Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this programme, learners will be able to:

1. Use self-assessment, reflection, evaluation, feedback and developments in theory and evidence-based practice to improve their ethical business practice in a variety of contexts.
   Apply a deep understanding of relevant theory and practices to predict outcomes and create business solutions in complex environment.
2. Communicate key issues effectively and creatively using numerical, graphical, oral and written skills.
3. Conduct ethical research on business topics, based on critical analysis of academic research and professional practice, and communicate findings in a scholarly manner.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in applying a systematic, vigorous research methodologies, design and process when undertaking an original research via the thesis requirement as part of the fulfilment to gain the doctorate award.

Delivery mode

The Mode of Delivery of Programmes is either fully online or blended learning where some face to face classes are conducted at BU centres outside France 

Assessment

The aim of the assessment strategy is to identify formal practices and procedures for assessing and appraising the performance of the DBA students in order those judgments and decisions can be reached concerning:

• The progression of students through the programme.
• How students have met the programme learning outcomes through a combination of the individual module learning outcomes.
• The provision of feedback information to students concerning their performance and how they adhered to the generic assessment criteria and the module-specific assessment criteria.
• A Cycle 3 award at Doctoral level for individual modules.

The underpinning principles which drive the assessment strategies adopted for this programme are the profile of the target students and the programme itself (its philosophy and associated learning outcomes). Assessment will normally be based on the candidate successfully demonstrating achievement of an appropriate combination of the following criteria which are aligned to the descriptors for a Cycle 3 Doctoral degree qualifications:

1. A systematic understanding of a substantial body of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice.
2. A comprehensive understanding of methods and techniques applicable to the practical solution, research or advanced scholarship.
3. Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and inquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
4. The ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion.
5. The ability to make reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.
6. The ability to communicate the results of the programme of research as demonstrated in the style and overall presentation in a professional scholarly manner.

Assessment instruments will mainly be in the form of either management reports or proposals with a word count of between 4,000 – 4,500 words for the taught modules.

The Thesis will have a word count of between a minimum of 20,000 to a maximum of 30,000 words for the Route 1 – Mixed Mode route and 40,000 to 45,000 words for the Route 2 – Research Mode.

The section below summarises the varied assessment tasks or instruments which will be employed in assessing the different programme learning outcomes.

Assessment Instruments

Work / Articles / Assignments / Reports

Written assignments are designed to allow students to demonstrate understanding of the module, which students must then apply to an issue concerned with that particular subject area in their own organisation, or one with which they are familiar. Students are either required to identify a process, task or problem which they must describe, analyse and discuss. The assignments provide a regular assessment process, which tests the following:

• knowledge;
• critical and analytical faculties;
• planning skills;
• organising ability; and
• report writing skills.

Students are requested to adhere to precise written instructions laid out in the Module document to produce an academic article/essay or management report on a selected area conforming to standards expected of good academic and report writing.

Case Studies

Selected case studies may be incorporated into the assessment of modules.

Simulation

Often students will be assessed via scenario and simulation types of tasks related to the intended learning outcomes.

Defence of the Thesis

A Thesis submitted to qualify for the final Doctoral award will be subjected to a mandatory oral defence of the Thesis by the students in addition to their submission being graded.

Purpose of the Viva is to:

• Demonstrate that the thesis is the student’s original work
• Confirm that the student understands and are able to verbally defend their submitted work.
• For panel members to provide formative feedback on strengths and weaknesses of the submitted work

The procedure is:

1. Prior to the oral defence (viva voce), the Programme Leader will notify the student that a Viva Examination Panel has been formed.
2. The Examination Panel must have at least one independent examiner.
3. Each examiner must be experienced in research in the general subject area of a particular student’s thesis and, where practicable, have experience as a specialist in the topic(s) to be examined.
4. In addition to PhD holders with academic experience, any individual currently appointed as an Emeritus Professor, Honorary Professor, Visiting Professor or Honorary Research Fellow may undertake an internal examining and/or Independent Chairing role under these Regulations subject to approval from the Academic Director.
5. A student must take no part in the arrangement of the examination and have no formal contact with the Panel members between the time of their being appointed and the holding of the viva voce examination, or between that and any subsequent viva voce examination in the case of there being a reassessment of the thesis.
6. Each examiner is required to read and assess the thesis and to submit an independent preliminary report to the Academic Director before any viva voce or alternative form of examination is held. As part of that assessment, each examiner must consider whether the thesis provisionally satisfies the requirements of Brittany Université for the degree concerned and, where possible, make an appropriate provisional decision, subject to the outcome of the viva voce examination.
7. Examiners are not permitted to discuss the thesis with the supervisory team between receipt of the examiner’s preliminary reports within the University and the commencement of the viva voce examination. The Examiners reports will however be shared with the whole examination panel and supervisory team once all reports have been received.
8. Any failure to comply with any of the procedures established by the University for the examination process may lead to a particular assessment being declared null and void and to the appointment of new examiners by the University.

 The Viva Voce Examination Panel

• The appointment of an Independent Chair must be made for all doctoral viva voce.
• The Chair must be wholly independent of the student and will be nominated by the Academic Director.
• The Chair is not required to read the thesis or complete a preliminary report form and should be totally independent throughout the process. The Chair does receive the Examiners’ preliminary reports prior to the viva voce and the abstract for the thesis.
• Prior to the viva voce the Chair is expected to brief the examiners on the procedures of Brittany Université and facilitate the development of an agenda if requested by the examiners.
• During the viva voce of the student, the Chair ensures that the examination process takes place in a fair and transparent manner, guides the examiners and student through the viva voce and acts as an arbitrator throughout.
• Following the viva voce of the student, the Chair assists in the completion of documents confirming the outcome of the examination. This includes checking that the amendments highlighted in the Examiners’ Report reflect the amendments agreed at the viva voce.
• A supervisor is allowed, subject to the consent of the student, to attend the viva voce as an observer. Participation in the discussion, however, is not permitted. The supervisor is required to withdraw prior to the deliberation of the Examination Board on the outcome of the viva voce. When the student is invited to return, to hear the outcome of the viva, the supervisor is also required to return. The supervisor can, at this point, seek clarification about the specific amendments required.

 General Assessment Criteria for the DBA

Each module in the programme has specific learning outcomes. There are however some general criteria that will be applied following factors will be used for guidance:

• An effectively organised and directed response to the question posed.
• An appropriate range of relevant material applied to the work environment.
• The ability to evaluate critically all arguments.
• The ability to justify in a coherent manner points identified, and conclusions reached.
• An acceptable standard of literacy.
• Adherence to any specified word length.
• Compliance with instructions.

Final Award Grades, Graded Point Average and Final Award Classifications

 Requirements for the Final Award for the DBA

Unless exempted or APL, in order to be awarded the Doctor of Business Administration degree, the student must successfully complete all the specified criteria for the 5 taught modules and the Thesis totalling 120 ECTS on the Mixed Mode or for the Research Mode – the completion of all three stages and the achievement of 120 ECTS for the Thesis.

Grades and Final Award Classifications

The Table below sets out the classification bands will apply to the DBA.

DBA Degree Classfications

Modules

Students are expected to take ownership of their learning and development and be a more independent learner and develop the ability to search and peruse relevant information and knowledge through non electronic and electronic sources

Online Learning, case analysis and self-directed learning resources will be available to support the delivery and attainment of the intended learning outcomes.

The programme will, therefore, “progress significantly beyond the delivery of subject knowledge” and will incorporate knowledge and learning, discourse and informed dialogue, and self-development. It should be noted that the focus will be on facilitating learning rather than teaching and, in this respect, the strategy is designed to facilitate the “deep learning” attributed to a more active participation and self-exploration and discovery of knowledge by students.

Entry Requirements

An applicant may be admitted on the basis of evidence to suggest that he/she will be able to fulfil and benefit from the objectives of the programme and achieve the standard required for the award. Criteria used in considering admissions to the programme include, candidates’ language proficiency, working experience, academic and professional qualifications.

• A Master’s degree in any field; or
• Other qualifications recognised by Brittany Université as equivalent to a Master’s degree;

AND

• Demonstrate English language proficiency in order to participate in the programme taught in English.
  Proficiency of English shall include either a recognised English proficiency testing score of IELTS overall band of 6.0 or equivalent. Those having undertaken either an undergraduate, postgraduate or professional qualification taught and assessed in English will also be accepted as having met the English proficiency.