Module Directory

This module represents the cumulation of the programme for the MBA students and prepares them for the return to managerial work. The Project is a significant, self-directed piece of work involving a 'hands on' live project that enables MBAs to consolidate and deepen MBA learning while pursuing avenues of personal or professional relevance. It is focussed on a suitable management consultancy challenge or entrepreneurial venture, which is the basis for a major report to clients or a business plan with reference to existing research and primary, as well as secondary data.

The aims of this module are:

• To consolidate your MBA learning.


• To demonstrate an ability to design, plan, lead and manage.


• To produce a significant, self-directed piece of work of value and relevance in a real time organisational setting.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Show an appreciation of current business and global issues.


2. Design, lead and manage a project adding value to a clearly identified business and/or management issue.


3. Scope the project and design a proposal.


4. Understand methodologies to help structured thinking, and the techniques for effective project management.


5. Make a reasoned and critical selection of information sources, analytical tools and techniques appropriate to the specific issue being investigated.


6. Identify and understand ethical issues in management research.


7. Synthesise and apply knowledge from multiple course modules to a business problem.


8. Analyse, evaluate, and present a coherent extended argument.


9. Evaluate and recommend appropriate courses of action.


10. Manage relationships with a client – including managing risk, productive relationships, expectations, handling problems, barriers to implementation, evaluation. Understand the protocols, expectations and outcomes of engaging with organisations as clients.

Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)

1. The research and distillation of current information.


2. The ability to carry out primary research based on a justifiable method to find out new information.


3. The ability to write clearly and concisely to convey ideas to others.

Indicative content:

January Lecture/clinic  1000-1300 1400-1700

Welcome and opening description of the module content, purpose and outcomes. MBAs start very early drafts of proposals.

February Lecture/clinics  1000-1300 1400-1700

Qualitative and quantitative methods.

March Pitching event  1000-1300 1400-1700

External organisations pitch their challenges to the MBAs.

MBAs to meet and discuss the challenges and their potential projects with the organisations.

April Lecture/clinic  1000-1300 1400-1700

Proposal writing lecture.

Supervisory team to check in with MBAs individually at Proposal ‘Clinic’.

May Lecture/clinic 1000-1300 1400-1700

Ethical approval process lecture. MBAs draft their proposals for ethical approval.

Supervisory team to check in with MBAs individually at Ethical Approval ‘Clinic’.

June Lecture/clinic  1000-1300 1400-1700

Consultancy report writing lecture.

Supervisory team to check in with MBAs individually at Project ‘Clinic’.

July Lecture/clinic  1000-1300 1400-1700

Business Plan writing lecture.

Supervisory team to check in with MBAs individually at Project ‘Clinic’.

August Lecture/clinic  1000-1300 1400-1700

Consolidation report writing lecture.

Supervisory team to check in with MBAs individually at project ‘Clinic’.

June-August MBA project.

MBAs have choice of:

• Business Plan


• Consultancy project

Through the period from June-August inclusive – following ethical approval – MBAs work with their organisations on a specific challenge in the organisation to produce the project report. Submission is in the second week of September.

This module is taught through the spring and summer terms, as well as over the summer recess period. The following learning and teaching methods will be used to inform the pedagogic structure of the module:

• Lectures with interactive discussion, reflection, and Q&A themes
• MBA Project ‘Clinics’ to assist MBAs and troubleshoot where necessary.
• Discussion of organisation cases and industry reports.
• Pitching sessions with local organizations.
• Facilitator personal guidance and consultants for individual participants.
• Signposting to module resources, Moodle, Reading List, external resources.

The lectures will be developed around the key concepts featured in the indicative schedule and will use a range of resources, examples and cases from business practice to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts.

The ‘clinic’ discussions will focus on meeting MBA about to organisational cases, situations, innovations, and dilemmas, and may make use of existing studies. They will assist MBAs in developing specific knowledge and skills relative to their individual project and career journeys.

Lectures will be used to identify, organise, and develop key knowledge, perspectives, and awareness of important design and impact skills for MBAs. They will also give MBAs opportunities to listen to and assess different viewpoints, cases, situations and dilemmas, and to apply relevant concepts to their own work experience and career journey.