PAEC/A12/5.2.1
Coláiste Uí Ghríofa
Faculty of Business
Programmatic Review Report of Expert Panel
April 2015
Part 1
1.1
General Information
Details of the Programmatic Review
Provider
Griffith College Dublin
Date of Review
22nd April 2015
Programme(s) under review
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
Code
GC02,
GC510,
GC602
GC01,
GC511,
GC605
GC22
Programmes for which Programmatic Review is required
Level
Title
Credit
number
8
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
180
in Accounting and Finance
8
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
in Business Studies
180
8
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
in Business Studies
Bachelor of Arts in
Business
180
7
Bachelor of Arts in
Marketing
180
6
Higher Certificate in
Business
120
8
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
in International
Hospitality
Management
Diploma in International
Hospitality Management
210
GC012,
GC514,
GC603
GC008,
GC509,
GC604
GC003,
GC505,
GC601
GC12
7
GC713
7
180
120
Membership of Expert Panel Group
Chair:
Mr Danny Brennan, former Registrar LYIT
Academic:
Ms Mary Rose Stafford, Manager, Irish Academy of Hospitality and
Tourism, IT Tralee
Academic:
Mr Jimmy Tracey, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Business & Humanities, IT
Sligo
Academic:
Mr Ger Long, Head of Dept of Accounting and Economics, Waterford
IT
Industry:
Mr Ivan Powell, Managing Director, The Packaging Center
QQI Observer: Ms Alga Mulhall
Rapporteur: Ms Orla Butler, Quality Assurance Officer, Griffith College
1.2
Summary
The Expert Panel, having reviewed the documentation presented by Griffith College and considered
the responses of the programme team during the course of the programmatic review meeting, and
having evaluated the programmes against the validation criteria, is recommending the re-validation
of the programmes under review, for delivery in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Munich without
conditions, but with some recommendations. The panel is also recommending validation of two
new programme titles related to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies.
The attached report addresses issues raised by the Panel in the context of the review.
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
Part 2
2.1
Report of the Expert Panel
Introduction
Griffith College (GC) is an independent provider of higher education and professional training. Its
academic programmes are validated by QQI. It also provides a range of programmes leading to
the examinations of professional bodies, including those in accountancy and law. The College has
campuses in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. Griffith College has been providing programmes in
Business Studies since the late 1990s and currently provides programmes in this field from Level
6 to Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
2.2
Background to the Programmatic Review
The College is seeking re-validation of the programmes for delivery in the Dublin, Limerick and
Cork campuses. There is also a Collaborative Programme with Globe College in Munich,
Germany. This was also considered by the panel.
The panel was also asked to consider three proposed programme titles. These were:
1. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies (Marketing)
2. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies (HRM)
3. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Finance
The first two are related to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies and the third to the
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting and Finance.
2.3
Examination of the Programme
The panel had a number of meetings with the College and Faculty teams during the course of the
visit.
Meeting with College Management
The first meeting was with the senior management of the College. Issues addressed at this meeting
included the strategic direction of the College and the place of the Business Faculty within College
plans. Issues such as resourcing and the mix of full time and part time staff were discussed, as was
the challenge of integrating different campuses. College strategy for future development was
discussed and the President outlined the College Strategy for the medium to long term.
Meeting with Faculty and Programme Leaders
The panel then met with the Faculty Head and programme leaders for the programmes. Issues that
were addressed included the methodology of the review, the relationship between lecturers on
different campuses, relationships between full time and part time lecturers, programme entry
requirements, issues of retention, industry links and investment in resources.
A particular discussion was held on the Globe Munich collaboration. The panel were satisfied that
this has been a very successful collaboration, and were impressed by the evidence produced.
The panel also discussed the issue of the proposed new programme titles. The consideration of
proliferation of titles was discussed. The team made a case for the titles which arose from
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
stakeholder feedback, particularly learners and graduates. The panel explained that they had some
concerns, particularly in relation to the Finance proposal.
The question of online and blended delivery was discussed in detail. The College team are of the
view that the amount of online delivery will continue to increase, but that they are not seeking full
online delivery. Should they wish to do so that will require a new validation panel. They are
providing more blended learner supports where applicable, and see this as a distinct offering with
face to face sessions supported by online resources.
Meeting with Full Faculty Team
The panel then met with the faculty team involved in the operation of the programmes. This
meeting focused on programme delivery, learner performance, relationship between campuses, and
programme content with an emphasis on proposed changes.
The team were asked about their involvement in the programmatic review process and the
development of learning outcomes. It was explained that a series of meetings of the full team were
held, and for each programme the process was led by a programme leader. The panel felt that some
learning outcomes were not pitched properly and would benefit from review.
The challenges of dealing with a large cohort of non-EU learners was also discussed and the system
of supports put in place by the Faculty were explained.
Each of the programmes was discussed in turn and each of the modules looked at briefly. Again
the question of the proposed new programme titles was discussed, as was the management of the
Work Placement element within the Hospitality programme.
Meeting with Learners
The panel then met with a group of fourteen learners from various programmes. The learners were
asked about their choice of Griffith College, and their experience on the programmes. They
discussed the workload on the programmes and their views on employability. The learners were
complimentary about the lecturing team. Other issues discussed were learner supports, English
language support and the balance between theory and practice on the programmes
Campus Tour.
The panel then took a tour of the College campus to view the facilities available for programme
delivery and were satisfied that the College facilities are adequate.
Final Meeting
The panel then had a private meeting to discuss their evaluation of the programme. Having made
their decisions, the panel then met with the programme leaders to give initial feedback. The panel
thanked the team for the documentation and for the open engagement of the faculty team. The
panel commended the quality of the documentation submitted, and gave initial feedback on their
findings.
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
2.4
Panel Conclusions
The panel is satisfied that the programmes are in line with, and enhance, the vision and mission of
Griffith College. The panel is recommending that QQI revalidate the programmes referred to in the
terms of reference for five intakes beginning in September 2015 in full time, part time and blended
delivery mode with no conditions, and with the recommendations outlined below.
Significant further development of the blended model to sole online provision must be done in close
consultation with QQI and would require a separate validation.
The panel is recommending that the programmes be validated for delivery at the Dublin, Limerick
and Cork campuses as currently, and is recommending that the existing arrangement with Globe
College Munich be revalidated also. Any further extension of delivery should be agreed with QQI.
The panel is also recommending the validation of the following two programme titles which are
specialisms within the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies.
1. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies (Marketing)
2. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies (HRM)
The panel is not recommending validation of the proposed Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Finance
as it did not feel that the proposal met the criteria required.
2.4.1 Recommendations
The panel wishes to make the following recommendations to the College and Faculty:
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies Bachelor of Arts
(Honours) in Accounting and Finance
The programme team should consider:
1. That the HRM module include negotiation skill techniques in place of motivation theories.
2. More use of excel in modules on all stages of the programme, making it more explicit in
module descriptors.
3. Possibly adding a module in Supply Chain Management in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
in Business Studies programme.
4. Including content on Strategic Group Analysis and Value Chain Management in the
Strategic Management modules 1 and 2.
5. Reducing the content of the Contemporary Employment Relations module.
6. Reviewing some of the language in the module descriptors to address the appropriate level
of learning.
7. Replacing the Financial Accounting module in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business
Studies with a less onerous financial module.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Hospitality Management
8. Consider renaming the Health and Lifestyle module with something more general, e.g.
Contemporary Issues in Hospitality to allow greater flexibility.
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
9. Business Mathematics for Hospitality Managers mentions Hospitality in the title but does
not mention hospitality anywhere else in the descriptor. The module descriptor should
include the hospitality ‘agenda’.
10. There are inconsistencies in the proposed schedule of delivery. The proposed programme
schedule should be checked for consistency.
Higher Certificate in Business
Bachelor of Arts in Business
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
11. In the Higher Certificate review learning outcome 5. The panel feel the word ‘analyse’ may
not be appropriate to this level of programme.
12. Review the Strategic Marketing Management module to ensure it reflects the functional
nature of the material as explained to the panel.
Appendix 1
College Staff who met panel during programmatic review visit
College Management Team Members
Prof. Diarmuid Hegarty, President Griffith College
Mr. Tomás MacEochagain, Director of Academic Programmes
Mr. Eamonn Nolan, Head of Academic Programmes
Ms. Ailish Finucane, Head of Academic Administration
Ms. Fiona O’Riordan, Head of Centre for Promoting Academic Excellence
Faculty Management Team
Mr. Seamus Fitzpatrick, Head of Faculty, Programme Director BA (Hons) in Business Studies
Ms. Madeleine Ford, Deputy Head, Programme Director BA (Hons) in Accounting and
Finance
Ms. Eilis O Leary, Programme Director BA in Marketing
Ms. Jacqui Treacy, Programme Director BA in Business Studies
Ms. Catherine Horgan, Director of Programmes, Limerick
Mr. Noel Daly, Director of Programmes, Cork Dr. Susan
Walsh, Director Globe College Munich
Lecturing Team:
Mr John Byrne
Mr Colman Boyd
Ms Deirdre Clarkin
Mr Mark Dowling
Mr Michael Franklin
Ms Deirdre Gorman
Ms Deirdre Harrington
Ms Angela Harvey
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
Mr Martin Murphy
Ms Claudine Moloney
Ms Geraldine McGing
Ms Majella Mulhall
Mr Michael O’Grady
Ms Angela O’Keeffe
Ms Eilis O’Leary
Ms Jacqui Tracey
Ms Bernadette Walsh
Ms Edel Walsh
Mr Joe Walsh
Overall Result of Evaluation Panel Review:
The Programme is recommended to Programmes and Awards Executive Committee for approval
in full time, part time and blended modes subject to the provision to QQI of a revised submission
document, which addresses the conditions and recommendations required in the report. The panel
is also recommending approval for delivery in Dublin, Cork and Limerick campuses of Griffith
College.
This report has been agreed by the Evaluation Panel and is signed on their behalf by the Chair.
Signed:
Date: 28 May 2015
Panel Chairperson:
Danny Brennan
The Report of the External Review Panel contains no assurances, warranties or representations
express or implied, regarding the aforesaid issues, or any other issues outside the Terms of
Reference.
While QQI has endeavoured to ensure that the information contained in the Report is correct,
complete and up-to-date, any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own
risk, and in no event will QQI be liable for any loss or damage (including without limitation, indirect
or consequential loss or damage) arising from, or in connection with, the use of the information
contained in the Report of the External Evaluation Panel.
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
Name of Provider
Griffith College
Programme Title
Higher Certificate in Business
Award Title
Higher Certificate in Business
Stage Exit Award Title
None
Modes of Delivery (FT/PT):
FT / PT / ACCS / Blended
Award Class
Award NFQ
level
Award EQF
level
Major
6
5
Stage
Stage
NFQ
Level
Stage EQF
Level
1
6
5
Module
Module Title
Stage Credits
Date
Effective
ISCED
Subject
Code
60
Sept. 2015
340
Total Student Effort Module (hours)
ECTS
Credits
Semester
Allocation of Marks (from the
module assessment
strategy)
Total
Hours
Contact
Hours
Hours
Independent
Work
C.A.
%
Status
NFQ
Level
1
M
6
5
100
34
66
100
IT Skills for Business
1 and 2
M
6
10
200
54
146
60
40
Business Management 1
1 and 2
M
10
200
92
108
50
50
Fundamentals of Finance
1 and 2
M
10
200
92
108
50
50
Business Maths
1 and 2
M
10
200
92
108
50
50
Learning to Learn
6
6
6
Proj.
%
Prac.
%
Final.
%
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PAEC/A12/5.2.1
Business Communications
Small Business
Development
2
M
1 and 2
M
6
6
5
100
46
54
100
10
200
70
130
100
Name of Provider
Griffith College
Programme Title
Higher Certificate in Business
Award Title
Higher Certificate in Business
Stage Exit Award Title
Higher Certificate in Business
Modes of Delivery (FT/PT):
FT
Award Class
Award NFQ
level
Award EQF
level
Major
6
5
Stage
Stage
NFQ
Level
Stage EQF
Level
Stage Credits
Date Effective
ISCED
Subject
Code
2
6
5
60
Sept. 2015
340
Module
Module Title
Introduction to Business Law
Financial Accounting
Total Student Effort Module (hours)
ECTS
Credits
Semester
Status
NFQ
Level
1
M
6
1 and 2
M
6
Allocation of Marks (from the
module assessment
strategy)
Total
Hours
Contact
Hours
Hours
Independent
Work
C.A.
%
5
100
46
54
40
60
10
200
92
108
20
80
Proj.
%
Prac.
%
Final.
%
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Business Management 2
1 and 2
M
Principles of Marketing
1 and 2
M
Enterprise, Innovation and
Planning
1 and 2
M
Market Research Practice
2
M
Employability Skills
2
M
Principles of Economics
2
M
6
10
200
92
108
50
50
10
200
92
108
50
50
10
200
64
136
100
5
100
46
54
50
6
5
100
46
54
100
6
5
100
46
54
30
6
6
6
50
70
10