1. Proposal evaluation (10%)
A 15 minute presentation followed by Q&A to a 'dragons-den' panel of three nominated academic staff/employer representative.

A 1,000 word Project proposal incorporating proposed area of study, key questions to be addressed and evaluation criteria.

A 1,000 submission of a personal log detailing participation in AND reflection on both Events & Careers Advisory programmes.

2. A project study & evaluation (80%)
A 15,000 word submission incorporating:

Critical assessment & evaluation drawing on relevant & contemporary theory & frameworks and reasoned conclusions.
(12,000 words)

Reflection on development of all 5X underpinning management & leadership competencies within the main body of the Project submission of up to 1,000 words.

3. Executive summary presentation (10%)
A 10 minute presentation followed by Q&A to a panel of 3xnominated academic staff/employer representative.

(100% total)

Learning

Identify a suitable approach & methodology to prepare and conduct an investigation into a problem/practice based individual Project.

Characterise, evaluate& critically reason conclusions and/or recommendations with reference to appropriate underpinning theory and/or frameworks.

Practice

Conduct a critical reasoned evaluation from analysis of secondary data and/or primary research to draw robust conclusions & make recommendations relating to an approved problem/practice based topic.

Evaluate the wider implications of Project conclusions and how they relate more generally to business.

Reflect on the development of all 5xunderpinning MBA business competencies in the context of management & leadership.

A series of seminars addressing the basic methodology & principles of Project/Case Study definition, preparation, primary research methodology, & evaluation.
Definition and preparation of a problem/practice based Project proposal to be assessed by appropriate 2xacademic staff.

An individual presentation of the proposal against established benchmark criteria to a panel of 3xacademic staff for critical evaluation.
A project study on an approved topic must incorporate:
• Critical evaluation underpinned by a range of relevant & contemporary theories & frameworks leading to reasoned conclusions which address the project benchmark criteria.

• Reflect critically on the underpinning management & leadership competencies as they relate to the Project topic.
Examples of a problem/practice based Project activity could include:
1. Development of a strategy or organisational strategic plan
2. Critical evaluation of a deployed strategy, product and/or service.
3. A strategic market or specific project plan.
4. Challenges associated with deployment of a new product and/or service.
5. A critical financial evaluation of company performance and/or investment opportunity.
6. Implementation of a organisation training & development
7. Evaluation of performance management.
7. Implementation and critical evaluation of a change management initiative.
8. Critical review & evaluation of global macro-economic issues as they relate to a specific problem/practice based challenge.
In the event an appropriate Project topic is not identified/offered by the student, an approved Project topic/subject area will be provided by nominated academic staff.

1. Employ a range of critical evaluation techniques to demonstrate a systematic awareness, understanding and knowledge of contemporary management & leadership issues associated with the project topic. Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate intellectual and entrepreneurial skills in the application of management & leadership competencies, together with a practical understanding of how established management & leadership techniques are applied in the context of the project topic.
Application

3. Contextualise, analyse and apply learning from a wide range of teaching & learning, taking both local & global perspective on contemporary research & developments in management & leadership in the context of the project topic.
Learning

4. Generate innovative and enterprising approaches & solutions to management & leadership challenges which inform decision making in effective business risk management as they relate to the project topic. Problem solving

5. Devise and apply valid evaluation and investigative techniques to interpret complex business challenges and propose solutions in the context of the project topic. Demonstrate understanding of selected investigative techniques within contemporary business paradigms.
Enquiry

6. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding and critical awareness of contemporary developments in management & leadership as they relate to the project topic. Evaluate the rigour and validity of evaluation and relevance to contemporary issues in management & leadership.
Analysis

7. Articulate complex business information, situations & scenarios based on critical awareness & knowledge, adapting to different audiences, circumstances & feedback using a variety of communication tools & approaches.
Communication

8. Reflect on and demonstrate development of all 5 underpinning management & leadership competencies to enhance employability and/or career advancement in positions of management & leadership. Reflection

4x3 hours/week over 3 weeks (36 hours total) seminar on problem/practice based case study & research methodology evaluation techniques

10 hours 1:1 Project supervision

Independent study - drawing on T&L across MBA module topics. The project should be based on and/or derived from current or previous employment experience.
All projects will be assigned a principal academic supervisor.
The guidelines are that a Project should include 36 hours F2F seminar relating to work based Project evaluation methodology plus 10 hours F2F 1:1 academic consultation in addition to c.554 hours of independent research & study in association with (as appropriate) current and/or previous employer or academic staff- 600 hours total.

This module can also be undertaken as part of the Blended Learning (BL) delivery pattern. BL is defined as the thoughtful integration of each of the following in order to maximise student flexibility:
- Independent study (student reading/research and assessment preparation);
- Guided independent study (homework, group tasks and e-support in Blackboard);
- Online scheduled contact time (at least 10% of total contact time is online lessons where the tutor is  ¿present ¿) and
- Classroom contact time.
Learning activities may include (this list is not exclusive):
- Presentation activities;
- Structured discussion activities;
- Group work activities;
- Reflection activities;
- Formative and summative assessment activities;
- Problem-based learning activities.

• VLE learning support material.
• Module handbook.
• Directed texts.
• Supporting research methodology lecture material.
• Selected PPBL case examples
• Academic Journals
• Industry reports

Moon J A (2008) Reflection in learning and professional development: theory and practice. - London : Routledge Falmer, 2008

Smith K A 2014 Teamwork and project management. 4th ed. New York : McGraw-Hill Education,
Wintage L M (2015) Project management for research and development guiding innovation for positive R&D outcomes e-book

The MBA project represents an opportunity for all MBA students to select a suitable topic and demonstrate the full suite of all five management and leadership competencies derived from the programme. Topics will be wide-ranging drawing on different aspects of business but all aiming to address a specific business challenge or problem. Following a 'dragons den' style project proposal presentation and allocation of a project supervisor, the assessment requires a 15,000 word project submission. A final executive presentation completes this element of the MBA study.