Contents

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Policies and Procedures for PART B – MBA UCAM ............................................................................. 3
2.1 Quality Assurance ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Re-sit/ Re- Submission/Penalty Policy .......................................................................................... 3
2.3 Mitigation Circumstances policy ................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Policy Statement ........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Module structure, Content and Learning outcomes .......................................................................... 5
3.1 Socio- Economic and Legal framework ......................................................................................... 5
3.1.1 Module Description ............................................................................................................... 5
3.1.2 Learning Outcomes ................................................................................................................ 5
3.1.3 Content Covered .................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Dissertation ................................................................................................................................... 6
3.2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 6
3.2.2 Format, Structure and Academic Content ............................................................................. 7
3.2.3 Process ................................................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Format of Dissertation .................................................................................................................. 9
3.3.1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 9
3.3.2 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 9
3.3.3 CHAPTER 3: PROCESS OF RESEARCH ...................................................................................... 9
3.3.4 CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS........................................................................... 10
3.3.5 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ....................................................... 10
3.3.6 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 11
3.3.7 APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................... 11
3.3.8 FORMATTING/GENERAL: ..................................................................................................... 11

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1. Introduction
This Part B delivered by Exeed School of Business and Finance (ESBF) for the UCAM MBA
programme consists of two modules. Learners who have successfully completed the
Postgraduate Extended Diploma in Business Management (Part A) progress to Part B. This
Part B of the program runs for 6 months duration, students are expected to complete the
following modules during this period.-
 Socio-economic and Legal Framework
 Dissertation

2. Policies and Procedures for PART B – MBA UCAM

2.1 Quality Assurance
ESBF will be providing distinctive high quality teaching, learning and training opportunities in
line with the requirements of the market, so as to shape best-of-breed, industry-ready
professionals who can enter employment with confidence. Faculties for the course are
selected by following a rigorous process so as to ensure that the quality of our teaching is not
compromised. The needed assistance from UCAM and Cambridge International Qualification
team will be sought to provide the necessary training towards fine tuning the delivery
standards prior commencement of delivery of the course. The following steps will be strictly
practiced by ESBF in order ensure the quality of the course delivery:-
 ESBF will ensure maintain adequate records that demonstrate the use of the quality
system and monitor the outcome of each activities
 ESBF will practice an open and effective internal and external communications, so that
each stakeholders are well aware and responsibilities and ultimate objectives of their
actions.
 ESBF will ensure the highest level of compliance with our Academic Partner’s
requirements

2.2 Re-sit/ Re- Submission/Penalty Policy

 According to the regulation of University, the Student MUST show evidence of having
achieved successfully ALL the criteria to evidence he/she has achieved the learning
outcomes.
 According to the rules, if a student does not pass in ANY criteria, he/she is declared as a
fail for the entire Unit, and is expected to resubmit the assignment or project.

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 Students may not require to redo/resubmit the entire projects, instead he may have to
do the failed portion/segment related to the failed learning outcome(s)
 The failed student has to resubmit the report, with due corrections to show that he/she
has achieved a pass in all the criteria on the ones failed earlier, within 15 days of being
intimated about his/her fail. There will be no penalty for a resubmission.
 If student failed to submit or resubmit on the deadline, the student will be allowed to
submit-resubmit the unit after paying penalty equivalent to AED 250 per unit
 If student fail to submit the assignment within 30 days of lapsing the deadline will not be
accepted and required to redo the respective unit/module paying AED 2000 per module.

2.3 Mitigation Circumstances policy

 Students need to adhere to the Attendance and Submission of Deliverables policies.
However, in mitigating circumstances, the student is exempted from these requirements.
 Extenuating circumstances include unexpected accidents and illnesses require
hospitalization, death in the Family etc. Heavy load of work and sudden increase in work
pressures will not be accepted as mitigating circumstances., as these are expected
situations in a daily work environment in which the student exists, and he/she needs to
make allowances for these by completing the submissions in advance or keeping a high
attendance from the beginning so as to absorb these situations.
 Extenuating circumstances MUST be brought to the notice of the Instructor, on or before
the date of the submission of the deliverable, or as soon as the situation occurs. This
intimation is given in the extenuating circumstances form, which is supported by evidence
of the extenuating circumstances (Police certificates of accidents, Hospital certificates of
admission, death certificates, Air tickets for leaving the country for grave illness requiring
hospitalization of a close relative in the home country etc.

2.4 Policy Statement

The students of ESBF will have the right to appeal educational decisions and practices where
a decision by an employee of the Institution significantly affects the education of the student
or the student feels he/she may have been treated unfairly in the application of Institution’s
educational policies/procedures. All stages of the appeal process will be carried out with
complete transparency and in accordance with the principles of natural justice. The Policy
mandates that the Institution define and implement appeals processes to hear student

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appeals in a fair manner. It identifies student issues that are statutory in nature and those
that may be referred to the Institution’s appeal board.
The Institution’s approach to student grievance resolution will emphasize the following
factors:
 Fairness and unbiased in nature
 Informal handling of grievances where possible
 Natural and procedural fairness
 Effective, reciprocate communication and feedback
 Finding ways of resolution of grievances as early as possible

3. Module structure, Content and Learning outcomes

3.1 Socio- Economic and Legal framework

Module code: MBAUC700

Level of study: Level 7 Postgraduate

Guided learning hours: 150

Credits: 15

Status: MANDATORY

3.1.1 Module Description

This module has been designed to provide the learners with the adequate understanding of the
economic, social, political and legal context which affects the environments in which businesses and
organisations operate. An analysis and understanding of critical factors such as globalisation, growth
in the economy and legal regulations which affect the ability of businesses to operate is demed highly
important for management professionals.

3.1.2 Learning Outcomes

LO1. Critically analyse the knowledge economy and the various drivers of economic changes which
impact business activities

LO2. Understand the legal framework and its implications in the wider context of business
management

LO3. Analyse case scenarios and case studies on the various economic drivers and legal frameworks
practised in business management

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LO4. Critically evaluate the political factors which influence company management and dynamics

3.1.3 Content Covered

 Economics – Macro economical dimensions of business
 Analysis of macroeconomic injunction
 Legal frameworks
 Political scenarios and factors
 Monopoly and Oligopoly structures
 Case studies on Political, Economic and Legal frameworks
 Discrimination and Competitive advantage

3.2 Dissertation
Module code: MBAUC701

Level of study: Level 7 Postgraduate

Credits: 60

Status: MANDATORY

3.2.1 Introduction
Dissertation is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to investigate issues
of their own choice over a significant period of time. Essentially this is an individual effort but
it is carried out with the guidance and advice of a supervisor. Research is a creative and
investigative process which only learners can develop fully. A supervisor/dissertation guide
will be appointed to each students and the role of the supervisor is to act as a learning
resource for the student. It is the student's responsibility to make use of that opportunity, in
consultation with the supervisor. The student is therefore expected to accept responsibility
for the management of his/her learning. Following the allocation of a supervisor, the student
should contact the supervisor to arrange a meeting. The supervisor will assist in:-
 Clarifying the terms of the research;
 Suggesting areas of reading;
 Reviewing the proposed methodology;
 Establishing a timetable for the research which also includes initial dates for further
meetings between the student and supervisor;
 Advising the student about appropriate standards and conventions concerning the
assessment;

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 Providing means of contact in addition to tutorials
3.2.2 Format, Structure and Academic Content
The student needs to use his/her discretion in handling various aspects of the research
investigation. Nevertheless, in presenting your work it is important that you process and order
information sequentially. The following list highlights the essential parts which thecompleted
work should contain:
1. Front Cover
2. Title Page
3. Acknowledgments
4. Contents Page (Contents, List of Tables, Figures and Appendices)
5. Abstract/Executive Summary
6. Introduction Aim and Objectives
7. Literature Review
8. Methodology
9. Investigation: Results
10. Investigation: Analysis
11. Conclusion (with suggestions for further work)
12. Recommendations (if appropriate)
13. References / Bibliography
14. Appendices (see Section Four
3.2.3 Process
3.2.3.1 Registration
You need to register for your Masters Dissertation or Project once you have successfully
completed the PG Extended diploma level modules. Once you are registered for your
dissertation/project, you are expected to submit it in the period for which you are registered.
The University’s standard assessment arrangements and mitigating circumstances
procedures apply.
3.2.3.2 Supervision Arrangements
Students receive individual supervision on their dissertation. The assigned supervision is the
outcome of discussions between the student and the dissertation supervisor. The supervisor
is confirmed by the start of the semester in which the student registers for the dissertation.

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Once the supervisor is confirmed, the students and supervisor discuss the schedule of work
and supervision (on line meetings and guidance).
3.2.3.3 Topic approval
Students are free to choose a topic and issue of interest to them which relates to any part any
area in the programme of study. Students are encouraged to undertake research which may
include the use of mathematical, statistical and/or IT skills. In order to assist students further
additional peer support is provided through the dissertation period.
3.2.3.4 Planning and Timing
The work to be undertaken on any dissertation will depend on the choice of topic. The student
and supervisor will at the start of the dissertation discuss the context of the project in detail.
The proposal which is handed in within four weeks should show the timing of each individual
component. Students must communicate with the supervisor at regular intervals to discuss a
draft copy of the individual pieces of work as they are completed. Also the supervisor must
see a draft copy of the completed dissertation at least two weeks before the final submission
date to give comments on the completed work. Students work independently on their
research, consulting the supervisor as discussed. The smooth running of the research and
supervision is ensured with submission of the proposal which includes a work and supervision
schedule’ at the start of the dissertation.
3.2.3.5 Feedback
It is the remit of supervisors to provide good quality support by ensuring prompt email
response. In terms of feedback, supervisors may need five to seven days to read a draft of a
chapter and seven to ten days for a full dissertation draft. It is not possible for a supervisor to
read a full dissertation and provide constructive and detailed information three days before
the deadline of the final dissertation.
3.2.3.6 Ethics & Plagiarism
Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the ethical implications of their
proposed research and ensure all aspects of their research are conducted in an ethical
manner. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the rules regarding plagiarism,
and in submitting their dissertation, students are acknowledging that the submission is
entirely his/her own work.
Students are required to produce dissertations that are their own work, and all material taken
from other sources must be cited using the Harvard Referencing system. If plagiarism is
detected, harsh penalties will be imposed.

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3.2.3.7 Submission
Students must submit the final draft of dissertation through the learning management system
gateway prior to the final date. No hard copy submissions are required or accepted. There are
four standard deadline dates for submission in every academic year which will be
communicated to the student during start of every academic year.

3.3 Format of Dissertation

3.3.1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Approx.: 1000 words
This chapter should reflect the scope of the research, outlining the size of the problem, the
rationale behind pursuing such an investigation and any personal motivations prompting the
investigation. It is imperative that the chapter includes clearly stated aims, which lead to a
well- formulated research question, which is then interpreted through a brief selection of
objectives. The objective of the chapter is to introduce the reader to the work as much as give
them an impression what to expect.
3.3.2 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Approx. 4000 words
This chapter should be a reworked and modified submission that students have developed in the
preceding semester while undertaking their pathway core module. Students are expected to re- draft
the chapter to ensure that it fits in the context of the whole dissertation and is no longer a stand-alone
piece. The chapter describes and defines the context of the dissertation. The chapter needs to define
and explain the intended meaning behind the research question. It should be focused and explore the
relationships between concepts noted in the research question as well as demonstrate critical thinking
drawn from the academic sources relevant to the research question. The objective of the chapter is
to allow reader to recognise the broader frameworks supporting the undertaken research and the
wider linkages that exist beyond the scope of the research, whilst engaging with ways these debates
impact the undertaken research.

3.3.3 CHAPTER 3: PROCESS OF RESEARCH

Approx. 1500 words
This chapter provides an overview of how the research was conducted. Although there is some
expectation of a more descriptive approach (simply describing the process of data collection), for the
most part, students are expected to reflect upon the appropriateness of the steps they took to their
given research question. Thus the tone of the chapter should be more reflective and focused on
examining the appropriateness of the undertaken process and the supporting methodology. It is
imperative that any methodological choices and decisions are argued against the overall research

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question to demonstrate the rigour of the process. During the research process, secondary data is
essential and primary data is desirable.
Students should cover, for example:
 The types of decisions they had made in order to respond to their research question and the
impact of those decisions on shaping the investigation
 The rationale behind the choice of research methods
 What data is appropriate and how was it sourced
 What were obstacles and how they were overcome
 How reliability and validity have been ensured
 What were the limitations of the data collection
The above points are to be used as a guiding framework and by all means are not seen as exhaustive.
The objective of the chapter is to clearly stipulate the process supporting the given research question
and give the reader a clear indication whether the research has been undertaken with academic
rigour.

3.3.4 CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS

Approx. 3000 words
The chapter acts as a showcase of the submission. It places the research question at its centre
and methodically presents a response to it. It is here that students describe what they have
found out, what data sets have given particular insights and how those insights illuminate the
research question. It is imperative that the content of the chapter is not seen as simple
description of the collected data, but rather a narrative is presented that offers data analysis
and critical interrogation in light of the research question. Part of the analysis should also
include recognition of the underpinning literature review which would further the analysis
process. In short, students should briefly present the data, focus on conducting a thorough
analysis of it and present/explain the outcomes of said analysis in the critical context of their
literature review. The objective of the chapter is to provide the reader with a critical narrative
that respond to the research question, where the focus is not just on what has been
discovered, but also why any of that information is meaning full to the undertaken study.
3.3.5 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approx. 2000 words
This culminating chapter returns to the initial presented aims, research question, and
objectives and provides an overall response to them as derived from the previous chapters.
The chapter should offer concluding remarks not only in response to the research question

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but also highlights the gained insights. The chapter should also provide recommendation in
response to the research question either in terms of specific actions or further research. It is
imperative that the chapter clearly stems from the preceding chapters and does not stand on
its own.
3.3.6 REFERENCES
(Not included in the word count)
This part of the dissertation lists what research sources were used across the whole
submission apart from the actual collected data. The data sources would be listed in chapter
3 and evidenced in appendices. All books, articles, sources of statistical data and web sites
used in the dissertation must be listed in this chapter. Additional sources consulted should
also be placed in this section. Entries must be formatted using the Harvard Referencing
system

3.3.7 APPENDICES
(Not included in the word count)
All quantitative working (e.g. screen prints from SPSS); organograms; organisation policies
and procedures; letters of authorisation/confidentiality agreements; progress
reports/meeting notes/other relevant communications, sample observation/field notes, any
visual records of data, etc. To qualify for inclusion in the Appendices, material should be
referred to somewhere within the body of the dissertation. E.g.: Example of instrument for
primary data collection e.g. base questionnaire, structured interview pro-forma. Also one
example of respondent feedback e.g. completed questionnaire, transcript of interview (can
be coded for confidentiality although supervisor should be aware of source);
3.3.8 FORMATTING/GENERAL:
 Headers (containing short title of dissertation) and Footers (containing Student Name,
Module Code, and Page Numbering) are required.
 Text alignment should be fully justified (i.e. in a block with no ragged right margin)
 All spacing between paragraphs should be consistent
 Type font Times Roman/Courier/Arial size 12
 All headings should be Bold
 Accurate Harvard Referencing must be used throughout (see Skills Handbook for info)
 Students must submit the work through LMS project submission gateway. No hard copy
submissions are required or accepted.

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