ID011 Development of an integrated leadership and management route

The Idea

It is suggested that we develop leadership and management (L&M) modules at levels 4-7 (4 modules in total). These could be taken by students enrolled on programmes throughout the university and would replace one module at each year of study from their principal programme. These would be 15 credit modules that would develop the student’s understanding of management, leadership, the business cycle, budgeting and project management. Successful completion of each of these modules would result in the student’s degree title being ‘[Principal subject] with Leadership and Management’. The nature of the management material would allow the new modules to be shared by all programmes allowing for very efficient delivery, whilst allowing all programmes to offered a ‘with leadership & management’ option. These routes could be designed in partnership with, and accredited by, the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Based on some initial conversations with our L7 students, they would be very keen on this proposal, particularly the fact that leadership and management would be recognised in their degree title. 

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Employability is biggest metric that we get asked about on open/visit days and this would provide the university with a USP with regard to this. We already have the GCP structure embedded into most programmes in the university so adopting this would not require major modification of the programmes. It delivers on the founding principle of the university for a broad education and, most importantly of all, it would better prepare the students for the workplace and allow them to access graduate level positions at an earlier point of their career. There is a significant productivity gap in the UK, part of this can be attributed to graduates having excellent technical skills but not understanding the work environment that they are going to us them in. This results in them learning on the job which will limit their productivity. Over the years I have spoken with countless employers who say that graduates need more business awareness/understanding. 

We have the expertise within the existing staff base to deliver this, particularly with KBS, staff with MBAs (outside of KBS, both academic and PSS). Whilst nothing is free, this is a very low cost option that wouldn't require new staffing and wouldn't result in a significant administrative burden for the individual programme teams. It also wouldn't dilute the marketing message as it would just be a route through the existing programmes rather than being marketed as a separate programme. This proposal would also support the findings of the Universities UK reputational insights research that found that universities needed to engage across the following themes of partnership, opportunity and innovation. Implementation of this proposal would provide a graduate ready for the workplace, with the skills required to implement and drive change. It would also set them out from other graduates in the jobs market, resulting in increased employability. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

The proposed idea would follow the structure of the Grand Challenge Pathway that already exists in most programmes at the university. There would be a module on leadership and management in each year of study that would replace one module of study on their principal programmes. If the students complete all of these over their degree, their degree title would be appended with 'with leadership and management'. This can be marketed as one of the ways Keele is different and how it provides a cutting-edge education that is relevant to the modern workplace. By following the structure of the GCP it would be straightforward to implement in the individual programmes. This is because the ‘space’ for the GCP modules is already built into the existing programme structures. Just to note that this proposal is not suggesting that a new strand of the GCP should be created, only that we follow the structure of the GCP. It is hoped that by appending the student’s degree title to reflect the fact they have followed this route will overcome some of the retention issues currently encountered by the GCP route. It was clear from the feedback from the students that they would want their degree titles to reflect the fact they have taken this route, this was to make them stand out to potential employers. The modules designed as part of this route could also be used for other routes, such as those that contain placements.

What Success Would Look Like

Improved graduate employability, this feeds into subject/university quality metrics which will ultimately lead to increased recruitment. I also envisage that this will be a significant recruitment pull/decider for many students, particular as their parents will understand the value of these skills even if they don't fully appreciate the subject area.