ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINAL PROJECT - 2022/3

Module code: MANM427

Module Overview

The final project is compulsory for the entrepreneurship programme and is the final element of the programme so should represent the culmination of learning;
It allows students to concentrate on topics that are of particular interest to them and it draws upon a range of different aspects of the programme taught. It also gives the student an opportunity to work independently with individual supervision. The final project can take 2 different forms as follows:
Business Plan- starts with an original business idea by the student and provides an opportunity to develop the idea through a process of research into a clearly defined business plan.
Consulting Project- starts with identifying a corporate sponsor with whom a consulting brief will be agreed with the academic supervisor. It may be based on a problem or opportunity identified by the corporate sponsor and involves a research-based solution to explore and develop the topic with milestones and objectives agreed for the delivery of the project;

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

MURZACHEVA Ekaterina (SBS)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 560

Lecture Hours: 3

Seminar Hours: 30

Tutorial Hours: 7

Module Availability

Semester 2

Module content

Students will identify a topic area of interest that they wish to develop further through their final project. This must be relevant to the programme of study. On the basis of this topic, students will be assigned a supervisor who will guide their work. The module is, however, largely based on self-directed study and research, which takes place during the Spring semester and the summer.

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) Project report 100

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The student is assessed on the basis of a 12000 word project report including executive summary. The assessment criteria are available in the Dissertation Handbook provided to all students. All Dissertations are also checked for plagiarism using an electronic plagiarism detection system.

Formative assessment and feedback
•Students will receive individual feedback during the module from the tutor.

Module aims

  • Allow students to undertake an original piece of work or research;
  • demonstrate an ability to select, define and focus upon an issue at a critical level;
  • Develop and apply relevant and sound methodologies;
  • Analyse key and relevant contemporary issues
  • Develop recommendations and conclusions;
  • Develop understanding about limitations of research;
  • Awareness of the ethical dilemmas and considerations related to research and work practices;

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Write cogently to show an in depth understanding and insight of a relevant topic of specific interest CKT
002 Demonstrate critical engagement with existing literature or commercial practice relevant to their topic CKP
003 Use appropriate methodology and to justify their use KT
004 Analyse and present their findings to produce sound conclusions CK
005 Critically evaluate findings to produce sound conclusions CKP
006 Evaluate modifications to existing knowledge structures and theoretical frameworks (where appropriate)
007 Be aware of limitations of their study, and be able to identify new areas for investigation/new problems/new or alternative applications or methodological approaches
008 Communicate their findings in a concise manner, suitable for presentation to industry (the executive summary)
009 Synthesise many of the elements covered in the taught part of the programme
010 Present a major piece of coherent work based on self-direct research

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The module commences in the Spring Semester, and is completed by early September of the same year.
The teaching and learning strategy is designed to develop the students’ ability to conduct and report independent research. It builds on the New Business Venturing Methods module as well as other modules, allowing students to gain experience of applying some of the principles and methods learned. Included in the strategy is the development of a research proposal to help students crystallise their ideas and research review as a progress report.
The teaching and learning methods include regular supervision and support by an experienced tutor in more generic aspects of the process. Students will discuss initial ideas with the teaching team for their programme, and then will write a short research proposal outlining the problem, research objectives and their proposed research strategy – including approaches, and, as relevant, arrangements for fieldwork, development of instruments and sample. This is a formative assessment, and allows a fruitful discussion between student and supervisor about the proposed study. The proposal should be agreed with the supervisor before proceeding with the dissertation. Subsequent meetings may include discussing details of methodological approaches, how to organise fieldwork and structuring and writing the final project. Where necessary, students must obtain ethical approval prior to data collection. The supervisor will also comment and provide feedback on one complete draft of the student’s work.

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: MANM427

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management MSc 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% 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 2022/3 academic year.