The Business Project is designed to provide a blend of academic study and work experience. Both elements must be completed to ensure success on the module.
Work Placement/Internship
- The work placement / internship must take place in the summer vacation between the second and final year. This must be for a minimum of 4 weeks, but longer and previous employment can also be used as a basis.
- The aim of the placement is to assist the company to develop its organisation, its management or its operations, or to research a specific problem. The outcome - a business report (with suitable recommendations) is normally presented to the employer at the end of the placement.
- Students would normally meet with their supervisor before starting their work placement (during Term 3 of their 2nd year).
Business Project
- The project will be conducted during the 3rd year. The aim is to further investigate / build upon the initial company-based challenge. Academic theory should be included to aid analysis.
- The business project must be approved by the supervisor / module leader, and the student is expected to undertake the preliminary work - draft outline and any supporting literature search - before the start of the academic year, and to obtain the supervisor’s approval of this before proceeding on the full report.
- The supervisor will be expected to advise and comment on student work in a timely and constructive manner. The supervisor will also take responsibility for advising students on how to write and manage the process.
- The number of meetings and nature of contact with the supervisor will vary, and the management of the relationship will also form part of the learning outcomes. However, students would typically meet with a supervisor a minimum of 5 times.
- Learning is through self-study, but the student and supervisor should agree a schedule of meetings, and the frequency and form of communication between them.