CAPSTONE PROJECT - 2025/6

Module Overview

The Capstone Project 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 by undertaking an independent research project.

The module is conceived as the final project, integrating the learning from the entire programme and offering an opportunity to apply it to a relevant area of study by conducting an original piece of research under academic supervision.

The module supports two simultaneous and interrelated learning trajectories - professional development and academic research. At the end of the Capstone Project module, students will have developed advanced professional and research skills relevant to their programme of study. They will have completed a substantial research project focused on their own academic and professional interests.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

LANHAM-NEW William (SBS)

Number of Credits: 45

ECTS Credits: 22.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

n/a

Module content

The Capstone Project module includes taught sessions on business research methods as well as an independent integrative research project. Under the guidance of an academic supervisors, students undertake a research projects focused on an issue of their choice, relevant to their programme of study. They define and investigate the issue to propose evidence-based conclusions and recommendations. They present the results of their work in the Capstone Project Report.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

n/a

Assessment Strategy

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

• aViva Voce Oral exam and


• an 8,000-word Capstone Project Report. 

• Academic supervision


• Review of draft Capstone Project Report


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

Module aims

• To provide students with the experience of designing and conducting a substantial independent project.
• To provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills from their MSc programme to research in their chosen area of study.
• To enhance students' ability to develop effective, evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.
• To demonstrate an awareness of any ethical dilemmas that arise at the course of conducting research in the area of business and management.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to ensuring that students achieve the learning outcomes for the module, relating to the professional and academic development of the student taking the Capstone Project module. An academic supervisor advises on the research project via regular supervisory sessions. In addition, 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 phase of the module.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Independent Learning - carried out by the student (extra reading for classroom participation, CAPSTONE preparation 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: MANM488

Other information

Employability

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 2025/6 academic year.