INDUSTRY READINESS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - 2025/6

Module Overview

This Industry Readiness & Professional Development module represents the final stage in the professional development journey for undergraduate students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. This module provides a unique opportunity for students to work in close partnership with an experienced industry mentor, applying their academic knowledge to a real-world business context.

Each student is assigned a live project, shaped and supervised by their mentor, which reflects a current challenge or strategic priority within a hospitality, tourism, or events organisation. Through this experience, students gain valuable insights into industry practice, enhance their commercial awareness, and develop the confidence and competencies needed for graduate-level employment.

The mentoring relationship is at the heart of this module, offering structured guidance, sector-specific feedback, and opportunities for meaningful reflection and career planning. In addition to technical and analytical skill development, students refine their communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities¿ensuring they graduate not only with academic achievement, but with practical experience and professional impact.

Module provider

Surrey Hospitality & Tourism Management

Module Leader

GANBERT Sylvia (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

none

Module content

The content of this module is designed to integrate academic theory with professional practice through experiential, mentor-led learning. Students will engage in a one-to-one mentoring relationship with an industry professional in the hospitality, tourism, or events sector, and complete a live, business-based project. The module content reflects three key focus areas:
Professional and Academic Skills Development
Verbal and written communication in professional settings

Business report writing and presenting to stakeholders

Receiving and applying feedback

Critical self-reflection and personal development planning

Use of Microsoft Office and digital tools for analysis and reporting

Understanding business ethics and corporate social responsibility in context
Applied Business Project
Identifying and scoping a real industry issue with a mentor

Conducting business research using industry data and insights

Applying academic theory to practical business contexts

Developing evidence-based recommendations for real organisations

Presenting findings in a professional format (written and/or verbal)

Demonstrating business acumen and commercial awareness
Mentorship and Employability
Building professional identity and confidence

Understanding workplace culture and expectations

Leadership and relationship-building through mentoring

Developing external professional networks

Strategic thinking and proactive engagement

Preparation for graduate employment pathways

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

n/a

Assessment Strategy

The assessment for this module is designed to evaluate students¿ ability to apply academic knowledge to real-world business challenges, reflect on their professional growth, and communicate insights effectively to industry and academic audiences.

Students are assessed through one comprehensive, coursework-based assignment:
This report consists of two integrated components:

Applied Industry Project (6000 words)

Students investigate a live business issue assigned by their mentor.

They conduct research and analysis to develop strategic, evidence-based recommendations.

The report includes a professional-style executive summary, methodology, findings, and actionable solutions tailored to the organisation.

Critical Self Reflection (1,000 words)

Students reflect on their learning journey, mentorship experience, and the development of their professional identity.

This includes an evaluation of employability skills, communication, leadership potential, and the application of theoretical frameworks.

Module aims

• Bridge academic learning and professional practice by engaging students in a structured, real-world project guided by an experienced industry mentor.
• Enhance students¿ employability and career readiness by fostering leadership competencies, sector-specific knowledge, and the ability to reflect on their professional identity.
• Support the development of key professional and transferable skills, including communication, analytical thinking, strategic planning, and the effective use of business technologies.
• Expose students to current industry challenges within hospitality, tourism, and events, and encourage them to apply research and critical thinking to deliver meaningful, actionable business recommendations.
• Enable students to build professional networks and develop sector awareness, while gaining insight into workplace culture, expectations, and opportunities through one-to-one mentorship.
  
  

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

This module blends academic input, professional mentorship, and independent learning to prepare students for graduate employment in the hospitality, tourism, and events sectors.

Industry Mentorship: Students are matched with a sector-specific mentor who provides project guidance and professional insight. A minimum of three structured meetings support project development and reflection.

Academic Support: Delivered through lectures, tutorials, and personal guidance, academic staff help students link theory to practice and offer ongoing formative feedback.

Independent Study: Students conduct research, engage with literature, and complete a live business project, applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges.

Digital Tools: Students use Microsoft Office and online platforms (e.g. SurreyLearn) to enhance analysis, reporting, and communication throughout the project.

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: MAN3256

Other information

none

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 2025/6 academic year.