EduQual Extended Postgraduate Diploma in Business and

Marketing Strategy - Level 07

Assessment Guidelines
Candidates completing the EduQual qualifications must complete the tasks given in the assignment brief
approved by EduQual. Candidates are able to request assistance from tutors about completing the tasks,
mark schemes and grade descriptors. Candidates are expected to adhere to policies and guidelines set
out by the learning centre which includes word/page/slide count and plagiarism and collusion.
Context
Candidates are required to refer the guidance notes and brief in order to present an answer that would
be within the required context.
Confidentiality
Candidates at all times must seek permission and advice when using organisational information that
would be considered sensitive or confidential within their assignments. If the organisations consent is
given, and anonymity is a given requirement by the organisation, then the candidate can choose to
anonymise the subject of the report.
Assessment criteria and mark sheets
The assignment brief will include the mark scheme at the end along with grade descriptors for candidates
to refer if needed. The guidance notes before the assignment questions should be referred in order to
ensure that candidates are equipped with the information and formats required. Candidates are
requested to obtain necessary advice on assignment context, format and other supporting information to
clarify and help understand the requirements better.
The assessment criteria and the mark sheets will help candidates identify how and where the marks have
been allocated and would allow them to structure their answers accordingly.
Tutor guidance
Candidates are allowed to obtain ONE feedback for their draft answers presented. In addition any subject
related questions relating to the module can also be directed to the tutor.
Word count
It is mandatory that candidates adhere to the specified word count given in the assignment brief within a
margin of -/+10%. For certain tasks, the assignment brief may specify the page count depending on the
task requirement, and although a word count may not be applicable for these, the page count must be
adhered to at all times. All tables, charts, diagrams, referencing (in-text) is considered as part of the
assignment word count.

If the task requires candidates to present a presentation, the word count will be applicable to the notes
provided only. The assignment questions may also specify the number of slides, in which case the
candidates are required to adhere to this as well.
Any supporting documents that you choose to use to reinforce your answer, need to be attached at the
end of the report as appendices, in order to equip the examiner with the required background knowledge
on the information you have provided within the report. However, these will not be considered for grading
nor as part of the word/page count.
All assignments submitted with clear disregard for the stipulated page/word counts maybe declared null
and void with the candidate having to resubmit his/her work for assessment.
Referencing and professionalism
To ensure that candidates follow a professional stance at all times, they need to:
Use Harvard referencing for all citations and references (including in-text)
Use professional business English in presenting their work
Third party referencing should be made at all-time where the words I, We, Me etc., must not
be used within the answer
Candidates should bear in mind that considerable marks are awarded for format and presentation and
therefore, referencing and professionalism will be assessed in every task they attempt.
Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion will be considered as an academic offense and will be dealt with as a serious
issue. Plagiarism refers to presenting work of another author without appropriate referencing and/or
attribution. Collusion is when two or more candidates present work with distinct similarities in concept
and ideas.
Candidates can opt to use a valid plagiarism software i.e. TurnitIn to assess similarity scores and should
attach the report along with their final answers for reference.
Excessive referencing will also be considered an academic offence which will lead to penalization in marks
awarded for format and presentation or on serious cases where candidates work will be declared null and
void. This will be decided by the OEH academic panel in collaboration with EduQual.
These offences will be taken seriously at all times and will result in penalization where candidates work
will be declared null and void.

Assignment One
Task 1
Select an organisation that engages in international trading develop a report that:

Identifies and explain the impact of the main external factors on its operations.
Design a marketing strategy to ensure organisational success across various international arenas
with special focus on standardisation and adaptation.
Analyse the internal environment to identify any resource gaps that would be needed to make
the strategy a successful one.
Evaluate the extent to which the organisation could design and create new products and
services to cater to the changing needs of the global markets.

(LO: MMS- 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. MSSE- 1, 2, 3. GM- 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

This task constitutes 80% of the overall mark.
Formal Report 5000 words maximum

Assessment criteria and mark scheme

Assessment Criteria
Identification and explanation of the
external
factors
that
impact
organisational performance
Design a marketing strategy to ensure
organisational success across various
international arenas with special focus on
standardisation and adaptation.
Analysis of the internal resource gaps in
lieu of the proposed strategy
Evaluation of the extent to which
organisation could develop new products
and services for changing needs in the
global market
Structure and format
Total Mark

Marks
allocated

1st Marker
Marks

Comments

15

25
25
25
10
100

General Comment

1st Marker

Date

2nd Marker

Date

2nd Marker
Marks

Moderated
Mark

Task 2
Write an essay that explains the approaches available for an organisation to develop their global
operations along with explanations on its timely utilization and the issues that could arise.
In addition, discuss the benefits of research and development for products/services with reference
to how these can be protected in international markets.
(LO: MSSE- 1. GM- 1, 2, 3)
This task constitutes 20% of the overall mark.
Formal Report 1000 words maximum

Assessment criteria and mark scheme

Assessment Criteria

Explanation on the approaches available

for an organisation to develop their
global
operations
along
with
explanations on its timely utilization
Discussion on how the benefits of
research
and
development
for
products/services
Explanation
on
how
these
products/services can be protected.
Structure and format
Total Mark

Marks
allocated

Comments

30

30
30
10
100

General Comment

1st Marker

Date

2nd Marker

Date

1st Marker
Marks

Assessment Criteria for all assessments

Marks
70-100

60-69

50-59

40-49

30-39

Criteria
The answer submitted has an outstanding result with negligible amount of mistakes.
The answer shows an appreciative level of knowledge and clear understanding of
related models, theories and frameworks. Analytical techniques used show the wide
area of knowledge the student has.
The ability to apply and contextualize the models, theories and frameworks are clearly
recognisable.
The analysis and the use of research data, as well as the ability to use the data to reach
acceptable and accurate conclusions is exceptional.
Answers show independent thought and clarity of the student answer has led to an
overall focused and evaluative answer.
The answer has followed proper Harvard referencing.
The answer shows an above average standard with few errors.
The answer shows a decent level of knowledge and fairly clear understanding of related
models, theories and frameworks. The use of analytical techniques is obvious
throughout the answer in a manner that reflects a very good level.
The ability to apply and contextualise the models, theories and framework are of a good
standard.
The analysis and the use of research data, as well as the ability to use the data to reach
acceptable and accurate conclusions is above average levels.
Answers show independent thought and clarity of the student answer has led to an
overall focused and evaluative answer with little inconsistency.
The answer has followed proper Harvard referencing.
The answer shows an above average standard with errors.
The answer shows a general level of knowledge and fairly clear understanding of
related models, theories and frameworks. The use of analytical techniques is obvious
throughout the answer in a manner that reflects a good level.
The ability to apply and contextualise the models, theories and framework are of a
reasonable standard. But the link between theory and practical knowledge appears to
be restricted.
The answer shows more assumptions than conclusive evidences and valid arguments.
However the ability to interpret and evaluate is evident.
Answers show independent thought and clarity of the student answer has led to an
overall focused and evaluative answer with some inconsistencies.
The answer has followed Harvard referencing in the bibliography at an acceptable level.
There are several shortcomings throughout the answer.
The knowledge level reflected in the answer is limited especially in understanding of
related models, theories and framework.
The case material has been repeated instead of evidencing knowledge.
The use of analytical techniques is inadequate.
A certain level of relevance is evident in Harvard referencing.
Answer submitted is quite weak and lacks proper focus.
There are number of poor grammar and spelling errors.
The lack of understanding in subject knowledge, related models, theories and
frameworks is evident.

0-29

Contextualisation, interpretation, and evaluation are of a poor standard.

Reflects only basic levels of Harvard referencing in the bibliography.
Requires more work on answering skills.
There is very little evidence of appropriate subject knowledge.
The use of models, theories and frameworks is quite poor.
The analytical skills and contextualization is almost non-existent.
Answer produced has little relevance to the assignment briefs.
The overall output is well below the required standard.
Considerable amount of work is needed as the overall answer it quite poor and
unacceptable.