Duration: One year full-time

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face learning

Awarding Institution: GBS HE Malta

Awarded Qualification: Award in Business Management and Study Skills; Pre-Tertiary Certificate in Business, Management and Study Skills

Level: MQF Level 4 (UK Level 3)

MQRIC Accredited Status: Accredited

Locations: Malta

Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme

Language of Instruction: English

The Award in Business Management and Study Skills provides an academic and professional foundation to students in essential areas related to contemporary business and management. This includes theories, practices and applications to different types of business, approaches to management and contemporary topics in business and management. Students will also be introduced to the area of project management in a business-related context.

In addition, the Award covers the academic writing, communication and digital skills as well as study practice that are necessary for successful achievement in higher education. Students will also explore their career aspirations and develop a career plan.

The Award in Business Management and Study Skills provides a solid foundation in both business and management, supplemented by a broader base of knowledge and skills to enable students to study business and management at higher education levels (MQF/EQF Levels 5 and 6) and so pursue a career in business organisations.

The overall objectives of the programme are to provide students with the following: 

• An understanding and appreciation of the business environment in which organisations operate.
• Different approaches to management and leadership
• The impact of globalisation on businesses
•  An understanding of contemporary topics in business and management
• Effective study skills and career planning
• Communication and digital technologies, including e-business and digitalisation in the workplace

Our Award in Business Management and Study Skills are assessed and accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) and aligned with the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF).

Our programme is approved under the Malta Get Qualified Scheme, which allows students to claim back up to 70% of their tuition fees as tax credits after graduation. This government-backed initiative applies to programmes recognised at MQF Level 3 or higher. To be eligible for the refund, graduates must live and work in Malta for at least two years following the completion of their studies. This makes higher education in Malta both more affordable and financially rewarding.

Credits needed to earn the degree:

• ECTS Credits: 60 ECTS
• UK Credits: 120 Credits

Award in Business Management and Study Skills consists of six compulsory 10 ECTS modules as follows:

• Developing Academic Skills
• Understanding Business and Organisations
• Communication and Digital Literacy Skills
• Contemporary Topics in Business and Management
• Effective Study and Career Planning
• Business Project

Assessment will be through a range of different types of coursework, including essays, case studies, group and individual presentations, posters, teamwork, project proposals and a project report.

Continual and summative approaches to assessment will be employed. Continual assessment tasks will be used in all modules and will be aimed at supporting students in understanding and preparing for the assignments. In this way, students with different learning styles and abilities will be able to gain a good understanding of the requirements and be confident on their journey to their finals.

Briefs will be set for each of the final assignments required by each of the modules on this programme. These will set out the learning outcomes being assessed, appropriate material, context, etc. Suggested reading will include book chapters, published articles, weblinks to companies, and case studies, as appropriate. Each assignment brief will include marking/grading criteria so that participants have a clear understanding of what is required to pass the assessment and what is required to achieve higher grades. Grading of a participant’s assessment will be made using the pass, merit, distinction and fail criteria common to MQF/EQF Level 4 programmes.

Feedback will be provided to each student on their assessed work identifying both areas of strength and areas that could be improved. Where a fail grade is awarded the student will receive detailed feedback on the reasons for awarding such a grade and the areas that would need to be addressed for improement.

The learner will be able to:

1. Describe different types of business and identify different approaches to management in international and global contexts.
2. Understand and appreciate business and management in international/global organisations (public, private and voluntary).
3. Describe and identify different theories, concepts and ideas in business and management.
4. Identify different types of business organisations including private, public and voluntary.
5. Identify the importance of project management from inception, implementation and completion in different types of businesses and through developing own project.
6. Understand, demonstrate and improve upon a range of academic and writing skills necessary to study effectively in higher education.
7. Identify study practices and personal qualities and attributes, necessary for progression to higher education.
8. Identify career aspirations and develop a written career plan.
9. Identify communication and digital skills, including e-business and digitalisation, required to support studies and learning in business and management.

his MQF/EQF Level 4 Award in Business Management and Study Skills is for students who want to progress to a higher education course, for example, an undergraduate honours degree (MQF/EQF Levels 5 and 6) in business and management, and thereafter pursue a career in that area.

Award graduates could also be qualified to take up junior management positions in business organisations.

It is envisaged that there would be a range of different backgrounds of learners holding at least MQF/EQF Level 2 certificates in business and/or management related subjects who would be interested in study for the Award in Business Management and Study Skills.

These include the following:

• Learners holding or about to hold MQF/EQF level 2 certificates in business-related subjects.
•  Mature learners holding at least MQF/EQF level 2 certificates in business-related subjects working in junior management roles in a business organisation (local, national or global) who wish to pursue further studies to enhance their career prospects in more senior management roles.
• Learners who have worked in a family business and/or wish to set up their own business and hold at least MQF/EQF Level 2 certificate in business-related subjects.

English Language requirements: In addition, to be offered a place, students would be required to meet English language requirements of a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 overall or equivalent English language abilities at this level.

This programme is designed to prepare students for a wide range of occupations in general management across all industry sectors and the international environment. This course is also designed to provide progression to an honours degree programme in business and management or related subjects.