BUSINESS PLAN - 2021/2

Module code: MAN3147

Module Overview

Students will have the opportunity to learn about the different approaches that aim to answer the question: how do I plan and assess the viability of a new venture? Business plans are essential not just for the successful implementation of start-up ventures, but also for continued business growth, including strategic competitiveness. A good business plan underpins business success on all levels, and becomes a major guideline to sound management practices. All students will find much value in the business principles inherent to the planning process, which will lead to an enhanced commercial understanding.

Module provider

Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management

Module Leader

VAN ACHTERBERGH Leon (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 234

Tutorial Hours: 22

Guided Learning: 22

Captured Content: 22

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

NONE

Module content

Indicative content includes:



  • Introduction to business plans


  • Understanding the planning process




  • Developing the plan

  • Legal forms of ownership and intellectual property

  • Resourcing


  • Marketing research




  • Financial forecasting

  • Recognising necessary information

  • Buying and valuating a business

  • Measuring performance

  • Critically analysing the business plan

  • Continuous improvement


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Oral exam or presentation INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION 30
Coursework INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS PLAN (5000 WORDS) 70

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

Assessment is mainly through a individual presentation and a written group report:

A formative (with no marks given) mid-module presentation, require students to pitch an initial concept of a start-up business of their choice. This valuable formative feedback given by lecturers will be able to further guide their Business Plan  assignment. For the main assignment, individually they will develop a full business plan on their chosen business concepts (as they've individually presented before).

Module aims

  • Help students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective hospitality, tourism and/ or events entrepreneur or intrapeneur.
  • Introduce students to the role of business plans in achieving their business objectives.
  • Make students aware of the parameters of an environment which is conducive to entrepreneurial action.
  • Help students develop a multi-disciplinary and integrative approach to planning and assessing the viability of a new/ existing venture.
  • The primary aim of this module is to introduce students to the planning process of business, mainly in the hospitality, tourism and event sectors. The module takes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding these planning issues and students will be expected to integrate all the different disciplines for a holistic understanding.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Demonstrate an understanding of the scope and use of business plans in industry. KCPT
002 Critically discuss how business plans can be applied to achieve profitability KCPT
003 Discuss aspects which promote and inhibit successful application of business plans KCPT
004 Debate the effectiveness of business plans for their specific purposes KCPT
005 Assess which format and content is appropriate to a particular business plan KCPT
006 Explore the research process necessary to construct a suitable business plan KCPT
007 Synthesise the many different disciplines with the creation of a plan, to demonstrate wider understanding of the key business principles KCPT
008 Understand the technical elements of the business plan, and how to present them effectively KCPT
009 Demonstrate the capacity to produce a suitable, viable and credible business plan KCPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The Learning Outcomes methods are met through:


  • Lectures

  • Tutorials

  • Multimedia resources

  • SurreyLearn

  • Support materials

  • Reading

  • Individual and Group work



In addition, the module convener is accessible throughout the semester to address and clarify questions. 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN3147

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
International Tourism Management (Dual Degree with SII DUFE) BSc (Hons) 1 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
International Tourism Management (SII DUFE) BSc (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.