Faculty of Business and Law

Bristol Business School

ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/2023

ASSESSMENT BRIEF

Module Code: UMCDQ-15-3

Module Title: ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Submission Deadline: Week 11 – to be confirmed
Assessment Component: Presentation
Assessment Weighting: 25%

Assessment Instructions

Your task will be to identify an area of Business and Management that you are interested in and
which relates with your degree e.g. Marketing, Operations, HRM, Accounting and Finance etc. You
should investigate 2 specific countries, addressing the following points:

1. What are the key characteristics of the chosen industry/sector in terms of growth and
development? How have these characteristics impacted on employers’ requirements in
relation to hiring graduates?
2. For each country, critically analyse graduates’ career readiness and any skills gap that exist.
3. Based on your analysis, make a comparison between the selected countries and critically
discuss similarities and differences.
4. Drawing on your research, what suggestions you can make to employers and graduates?

Guidance
 Working in groups of 4-5, you will present your work for about 20 minutes online to a group of
assessors using Blackboard Collaborate. The slides will have to be submitted in advance, along
with your scripts/notes through blackboard.
 You are expected to use at least 15 academic references to inform your work and you should use
Harvard Referencing on your slides.

Marking Criteria

MAR KNOWLEDGE ANALYSIS (30%) EVALUATION (30%) PRESENTATION

K (30%)
Demonstrates a detailed and
70+ comprehensive knowledge and
understanding of the theories
and concepts used.
Shows excellent evidence of
reading widely with extensive
use of wide range of relevant
literature and media.
Handles scholarly material
excellently and is skillful in
identifying relevant and
Perceptive analysis which raises
insightful issues and creates a
deeper understanding of the
organisational context
Very good integration of theory
and practice, connections are
made between what a given
theory says and how it connects
to the given organisational
context
Well chosen, interesting and
highly relevant examples
Strong development of argument
Excellent evidence of critical
thinking - Concepts are not
unquestioningly accepted at face
value and are questioned in the
light of the analysis, pros and cons,
strengths and weaknesses d
Well supported evaluations based
on evidence informed by recent
theory
& INDIVUDAL
CONTRIBUTION
(10%)
Professional use of
technology
Excellent structure a strong
opening or introduction
with ‘signposts’, a clear
flow and logical transitions,
between the points made
and between speakers
Excellent team co-
ordination in presentation
with all team members
participating equally
 appropriate theory.
Demonstrates a good
knowledge and understanding
of theories and concepts –
clearly stated and accurate –
but some areas could be
stronger.
Shows good evidence of
60+ reading, going beyond the more
basic texts and sources, as
evidenced by reference to a
good range of relevant
literature and media.
Handles scholarly material well
and identifies relevant and
appropriate theory.
Broadly adequate knowledge,
but contains errors.
Adequate evidence of reading
with some reference to
relevant literature and media.
Handles scholarly material
adequately and generally
50+ identifies relevant and
appropriate theory.
Clumsy - may use technical
language, but doesn’t show full
understanding.
Weak knowledge and
understanding of theories and
concepts (generalized /
incomplete/ has errors).
Limited evidence of reading –
40+ core text/lecture material only.
Poor handling of scholarly
material and problems in
identifying and applying
appropriate / relevant theories.
Knowledge and understanding
of theories and concepts is very
weak or non-existent.
37 Little or no evidence of reading
30 with very few or no references
to relevant literature and
20 media.
0 Lack of theoretical framework
or use of irrelevant /
inappropriate theories.
Formative Feedback and Support
Very good research into the
subject
Good evidence of analysis, that
creates insight and
understanding
Good integration of theory and
practice – specific opinions
supported by theory and
observed practice but
unimaginatively
Good number and quality of
examples
Good research into the subject
Reasonable analysis in places,
but sometimes lapses into
description rather than analysis
Some linkage between theory
and practice – more specific
opinions supported by theory
are needed
Satisfactory number and quality
of illustrations and examples
Decent research into the
subject
Limited analysis, tending
toward description
Little linkage between theory
and practice – focusing on one
at the expense of the other)
Weak or few illustrations and
examples
Little research into the subject
Little or no analysis which is
heavily descriptive.
No linkage between theory and
practice (Either: mostly
practice-based, OR theory-
based)
Very poor, very few, irrelevant
illustrations or examples.
Poor research into the subject
Good development of an argument
Some evidence of critical thinking,
sound judgement, clear reasoning
and support for evaluations
Some evidence informed by theory
supporting detailed observations
An argument is present, but
sometimes difficult to follow
Evidence of judgment, with some
attempt at evaluation but
tendency towards description
Some evidence supporting more
detailed observations
Has an argument, but it is weak
and sometimes difficult to follow
Some evidence supporting general
statements but poor judgement
Some unsupported assertions,
largely descriptive
Very little evidence supporting
assertions and judgements
Unsubstantiated, generalised
statements and opinions
Conclusions based on speculation
Excellent communication
with the audience – slides
were clear and free from
error; the team handled
questions skillfully and
professionally
Skilled use of technology
A coherent structure
demonstrating creative use
of the medium, but some
areas could be stronger
Good team co-ordination
in presentation
Good communication with
the audience – slides were
mostly clear and free from
error; the team handled
questions well
Competent use of
technology
Some evidence of structure
that allowed the team to
communicate the message
but much to improve
Adequate team co-
ordination in presentation
Adequate communication
with the audience – some
omissions and errors in the
slides and in the handling
of questions
Limited use of technology
The beginning of a
coherent structure but
overall poor handling of
the material
Poor team co-ordination in
presentation
Poor communication with
the audience – ‘sloppy’
presentation
Poor use of technology
No evidence of coherent
structure – confused and
weak argument with no
obvious line of thought
No team co-ordination in
presentation
Poor communication with
the audience
Formative feedback provides opportunities to reflect on your ongoing work and preparation for your
assignment. There will be specific sessions, both in the lecture and workshops, to help you with the
assignment. In addition, there will be dedicated drop-in sessions with the module leaders to provide
you with additional support (these will be both face to face and online).

Format

Please use the following file format(s): .doc / .docx / .ppt / .pdf (please note that files submitted in
formats associated with Apple Mac computers are not able to be opened, and thus, not able to be
marked. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your coursework in the appropriate
format. We cannot ensure that other formats are compatible with markers’ software.

Please ensure that you provide the following details on the first slide of your PowerPoint
presentations:
 Student Numbers of all group members
 The module Name and Code
 Your group name
Word Limit
 There is no word or slide limit per se, but please do bear in mind that you will have 20 minutes in
total to present. It will be important therefore to decide on the optimal number of slides.

You can view the UWE word count policy here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/aboutus/policies

Further Guidance and Support

Guidance on study skills: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspx

Support from the FBL Academic Success Centre:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/bl/bbs/aboutus/studentexperience/academicsupportcentre.aspx

Writing skills
https://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/readingandwriting/writing.aspx

Guidance on UWE assessment regulations and terminology:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/assessmentsguide.aspx

Guidance on using the library: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary.aspx

Personal Circumstances
If you are experiencing difficulties in completing a piece of assessment on time due to unexpected
circumstances (for example illness, accident, bereavement), you should seek advice from a Student
Support Adviser at the earliest opportunity.

Please note the module leader cannot grant personal circumstances or extensions.

Appointments with a student adviser can be made via an Information Point or online at:
http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/studentadvisers.aspx

The Student Support Adviser will advise as to whether you should submit an application for ‘Personal
Circumstances (PCs)’, how to do so and what evidence is required to support the application.
Further details on PCs can be found here:
http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/personalcircumstances.aspx
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