ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION MANAGEMENT MSC FINAL PROJECT - 2023/4

Module Overview

The final project is the final element of the MSc programme so should represent the culmination of learning across the different modules; It allows students to concentrate on topics that are of particular interest to them and it draws upon a range of different topics taught in the programme. 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 agreed with academic supervisor and developed by the student through a process of research into a clearly defined business plan.


• Consulting Project- starts with a consulting brief agreed with a corporate sponsor and 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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

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

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their cumulative learning from the MSc programme. Their project report is a major piece of self-directed research using a defined research methodology on a defined topic where students are expected to apply theory, models and tools which they have learned across different modules of the programme.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Project Report: this addresses learning outcomes 1 - 5.

Formative assessment

Students will be supported by module leader and individual academic supervisors who will periodically provide feedback based on the progress of the student with research. This will initially relate to their research proposal and subsequently relate to a research review of their progress.

Feedback

There will be individual feedback for students which from the academic supervisor and may be either verbal or written. Students are expected to use the feedback to improve their coursework for summative assessment.

Module aims

• Allow students to undertake an original piece of work or research
• To demonstrate an ability to select, define and focus upon an issue with critical discussion
• Develop and apply relevant and sound research methodologies
• Analyse key and relevant contemporary issues
• Develop awareness of the ethical dilemmas and considerations related to research and work practices

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to develop the student¿s ability to conduct and report independent research. It builds on learning from different modules in the programme, allowing students to gain experience of applying further some of the theory 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 students 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: MANM538

Other information

Employability: students develop key digital and business skills which they can apply in a range of different business contexts. This is assessed in the project report.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:  students work independently to prepare a substantial piece of coursework which will involve initiative, challenges and opportunities to demonstrate their creativity and an ability to adapt based on the business context. This is assessed in the project report.

Programmes this module appears in

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 2023/4 academic year.