Learning Outcomes:

1. Be able to propose a research project in a business and management context.

• 1.1 Assess the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection.
• 1.2 Formulate and record possible research project outlines and specifications.
• 1.3 Develop research questions or hypothesis with rationale.
• 1.4 Clarify resources efficiently for the research question or hypothesis.
• 1.5 Create an agreed SMART timeframe for completion of the research.

2. Be able to prepare a research plan and conduct a literature review.

• 2.1 Critically appraise literature relevant to the chosen research context.
• 2.2 Evaluate research methodologies and provide a rationale for a chosen research methodology.
• 2.3 Evaluate data collection methods and provide a rationale for chosen data collection methods.
• 2.4 Produce a research proposal.

3. Be able to carry out research according to the chosen research specification.

• 3.1 Carry out the proposed research investigation in accordance with the research specification.
• 3.2 Collect and present relevant data as outlined by the research specification.
• 3.3 Interpret and analyse the results in relation to the research specification.

4. Be able to evaluate research and present results and conclusion.

• 4.1 Use appropriate research evaluation techniques to justify the validity of the research.
• 4.2 Make recommendations, justifying areas for further consideration.
• 4.3 Present the outcomes of the research to an audience using appropriate media.

Topics:

Research formulation, Action Plan and Design

• Research aims and objectives; rationale for selection; methodology for data collection and analysis; literature review; critique of references from primary sources e.g. questionnaires, interviews; secondary sources e.g. books, journals, internet; scope and limitations; terms of reference; duration; ethical issues
• Action plan: rationale for research question or hypothesis; milestones; task dates; review dates; monitoring/reviewing process; strategy.
• Research design: type of research e.g. qualitative, quantitative, systematic, original; methodology; resources; statistical analyses; validity; reliability; control of variables.

• Binsardi, A. (2008) Research Methods for Management. Cambridge: International Academic Press.
• Booth, A., Papaioannou, D. and Sutton, A. (2012) Systematic Approaches to a Successful
  Literature Review. London: Sage Publications.
• Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Burns, R. P. and Burns, R. (2008) Business Research Methods & Statistics Using SPSS.
  London: Sage Publications.
• Cooper, D. R. and Schindler, P. S. (2006) Business Research Methods. Boston: McGraw
  Hill.
• Deniels, P. and Becker, L. (2012) Developing Research Proposals. London: Sage
  Publications.
• Denscombe, M. (2007) The Good Research Guide. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Gill, J. and Johnson, P. (2010) Research Methods for Managers. London: Sage Publications.
• Jankowicz, A. D. (2005). Business Research Projects. London: Thomson Learning.
• Jesson, J. K., Matheson, L. and Lacey, F. M. (2011) Doing Your Literature Review. London:
  Sage Publications.
• McNiff, J. and Whitehead, J. (2009) Doing and Writing Action Research. London: Sage
  Publications.
• Moutinho, L. and Hutcheson, G. D. (2011) The Sage Dictionary of Quantitative Management
  Research. London: Sage Publications.
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students.
  5th Edition. Harlow: Financial Times / Prentice Hall.
• Thomas, R. and Lynn, P. (2009) Survey Research in Practice. London: Sage Publications.

Entry requirements

To enroll The Bachelor Award, the learner must possess:

• Graduated vocational schools or College or completed 2nd year of Bachelor or
• Relevant NQF / QCF / RQF Level 5 Diploma, or equivalent or
• HNDs/ NVQs/ Foundation degrees/ Diploma of higher education (DipHE) or
• At least 2 year working experience.
• And learners must be over 18 years old.

The SIMI Swiss reserves the highest decision-making power for admission whether to accept or not accept after a specific review of each candidate’s profile to ensure that they can comprehend and gain benefits when participating. For the fake university or diploma mills, University Partners shall not be accepted.

English requirements

If a learner is not from a predominantly English-speaking country, proof of English language proficiency must be provided.

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 or equivalent
• Or A minimum TOEFL score of 101 or IELTS 6.5; Reading and Writing must be at 6.5 or equivalent

After graduating with Bachelor Award, students receive all certified documents from the SIMI Swiss.

Certified Documents:

• e-Certificate from the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss).
• Hard copy certificate from the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss) – Optional.
• Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Qualifications (APELQ) certified from University Partners for credit and tuition fee transfer.

Because the program is accredited and recognized, students can easily use certified in the working environment and have many opportunities for career advancement. In addition, in case if you want to study for a SIMI degree or university partner degree, students can convert all credits and the full paid tuition fee when participating in the program University Partners.

The SIMI Swiss’ Bachelor Award means:

SIMI Swiss Bachelor Award is the award at the bachelor’s level and is equivalent to:

• Level 6 certificate of Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) of UK
• Level 9 certificate of Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
• Level 6 certificate of Credit and Qualifications Framework (CQFW)
• Level 6 certificate of European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
• Level 7 & 8 certificates of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
• Level 6 certificate of ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF)
• Level 7 & 8 certificate of the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF)

Students can convert all credits and the full tuition fee when participating in the SIMI Swiss and/or University Partners academic programs if they want to study for an academic degree.

Credits transfer:

Learners can accumulate 20 credits from the Bachelor Award program when participating in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Please see the credit transfer policy HERE

Tuition fee transfer:

When participating in the BBA program, students who have graduated 1 Bachelor Award will receive a discount of full tuition fee which you paid. Please see the tuition fee transfer HERE

The SIMI Swiss micro-credential program allows for the transfer of credits and tuition fees into full degree programs from SIMI Swiss and/or its university partners. SIMI Swiss reserves the right to limit admissions once the number of students exceeds the quotas.

Apply Policy:

• To participate in the SIMI Swiss micro-credential program, students need to meet the entry criteria corresponding to each level. Please see the “Entry” tab for more details.
• SIMI Swiss will not accept applicants if their entry qualifications are from diploma mill universities or schools/universities that are not accredited.
• For Bachelor Award programs, if an entry diploma is unavailable, students must demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of work experience in the relevant field. Please note that a diploma’s degree is required for the Bachelor’s program at SIMI Swiss and University Partners so that you could study Bachelor Award but could not move to the Bachelor’s program of SIMI and University Partners.
• English is not a mandatory entry requirement for short course programs, but candidates need to ensure that English is used in reading documents, listening to lectures, and doing assignments. Candidates should note that English is a mandatory requirement when switching to an academic program at SIMI Swiss and University Partners.

Apply Process:

1. Choose the program that suits your requirements. Note that applicants without a university degree will not be able to participate in the program at Master’s level, and applicants without a Master’s degree will not be able to participate in the program at the Doctoral level.
2. Email your application to support@simiswiss.ch with all the required documents. You could download the application form here.
3. Our admission department will contact you and guide you through further processes if the registration documents need to be supplemented.
4. SIMI Swiss will issue the Letter of Acceptant (LOA). You will proceed to the next steps according to the instructions and pay tuition fee.
5. SIMI Swiss will issue a student confirmation letter, login account to the e-learning system and related documents.
6. You have become an official SIMI Swiss student and enjoy your study journey.

The SIMI Swiss micro-credential program is fully online, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere. You have the option to attend live classes with SIMI Swiss. The final exam will be uploaded to the system and evaluated by the academic panel of SIMI Swiss. Students must submit assignments on time; failure to do so will result in the student being considered to have discontinued the program.