University of Wales Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Frequently Asked Questions

1.	Tell me more about University of Wales. The University of Wales enjoys a distinctive identity as a federal University comprising eight Member Institutions, whose academic activities it exists to support and for which it is the degree-awarding body. The University enjoys close links with other higher education institutions in Wales and it is an important awarding body for institutions overseas. The University's broad strategic aim is to help create the conditions whereby its member institutions, as well as its own central academic units and services, achieve their full potential and maintain national and international excellence. The University of Wales is committed to helping fulfill the educational and economic needs of Wales and to supporting its linguistic, cultural and national heritage.
2.	What are the strengths of this programme? The UOW MBA is a general and well-structured MBA programme from an UK university. University of Wales is a well-known and prestigious university in the UK. The programme is a 2-year progressive, theoretical and structured learning programme tailored to meet students' postgraduate study needs. It is specially tailored to suit the Asian market with comprehensive examples extracted from an Asia context. This programme encourages students' participation and contribution into the institutional learning process. It focuses on all aspects of modern business studies, management and a broad range of business oriented subjects relevant to today's knowledge-based economy. This programme is facilitated by a team of specialised and experienced facilitators and lecturers.
3.	Tell me more about the programme The MBA emphasises on professional and vocational development and understanding of higher level managerial skills and concepts, and their application in practical situations. Students will be exposed to a balanced curriculum, including theory, workshops, and case studies taken from the world stage. The programme empowers students with a superb grounding with an excellent mix of specific and broad range of business oriented subjects relevant to today's knowledge-based economy.
4.	I need to know more about the e-Learning platform at PurpleTrain.com. Is there a DEMO for potential customers to experience e-Learning before signing up? Please click here for the demo.
5.	What is the duration of 1 module? Each module is conducted over a period of 6 weeks except for BA610 Dissertation.
6.	Is there a Project module? How much time will students be given for the completion of the project? Yes, there is a Project module in the programme. Students are given a period of 6 months to complete the project.
7.	Will there be any assistance offered to the students for the Project module? Yes, a supervisor will be appointed to guide each candidate on the Project.
8.	Are textbooks required for the programme? Students will be provided with a list of recommended textbooks upon registration.
9.	What are the pre-requisites to enter the programme? Please refer to the section on 'Entry Requirement'.
10.	Which module should I start with? Is there any standard study plan for us? Students can attempt to complete these modules in any sequence at their own discretion. However, students can only commence on BA610 upon successful completion of BA601 - BA609.
11.	What are Learning Objectives? Please refer to the Unit's description.
12.	Can I complete the course in 1 year? The UOW MBA must be completed in no less than 24 months and not more than 5 years in accordance to UOW 's Regulations.
13.	Will work experience be taken into consideration for entry into the programme? Yes. Please refer to the Entry Requirement.
14.	Are there any exemptions for the UOW MBA? No, there aren't any exemptions for candidates.
15.	What is the Course Fees for this programme? Please click here for Course Fees information.
16.	Will there be any physical contact with the facilitators? No, all supervision will be done online.
17.	Who are the Facilitators in the course? Please click here for more information.
18.	Is email the only for candidates to communicate with the supervisors? No, facilities such as chat rooms, private emails, discussion rooms are also made available to candidates.
19.	What are the assessment weightings for the modules in the course? The modules will be assessed based on Coursework (25%), Written Examination (65%) and Participation (10%). For students who register for classes before Jan 2004, both the Coursework and the Written Examination must possess a pass mark of 50% in order to achieve a pass in the respective module. For students who register for classes from Jan 2004 onwards, both the Coursework and the Written Examination must possess a pass mark of 40% in order to achieve a pass in the respective module.
20.	How is the Participation assessed and awarded? The Facilitator of the module will assess and award the Participation mark based on student's Netiquette, Interest Level, Role Model and Contribution in the class. This Participation Mark will be computed in the student's final marks.
21.	How do you describe these assessment criteria for the Participation Component? Netiquette is exercising decorum within the chat rooms, discussion boards/emails and engaging in constructive discussions with classmates and the Facilitator. Interest Level is the frequency, quality and initiative in posting queries and comments (based on the module) within the chat rooms and discussion rooms. Role Model is about providing a "helping hand" to fellow classmates e.g. by suggesting answers to questions raised; demonstrating a willingness to share and exchange ideas with classmates. Contribution is about contributing to wider knowledge and/or creation of new ideas; this may be demonstrated from practical work examples/experiences gained.
22.	How many assignments are there for each module? Typically, there are on average 1 - 2 assignments per module.
23.	Will there be any coursework for each module? Yes, there will be coursework for every module.
24.	How many chat sessions are there for each module and how long does each session lasts? 3 chat sessions with each session lasting for 1 - 1 ½ hours on average.
25.	When are the examinations held? The examination will be held during the periods of March, June, September and December at every calendar year.
26.	What is an Exam Board? The Exam Board is the Board that actually awards the MBA awards. At this board, all the marks (and grades) that you have gained in your units will be processed.
27.	When is the Exam Board held? The Exam Board will be held during the periods of April/May and October/November at every calendar year.
28.	Are there any examination rules that we have to take note for the different modules? Students are allowed only ONE ATTEMPT for each module. The Examination Board decides on the final marks. Students who failed a module may be permitted to resubmit the Coursework (Refer) or to re-sit the module's Written Examinations (Refer) whilst taking another module. This decision is made at the full discretion of the Board and the Examiners. A student may only resubmit the Coursework and/or redo a Written Examination once. Should a student fail to pass a specific module's Coursework and/or Written Examination after one re-attempt, he/she will be permitted to continue to study other modules in the programme. Students should make this choice if they want to attain the minimal 60 credits to get the Grad Certificate.
29.	Do candidates need to take any written examinations? Yes, the written examinations will be conducted on a fully written basis in a proctored classroom environment.
30.	If a candidate fails the coursework, can they still go for the examination? No.
31.	What happens when I'm unable to attend the written examination? A candidate who is absent from the whole part or part of a written examination [or fails to submit set projects or coursework by the required date(s)] will failed the module(s) in question. In the case of illness or other exceptional circumstances, the Examination Board may grant an extension to submission dates or permit a supplementary examination to be held. The candidate must submit his/her approved medical certificates with stating that you are unfit for examinations; this should be submitted to PurpleTrain within 48 hours of the time of the examination.
32.	What is Board of Studies? There will be an online chat session between UOW representatives with online students. PurpleTrain will keep UOW students notified once the schedule for the chat session have been fixed.
33.	What is meant by Refer? A Refer occurs when you have failed to meet the learning outcomes of a unit that you have studied. The Exam Board will specify a piece of work or pieces of work that you must undertake in order to pass the unit, that is to meet the learning outcomes. The most common cases are where the coursework and examination for a unit are assessing different learning outcomes and you have, for example, not passed the coursework, then you will be asked to do another coursework. Similarly, if you have not passed the examination you will have been asked to take another examination. Should you have failed both the coursework and the examination components of a unit you could be referred in both of these, which is have to take a new examination and do another coursework. Sometimes, a completely new piece of work will be set which is set specifically for Refer and assesses all of the learning outcomes of the unit. You will be sent details of exactly what you are required to do for your Refer, and this is most important, the time by which it must be achieved. If you do not successfully pass the Refer assessment in the timescale laid down then you will have lost your Refer and will then have to undertake a Re-Unit.
34.	What is meant by Re-unit? A Re-Unit is when you are required to redo all the assessments of a unit. Students who are given a Re-Unit are normally advised to attend the unit, which is to join the next official run of the unit and to study it with that group of students. However, there is no requirement for the student to do this, all that is required is that the complete sets of assessments are submitted. The assessments will be marked in the normal way and an overall mark for the unit calculated in the normal way, that is by combining both coursework and examination marks. If the overall marks for the unit is 40%* or higher then you will have passed your Re-Unit. The Exam Board will then award the credit points for that unit. (50% for students enrolled before Jan 2004).
35.	What is the cost for Referral and Re-Unit attempts in the course? The Refer Fee is USD280 The Re-Unit Fee is USD330.
36.	If a candidate fails the dissertation, should the candidate Refer or Re-unit? The student will have be advised by the supervisor. The student will have to pay a Refer/Re-unit fee of US$500. The duration for a Refer/Re-unit of the dissertation is 6 months.
37.	What is the presentation format of the Dissertation Reports ? Dissertations Reports should be presented in a permanent and legible format In typescript or print Font size of main text (but not necessarily in illustrations, maps etc) shall not be less than 8 pt (2.50 mm) Typing shall be of even quality with clear black characters, and capable of photographic reproduction Double or one-and-a-half spacing shall be used in the main text, but single spacing shall be used in the summary and in any indented quotations and footnotes.
38.	Who owns the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the Dissertation Reports submitted? The University of Wales owns the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the Dissertation Reports submitted.
39.	Can candidates apply for a deferment on the programme? Yes, candidates will be able to apply for deferment. This will be considered on a case-to-case basis.
40.	What is Compensation? Compensation is where the Exam Board will give the credit points for a unit to a student even though the student has not achieved the pass mark in that unit. It can only occur at a Exam Board when the student is being considered for their final award.
41.	If student is dissatisfied with the result, what can the student do? The student may appeal against the result.
42.	How does the appeal process work? If the student is in the midst of course, the appeal will be considered entirely by Informatics. If the student has completed the entire Part 1, or Part 2, he/she is entitled to appeal to the University for a verification of the results. However, the student must satisfy the conditions for appeal.
43.	What are the conditions for appeal? The conditions are: a. To verify that there were no arithmetical errors or other errors of fact. b. That there were exceptional personal circumstances which may have had an adverse impact on the student's academic performance. The student will need to indicate why such circumstances were not raised prior to the conduct of the examination. c. That there were defects or irregularities in the conduct of the examinations which may have affected the student's performance.
44.	Is there an official document on the appeal policy? The University of Wales appeal and verification policy is available on their website at www.wales.ac.uk.
45.	Can I request to see my script? Under our academic governance, candidates are not allowed to view your script. The method for seeking redress is via the appeal procedure.
46.	What will happen after the first stage of the appeal? If it is established that a student has a basis for the appeal, the appeal will be forwarded to the University for their considerations. If it is established, however that there is no basis for the appeal, the student will be duly informed.
47.	Are there grounds for when candidates cannot appeal? Yes, candidates cannot appeal on the grounds of questioning the academic judgment.
48.	How does one go about making an appeal? The student should inform PurpleTrain.com in writing and ensure that he/she has considered the conditions for appeal before making the appeal. This must be sent to exams@purpletrain.com.
49.	Is there a time limit to appeal? Students have to appeal within two weeks of the result release date. Appeals submitted any later will not be considered.
50.	What is the appeal fee? The appeal fee of USD100 per module is applicable for all appeal applications. Late appeal applications received after the stipulated duration will not be entertained. Note: A GST of 5% will be applicable for Singaporean or those who are residing in Singapore.
51.	What is the definition of MBA with Distinction? A candidate must achieve an overall mark of no less than 70%, having achieved no less than 65% for BA601 - BA609 and no less than 70% for BA610 in order to attain a MBA with Distinction.
52.	The University comprises of 6 Constituent Institutions and 2 Colleges. Which is the one that will be awarding the MBA? The MBA will be validated and awarded by the University of Wales as a whole.
53.	If a candidate completes only 9 modules and does not submit the dissertation, is there still any certifications awarded? Yes, the University of Wales will award the candidate with a Graduate Diploma.
54.	How many exit points are there in the course? There are 3 exit points namely, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and MBA.
55.	What does the Certificate and Transcript look like? Please click here for sample certificate and here for sample transcript.
56.	Can one choose to exit the programme with a Graduate Certificate and then re-continue the programme at a later date? No.
57.	What happens if I am not able to redeem a failure? The following scenarios will describe the failure cases: Candidates failing three or more modules, whether with marks in the range 35-39% or below, will normally be required to resit all failed modules. For each failed module they will have one opportunity to resit and, if successful, the module mark will be capped at the pass level mark of 40%. Where a candidate is unable to redeem a failure it will be the higher of the two marks below 40% that is used by the Board for determining the candidate's progress, award or exclusion. Candidates with a fail in a module where the mark awarded is 34% or below will normally be required to resit the failed module. They will have one opportunity to do this and, if successful, the module mark will be capped at the pass level of 40%. Where a candidate is unable to redeem a failure, it will be the higher of the two marks below 40% that is used by the Board for determining the candidate's progress, award or exclusion. Candidates with an average mark in the range 35-39% and with no more than one fail mark below 30% will normally be awarded the University of Wales diploma. Candidates with an average mark below 35% will be considered to have failed.
58.	Can graduates attend the graduation ceremony at Wales? Yes. Graduates can opt to attend the graduation ceremony at a campus in Wales. You should indicate your intention early to PurpleTrain so that arrangements can be made to assist you to make the trip. Please note that all travelling and accomodation expenses will be borne by you.
59.	When and where will the convocation ceremony at Wales be held? Convocation ceremony at Wales is normally held around October/November each year. PurpleTrain.com will be notified of the specific campus location and date of the ceremony. We will then post an online form (similar to the one shown below) for students to register for it. Students will fill up an online form and submit by the dateline indicated. Once Wales receive the request, they will send a convocation pack to the graduate. This pack contains all the important information pertaining to the convocation details as well as possible accommodations in the vicinity.
60.	If I am not able to submit my dissertation BA610 upon deadline, what should I do in order to get an extension and how it would affect my study plan? Please refer to this document here.

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