1 Points to remember in Year One

On arrival in Year 1, students intending to enrol on the four year courses will be asked to confirm their intended destination for their year abroad. This is an important decision in relation to the language classes taken in years 1 and 2 (if you are on the language stream) and will also determine the choice of your Country Manager. (We cannot always guarantee your first choice of country/institution!) It might be possible for you to change your third year destination. In the first instance, you will need to speak with your Country Manager; the final decision will then be made by the Course Leader. The latest date for making any changes by the end of the first year. That should allow you sufficient time to make up your mind.

3.7.2 Change of course Only in exceptional circumstances will it be possible to change to another degree programme within the Business School. If you want to change course, this is normally only possible at the end of an academic year. You will need to firstly discuss this with your Country Manager and then with the respective Course Leaders. You will only be permitted to change course if you meet the entry requirements, there are places available, and providing that you have met the normal progression criteria. 3.7.3 The second year The second year has the purpose of extending and broadening the subjects learned in the first year (see the structure chart), of underpinning subjects to be studied overseas and of providing a bridge to the final year of the course. 3.7.4 Support systems Three “support systems” aspects will be of advantage to you. Firstly, by the time you reach the second year, you should have formed a good rapport with your Country Manager and s/he will guide you on the particular opportunities and challenges of study and work. Secondly, you can make and maintain contact with fourth year students who have already experienced a period abroad. Thirdly, there will be exchange students from our partners who have come to Brighton Business School on the same basis as the IB students who go abroad. Those incoming exchange students will be a priceless source of information for you. 3.7.5 Points to remember in Year Two for those students intending to go abroad

Discuss third year destination with the Country Managers. Your Country Manager /

Personal Tutor will be your first line of contact on academic matters relating to your time abroad. Due to our partners having different deadlines, final details for your placement year are often resolved late in term three.

If your foreign language competence is only likely to be Advanced 2 at the

end of your second year, please consult with your language tutor and Country Manager to determine whether you would be able to cope with studying overseas in a foreign language. If necessary, it can be arranged for you to transfer to an English speaking partner.

Remember in year two that it is your responsibility to keep in contact with your

Country Manager.

Prepare and check CV's in the language of the host country – Send a copy to the BScIB Course Administrator.

If appropriate, research placement possibilities early and seek approval from the

Course Leader.

Confirm year three activities with your funding source before 10 October at the start of Year Two - Give the BScIB Course Administrator the address of your funding source and confirm your third year destination.

Apply for visa (if appropriate).

ERASMUS grants for the period abroad (if eligible) - Complete and return two forms (Bank Details and Grant Contract) prior to departure to the BScIB Course Administrator in order to ensure payment of your grant whilst you are abroad. Payments are made by bank transfer, with an initial payment and sometimes a second payment (date of dissemination to be determined).

Medical Insurance: All EU/EEA* nationals planning to study and/or work abroad in

the EU should apply for a European Health Insurance Card. The quickest and easiest way to get an EHIC is by applying online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. You can also apply by telephone or by picking up an application form from the Post Office. The EHIC covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident. The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you’ll be treated on the same basis as an ‘insured’ person living in the country you’re visiting. Remember, this might not include all the things you’d expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK, and may mean that you have to make a financial contribution to the cost of your care (a ‘co-payment’). The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or pre-existing illness. You are advised to take out comprehensive private insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC. *EEA = the 27 member states of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Make sure you tell BScIB Course Administrator where you will be during the

summer (your contact address and telephone number). This is very important as she will be providing you with all the information you need to commence your third year, including Erasmus grant forms and insurance details.

Complete and return forms and online requirements (registration, accommodation

etc.) to partner institutions (May/June) - these forms will usually be sent to BScIB Course Administrator- she then sends them to you, and helps sort out any queries or problems.

Prior to Departure - you will need to discuss and agree with your Country Manager

which subjects you will study during the year abroad. You are required to complete and have signed off a Learning Agreement confirming your study programme. This must be agreed before you leave, and then confirmed when you know your timetable.

3.7.6 Things to remember about the third year: Money

It is vital that students budget carefully in each year of the course. Year 3 provides new challenges. The money must cover expenses for the entire study period and students must ensure that they pay for Halls of Residence in advance, as required. There will also be deposits to be paid for accommodation, which will not usually be redeemable before

http://www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

departure. All students on the course MUST comply with the conditions of the partner institutions in ALL RESPECTS and this includes behaviour and regulations concerning accommodation. Failure to do so will be reported via the Country Managers and will be considered as failure to complete the third year satisfactorily, the penalty for which could mean failure of the third year and loss of entitlement to pursue the goal of an International Business degree. Year 3 is normally a compulsory element of the course and is probably the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect! It is important to inform your source of finance (e.g. the loans company) where you are going well in advance. The source of finance will probably ask you for the dates of the course in order to make an assessment for your award. Some programmes may include an induction week in August or September which your source of finance may take into account when making your assessment. You should inform them of the most appropriate method and details for payment (e.g. into your bank account). Please also note that those going to the USA, Canada or Australia are likely to need to budget for higher expenses than in Europe (for example, for airfares, compulsory health insurance, visa costs etc.) and there are no Erasmus awards available for these destinations. The immigration authorities in both these countries also currently require that students have sufficient funds in their bank accounts to support their overseas studies and they normally require evidence of this before issuing study visas. See your Country Manager for more information about this. 3.7.7 Erasmus

You may be entitled*** to an ERASMUS award to help to finance the cost of travel and subsistence expenses during the year abroad. EU Students, as long as they study for the first semester at an EU partner university are normally entitled to receive an ERASMUS grant to help support them whilst undertaking their study there. It is also possible to undertake a work placement abroad in the EU for the second semester and still receive funding if supervised by the partner institution. The amount of funding available is reassessed on an annual basis and is not guaranteed. Eramsus funding is not available to international students or those who will be studying at a non-EU partner university, i.e. those going to the USA, Canada, or Australia. The bid for Erasmus funding has to be submitted a year prior to student departure (which partly explains the need to identify the third year destination at an early stage). The funding is dependent on the EU, and if approved, arrives after the student’s departure the following year once you have returned the necessary paperwork at the start of your study period. For those going to ESCE Paris, a further source of monthly subsidy is currently available from the French Government to offset the high costs of accommodation in Paris. This is known as the l’Allocation de Logement à Caractere Social or CAF and is organized once

you get there. However to gain this, you are required to bring with you an official French translation of your Birth Certificate.

*** eligibility for Erasmus funding will be assessed once you have completed an application in the year preceding your year abroad.

Financing the Year abroad

General information regarding funding & fees can be found at the link below: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/money/index.php?PageId=500

Studying Abroad: Tuition Fees

As part of an approved exchange programme, no tuition fees are payable to the host institution during the year abroad. The principle is that partner institutions exchange students not money.

Tuition fees are therefore payable to the University of Brighton for your time spent abroad. This money is then used to help support the teaching of exchange students at Brighton who come to us from the partner university.

Erasmus

EU students who spend two semesters studying abroad on a European Erasmus exchange may be eligible to receive an Erasmus grant for the period they are studying. If they then decide to undertake a work placement abroad in the second semester they will normally only receive Erasmus funding for the time they are studying (i.e. the first semester) unless the host and home university play an active role in organising and supervising the placement.' Those undertaking a two-semester work placement would not qualify for this funding.

Non-EU students, alas, do not qualify for this support.

Further information regarding the Erasmus scheme can be found at the British Council website:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-student-study-programme.html Registry and Erasmus The University’s Registry submits annual applications for funding in support of student and staff participating in exchanges within the European Commission’s Erasmus

https://staffmail.brighton.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=baf9a237ee9c4ac7bbafb780599bad48&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.brighton.ac.uk%2fstudentlife%2fmoney%2findex.php%3fPageId%3d500

http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-student-study-programme.html

Programme. Brighton Business School is one of a number of University Schools which benefit from Erasmus funding for both students and academic staff. Grant funding comes into the University via the UK National Agency for Erasmus, usually twice each academic year. The Registry provides a central support framework for students eligible for Erasmus grant funding, working in close liaison with the BScIB Course Administrator and Course Leader, distributing information about the year abroad, and ensuring grant payments are processed as quickly as possible. Erasmus grants are distributed by the Registry by bank transfer directly into students’ nominated accounts, and are normally paid in two instalments. Students’ bank and other details are collected using standard pro-formas which are distributed via the Business School Undergraduate Office, and processed by the Registry. It is important for you to make sure you provide your Bank Details and sign the necessary forms prior to commencing your study abroad period, so that transfers can be made as soon as the University receives in the funding. Please remember to notify the Registry in the event of any changes to your bank details and address, to ensure that (a) you receive grant payments into the correct account, and (b) that you are notified when payments are made. You will also be required to sign a Student Grant Contract, which sets out the conditions of you receiving an Erasmus grant, including the requirement that you complete and return the Erasmus Student Report Form at the end of your year abroad. A retention of approximately £50 from your grant will be withheld pending receipt of your completed report in the Registry. Individual Student Reports are sent together with an overall institutional level report on the University’s participation in the Erasmus Programme through the year. Your reports provide useful feedback not only for the UK National Agency, but also for academic staff and Country Managers at the University of Brighton. For Erasmus and other exchange students coming into the University of Brighton for their study abroad period, the University holds an annual International Orientation Programme prior to the start of Semester 1. BScIB students who have already been on their year abroad at one of our partner universities are encouraged to participate in this event as “group leaders”. Administrative Tasks Once You Are Overseas

• Once you are settled in, you must inform the BScIB Course Administrator of your lodgings address. We can only provide insurance if we know where you are - you must also remember to update her with any changes. She will also be writing to you with details of any funding, course information, course changes, etc.

• Contact your Country Manager regarding your year Abroad

Report progress and keep in touch. Run your ideas for the Year Abroad Report past your Country Manager for his/her views on its suitability.

• Where appropriate, gain approval and confirm details of any

second semester placement. • During the year, for those students studying within the Erasmus

agreement, your Country Manager will usually visit you to ensure you have settled in and are working well. Do make use

of this visit to ask questions and discuss the Year Abroad Report as well as any concerns you may have.

• Inform the BScIB Course Administrator of the date of your

return to the UK by beginning of June for insurance purposes. • You should also discuss with your Country Manager how many

subjects you study in year 3 and later your choices for the final year. Some information is included in this handbook and you will be given further details before you commence year three.

3.8 Gaining credit from the third year

3.8.1 Introduction. In October 1996, the University of Brighton adopted the principles of ECTS and courses which involve student exchanges are now being required to adopt them also.

3.8.2 General principles of ECTS to which we subscribe

Information We shall produce an information package, updated annually, in which we describe the courses available for ECTS accreditation. This information shall also include general information about the institution -- its location, student accommodation, administrative procedures necessary to register and academic calendar, together with descriptions covering the content, prerequisites, mode of assessment, time unit, type of course, teaching and learning methods employed and ECTS credits given, along with a description of the offering school. Details of examination and assessment procedures, the institution's grading scale and the structure of the curriculum of the degree will also be included. These information packages are circulated to partner institutions for students and professors to consult and use in planning study abroad programmes. Learning Agreement A learning agreement, which describes the programme of study abroad will be finalised by the individual student and institutions involved within 2 weeks of the student arriving at their destination. This must be agreed and signed by home and host institutions and the student.

ECTS credits

ECTS credits are a value allocated to course units to describe the student workload required to complete them. They reflect the quantity of work each course requires in relation to the total quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic study at the institution, that is, lectures, practical work, seminars, private work -- in the library or at home -- and examinations or other assessment activities. In ECTS, 60 credits represent a year of study (in terms of workload); normally 30 credits are given for six months (a semester) and 20 credits for a term (a trimester).

3.8 Career planning agreement A Career Planning Agreement (CPA) for your course has been developed. Having a CPA means that your Course Leader and careers counsellors have identified career-relevant work happening within your course and that your lecturers will make this content explicit to you during your time at Brighton. The Careers Centre is involved as part of the agreement and you can book an appointment for a careers interview. The purpose of the CPA is to help you assess your skills, think about and choose what you want to do on graduation, how to get there, and how to develop the career management skills needed for the rest of your life. The CPA covers four learning outcomes as follows: - competencies in self-management - competencies in communication - competencies in enterprise - competencies in research. Further details of your CPA are available on the School Area of studentcentral and a copy can be found in the appendices.

3.9 Academic prizes and scholarships There are a number of academic prizes available to students who graduate their final year with the best academic performance within a degree, or an individual module cohort. There are also a number of scholarships available to students who meet certain criteria. Please see www.brighton.ac.uk/scholarships for further information.

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/scholarships

4. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

4.1 Course management team, course board and examination board 4.2 Communications between staff and students 4.3 Where to turn for advice and guidance 4.4 Student representation and feedback 4.5 Annual academic health process ___________________________________________________________________ 4.1 Course management team, course board and examination board 4.1.1 Course management team Responsibility for the day-to-day running of your course lies with the course management team, comprising your course leader, your course administrator, the course’s personal and year tutors, and the members of staff teaching on the course. The key members of the course management team are: Responsibility Staff Room no Tel no

(01273...)

E-mail address

Course Leader Dr. Helen Berry M103 642295 [email protected]

Course

Administrator Suzanne Carver M160 642142 [email protected]

Year 1 Personal

Tutor(s)

Rachael Carden M137 642130 [email protected]

Luke Fletcher M159a 641392 [email protected]

Tracey Taylor M137 642923 [email protected]

Head of

Undergraduate

Programmes

Dr. Steve Hogan M106 642296 [email protected]

Country Managers

Australia & Work

Placements Sue Will M102 642141 [email protected]

Canada Dr. Steve Hogan M106 642296 [email protected]

France & Turkey Dr. Helen Berry M103 642295 [email protected]

Germany Wybe Popma M149 642179 [email protected]

Italy & USA Simon Collie M127 642590 [email protected]

Spain Rachael Carden M137 642130 [email protected]

Sweden & The

Netherlands Zouheir El-Sahli 642154 [email protected]

4.1.2 Course board Each course within the School has a course board. The responsibilities of course boards include: • ensuring the smooth operation of the course; • reviewing syllabus content, teaching methods, assessment and resources and

generally monitoring the course in operation;

mailto:[email protected]













• supervising the administration of the assessment procedures in accordance with the assessment regulations and the aims of the course;

• liaising with the Examination Board and advising when necessary; • maintaining effective feedback arrangements between the lecturers and the course

members; • planning and recommending policy with regard to the operation of the course; • exercising such other functions as may be requested by the School Board. The membership of undergraduate course boards is as follows: Course Leader Student Representative(s) Course Administrator(s) Personal/Year Tutors Module Leaders Information Adviser (or nominee) Assistant Head (Undergraduate) School Quality Director Each course board will normally meet two or three times a year to hear reports on the progress of each year of the relevant course. The board will discuss both students' and tutors’ reports and take action where appropriate. If an issue arises which is clearly beyond the scope of the course board and requires further consideration, then it will be referred to the School Board. Copies of the minutes of course boards will normally be published on the school area on studentcentral within three weeks of each board on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area. 4.1.3 Examination boards Each course within the School is allocated to an examination board, which considers each student’s overall performance and makes decisions on awards and progression. Details of the constitution and membership of examination boards are to be found in the University of Brighton General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR). The membership of examination boards vary between courses, but will include a Chair (normally the Head of School or Assistant Head - Undergraduate Programmes), the Director (or representative), the Course Leader, external examiners and a representative cross section of module tutors.

4.2 Communications between staff and students Effective communication between staff and students is very important, and the School facilitates this in a range of ways. 4.2.1 We contact you

Through the student notice boards

Through the plasma screen in the student lounge

Through studentcentral

By e-mail – using your University e-mail address (see 4.2.6 below)

By mobile phone The notice-boards and plasma screen are all in lounge area in Mithras House, close to the Undergraduate office in M160. Through them you will be told about changes in timetables, cancellations and re-locations, the membership of groups, notes about examinations and essays etc. Changes are frequent at the start of the academic year so please check them daily. It is your own responsibility to keep up with any announced changes.

For newly enrolled students please ensure that we have at least two passport size photographs of yourself which you may need for your student union card. If you change your personal details (address, name etc) you must notify the Undergraduate Office immediately in writing (by letter or e-mail) and change your personal details on-line on studentcentral. 4.2.2 You contact us

By knocking on the doors of academic and administrative staff

By slipping messages under our doors when we are not there

By calling us by phone

By e-mail. E-mail addresses of all staff are readily available.

Important messages and official documents can be handed in to the Undergraduate Office (M160)

4.2.3 Undergraduate office The Undergraduate Office is located in Room M160 and is staffed by Donna Clark and her team of course administrators. They have responsibility for all initial enquiries: for most queries you should see them first (what to do, where to go, requests for freely available handouts, information sheets, etc). Opening times during term time Mithras House: 07.00 – 21.00 (Monday- Thursday) 07.00 – 19.00 (Friday) Undergraduate Office: 08.30 – 16.00 (Monday to Friday) 4.2.4 How to locate an office or lecture room Most University room numbers are in two parts each of which convey information. For example, to find room M160, you need to go to Mithras House, then the first floor (the first digit is a “1”) and then look for room M160. Similarly the computer pools will have numbers such as MA201, signifying Mithras Annexe, on the second floor and W321, somewhere on the third floor of the Watts Building. Outside the School Office (M140) you will find on the wall a list of all the staff with their telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and office numbers. Next to the list is a display of all the staff photographs. 4.2.5 University telephone numbers The standard University telephone exchange number is 01273 600 900. To directly reach a member of staff, once you know their internal extension number you need to add 64 before the internal extension number. For example, the Undergraduate Assistant Head’s extension is 2296. To reach him from outside you would need to dial 01273 642296. Alternatively dial 01273 600 900 and ask for a particular member of staff. 4.2.6 Your email address Every member of the university has a central email address usually in the form [email protected]. This is the address that we will use to contact you and it is your responsibility to ensure that the Undergraduate Office is kept fully informed of any changes. You may already have your own e-mail account, for example, on Hotmail or Yahoo. If you prefer to continue to use only your private email account, then you MUST configure your


email accounts to redirect mail automatically from your Brighton Account - see section 7.4 below. 4.2.7 Proof of enrolment

If you need a letter confirming your enrolment on a University course (e.g. for the purposes of a career development loan from your bank) you must request this from the University Student Office (Registry), Mezzanine Floor, Cockcroft Building. Please note that your School staff are not permitted to produce these letters

4.3 Where to turn for advice and guidance Although every effort is made by staff to ensure that your course runs without problems we recognise that these do occasionally arise. The following notes provide guidance on the procedures to be followed in the event of problems arising during the course or with assessment. At each stage it is expected that the staff involved will try to find a solution to the difficulty. However, you should bear in mind that in some cases it is not within their power to solve them and, as such, it may need to be referred on to another body. It is permissible to miss out a stage in these procedures when a problem is urgent and the appropriate lecturer/tutor is unavailable, or where for other reasons it may be appropriate. 4.3.1 Administrative problems In the first instance, you should contact your course administrator about problems of an administrative nature. If the problem still remains unresolved then you should contact your personal tutor (or year tutor), or your course leader. 4.3.2 Personal problems In the first instance, you should contact your personal tutor (or year tutor). If the problem still remains unresolved then you should contact your course leader. 4.3.3 Academic problems (unrelated to coursework and examinations) Stage 1 Discuss with lecturer concerned Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed Stage 2 Discuss with personal tutor or year tutor Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed Stage 3 Bring to attention of course leader or deputy course leader Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed

Stage 4 Bring to attention of the Course Board through your year course representative Not Resolved Resolved No further action needed Stage 5 Bring to the attention of the Head of School or Assistant Head – Undergraduate. The Head of School or Assistant Head will take appropriate action directly or if necessary refer the problem on to the School Academic Board, Examination Board or other appropriate body. 4.3.4 Problems associated with completing coursework and/or sitting examinations

Problems completing coursework should follow the pattern below: Stage 1 Discuss with lecturer concerned Stage 2 If necessary complete an Assignment Extension

Form, getting the approval of your Course Leader (or Personal Tutor/Year Tutor if you are an UG Business student) and/ or Mitigating Circumstances Form and notify your personal tutor and/or year tutor in writing of the nature of the problem and its potential effect

Stage 3 Lodge copies of the document outlined in Stage 2 with the Undergraduate Office marked for the attention of the lecturer concerned and the Chair of the Examination Board. Please make sure that you obtain a receipt from the Office staff when submitting these forms For problems relating to sitting examinations the normal pattern should be as follows: Stage 1 Bring the problem to the attention of the invigilator Stage 2 Bring the problem to the attention of your personal tutor or course leader. This should be in writing with, wherever possible, an assessment of the effect the problem had on performance

Stage 3 Lodge a copy of a mitigating circumstances form with the Undergraduate Office marked for the attention of the Chair of the Examination Board. Again, please make sure that you obtain a receipt from the Office staff when submitting this form For further information about obtaining coursework extensions see 5.9 (below), and for further information about submitting a mitigating circumstances form see 5.14 (below) below.

4.4 Student representation and feedback

4.4.1 Student representation Each year student representatives are elected for each course, and they are an important formal channel of communication between students and staff. The names and contact details of student representatives are published on studentcentral from early November each year. All students are urged to consider standing for election as a student representative. It can be a very rewarding role, is an excellent personal development opportunity, and looks great on your CV. All newly elected student representatives are offered training for the role by the School, in conjunction with the University of Brighton Students Union, and support is available during the year as required. For further information about standing as a student representative, please contact your Course Leader. In both the autumn and the spring term we also need the help of students at open day events for prospective students, providing tours of the campus and sometimes giving presentations. If you want to find out more about these roles, again talk to your Course Leader. 4.4.2 Student feedback The School recognises the importance of formally obtaining and responding to the views of students in a systematic, consistent and transparent manner, taking action where necessary, and “closing the loop” by giving students feedback on resultant action, and the outcomes of student participation in decision making. Feedback is formally obtained from students via annual course feedback forms, the student representative system (see 4.4.1 above), and operation of the School’s policy for resolving academic problems (see 4.3. above)). Formal mechanisms for obtaining student feedback are inevitably, and often usefully, supplemented by informal channels and contacts with students. For example, the Student Liaison Committee comprising student representatives and chaired by the School Quality Director meets two/three times a year in order to provide a forum for students to comment on issues that may arise at both course and School level. The School also analyses the feedback from the annual National Student Survey (see www.thenationalsurvey.com) and all final year students are strongly urged to participate in this and give their views. Feedback from students is formally considered and responded to, at course boards and at the School Board, and as part of the annual academic health process (see 4.5 below). Copies of the minutes of course boards and the Student Liaison Committee meetings will normally be published on the school area on studentcentral within three weeks of each board.

http://www.thenationalsurvey.com/

4.5 Annual academic health process The basic building block of the University’s quality assurance system is the Annual Academic Health process, which ensures that all courses and their constituent modules are reviewed annually, drawing upon a range of data as appropriate. Reports are produced from module through to course level, and are synthesized into school reports which consider the range of courses within their portfolio. Schools’ reports are considered at faculty and university level. External examiner reports and student feedback are a vital part of this process. Within Brighton Business School, all course academic health reports are considered and approved at the School’s Annual Academic Health Afternoon in October, to which student representatives are invited to attend and participate. Copies of all approved academic health reports and the School Academic Health Report will normally be published on the school area by mid-November.

5. ABOUT YOUR COURSE - ASSESSMENT

5.1 Nature of assessment 5.2 Coursework marking guidelines 5.3 Coursework presentation 5.4 Referencing your work 5.5 Coursework word limit and word ranges 5.6 In-class assessments 5.7 Coursework submission 5.8 Late coursework 5.9 Coursework extensions 5.10 Return of coursework 5.11 Examination timetables 5.12 Examination past papers 5.13 Examination results 5.14 Mitigating circumstances 5.15 Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in examinations 5.16 Appealing the decision of an examination board _________________________________________________________________ 5.1 Nature of assessment

You will be assessed in each of the modules that you study, which is designed to enable you to demonstrate that you have achieved the learning outcomes for the module. The nature of assessment will vary from module to module, and may comprise one or more components. The two principal forms of assessment are examinations and coursework. Examinations may be open book, or closed book (i.e. you may or may not be permitted to take notes and/or materials into the examination with you), seen or unseen (i.e. you may or may not be given advance notice of the examination paper). Some examinations may be multiple choice. Coursework may take many different forms e.g. an essay, a report, a dissertation, a reflective statement. Sometimes you will be assessed on your seminar contributions, or be required to give a presentation. Sometimes you will be required to produce groupwork. The learning outcomes and assessment regime for every module may be found in the relevant module descriptors. Copies of all module descriptors are accessible, by module code, via the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on studentcentral. Your coursework assessment tasks will be distributed to you by your module tutors, usually at the commencement of the academic year, along with details of the submission date(s).

5.2 Coursework grading criteria The following grading criteria, based on the University’s undergraduate marking/ grading descriptors, indicate the marks and classifications to be awarded for various standards of written work. Your work will be marked in percentages, with the exception of those few modules that just need Pass/fail As each subject has its own emphases and as assignments may vary in their approach (e.g. essays, reports, projects etc.) so descriptions offered here are inevitably generalised and will need to be interpreted and adapted to the specifics of each assignment. Sometimes you will be issued with supplementary grading criteria which are specific to the particular task you have been set.

FIRST (1) Outstanding (80-100%) An outstanding response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been achieved to an exceptionally high level. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline:

Exceptional display of understanding, exploration, insight and/or research

All specifications for the assessment task, including word limit/time limit where appropriate,

have been strictly adhered to

The organisation, structure and standard of presentation of the work, including referencing

where appropriate, are exemplary throughout

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in an original way

Inspirational, innovative and authoritative - evidence of intellectual rigour, independence of

judgement and insightful contextualisation including relevant

theory/literature/artefacts/performance

Evidence of very high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

Consistently displays very high levels of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making

and achievement

Excellent (70%-79%) An excellent response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been achieved to a high standard and many at an exceptionally high level. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline:

In-depth understanding, exploration, insight and/or research

All specifications for the assessment task, including word limit/time limit where appropriate,

have been adhered to

The organisation, structure and standard of presentation of the work, including referencing

where appropriate, are excellent throughout.

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in an original way

Insightful contextualisation, including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/performance

Evidence of high to very high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

Demonstrates high levels of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and

achievement

UPPER SECOND (2.1) Good/Very good (60-69%) A good to very good response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been met fully at a good or very good standard. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline:

Good to very good understanding and exploration, some insight and/or thorough research

No significant inaccuracies, misunderstandings or errors

The specifications for the assessment task, including word limit/time limit where appropriate,

have been adhered to

The work is well organised, coherent and the standard of presentation, including referencing

where appropriate, is at least good

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a comprehensive and

appropriate way

Appropriate contextualisation, including relevant theory/literature/artefacts/performance

Evidence of high quality analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

Demonstrates good levels of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and

achievement

LOWER SECOND (2.2) Sound/competent (50-59%) A sound, competent response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been met and some may have been achieved at a good standard. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline:

Sound understanding and exploration, some insight and/or appropriate research

No significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings

No significant aberrations from the specifications for the assessment task, including word

limit/time limit where appropriate

The work is suitably organised1 and the standard of presentation, including referencing where

appropriate, is at least sound

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a standard way

Sound analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

THIRD (3) Adequate but weak (40-49%) An adequate, but weak response to the task: all learning outcomes/assessment criteria have just been met. The work demonstrates most or all of the following characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline:

Adequate understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with little insight and/or minimal

research

Some minor inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings

Some minor aberrations from the specifications for the assessment task, including word

limit/time limit where appropriate

The work is largely descriptive2, some parts of the work are disorganised and the standard of

presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is barely adequate

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a basic and/or poor way

Some, but limited, evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

1 Clearly presented but with little development

2 Although generally coherent there is some lack of clarity of thought or expression. Poor quality in at least one area

FAIL Marginal fail (35-39%) An unsatisfactory response to the task. One or more of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria just fail to reach the minimum standard to pass the module. The work may display some strengths but these are marginally outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline, such as:

Limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with very little insight and/or minimal

research

Some significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings

Insufficient attention paid to some of the assessment criteria and some significant aberrations

from the specifications for the assessment task3

The work is too descriptive, parts of the work are disorganised and unclear and the standard

of presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is poor

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a poor way

Insufficient evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

Little evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement

NOTE: Where the assessment for a module comprises a number of tasks (e.g. a piece of coursework and an examination), and a student receives a mark between 35% and 39% for one of the tasks, they may still pass the module, providing that they pass the other task, and achieve an overall average mark of at least 40%. Weak fail (30-34%) An unsatisfactory response to the task. One or more of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria clearly fail to reach the minimum standard to pass the module. The work may display some strengths but these are outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline, such as:

Limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with very little insight and/or minimal

research

Some significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings

Insufficient attention paid to some of the assessment criteria and some significant aberrations


The work is too descriptive, parts of the work are disorganised and unclear and the standard

of presentation, including referencing where appropriate, is poor

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed in a poor way

Insufficient evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

Little evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement

NOTE: Where the assessment for a module comprises a number of tasks (e.g. a piece of coursework and an examination), and a student receives a mark below 35% for one of the tasks, they will not pass the module, regardless of how well they perform in the other tasks.

3 Such as not keeping to the word limit/time limit and/or minor elements of the work missing 4 Such as not keeping to the word limit/time limit and/or minor elements of the work missing

Unsatisfactory (10-29%) An unsatisfactory response to the task. Most of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria have not been met. Any strengths of the work are heavily outweighed by many weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline, such as:

Very limited understanding and/or exploration of major ideas with little or no insight and/or

minimal research

Several significant inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings

Insufficient attention paid to several of the assessment criteria and some serious deviations


The work is mainly descriptive and the standard of presentation including referencing where

appropriate is very poor

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed inadequately

Little evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

Little to no evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement

Unsatisfactory (0-9%) An unsatisfactory response to the task. Almost none of the learning outcomes/assessment criteria have been met. The work fails to meet the requirements in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline, exemplified by most or all of the following:

Almost no understanding and/or exploration of ideas

Many serious inaccuracies and/or misunderstandings

No attention paid to all or most of the assessment criteria and/or to the specifications for the

assessment task6

Very poor standard of presentation including referencing where appropriate

The work has been approached and/or executed/performed inadequately

No evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and critical appraisal

No evidence of initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making and achievement 5.3 Coursework presentation

These guidelines are based on our requirements for placement projects and dissertations, but should be valid for most written work produced during your course. Please note, however, that special conventions apply to the presentation and referencing of legal scholarship. Therefore, if you are submitting a piece of law coursework please refer to the detailed guidance in the Studying Law at Brighton Business School Handbook. An electronic copy of the Handbook is available on the School area of studentcentral. The report should be of A4 paper size with one-and-a-half spacing between the lines, single or double sided. Appendices may be single-spaced. Each page in the main report should be numbered with page numbers at the foot of the page. There should be a margin of at least 1.5 inches (4 cm) on the left side of the page, both for

5 Such as not keeping to the word limit/time limit and/or major elements of the work missing 6 As footnote 5

the text and for any diagrams. Top, right and bottom margins should be at least 1.25 inches (3 cm). The right margin should be unjustified (i.e. left 'ragged') to aid readability. The main text should be in a single 12-point font, e.g. Times New Roman or similar. An alternative font such as Arial in a smaller point size may be more appropriate in diagrams and tables. Use bolding for emphasis within the text and for section headings. Any material copied directly from another author must be enclosed in quotation marks, followed immediately by a reference to the source. Individual quotations should not normally exceed one paragraph, and quotations should not exceed 5% of the length of the report. Colour printing may be used for charts, screen-shots etc. Clarity is more important than fancy graphics. Avoid clip-art except where required for drawing diagrams. You are responsible for the accuracy of the finished work so after it has been completed you should use the spell-checker to catch any typographical and spelling errors. You should also proof read it yourself (or have it read by someone else), as the spell-checker is not likely to catch every error.

5.4 Referencing your work It is important in academic writing to reference all the important ideas and facts in your work. It is also the best way to avoid any risk of plagiarism (see 5.16 below). You should do this:

When you quote directly using others’ words in quotation marks

When you paraphrase the arguments or theories of others in your own words

When you use evidence from the work of others to support your own arguments

When you rework published data or use it as the basis of your own calculations. To ensure that you reference properly, you should carefully read and follow the guidance contained within the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook, which is based on the Harvard referencing system. All first year undergraduate students will be provided with a paper copy of the Handbook as part of their academic skills module. An electronic copy of the handbook is also available on the School Area and all Course Areas on studentcentral. Please note, however, that special conventions apply to the presentation and referencing of legal scholarship. Therefore, if you are submitting a piece of law coursework please refer to the detailed guidance in the Studying Law at Brighton Business School Handbook. An electronic copy of the Handbook is available on the School area of studentcentral. Therefore, no student has any excuse for not referencing properly, and poor referencing may have a negative impact on the mark that you receive for your work. Non-referencing will constitute plagiarism, which is considered a very serious form of academic misconduct (see 5.15 below).

5.5 Coursework word limits and word ranges Every piece of coursework you are set will either have a word limit or a word range, which you should make sure you observe. Normally, if your coursework has a word limit e.g. 2,000 words, then the marker will stop reading the work once you have exceed the word limit by 10%. If you write less than the word limit you risk not maximising your potential mark. If your coursework has a word range e.g. 1,500-2,000 words, then the marker will stop reading the work once you have exceeded the upper figure. If you write less than the lower word limit you risk not maximising your potential mark. For the purpose of calculating the word count, footnotes are included (apart from law coursework where they are excluded), whereas contents pages, executive summaries, tables, appendices and reference lists/bibliographies are not usually included. If in doubt, check with one of your module lecturers. You are required to declare a word count for every piece of work you submit.

5.6 In-class assessments In-class assessments may be used on certain modules as the assessed coursework component (or part of the assessed coursework component). In-class assessments may take the form of pieces of work, or the grading of performance/contribution to seminars. Where students are to be graded in every seminar, and the marks averaged over the number of seminars possible, any absence will therefore be penalised. However, where the absence is due to a good reason (i.e. a reason which would be sufficient for the purpose of granting an extension or mitigating circumstances (see 5.9 and 5.14 below)), the number of possible seminars will be reduced to avoid penalties. Where in-class assessments are used on the basis of marks awarded for the best X out of Y pieces of work or best X out of Y seminar contributions (for example, the best 3 out of 4 or the best 5 out of 6), if a student fails to do the minimum i.e. X, the final mark will normally be based upon the assessments that have actually been completed.

5.7 Coursework submission Your lecturer will specify the date and time by which your assessed coursework has to be submitted. You must keep to this deadline unless you have been granted an extension by the Course Leader (or Personal Tutor/Year Tutor if you are an UG Business student) (see later sections). If you are likely to face difficulties submitting at the specified time, then submit your work in advance. All coursework must be submitted digitally via studentcentral. For word documents you are required to submit a digital copy of your assignment using Turnitin on studentcentral. For documents using Excel, submission of the digital copy is via Blackboard on studentcentral. We only accept coursework for marking on submission of the digital version and reserve the right to scan versions for plagiarised material. 5.7.1 Submission of digital copy Each module has its own area on studentcentral and, if the module involves coursework, you will find a link in the menu called “Assessment” through which you should submit your work. Details on how to submit the digital copy on studentcentral can be found on http://ask.brighton.ac.uk/portal/public/?querytext=assignments&tabid=2&searchradio=searchall&searchsubmitted=true

http://ask.brighton.ac.uk/portal/public/?querytext=assignments&tabid=2&searchradio=searchall&searchsubmitted=true

http://ask.brighton.ac.uk/portal/public/?querytext=assignments&tabid=2&searchradio=searchall&searchsubmitted=true

5.8 Late coursework Submission deadlines are sacrosanct. Students must submit all work for assessment in the manner and by the date previously notified to them unless an extension to deadline has been granted (see 5.9 below). Assessed work submitted after the published submission deadline will be considered late submission and will be subject to a standard penalty. Students submitting work within two weeks after the submission deadline (this includes a new submission deadline following an agreed extension to deadline) or the last working day immediately prior to the feedback date where this is shorter than two weeks can be provided with feedback. Beyond this date assessed work will not be accepted and a mark of zero will be awarded for non-submission. The penalty for submitting late work is that the work will be capped at the pass mark i.e. 40% or the actual mark where it is a fail. There is no entitlement to submit late for the submission of referred work. Individual members of staff cannot waive these penalties as it is University policy.

5.9 Coursework extensions In exceptional circumstances students may apply for an extension to the submission date. An extension is granted in order that an assignment can be submitted as if on time i.e. the deadline for students with extensions is effectively put back to a later date.

5.9.1 Grounds

It is not possible to give a full list of reasons for which extensions may be granted. The typical case is where you have been ill during the time when an assignment was due to be written. However, any unforeseen circumstances which disrupt your study may represent an appropriate reason. If the standard of your work has been affected by the circumstances which caused you to apply for an extension, you should also submit mitigating circumstances at the end of the semester (see 5.14 below) and explain, in your supporting documentation, both the nature of the circumstances and the reason that the extension was not sufficient for you to produce your best work. In considering whether or not an extension to a deadline should be granted, the designated signatory will be mindful of the following points:

When applying for an extension you are normally required to submit documentary evidence of the reason for the application.

The nature of coursework is such that minor illnesses during the time when you would be expected to be working on the assignment will not constitute good grounds for granting an extension, even if these occur within the final few days before the deadline. Serious illness or injury, where supported by documentary evidence, will normally be appropriate reason for an extension to be approved.

Computer failure, or the loss of data from a computer disk, will not normally be deemed a satisfactory reason for late submission.

Paid employment commitments do not constitute grounds for an extension, or mitigating circumstances, for full-time students. Part-time students who are in full-time employment are expected to prioritise University deadlines. Exceptionally, such as where work commitments change at short notice through circumstances beyond your control, an application will be appropriate. In such cases , and especially where the course is undertaken as professional development, it is anticipated that the

designated signatory will consider applications sympathetically where they are supported by evidence in the form of, for example, a letter from your line manager.

In considering an application for an extension, the designated signatory will have regard to the other students on the programme who have not requested an extension, and will ensure that these students would not be unfairly disadvantaged by the granting of the extension.

5.9.2 Procedure

Students should complete an Application for Extension to Deadline Form, obtainable from the Undergraduate Office, attaching any medical certificate or other written evidence, and return it to the Course Administrator. Students must normally apply as soon as possible but no later than two days before the submission date. All such applications will be dealt with by the Personal Tutor/Year Tutor/Course Leader who will reply in writing, setting a new submission date where appropriate.

5.10 Feedback on coursework Your module tutors will indicate when you should receive feedback on your coursework, which will normally be available within 20 working days if the work has been submitted on time. However, where work is due for submission during or after the first week of the Summer term, the marks will not be made available to students until after the relevant examination board has met to agree the results. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances (such as staff illness), there can be delays in publishing provisional marks and where that happens your module tutor will let you know and provide you with a revised date. However, please note that all coursework marks provided prior to the relevant examination board are provisional, and are subject to approval of the examination board. Normally examination scripts are not returned to students.

5.11 Examination timetables 5.11.1 Main examinations

Examination timetables will be published at least three weeks in advance of the relevant examination period on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area of studentcentral. It is your responsibility to obtain the details of your examinations, and make sure that you attend at the right location, on the correct day and at the correct time. If you arrive late for an examination, you will not necessarily be given extra time, and if you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the examination you will not be permitted to enter the examination room. If you are unable to attend an examination you should submit a Mitigating Circumstances Form (see 5.14 below). 5.11.2 Resit examinations

Where a student is required to take a resit examination, it is the responsibility of the student to ascertain the date of the examination and make themself available on that date. Note: failure to attend a resit examination on the specified date may preclude a student from proceeding with their course the next academic year.

5.12 Examination past papers Copies of the past two years examination papers for all modules are available on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on studentcentral. Where a new module is offered, your lecturers will advise you of the format of the exam and an indication of the type/style of question you may be asked.

5.13 Examination results A pass list will be published on studentcentral as soon as possible after the Examination Board and a letter will be sent to you detailing your results within two weeks of the Board. Due to current data protection legislation, examination pass lists identify students by their University student number rather than their name. Therefore if you attend the University to consult the pass lists it is important to bring along your student number. Administrative staff will be very busy at this time preparing results letters and will not be able to look up student numbers. Please do not ask the tutors, course leader or course administrator for your results. They are under a lot of pressure to get the results out to you as speedily and as accurately as possible and any such requests just slow them down. Under no circumstances will results be given by telephone or e-mail.

5.14 Mitigating circumstances Where you consider that your performance in an assessment has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control and you wish the Examination Board to take this into account you should complete a Mitigating Circumstances form. If you are unable to attend an examination you should also submit a Mitigating Circumstances form. Full details on mitigating circumstances can be found in GEAR. However, the following should be noted: 5.14.1 Grounds

In considering claims for mitigating circumstances, your Course Examination Board (or other appropriate body) will consider:

the severity of the mitigating circumstances, and the reasonableness of a claim that such circumstances might have affected performance;

the documentary evidence;

the time period affected, and the likelihood that performance may have been affected;

whether it is reasonable to suppose that the circumstances should have been foreseen by the student, or were avoidable.

The following are indicative of the kinds of circumstances which will normally be considered valid, where the evidence and timing are available to support the claim:

personal illness;

illness of a family member;

death of a family member or close friend;

personal/psychological problems.

The following are indicative of the kinds of circumstances which will NOT normally be considered valid, even when they can be supported by independent documentary evidence:

paid employment;

other University deadlines;

car breakdown;

lateness of lift to the University;

missing a bus or train;

oversleeping;

misunderstanding timetable, or not knowing about times;

computer problems (including corrupted disks or printing problems);

job interview;

any ongoing situation known to the student;

other circumstances which it is reasonable to suppose might have been foreseen. Note: Your mitigating circumstances are unlikely to be considered unless some documentary evidence is provided. Your personal tutor, year tutor or course leader may be able to advise you of the sort of evidence required, if it is not obvious (Also see 5.15.2 below). 5.14.2 Procedure If you believe that your mitigating circumstances should be considered you must complete and submit a Mitigating Circumstances form, via the Undergraduate Office, to the Chair of the Course Examination Board explaining: (i) Which assessments were affected (ii) How the circumstances affected your performance. You need to ask the Undergraduate Office staff if you do not know who the Chair of the Course Examination Board is. The form and any supporting letter must be accompanied by third party documentary evidence, e.g. medical certificates. Self Certification of Illness notes will NOT be accepted- you must produce a doctor’s certificate. The form and any supporting letter together with supporting evidence must be handed into the Course Administrator as soon as possible and certainly no later than 5 working days after the assignment/ examination to which they relate. Students should try and consult their Personal Tutor before submitting their forms and supporting evidence so that the Personal Tutor can speak on their behalf when mitigating circumstances are considered. Any Mitigating Circumstances not submitted in this way will not normally be considered by a Course Examination Board. See also the section on appealing against an Examination Board decision where it warns that late submission of mitigating circumstances is not normally allowable.

5.15 Plagiarism, collusion and cheating in assessment If you attempt to gain a grade by fraudulent means you can be severely punished by the Course Examination Board – see GEAR. 5.15.1 Plagiarism Plagiarism is essentially presenting (directly or indirectly) another person's thoughts, writing, etc. as your own. Quoting directly without quotation marks and attribution is plagiarism.

Copying material from a textbook, lecture material, article, digital file or another student, even if you paraphrase, may be considered plagiarism. It is your responsibility to be fully aware what constitutes plagiarism and what does not. As a starting point, you should read the University’s Plagiarism Awareness Pack – you will be provided a paper copy of this pack when you start your course, and electronic copies are available on the “MY School: Brighton Business School” area and all Course Areas on studentcentral. Also, a short Powerpoint presentation showing the sort of copying our plagiarism software can detect can be found on the School Area and all Course Areas studentcentral. By properly referencing all your work, you can avoid a plagiarism allegation, so you should also be fully conversant with the Brighton Business School Referencing Handbook. Plagiarism is an issue facing all universities across the world and strikes at the heart of academic standards. Be warned we shall be sampling this work with highly effective software designed to detect copying. 5.15.2 Collusion Collusion is defined as one or more people working together for the purposes of perpetrating a fraud. In academic terms this generally means attempting to pass of a piece of work done by a fellow student or group of students as an individual’s own work. As it is only in exceptional circumstances that this could happen inadvertently the presumption is that all parties were involved in the decision to share work and to try pass that work of as the work of an individual rather than that of a fellow student or group. Therefore it is important to make sure that if the assignment is an individual piece of work it is your own work and not that of a group. Presenting a piece of work as yours when it is, in fact, the work of a fellow student or group is collusion and is a form of fraud. The Business School treats collusion as seriously as plagiarism and, even if you are the originator of the work, in order to avoid suffering a similar penalty to fellow students who ‘copied’ your work you will have to provide a coherent explanation to the panel of why you gave them sight of your work. As the panel will be operating on the presumption that this is unlikely to happen inadvertently you should be very wary of lending your notes, computer disks or assignments to other people, as you will find it difficult to prove that you were not directly involved in an attempt to collude 5.15.3 Cheating Cheating in examinations by whatever means, including copying from unauthorised material or from another student’s script, consulting information or individuals while absent from the examination room, or attempting to gain a higher grade by fraudulent means, is also strictly forbidden. Recently a small number of students were caught bringing into the examination hall illegal material that could have been of benefit to them when answering questions. In all cases the students were heavily penalised. The default for most modules is that you are not allowed to take any material into the examination room apart from pens, pencils and possibly non programmable calculators- and , of course, yourself!. If you are allowed to take material into the examination room please make absolutely certain that you have checked with your lecturer exactly what you are and are not allowed to take in long before the date of your examination. As each module is likely to have different forms of assessment you will need to check with the Lecturer for each module. Ignorance of the rules is not a defence that we will listen to.

5.15.4 Penalties Penalties for plagiarism and collusion include being marked as zero for the assignment, zero for the module or even harsher penalties. A similar penalty is applied for cheating in examinations. Repeat offences carry stiffer penalties.

5.16 Appealing the decision of an examination board Examination Boards are conducted under the University of Brighton’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR), a copy of which is available on the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on studentcentral. Following notification of results, students may wish to meet with their Course leader or Personal Tutor in order to discuss any concerns before the student decides whether or not to submit a Stage 1 Formal Appeal. Where a student wishes to request a review of an examination board decision, s/he should give notice in writing by completing in full the Stage 1 Formal Appeal form which should be sent together with supporting evidence to the Appeals and Complaints Office (ACO) via post or electronically ([email protected]) within 21 calendar days from the publication of results on studentcentral or the date of notification whichever is earlier. The form is available on studentcentral, on the University’s website, from School offices and the Students’ Union. Appeals not on the prescribed form will be rejected. Grounds for appeal A request for a review of an Examination Board decision may only be made on one or more of the following grounds:

1. That a procedural irregularity in the assessment process led to a decision detrimental to the student. Procedural irregularity refers to circumstances where the University’s procedures or regulations have not been followed or where other errors may have been made by the University in considering the assessment.

2. That the student had mitigating circumstances (as defined in GEAR) which the Examination Board could not be made aware of because the student had been unable for valid reasons to divulge them before the Examination Board reached its decision.

3. That there was an arithmetical error in the student’s marks.

These are the ONLY grounds for appeal. There is no right of appeal against decisions of an Examination Board which are matters of academic judgement. Similarly a student may not lodge an appeal on the grounds of dissatisfaction with the design, curriculum or delivery (teaching, departmental support, etc.) of a course. Note in particular that marks awarded are matters of academic judgement, i.e. you cannot ask for an examination script to be re-marked.


6. YOUR COURSE-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

6.1 Undergraduate modular programme 6.2 Minimum pass mark 6.3 What happens if I fail a Level 4 or Level 5 module? 6.4 More on referrals 6.5 What happens if I then fail a referral? 6.6 Deferrals 6.7 What happens if I fail a Level 6 module? 6.8 Calculation of the final mark for the degree classification 6.9 Awarding honours 6.10 Border zone decisions ________________________________________________________________________

6.1 Undergraduate modular programme Your course forms part of the Brighton Business School’s Undergraduate Modular Programme. The general rules governing the assessment of the programme are to be found in the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR) (a copy of which can be found via the “My School: Brighton Business School” area on studentcentral). The regulations are necessarily detailed and complicated. For the sake of simplicity we have extracted some of the most relevant details from the regulations and attempt to explain them in an easy to understand manner.

6.2 Minimum pass mark The minimum pass mark for a module is 40%. Where there is a combination of coursework and examination assessment for a module the rule is that for:

Level 4 and Level 5: The pass mark for each category of assessment modules (coursework and examination) and the module as whole is 40%. However, a stronger performance in one category of assessment may be allowed to compensate for a weaker performance in the other category providing there is a weighted aggregate mark of 40%

for the module as a whole and a minimum of 30% in each element of assessment. Any component below 30% will normally receive a Refer. Examples of how this applies to individual students follow: Module Result with weighting Course work (CW) 20% and Examination (EX) 80% contributing to an Overall Mark(OM) CW EX OM Result Student A: 50 38 40 Pass Student B: 32 38 37 Refer CW & EX Student C: 28 50 46 Refer CW The pass mark is 40% BUT marginal fails in one category of assessment can be compensated IF AND ONLY IF the mark in the other category of assessment is good enough so that the weighted aggregate for the module is 40% or above.

Level 6 modules: A pass is achieved where there is a weighted aggregate mark of 40%. There are no threshold values operating at Level 6.

6.3 What happens if I fail a Level 4 or Level 5 module?

If you do not achieve a minimum pass mark for a module the Examination Board will normally decide to REFER you in that module. A REFERRAL is classed as a provisional failure, which can be overturned as a result of you providing additional satisfactory evidence of achievement of the objectives of the module. To present evidence you will be re-assessed and asked to undertake additional assessment(s). The type of assessment will be specified by the Examination Board and must normally be completed before the start of the next academic year. As a general rule any referred coursework has to be received by the end of August whilst referred examinations almost always take place during the late August and early September. You should always check dates with the undergraduate office and on studentcentral before arranging other commitments because if you do not submit outstanding referred coursework or attend a referred exam at the required time you will automatically fail the module and may not be able to progress to the next year of the course. A referral is only awarded to students who at the first attempt have demonstrated that they could achieve a pass by undertaking additional assessment. A referral is not an automatic right and the Examination Board will not normally sanction referrals in more than the equivalent of three double modules (60 CATS points) in any one academic year. Students with more than three referrals or failures will normally be required to leave the course. The pass mark for any referred module is normally set at 40%. In the case of referred modules which have separate coursework and examination assessment components, referred work will usually be set for the component(s) with any mark below 40%. Both elements of the referred assessment must be passed in order to be credited with the module. Should you pass the referral a maximum mark of 40% for the module will be credited to you. If you do not pass the referral, you fail the module and may be allowed to repeat the module, normally with attendance in the following year. Normally, repeating a module means attending all the classes/seminars/ workshops and undertaking the referred assessment component(s), as determined by the Examination Board, for that module the following year (see 6.5 below). Note: where a student is required to repeat a module or modules with attendance, this may preclude them from progressing to the next year of their course.

6.4 More on Referrals

The University of Brighton’s General Examination & Assessment Regulations state that permission to undertake a referral is at the discretion of the Examination Board, except in the following circumstances when a referral is not permitted:

1. A student initially failing a module as a result of not attempting any or some of the assessment tasks (unless there are mitigating circumstances when the student would be deferred and then be required to make good the assessment tasks at a later date)

2. A student failing to satisfy the learning contract associated with a module.

So if you do not submit a coursework assessment task or fail to attend an examination and do not have acceptable mitigating circumstances which would allow an extension to a set deadline, or to a deferment to some future occasion, then you will fail the module, not be allowed an opportunity to be referred, and may be required to repeat the module again with attendance the following year.

6.5 What happens if I then fail a Referral? A student who fails a referral may be given the opportunity to repeat their failed modules in full once only with attendance i.e. attending all the classes/seminars/workshops. The opportunity to repeat a module is not a right and will be at the discretion of the Examination Board. Where a module is repeated, the Examination Board may permit a student to carry forward any passed marks for assessment components within the module. The carrying forward of passed marks is at the discretion of the Examination Board and is normally only permissible where there is no change in the assessment method. Decisions in relation to the repeat performance will not be as if the module were being assessed for the first time. Any module that is passed after having been repeated will only be credited with a mark of 40%. The normal expectation is that students have to pass all modules at a particular level before being allowed to progress to the next level.

A maximum of up to three attempts may be allowed on a piece of assessment.

6.6 Deferrals

It unfortunately happens sometimes that a student has serious mitigating circumstances whilst undertaking assessment in one or more modules that prevents them from passing those modules. In such circumstances, where there is verifiable evidence that this is so and the student has submitted a properly completed Mitigating Circumstances form in advance of the meeting of the Course Examination Board meeting, the Course Examination Board may allow a student to be DEFERRED in the affected modules. This is not an automatic right and it is up to the discretion of the Course Examination Board to allow this. Where the Course Examination Board has agreed a deferral the student must assume that they will be asked to submit themselves for assessment at the next available opportunity offered by the Course Examination Board. It is hoped that such a student will then pass all of their outstanding modules. Where this does not happen and a referral or deferral (if mitigating circumstances are ongoing) has to be satisfied, the Course Examination Board may allow a student to take the assessment at

the next available sitting. For examinations, that would mean at the end of the first semester if an examination paper would normally be sat at that time, or at the end of the year if that is the first opportunity that the examination may be sat. If the nature of the outstanding referral is coursework, then it would again depend on when this was being set. Students normally have to pass all modules at levels 4 and 5 before being allowed to progress to the next level.

6.7 What happens if I fail a Level 6 module? There are normally no referrals at Level 6. If a module mark is less than 40% it will be recorded as a failure. The effect of failure may, at the discretion of the Course Examination Board, be as follows: -

One failure (up to 20 credits) may be compensated and allowed;

Two or more failures may result in the award of an ordinary degree. The Course Examination Board will consider each individual case and may take into account the type of module and the severity of failure in the module in exercising its discretion. Students are normally recommended to undertake no more than two research based final year options, including the dissertation and/or project. Those students opting to do a compulsory research-based module instead of the compulsory dissertation or research module, in the event that they decide to undertake two research based modules, must decide at the very beginning of their final year studies which of the modules is to be substituted for the dissertation. Failure by a student to inform the Undergraduate Office of their selection at the due time will result in the office staff informing the student which of the modules will be treated as the substitute compulsory module.

6.8 Calculation of the final mark for the degree classification

The final mark to determine your degree classification will normally be calculated from the weighted average of the Level 6 and Level 5 modules with 75% weighting given to the Level 6 modules and 25% to the Level 5 modules. Thus, if A = The weighted average of the marks for ALL Level 6 modules B = The weighted average of the marks for ALL Level 5 modules Final Mark = (0.75 x A) + (0.25 x B) Each module will be weighted according to its CATS points for the purposes of the above calculations.

6.9 Awarding honours

Once the final mark has been calculated according to the formula shown above the Course Examination Board will use the following as guidelines when determining individual degree classifications: Classification of Award Final Mark First Class Honours 70 to 100 Second Class Honours (Division I) 60 to 69 Second Class Honours (Division II) 50 to 59 Third Class Honours 40 to 49 If the Course Examination Board is unable to recommend the award of a classified degree, it may decide to recommend the award of an Ordinary degree (i.e. non-honours degree) providing the University’s General Examination & Assessment Regulations (GEAR) are satisfied for such an award.

6.10 Border zone decisions In cases where the final mark is within 2% of a classification borderline students may be considered for the higher class of award. In such cases, using the criteria laid down in GEAR, the Course Examination Board will consider the student’s overall profile. Normally students will have to have at least half their marks from levels 5 and 6 in the higher class and performance in compulsory modules may also be taken into account. When we use the 2% rule, we will therefore count how many marks are in the next class at Level 5 and at Level 6 and expect to see a majority in each if somebody is to be upgraded to the next classification. A number of people in the past have put in stronger performances in their final year but have been let down by a much weaker performance in their second year. For example, for a final classification mark of 58.9% with: Level 5 marks: Number of modules at 2:1 or above (1 out of 6) Level 6: Number of modules at 2:1 or above (4 out of 6) Level 5 + Level 6: Number of modules at 2:1 or above (5 out of 12) - not a MAJORITY In this example, the student’s classification would be likely to remain as a 2:2 as a majority of marks in the 2:1 category has not been achieved.

The message is clear - that second year counts so don’t wait until the final year to perform strongly! It should therefore not be assumed that borderline cases are automatically upgraded and usually only a small number of students gain the upgrade. The decision rests with the Course Examination Board who will, when considering results, exercise its academic judgement in determining the degree classification. Mitigating circumstances deemed to have had a major impact on performance may also be taken into account when considering results around the borderline zones as may the proximity of the final mark to the border and significant improvement in performance in the final year.

7. LIBRARY, COMPUTING AND MEDIA SERVICES 7.1 The library service 7.2 Library services to part-time students 7.3 The Online Library 7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb 7.5 Media Centres 7.6 Studentcentral 7.7 ASK Study Guide 7.8 Useful web addresses _________________________________________________________________ The Information Services department provides library, computing and media services in support of learning, teaching, research and administration at the University of Brighton.

7.1 The library service 7.1.1 The University of Brighton libraries

There are five libraries at the University of Brighton; the Aldrich, Falmer and St Peter’s House libraries in Brighton, the Queenwood Library in Eastbourne and the Hastings Campus Library.

You will be issued with a student identity / library card (Unicard) when you enrol, which will enable you to borrow material from all University of Brighton libraries. Your Unicard will also allow you reference access to the University of Sussex library.

The Aldrich Library is located in the Cockcroft Building on the Moulsecoomb site. It stocks a broad range of books and other materials relevant to your studies, covering all aspects of business studies, management and law.

7.1.2 Opening hours Up to date information the about opening hours for all site libraries can be found at www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Libraries > Locations and opening times, or here Current opening hours for the Aldrich Library Help Desk (on the Moulsecoomb site): Term time: Monday – Thursday 08.30 – 21.00 Friday 08.30 – 19.00 Saturday & Sunday 11.00 – 15.00 Vacations: Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.30 Saturday Closed Sunday 11.00 – 15.00 (except August) The Aldrich Library is open for study only until 02.00 every night during term time. After the library Help Desk closes, entrance to the Ground Floor is via the entrance in Queensdown School Road and you will need your Unicard to gain entrance. In addition the Aldrich Library has extended opening hours during exam revision periods. For more information about this look out for posters displayed in the library or visit www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich.

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students

https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/libraries/Pages/Home.aspx

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich

7.1.3 Borrowing entitlements You may borrow up to 20 items at any one time. The standard loan period is three weeks but items in heavy demand are seven day loan or for use in the library only (Desk Loan Collection). Desk Loan items can be booked in advance for use in the library or overnight loan. You will normally be charged a fine if you return a short loan item late or retain an item which has been reserved by another user and recalled by the library. 7.1.4 Renewing items It is not always necessary to bring items which you have on loan into the library to renew them. Provided that it has not been requested by another user, any item may be renewed:

in the library at the Help Desk or on the self-service machines using your Unicard.

by telephoning the library (the Aldrich Library number is 01273 642770). Outside of library opening hours there is an answerphone where you can leave a message requesting a renewal.

online using the My Account tab in the library catalogue (via the Online Library at http://library.brighton.ac.uk). You will need to log in using your Unicard number.

7.1.5 Returning items

If the library is open, return your items to the library using the self-service machines so that they can be discharged from your record.

When the library is closed, you can use the secure book-drop bins situated at the site libraries. At Aldrich there is one on the ground floor adjacent to the computer pool room and a second one in the Cockcroft building reception area..

Items can be returned by post; however, they remain your responsibility until received by the library.

7.1.6 The library catalogue The library catalogue is available on dedicated terminals in each library and is also accessible online via the Online Library (http://library.brighton.ac.uk). The catalogue has information about all the material held in all of our site libraries. You can use the catalogue to search for books, electronic books, print journals, electronic journals and audio-visual items and to access your own borrower record for renewing books and to see your current loans. You can also use the catalogue to reserve items when all copies are on loan. 7.1.7 Requesting items from other libraries Undergraduate and postgraduate students are entitled to inter-library loans. This means that you can obtain books or articles from other libraries (usually the British Library) when we do not hold them in stock. For more information please refer to the Inter Library Loan section of the Information Services website here under Libraries > Borrowing or ask at your library Help Desk or contact the Aldrich Library Business Team. 7.1.8 Photocopying All the libraries offer self-service photocopying and scanning facilities - you should read the notices about copyright to ensure you stay within the legal limits of copying from printed materials.

http://library.brighton.ac.uk/


https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/Pages/home.aspx

7.1.9 Audio-visual material All the libraries have relevant collections of DVDs which you can use in the library or borrow for home use. You can use the library catalogue to search for audio-visual items. There is also a service called BOB: Box of Broadcasts, for watching and making clips from TV and radio programmes, available from the Online Library http://library.brighton.ac.uk 7.1.10 Communications The library uses your university Email address for all correspondence (e.g. recalled, loans or notification of reserved items awaiting collection). It is possible to set your Email to be forwarded to a personal email account of your choice. This can be done within studentCentral by clicking on Email or from the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Computing > Student email. 7.1.11 Library Rules and Acceptable Behaviour Policy All students are advised to read these documents which supplement the university regulations. They are available on the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Libraries > Borrowing > Rules and regulations 7.1.12 EndNote EndNote is a software programme installed on all University computers that allows you to store and organise your references and create bibliographies or insert correctly formatted references into assignments in whichever style you require eg. Harvard, Chicago, APA etc. The online version is available free to all staff and students registered at the University Brighton. You must register to use EndNote online using a University of Brighton computer and renew your registration after one year. Further information can be found on the Online Library website under Subject Guides here 7.1.13 Enquiries and further help

A Help Desk can be found in each of our libraries. You can also contact the Aldrich Library: By phone: Aldrich Library Help Desk: 01273 642760/642770 By email: General enquiries: [email protected] Subject support team for Business and Law: [email protected]. If you have special needs, ask about the services that can be provided to enable you to use the libraries effectively.




http://libguides.brighton.ac.uk/endnote



7.2 Library services for part-time students If you are studying part time and living away from the university, please ask at your University of Brighton home library about using another university library under the SCONUL Access scheme. Ask at your home library Help Desk for more information and you can also visit http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/ to check whether the library you want to use is part of the scheme. Part time students may also be eligible to join the University of Brighton’s Postal Loan Service whereby items can be posted to you. For more information go to the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students and see Libraries > Part time students or link from here.

7.3 The Online Library The Online Library (available via the Online Library link in StudentCentral, or here) contains:

OneSearch: for searching across a number of our resources at once.

Links to our library catalogue, the catalogues of other local libraries and the British Library’s catalogue.

Subject Guides: Providing research assistance, subject guides, and useful resources compiled by Information Services. These guides include databases, Internet gateways, government websites and professional organisations

Resources A-Z includes the databases used to search for articles and papers relevant to your subject. Most of these databases contain the full text of documents. The non-full text databases provide bibliographic detail and often an abstract.

A selection of the databases you may find useful are:

Business Source Premier Emerald FAME (Financial Analysis Made Easy) Passport (global market information) Key Note (market research reports and company data) Lawtel Lexis Library UK Newsstand (Financial Times, Guardian, Times etc) Westlaw

The majority of these resources are available both on and off campus using your university username and password. If you would like more information or assistance with using the Online Library please ask at your library Help Desk or email [email protected].

http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/


https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/libraries/Pages/part_time_students.aspx

http://libguides.brighton.ac.uk/home


7.4 Computing services for students based at Moulsecoomb

7.4.1 Locations and opening hours for computer access Aldrich library computer poolroom: Term-time Monday - Friday 08.30 – 02.00 Saturday – Sunday 11.00 – 02.00 Vacation Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.30 Sunday 11.00 – 15.00 (closed during August) When the main library Help Desk is closed you will need your Unicard to gain entrance. The computer poolroom has extended opening hours during exam revision periods as part of the Aldrich Library. For more information about this look out for posters displayed in the library or visit www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich . Mithras Annexe computer poolroom: Term-time Monday – Friday 08.30 – 02.00 Weekends: Closed Vacation Monday – Friday 08.30 – 19.00 The Aldrich Library has a number of computers on each floor and the majority of study spaces have connection points for laptops. The Aldrich Library is wireless enabled. For the opening hours of Aldrich Library see section 7.1 above or go here NB. LIBRARIES AND COMPUTER POOL ROOMS ARE CLOSED ON MOST PUBLIC HOLIDAYS The information above was correct at time of going to press., However as opening hours can be subject to change, for latest information please check the Information Services website here 7.4.2 Usernames and passwords When you have completed your online enrolment / activation, your university username and password will be generated. This can be used to access all the open access computers in libraries and poolrooms, studentcentral and the majority of resources available via the Online Library. If you wish to change your password to something easier to remember, you can do this in studentcentral by clicking on Personal Settings.

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/aldrich



7.4.3 Student email You will be provided with your university email address when you activate your computer account. You can read your email at http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk Email is used as the primary means of communication throughout your course of study. Your lecturers and other staff and students will send email to your Brighton University address. You may wish to look at the Information Services website www.brighton.ac.uk/is/students under Computing > Student email where you can also find instructions on how to set your email to be forwarded to a personal email account and to set up Email on your mobile device.. . NOTE: If forwarding email to your personal address you will need to clear down your university email account from time to time; if you exceed your disc space you will stop receiving emails. 7.4.4 Connecting your own computer You can connect your own computer via the network sockets in libraries and most halls of residence using an Ethernet cable or via the Eduroam wireless network on each site. Once connected, your computer is part of the university network and is therefore subject to our conditions of use. Please see the Information Services website under Computing or link here for information such as how to download anti-virus software, which is one of the conditions, how to connect your laptop to the University network in the libraries and in halls of residence, and computer clinics offered. 7.4.5 The Computer Store The Computer Store in the Watts Building at Moulsecoomb sells a range of consumables such as blank CDs, USB sticks, cables, software, computers etc. Many items are available at special educational discount rates. The computer store is open 9am – 4.30pm Mon – Thursday and 9am - 4pm Friday during term-time. See here for details. 7.4.6 Printing Information Services provides a variety of high quality networked laser printers throughout the university. You can use them from computer pool rooms, from libraries and from your laptop on all main sites of the university. A printing account is automatically set up for you once you activate your computer account and you can add credit to your Unicard account online and via the blue Printer Credit Stations which you will find located in the open access computer pool rooms. For more information on printing see the Information Services website here 7.4.7 Scanners Scanners are located in all open access computer pool rooms. 7.4.8 Software available in the open access computer poolrooms

Adobe Reader

EndNote (bibliographic software)

InfoZip

Internet Explorer

MS Office 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access)

http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk


https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/computing/Pages/Home.aspx

https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/computing/Pages/Computer%20store/Computer_store.aspx

https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/printing/Pages/Home.aspx

MindGenius (mind-mapping software)

Minitab

PhotoShop Elements (on machines connected to scanners only)

Sophos (anti-virus software)

SPSS

TextHelp Read & Write Gold (screen reading and reading/writing tool)

In addition there is specialist software available as relevant in the different poolrooms / libraries. For a full, up to date list go to the Accessibility Support section of the Information Services website, or link from here 7.4.9 Computing help

Online help is available in studentcentral (see below) and the Information Services website here. Technician help is also available in the libraries at advertised times. For help with username and password problems you can contact your local library help desk.

7.5 Media Services The Central Media Services Team can help with the recording and editing of media production to assist students as part of their assignments. See here for further information.

7.6 Studentcentral

Studentcentral is the student website for the University of Brighton; it is how you access most online information whilst studying here. You can access your study information and materials, email, and the online library as well as keep your personal information up-to-date. If you need technical support with any aspect of using studentcentral please contact the [email protected].

https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/Pages/Accessibility-support.aspx

https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/Pages/home.aspx

https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/media/Pages/Home.aspx

Once logged in you are taken to the home tab where you can see News and Events as well as ‘What’s New’ on your modules. The Studies ‘Tab’ is where you will see your school, course and modules. The school area contains information about the school and includes timetables and exam schedules. The course area contains information about the course and the module areas are where the online teaching takes place and is also where you will be submitting any coursework (speak to your tutors for more information). You will also find a link to your Reading List providing access to information about recommended reading including books, ebooks, journal articles, websites and videos. Studentcentral on your mobile or tablet – an app is available which gives you access to studentcentral on your mobile or tablet. Particularly useful for the push notifications so that you are alerted to any new content posted on your modules. The app is called Blackboard Mobile Learn and is available from your app store. For details see: http://student.brighton.ac.uk/mobile

7.7 Academic Study Kit (ASK) Website

In addition to course-specific guidance, online resources to help you study effectively are available through the ASK Study Guide see: http://about.brighton.ac.uk/ask/ . The ASK website offers advice on how to develop the study skills required for academic success at University. There are a range of resources and study tips on how to make the most of seminars and lectures, reading and notemaking, preparing for exams, tackling stress, essay writing, oral presentations, group work and many other topics. You will also find information about the weekly Study Support workshops held at all university sites, how to book tutorials or groups and specialist services such as the Maths & Stats Support Unit and English Language Support Programme.

7.8 Useful web addresses Information Services web site http://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/ Online Library http://library.brighton.ac.uk student mail http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk studentcentral http://studentcentral.brighton.ac.uk/ studentcentral help Login to studentcentral and use the Help and Advice tab HelpDocuments http://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/Pages/Documents.aspx

http://student.brighton.ac.uk/mobile

http://about.brighton.ac.uk/ask/

http://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/


http://outlook.com/uni.brighton.ac.uk

http://studentcentral.brighton.ac.uk/

http://staff.brighton.ac.uk/is/Pages/Documents.aspx

8. STUDENT SERVICES Opportunities and support to help you get the most out of your time at university. Student Services is a central department that provide a range of services to support you through university and to help you get the most from the student experience. Our experienced and supportive staff offer advice on a range of issues, including:

- Advice about money worries and how to live on a budget.

- Support in finding jobs and volunteering opportunities.

- Help accessing academic support if you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-term medical condition.

- One to one support for students with worries or concerns in a safe, confidential space.

Here for you, whatever the issue

Below is an outline of some of the ways in which we can help you during your time here.

Career development

Build your employability skills and boost your graduate potential, with careers guidance, enterprise skills, and employment and volunteering opportunities.

Chaplaincy

There’s more to the Chaplaincy than you think with social events, retreats, worship, discussion, support and listening.

Childcare

With two Ofsted rated nurseries open to children of staff, students and the local community, the University of Brighton is an excellent choice for high quality, affordable and flexible childcare.

Counselling

Whatever the reason, if you are finding academic life is causing you concern, or for personal reasons you need someone to talk things over with, you don't need to feel that you are all alone with your worries. Talk to one of our trained counsellors in a safe and confidential space. Disability and dyslexia support

If you’ve got a disability, specific learning difficulty or long term-health condition and choose to disclose it in confidence to the

Disability and Dyslexia team, you’ll discover the wide range of academic and personal support available. Health and wellbeing

Looking after yourself whist at university helps you to get the most of your experience. Our links to local surgeries give you access to a doctor, while our health and wellbeing workshops and information help you to keep everything in balance – so look after your mind and body whilst you are here.

Student Advice Service

When it comes to your finances at university it pays to be money wise; so for expert advice on financial issues, including fees, grants, bursaries, loans, and money management, contact the Student Advice Service. They can also help if you are an international student needing immigration advice, or support if you’re experiencing culture shock and home sickness.

Get in touch You can find further information about our services and answers to your student life queries at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/current-students/index.aspx, see also the ‘help and advice’ tab on student central for access to FAQs, ask a question or book appointments. We can help answer your questions in confidence via email, at [email protected] or you can access our services at each campus by visiting our student centres, or call us to find out more or book an appointment. Eastbourne - Trevin Towers, Gaudick Road T: 01273 643845 Falmer – E354, Checkland Building T: 01273 643584 Grand Parade – Student Centre, Ground Floor, Main Building T: 01273 643187 Moulsecoomb - Manor House, Moulsecoomb Place T: 01273 642895 Hastings – The Student Centre, Level 1, Priory Square T: 01273 644643

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/current-students/index.aspx


9. STUDENT ENTITLEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 9.1 Student Charter 9.2 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy 9.3 Disability statement 9.4 Fire evacuation 9.5 Observing copyright laws ___________________________________________________________________________

9.1 Student Charter The relationship between the University, its students and the Students’ Union is based on the principle of partnership: a relationship through which mutuality and interdependence in the learning process are emphasised and celebrated. This has as its principal goal the development of confident, independent researchers and professionals, fully capable of succeeding in their chosen vocations and as well-informed citizens. The Charter (which is due to be reviewed in the forthcoming academic year) seeks to emphasise this partnership and to sustain it through a set of shared commitments and expectations, set out in the table below and embodied in the detailed policies, procedures and regulations of the University of Brighton accessible at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/studentadvice/regulations

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/studentlife/studentadvice/regulations

The University aims to: Students are expected to: The Students’ Union aims to:

Provide a stimulating

learning environment.

Give all students the right to

be represented in University

Governance through the

Students’ Union.

Provide access to personal

tutors and appropriate study

support.

Continuously seek to

improve the quality of

teaching, research and

support services.

Ensure appropriate and

timely feedback on all

coursework.

Assess and mark work fairly,

consistent with clearly stated

learning objectives.

Provide clear regulations,

procedures, policies and

information.

Enhance personal

development and

employability skills and

provide access to careers

counsellors.

Facilitate access to

appropriate welfare, support

and services.

Foster an inclusive

environment treating all with

fairness, dignity and respect.

Operate fair, accessible and

timely processes for handling

appeals, complaints and

disciplinary matters.

Encourage students to

provide feedback on their

university experience, and,

where appropriate, act upon

this.

Share responsibility for the

learning process, recognising

the role of independence and

self- motivation in your studies.

Engage fully with all learning

activities, whether face to face

or through e-learning.

Attend and contribute to

lectures, seminars or tutorials.

Adhere to the standards of

academic practice of your

course.

Reflect critically on feedback to

improve your work.

Comply with University

regulations and procedures.

Make arrangements for prompt

payment of all fees and

charges.

Be pro-active in seeking

appropriate advice and support

in the event of difficulty whether

academic or personal.

Use opportunities to enhance

personal development including

extracurricular choices and

volunteering.

Treat university staff, other

students and our neighbours

with dignity and respect.

Respect the University and local

physical environment.

Support student representatives

and participate in the processes

to select them.

Provide information requested

by the University and ensure

that your records are current.

Provide feedback on the

University experience.

Promote a sense of

enjoyment in all aspects of

university life.

Work in partnership with

students and the University

in maintaining a culture that

promotes a critical and

independent learning

environment.

Work with students and the

University to ensure the

financial support packages

available are suitable and

continue to meet the needs

of students.

Offer information, advice or

representation to students

through the SU Advocacy

Service.

Provide opportunities for all

students to get involved in

any part of the Students’

Union.

Foster a caring inclusive

environment for all students.

Ensure the elected

representatives, policies and

actions of the Students’

Union reflect students’

needs.

Provide support, training and

resources to students and

their representatives so that

they may contribute

effectively to the evaluation

and enhancement of the

university experience.

Seek to ensure that

Students’ Union and the

University learn from the

experiences of students.

9.2 Brighton Business School – Attendance and Engagement policy Engagement with your studies You are expected to engage with all the learning activities which form part of your programme and attend all scheduled course workshops, lectures and seminars. Attendance registers will be maintained by your course team and should your individual attendance fall below an average of 75%, this may be taken into consideration by Examination Boards when deliberating on the granting of referrals.

You may however be unable to attend scheduled workshops, lectures and seminars from time to time due to exceptional circumstances (for example personal illness, family bereavement, hospitalisation etc.). In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the course management team are informed at the time and that such absence is discussed with and recorded by the course team. Where possible, students are expected to provide evidence supporting their absence and a lack of evidence may limit the decision making options of the course leader and/or examination board.

Should your record of attendance be consistently poor (i.e. fall below the 75% minimum requirement), you may be required to attend a meeting with your Course Leader to discuss your absences. In the event you fail to attend the meeting without due notice, you will receive a further letter inviting you to a re-arranged meeting. If you do not attend this meeting, you will then be considered to have withdrawn from the course.

Your responsibilities as a student

We encourage you to make use of all the facilities and resources available to you, including libraries and ICT facilities, to enable you to pursue your studies diligently and take responsibility for your own learning. You should familiarise yourself with University and Brighton Business School Rules and Regulations including any relating to your course and should be aware of the requirements of your course. Your course programme team, including the course administrators are available to clarify any questions you may have. Contact details of all the course team are available in your course handbook.

9.3 Disability Statement

The University of Brighton is fully committed to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act 2001 (SENDA), which extended to educational institutions the provisions of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. The booklet entitled Access and Support for Disabled Students summarises the University’s approach to and provision for students with all types of disability, including long-term conditions, mental health difficulties, sensory impairments and specific learning difficulties. A copy of the booklet is available from Student Services, and a reference copy is held in the School Office. Fuller information about relevant services can be found at: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/disability/ Staff who co-ordinate support for students with disabilities or specific learning needs are based in the Disability & Dyslexia Team in Student Services located in the Manor House. For contact details see section 8. If you have disability or specific learning needs please also raise this with Donna Clark in the Undergraduate Office (M160) who can make you aware of student support available.

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/disability/

9.4 Fire evacuation On hearing the fire alarm Leave the building by nearest route Close all doors behind you. Report to assembly point as shown on nearest fire action notice. At all times: Use the nearest available exit. Do not stop to collect personal belongings. Do not run or try to pass the person in front. Do not use the lift. Do not re-enter the building. Do not congregate outside the main entrance. NB These are generic procedures; please refer to any additional specific procedures associated to individual buildings. Students with a disability or mobility problems should notify their personal tutor, course leader or course administrator so that evacuation arrangements can be set up for them. For further information on health and safety procedures at the University go to: http://staffcentral.brighton.ac.uk/safety/

9.5 Observing copyright laws Under UK copyright law, you must not copy someone else’s copyright material unless (a) you have their permission or (b) it falls within the limits of what is known as ‘fair dealing’. Most works remain in copyright for 70 years after the death of the author/creator.

‘Fair dealing’ for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ permits you to make a single copy of a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a copyright work. ‘Reasonable’ is not legally defined but it is recommended that you keep within the following limits:

• one complete chapter or up to 5% of a book;

• one article from any one issue of a periodical or set of conference

proceedings;

• up to 10% (up to a maximum of 20 pages) per short book (without chapters), report, standard or pamphlet;

• one poem or short story (maximum 10 pages) from an anthology;

• one separate illustration or map up to A4 size;

• short excerpts only from musical works (not whole works or movements) and no copying for performance purposes.

In all cases, you should acknowledge the source of the work.

9.5.1 Multiple photocopies Should you need to make multiple copies of copyright material for classroom use, please first read the notice ‘Copyright – multiple copies’ which should be on display near each university photocopier. Further information is available online at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright. 9.5.2 Copyright and the internet Do not assume that just because something appears on the internet, it must be in the public domain. All material on the internet is protected by copyright. Look for a copyright statement (often on the website’s home page under ‘copyright’, ‘terms and conditions’, ‘disclaimer’ or similar) and unless

http://staffcentral.brighton.ac.uk/safety/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright

copyright has been explicitly waived, seek permission before re-using it in any publicly-accessible document (web page, poster, etc). Taking a single paper copy of a ‘reasonable proportion’ for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ (using the fair dealing limits outlined under ‘single photocopies’ above) is OK but cutting and pasting from someone’s web page to add to your own website or to send to a group is not. For more guidelines on electronic fair dealing, see http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/pa/licence/fairnote If you are looking for an image to use in your coursework, remember that images retrieved from Google, Yahoo, etc are often subject to copyright. Start by checking the sources listed on the Online Library’s ‘film, image and sound sources’ page on the Reference Shelf http://library.brighton.ac.uk/pages/Film__Image_and_Sound_Sources/index.php Many of these collections are available for non-commercial use without payment. 9.5.3 Scanning You may scan a ‘reasonable proportion’ of a printed document for ‘private study or research for a non-commercial purpose’ (using the fair dealing limits outlined under ‘single photocopies’ above) but it must remain for your personal use only. Do not put scanned copyright material on a computer network and do not distribute it by email. If you use any scanned copyright material in your course work, do not alter it, always put text between quotation marks, and always acknowledge your source. Remember, unacknowledged use of scanned material in your course work could make you liable to accusations of copyright theft and plagiarism. 9.5.4 For further information on copyright The UK Intellectual Property Office website (http://www.ipo.gov.uk/) is a useful starting point for copyright information but much of the university’s use of copyright material is determined by individual licence agreements covering material such as print materials, digitised texts, OS maps, newspapers, T.V. and radio programmes, e-journals etc. If you need any further information on this subject, please check out the documents on copyright at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright .

http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/pa/licence/fairnote

http://library.brighton.ac.uk/pages/Film__Image_and_Sound_Sources/index.php

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/is/copyright

APPENDIX

Career Planning Agreement Employability

Work experience of any kind can enable you to broaden your experience, develop confidence, gain skills, maximise your potential, acquire business experience and learn to sell yourself. It is also an opportunity to find out what a job or occupation is really like before you commit to working in it.

It has always been crucial in helping you get ahead in competitive industries, but in the current climate work experience is crucial in giving you the advantage over other applicants – your qualification is only part of the package employers are looking for.

There are many opportunities to get involved in different paid and unpaid activities, both across the university and beyond.

Volunteering

Volunteering can equip you with invaluable work-related skills such as team work, communication and being able to demonstrate initiative and commitment.

Active Student provide a supported volunteering programme for students, which aims to match

the placement to your current skills as well as looking at what you would like to gain from

participation. More information about the benefits of volunteering and the opportunities

available on the www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/volunteer/why-volunteer/

Within the University you can also volunteer with Sport Brighton -

www.brighton.ac.uk/sportbrighton/about-us/job-and-volunteer-opportunities, and the Student

union www.brightonsu.com/volunteering/.

Some courses also have the opportunity to undertake volunteering as part of your university

course - www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/volunteer/community-engagement-module/

Doing internships and placements

Many of our courses are designed to include compulsory professional placements (www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/placements-and-internships/) as part of the curriculum, while others offer placements and volunteering opportunities as optional parts of specific module choices. Employer and graduate feedback consistently suggests that these choices offer a real chance to improve your employability, your confidence and to start linking up your academic skills within the professional environment. If you want to know more about what opportunities may be available within your course structure, talk to your Course Leader, Personal tutor or Year Tutor and they will be able to provide you with further details.

Working part-time

Many students now work part-time to fund their studies. Even the most basic jobs will help you to gain additional skills to put on your CV. The Careers Service runs a vacancy and events service which students can register for and get alerts when vacancies become available - www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/.

In addition there are a number of ways to work part time for the University – Student Ambassadors, Student Helpers (Library shelving and Computer helpers), Student Union STARRS – see www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/working-for-your-university/

Careers fairs, recruitment events and workshops

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/sportbrighton/about-us/job-and-volunteer-opportunities

http://www.brightonsu.com/volunteering/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/volunteer/community-engagement-module/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/placements-and-internships/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/finding-part-time-work/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/find-a-job/finding-part-time-jobs/working-for-your-university/

The Careers Service run different events that provide the opportunity to network with employers and find out about the skills they are looking for in employees. There are also a host of employability workshops to help you identify and learn new employability skills. Find out what’s events are coming up on our events page www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/events/

Beepurple

Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship network, made up of students, graduates and staff who are interested in developing their enterprise and creativity skills and/or their business ideas. They run a variety of activities, workshops and talks throughout the year as well as providing the opportunity to network with current and former students. For further details, please see www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/

Get involved in the Students’ Union

The student union offer a range of activities and opportunities that can help you to develop different skills such as team-working, confidence and self-management. This includes opportunities for part-time work and volunteering, the chance to stand for election as a student-representative or sabbatical officer, and through getting involved in the hundreds of student union societies, clubs and activities. For more information please see website www.brightonsu.com/

Mentoring

Mentoring can provide an excellent forum for personal development, not just for the mentee but for the person mentoring too. This can include improved confidence, listening skills, cooperation and strategic thinking. The Careers Service runs 2 mentoring schemes – these pair students with business mentors www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/momentum-mentoring-scheme/ www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/lgbt-uni-amex-mentoring-scheme/

Leadership development

There are several student roles within the institution that may particularly suit students who are looking to develop their leadership skills. These include opportunities to work as Student Ambassadors at open days or within local schools, working as a sabbatical officer or a course rep for the students union, being captain of a sports team or chair of a student society, or by working as a leader for the Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) programme www.brighton.ac.uk/ask/pass/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/events/

http://www.brightonsu.com/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/momentum-mentoring-scheme/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/develop-your-skills/lgbt-uni-amex-mentoring-scheme/

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/ask/pass/