Overview

Leadership and management can be two distinctive and yet complementary systems of action. Short definitions suggest that, leaders do the right thing and managers do the thing, right. The course is designed in the belief that neither one is better than the other, both are necessary for organisations’ success in an increasingly complex and volatile business environment.

Basic principles require leaders and managers to have good interpersonal skills in order to lead, and manage people; they should be self aware, flexible, engaging, communicative, and able to establish trust and to instill confidence. Additionally, they need to be able to theorise in order to improve performance in the workplace. Companies manage complexity by planning and budgeting, by organising and staffing, and by controlling and problem solving. Leading an organisation through change, involves setting goals, and developing strategies to achieve them, these may include motivating and inspiring people to move in the intended direction.

However, the skills and knowledge required to carry out such functions are not always readily available in the current workforce, and are not easily picked up without effective training or educational programmes. Through the provision of a 2 year, part-time Foundation Degree course we aim to enable students to gain the skills they require at the workplace, and to also achieve a degree qualification (at levels 4 and 5) that will support their professional and career development.

The degree has been:

• Designed by experienced course team and local employers for local employees
• Attracts employers looking to improve the skill sets of their employees and employees who aspire to gain improved future prospects as leaders and managers in a wide range of occupations
• Provides students with the hands on tools needed to assume leadership roles without the need to leave current employment
• Can be studied part-time and completed in two years in line with requirements of business
• Pattern of study and assessment based on ‘real world’ activities
• Places deliberated attention on the relationship between reflection and effective action
• Offers a university experience with 3 hours a week of timetabled activities, supported by 5hours per week of directed study activities.
• Provides a series of ‘Master Class’ lectures delivered by experts drawn from industry, commerce and other organisations.
• Provides a Virtual Learning Environment for contact, on line course materials and on line submissions of work.
• Is supported by campus facilities open 24 hours for 7days a week.

Content and Modules

Certificate Level 4 focuses on helping students to acquire a background in management and leadership and business, by reviewing actual business management models, and applying them to their work place. At Intermediate level 5, other concepts such as planning, effective management and leadership strategies, communication, interpersonal skills and research skills are addressed. Students may for example, learn how business works, the ethics behind business decisions, and how to lead groups toward project goals.

At Certificate level 4

• Personal and Professional Development for Managers
• Leadership and Organisational Development
• Leadership Ethics and Diversity
• Management and Leadership in Practice 1
  
  

At Intermediate level 5

• Human Resources – Leadership Responsibilities
• Financial Literacy for Managers
• The Organisational Environment
• Reflection, Research and Problem Solving
• Management and Leadership in Practice 2

Further Information

This course will provide students with greater opportunities within their current workplace, and it will improve prospects for promotion. Graduates from this course can progress to, the final year of the BA (Hons) Business Management or related Honours degrees at UCS. A wide range of further professional and management qualifications can also be pursued.