Quality Improvement Academy - Prospectus 2019/20
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External Programmes
Who can apply? How long is the Programme?
This course is designed for those who are
working in areas where they can make
improvements within the organisation;
therefore all applicants should ideally be
employed in a related role. For further
information please contact Organisation &
Workforce Development.
Over year 1 students study three modules
equivalent to Postgraduate Certificate in
Business Improvement and may exit at this
stage. Those who continue into Year 2 study a
further three modules equivalent to
Postgraduate Diploma in Business
Improvement and may exit at this stage also.
Once the six modules have been successfully
completed students can then move on to
complete the full Master's qualification by
completing a Strategy module and a Business
Transformation Project. The full Masters can
be fast-tracked in two calendar years and
many students choose this option.
What does the programme involve? Programme Content
Each module is taught on a three day block
basis. This minimises the time required for
students to be out of the workplace:
students will typically be at the University
12 days per year. There are also follow up
"learning sets" following each module.
Year 1 of the course introduces students to
the fundamental aspects of business
improvement: operational excellence,
management of change and quality
assurance. In year 2, students add capabilities
of innovation management, people
involvement and financial decision-making. In
year 3, students add strategic awareness
capability and are given the opportunity to
implement a business transformation to solve
a live problem via a supervised project.
Quality Improvement Project Completion of Programme
Students are required to implement a
business transformation to solve a live
problem via a project.
Students who successfully complete the two
modules in semester 1 and the module in
semester 2 (to a value of 60 credit points) may
exit with a Postgraduate Certificate. Students
who successfully complete the module in
semester 3 of Year 1 and two modules across
semesters 1 and 2 of Year 2 (to a value of 120
credit points) may exit with a Postgraduate
Diploma.
MSc in Business Improvement
The course recognises a need for organisations and their managers to become focused on
operational performance outcomes. This requires management by process, the integration of quality
management techniques and a commitment to continuous improvement. The course has been
shaped and designed by leading academics and business leaders using the European Foundation
Quality Model (EFQM) Excellence Model as its inspiration.
For further information visit: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/201920/business-improvement-19608