Business people increasingly need to incorporate the full ramifications of technology developments on their business operations and strategic directions. Science and engineering graduates recognise that they need to develop a better understanding of business operations to make the greatest impact with their innovative concepts; importantly they need to be able to speak the same language as their business colleagues at senior and board levels. It is no longer sufficient for engineers just to be good at their job in technical departments and teams.
Pervasive themes throughout the programme will be as follows:
- Finite global resources, sustainability
- System complexity, unpredictability, ambiguity
- Risk and security of business assets (tangible and intangible)
- R&D portfolios, new engineering developments
- New business models, innovation, the knowledge economy
- Individual & team leadership
The programme will comprise 8 modules (total 120 credits) plus a synoptic project (60 credits). While all modules are compulsory, each one will be tailored by the individual, their manager and the university to suit each participant’s current employment needs, engineering field(s), previous experience, career goals and interests. The modules will cover topics such as leadership, sustainability, marketing, partners and suppliers, strategy, operational efficiency, legal, financial decision-making. The programme will be focused onto major challenges impacting business – energy supplies, sustainable resources, complexity of interconnected systems, rapidly changing global markets, business risks, ethical and social responsibilities, new business models, etc.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
A taste of Aston
During the programme, there will be 6 separate on-campus residential weeks. These weeks will be an integral (mandatory) part of the whole programme and will enable a diverse range of activities to be undertaken on the campus, as well as exploiting the wealth of events and locations that are readily access from our central Birmingham location. The initial week will introduce participants to the whole programme and enable them to consider how they will be able to optimise the potential outcomes from the programme to meet their individual needs and interests. Opportunities will be provided for familiarisation with distance learning tools and techniques that may not have been encountered previously, as well as approaches to rigorous research, for the acquisition of broader knowledge outside their own specialist disciplines. Participants will work together in groups, with university specialists and external guests, building and extending their networks across different disciplines, markets and cultures. Individual and team working styles will be explored through psychometric profiling. As is customary for engineers, exercises will offer opportunities for participants to practice and demonstrate ideas and ways of working without disturbing their normal professional operations. A feature of the programme will be breadth of thinking, and especially of forward thinking considering topical scenarios and global factors, increased self-awareness guided by feedback and reflection, and the discipline of regular review.
This new Programme is still under development and the information provided is a summary of the likely main features of the programme. More detailed information about admissions requirements, learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods will be discussed with potential applicants. Full details will be provided to participants on enrolment.
For enrolment onto this programme, applicants must have one of the following:
- A good UK honours degree
- An equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University
- A degree-level professional qualification
Plus
- At least five years relevant post-graduation employment (by the start date of the programme) normally associated with professional roles related to engineering or physical sciences
- Current employment in a role with significant managerial responsibilities and increasing senior leadership of engineering activities
- Employer support for integration of programme studies with company relevant projects and activities, with in company mentoring and progress review
- Two professional references – one from your current manager and the second, for example, from a previous employer or academic tutor, depending on professional work experience
- Applicants whose native language is not English will need to demonstrate English Language ability (e.g. IELTS 6.5,TOEFL score of 600 or equivalent). Successful completion of a pre-sessional course at Aston is acceptable for those who do not meet this criterion.
Applicants not fulfilling these criteria will be accepted on a case by case basis, depending on current circumstances, previous qualifications and experience. The performance of such participants will be monitored and suitability for Certificate, Diploma or Masters considered at the end of each year.
Details of study for one or more particular modules, a Diploma or Certificate can be provided on request. Bespoke programmes will also be negotiated with companies / organisations.
Recognising that staff are too valuable to release from their company operations to study on campus, this programme will be delivered through activities aligned with company needs through work-place based distance learning with only limited requirements for on-campus study. The flexible structure will ensure that participants can select topics and projects relevant to their company and personal needs, for the short and longer term.
Two on-campus weeks each year, will provide:
- essential induction and progress reviews
- meetings with academic staff
- team work activities with fellow participants
- an introduction to research / learning tools and techniques
- analysis and communication
- scientific and engineering developments
- specialist lectures and visiting speakers, special events and visits.
Assessment will exploit methods that are compatible with the distance learning, part-time delivery of this programme. Participants will also be assessed by continuous assessment of their overall participation while attending on-campus activities, contributing to team and peer interactions and feedback from their company manager.
Wherever possible and in consultation with their employer, participants will be encouraged to generate appropriate material relevant to their employment as a part of their programme submissions. Examples may include reports, presentations, studies, analyses, reviews, plans, designs, etc. This is efficient use of time, adding value for the employer and participant and reinforces the learning from the programme.
This programme aims to transform experienced managers in engineering into influential and respected leaders with the personal and technical expertise to address global business challenges, with integrity, in a resource limited world.
Prof Alison Hodge MBE, PhD, CEng, CPhys +44 (0) 121 204 3047
a.m.hodge@aston.ac.uk
Before joining Aston University, Alison’s career included pioneering research, management of applied research in physical sciences and senior company strategic leadership roles. She has managed projects and led departments of 230 staff through significant change programmes. Alison has worked with a wide range of government organisations and companies, as well as academic and professional institutions. Alison is now helping Aston create a new vision for engineering leadership education.
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