Overall Programme Aims: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and processes that drive the highest standards of governance within an organisation environment, and its practical application emphasizing real-world case studies, strategic thinking, and ethical business practices, and demonstrating expertise in governance by being able to advise boards on strategy, monitoring and auditing, risk management and sustainability, positioning organisations as governance professionals in diverse organisational contexts. This programme is, further, professionally validated by The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland (CGI), leading to both, the academic qualification of ‘MSc Governance’ AND a professional recognition in form of CGI’s ‘Grad CG’.

Knowledge and Understanding: Learning outcomes
A1. Governance and ethics: Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices.
A2. Law and administration: Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices within different types of organisations.
A3. Meetings: Comprehensive understanding of how to effectively organise and influence towards achieving their objectives.
A4. Financial analysis and decision-making: Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices.
A5. Strategic management: Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices.
A6. Risk management: Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices.
A7. Effective Board: Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and practices.
A8. Research skills: Strong capability to conduct advanced research, enabling analysis, synthesis from various sources, and providing informed perspectives and recommendations.

Research Methods and Academic Writing

Module Description:

This module is tailored to provide postgraduate students with an in-depth understanding of research methodologies in the context of global business environments. This module goes beyond foundational research methods, emphasizing critical thinking and the creation of value in a global business context. This includes the accentuation of combining intersectionality between different business disciplines.

Aims

To equip students with the essential tools and techniques required to conduct rigorous academic and professional research. This module focuses on developing the ability to evaluate research methodologies, synthesize information from diverse sources, and communicate findings effectively. Through practical application, students will enhance their problem-solving, analytical, and presentation skills to produce well-structured and evidence-based research outputs.

Learning Outcomes (each learning outcome should be numbered when referencing assessment in Section C)

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• RM01: Critically evaluate research methodologies relevant to governance, assessing their strengths, weaknesses, and applicability.
• RM02: Plan and execute research projects using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, demonstrating rigorous academic standards.
• RM03: Interpret and synthesize data effectively, leading to evidence-based insights that contribute to governance practices.
• RM04: Present research findings in a well-structured format that communicates the outcomes clearly and persuasively.

Module Information (including syllabus)

1. Introduction to Research Design
2. Exploring Philosophical Foundations
3. Strategic Assessment of Research Methods
4. Ethical Design and Approval Process
5. Quantitative and Qualitative Research Integration
6. Strategies for the Digital Age
7. Effective Communication and Dissemination of Research Output
8. Application of Digital Age Strategies
9. Synthesis and Practical Application
10. Formality and Accuracy

Governance and Ethics

This module comprehensively covers the theory and knowledge of governance and ethics and the role of the governance professional in advising the board on its application across different types of organisations.

Effective Meetings

This module comprehensively covers the law and practice relating to meetings and the governance professionals role in facilitating them and ensuring that they meet their objectives.