CAPSTONE PROJECT WITH PLACEMENT - 2024/5

Module Overview

The Capstone Project with Placement is designed to enable students to develop an advanced ability to select, define, research, analyse, develop solutions and reach evidence-based conclusions to an issue relevant to their programme of study through applied research in a real business context.

It is conceived as the final project, integrating the learning from the entire programme and offering an opportunity to apply it in a relevant organisational context under the supervision of both an academic and a professional supervisor whilst on placement.

The module supports two simultaneous and interrelated learning trajectories that unfold  throughout the duration of the programme, including a period of work experience in an area relevant to the programme of study, i.e. a student work placement.

At the end of the Capstone Project with Placement module, students will have developed advanced professional and research skills relevant to their programme of study. They will have demonstrated the ability to secure appropriate employment in an area relevant to their programme of study, gained practical work experience in a specific job role, and completed a substantial project of relevance to the placement organisation and their own academic and professional career.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

LANHAM-NEW William (SBS)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

JACs code:

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

Module Availability

Crosses academic years

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes: The Capstone Project with Placement module includes a supervised placement experience and an independent applied research project that are focused on two interrelated sets of learning outcomes: professional development and the integration of learning from the programme through applied research in the placement organisation. Both aspects of the learning experience are supervised by an academic supervisor as well as a professional supervisor in the workplace. Under their guidance, students undertake a research project focused on an issue identified within the placement organisation and relevant to their programme of study as well as their placement work responsibilities.

With the support of both supervisors, students define and investigate the issue to propose evidence -based solutions and recommendations to the placement organisation. They present the results of their work in a Placement Report and reflect on their professional development in a Professional Development Review document.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate Learning Outcomes.

• Evidence of advanced subject-specific knowledge in the chosen area of study;


• Evidence of ability to work as an independent, critical and competent evidence-based practitioner;


• Ability to carry out primary and secondary applied research;


• Ability to report the findings of applied research in writing clearly and effectively;


• Ability to arrive at sound conclusions and recommendations based on original research;


• Ability to critically reflect on their professional experience and plan their professional development and career.

The summative assessment for this module consists of an 8,000-word Capstone Project Report, a Viva Voce Oral exam and a Professional Development Portfolio (placement). The Capstone Project Report allows the student to draw upon all programme modules where appropriate. 

 Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Captstone Project Report


• Viva Voce Examination

Formative assessment

This will provided to the student via the following methods:

• Academic and placement supervision


• Review of draft Capstone Project Report


• Taught component activities, i.e., viva voce training. 

Feedback

Students will receive the following feedback for each piece of summative assessment:

• An individual grade


• A breakdown of marks achieved for each assessment criteria via a marking rubric


• Individual focused feedback comments


• An overall cohort analysis of the summative assessment performance including areas of strength and opportunities for future development

Module aims

• To enable students to develop a major piece of original independent work under the supervision of a member of faculty.
• To guide students in applying the knowledge from their MSc programme to research in a specific organisational setting.
• To provide students with experience of conceptualising practical issues occurring in organisations in research terms, designing research studies, and conducting primary and secondary research to develop effective, evidence-based solutions and recommendations.
• To demonstrate an awareness of any ethical dilemmas that arise at the intersection of research and professional practice.
• To allow students to specialise their learning in an area that is relevant and interest to them.
• To support students to develop and apply new skills appropriate to the professional setting in which they are working.
• To enable students to develop advanced employability skills relevant to appropriate, graduate-level job roles in areas relevant to their programme of study.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to ensure that students achieve the learning outcomes for the module.  An academic / placement supervisor advises on the research project via regular supervisory sessions, thereby offering continuity.

The module includes taught sessions dedicated to research methods and the development of personal and professional skills. These sessions prepare students for the independent research / placement phase of the module.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Independent - learning carried out by the student (extra reading for classroom participation, CAPSTONE preparation, generation of Professional Development Portfolio etc)

Guided – Learning carried by the student on specific activities, reading articles etc.

Seminars – learning conducted with the tutor focused on specific topics

Captured content – learning actioned through online media (videos)

             Laboratory – learning conducted with the tutor on practical application

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: MANM454

Other information

Employability

This module provides the students with a short work placement element.  Thus, they are getting real employability skills in practice.  In addition to this, students complete their Capstone project which demonstrates to employers that they can complete a rigorous piece of work and defend it.  This is a vital industry skill and prepares the student for the rigours of industry.

Digital capabilities:

The Capstone project encourages students to engage with digital tools (survey monkey, SPSS, and Qualtrics) in the Research Methods element of the module.  A deeper understanding, where appropriate, is gained by the student under supervision where the student and supervisor tailor the use of digital tools and zoom in on a line of enquiry,

Resourcefulness and resilience:

The Capstone project is a rigorous and detailed piece of work.  Supervisors (academic and workplace) will coach their students through the process of delivering a quality and defendable

piece of work that will stand the scrutiny of a pass/fail viva. At the end of the Capstone, students will be well equipped to produce and lead on detailed pieces of work in Management roles.

Sustainability:

Within this module the students learn and apply in practice ethical principles of research.  Therefore, Management MSc students entering industry will have an awareness of ethical principles, rigorous investigation and writing skills.

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 2024/5 academic year.