Course Summary

The MSc Telecommunications Management is designed for those who have an interest in pursuing or enhancing a management career within the telecommunications industry. The course includes units on technology and its management, such as digital technologies, networking administration and management, wireless networking and network systems.

The course also covers aspects relevant to the management of telecommunications such as managing people, professional project management, telecommunications in the business environment (including telecommunications regulations) and financial analysis.

The department is very well resourced and you will have access to our state-of-the-art computer laboratories. These include more than 450 workstations, five servers and dedicated network laboratories. In addition, the overall ratio of computers to students is nearly twice the number recommended by the British Computer Society. The department has also won a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and Knowledge East of England Partnerships (KEEP) with local companies, and in 2006, we launched the Academic into Business Computing centre (ABC) to provide computing students with work experience in a professional environment.

Research is used to underpin all aspects of this Masters course. By 2009 the department had attracted more than ¬5m of funding from UK and European funding bodies, and the research in the department is going from strength to strength.

Why choose this course?

On successful completion of this MSc Telecommunications Management course, you will have a solid understanding of both the business-related and telecommunications aspects required to pursue a management career in the telecommunications industry.

During the course you will:

• Study in a friendly environment with state-of-the-art computer facilities
• Have opportunities for independent and work-related learning
• Be able to pursue Continuing Professional Development (CPD) via our individual taught modular scheme (Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate)
• Have the chance to work with world-leading researchers at the University (such as Professor Jie Zhang)

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Advanced digital communications
• Financial analysis
• Managing people
• Network systems
• Professional project management
• Wireless networking
• Telecommunications business environment

MSTLM

Assessment

The assessment strategy used is a balance of written reports, exams, practical (coursework) assignments and computer based assessment. The method used will depend on the nature of the subject being taught in the unit, and the most appropriate method has been chosen.

Coursework assignments have incorporated formative feedback (as part of our Risk Strategy initiative) so that you can gain an insight into whether your work is meeting the necessary targets.

You must have passed 105 credits before undertaking the MSc project.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Develop a clear, concise and fully justified management plan that could be applied within the context of a telecommunications business.

2. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the technical concepts of various telecommunications technologies.

3. Analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex data (relating to telecommunications) that will allow you to make sensible and justified management decisions.

4. Communicate (in both an oral and written context) the fundamental concepts of telecommunications that are required to be successful in the telecommunications industry.

5. Undertake a substantial piece of work (related to telecommunications and its management) that shows the ability to comprehend, apply, analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex data, and that shows innovation and creativity.

6. Make critical business decisions (with relation to telecommunications) given partial information.

7. Demonstrate an understanding of the current and future technologies that will be market leading within the telecommunications industry, allowing you to make supported business decisions.

8. Develop a solution (given a particular scenario) to a telecommunications problem that solves the problem, and that makes sensible (and justified) management decisions.

External Benchmarking

Subject benchmarks (University of Bedfordshire, Level M), Council of Professors and Heads of Computing benchmarks (April, 2008)

Educational Aims

This course aims to provide you with a business perspective within the field of telecommunications. The main aim of the programme is to:

• Prepare you for a career in management within the telecommunications industry


• Enable you to identify and appreciate current trends in telecommunications technologies and to evaluate their relative effectiveness in providing solutions


• Evaluate performance criteria against the key areas of network management: fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security (FCAPS)


• Evaluate and critically analyse network technologies including wireless network technologies, network configurations and present their views in relation to business

needs

• Critically evaluate issues relating to the strategic management of telecommunications networks


• Gain important professional skills in the area of project management

In order to meet this aim the course is designed to provide in depth understanding of telecommunication whilst instilling the fundamental aspects of business management as applied to the field.

Student support

You will have access to both departmental and University wide support during your studies. From a departmental perspective, you will be assigned a personal tutor and you may book informal appointments at any point during the year. You will be expected to see your personal tutor at least twice a year.

From a University standpoint, you will have access to the Student Union, Student Services and the counselling service.

For learning related support, you will have access to the Disability Advice Service as well as being able to undertake various courses within the Learning Resources Centre.

Team working

Various units incorporate group/team work into their assessment strategy. You will be required to work effectively as part of a group (especially as part of the Professional Project Management unit). Such skills are an important part of any graduate / postgraduate and as such we will aim to provide you with opportunities to develop your teamwork skills.

Career Management Skills

Throughout the course we develop your ability to reflect on your performance, and to develop teamwork, written and oral communication skills.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

• Telecommunications Engineer


• Telecommunications Consultant


• Telecommunications Manager


• Project Manager (Telecommunications)


• Team Leader (Telecommunications)

Further study:

• Opportunities exist for further postgraduate study (e.g. MSc by Research)

Entry

Standard:

A good UK honours degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Networking or Engineering.

Additional:

For those without a first degree you may be granted entry on the basis of your industrial work experience. Such work experience should total five or more years in a related subject area.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

A wide variety of teaching modes will be used throughout this course. The most important aspect will be a student centred approach, and we will encourage you (through relevant guidance) to become an independent thinker who can take responsibility for your own learning. We will also help you to develop skills so that you can adapt to a wide variety of different situations. The course will make use of traditional lectures and practical sessions as well as encouraging you to engage in various scenarios (e.g. managing your own projects, team working etc.). In addition, some units will use podcasts to provide you with an overview/summary of different topics.

Roughly 70% of the course will be classroom based with the remaining 30% being independent learning which will make use of BREO, Learning Resources and various other electronic resources.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

There do not appear to be any educational barriers to students with disabilities.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Be given access to a variety of tasks that will develop your oral and written communication skills. Throughout the course you will be asked to perform a variety of written (essay, formal report etc.) and oral (PowerPoint presentation) tasks. Formative feedback as well as summative feedback will be used throughout.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn to enhance your understanding and skills with respect to standard desktop applications (MS Excel and Word) as well as developing skills with respect to specialist software.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Develop your ability to work independently as well as enhancing your reflective skills. You will be set tasks that require you to undertake background research, and at times, to evaluate what you have written. The MSc dissertation will be a major piece of research work that will allow you to develop you analytical, evaluative and synthesis skills. In the initial stages of the project there will be workshops that equip you with the skills required to undertake your dissertation.

Research methodologies (in preparation for the thesis) are taught throughout the course, and students are given advice on how to undertake research for many of the written assignments that form the assessment of each unit. In addition, students will (in the Semester preceding their thesis) take part in a number of preparatory workshops in which topics such as gathering evidence, analyzing data, preparing a report for dissemination of results etc. will be covered. Additionally, during their supervision students will hold regular meetings with research supervisors, and they will receive help and guidance in the areas of evidence gathering and report writing.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Undertake a significant piece of work (usually the MSc dissertation) which requires you to use your analytical (problem solving) skills in order to develop a solution, and to be able to critically evaluate your work.

Improving learning and performance

You will, at various points be provided with feedback. This feedback is an important part of the learning process and will allow you to find your strengths, as well as areas for development. Such feedback will allow you to see where you need to focus and will allow you to improve your performance.

Progress files

You will be required to keep an e-portfolio that shows your development (both academic and personal) that can be used to show employers how your studies have allowed you to develop your personal and professional skills, as well as the knowledge that you have gained.

Professional standards

You will be expected to develop not only your academic skills, but also your soft skills (teamwork, oral and written communication, inter personal skills etc.).

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Throughout the course we will embed aspects of professionalism (ethics, professional conduct etc.) into the different units. The two most poignant examples are the Professional Project Management unit (CIS011-6) and the MSc dissertation. These two units provide an excellent opportunity for you to develop your professional skills by engaging in professional tasks (e.g. managing your own projects, and working as part of a team).