LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY

Course Specification MSc Entrepreneurship and Business Development

MSEBD

2018/19

www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Record of Enhancement No. Detail of modification

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1-1 Additions applied to sections 27, 28, 35, 36, 56 - to embed the 16-21 Education Strategy. Translation exercise, February 2017.

201718

Document converted to Course Spec August 2017

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Next Re-validation date

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Version number and date effective

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Target award, course title and programme code:

MSc Entrepreneurship and Business Development MSEBD

Level of qualification: Level 7

Course Rationale and Philosophy:

The MSc programme in Entrepreneurship and Business Development provides both recent graduates and experienced students with the skills and knowledge to allow them to participate effectively in the creation and growth of high-impact business ventures in the creative, social and technology sectors. This programme will be based on action learning, which is a powerful tool for personal and professional development. Entrepreneurship occurs because entrepreneurs take actions to pursue business opportunities. Action is a central construct to understand entrepreneurship, because starting a new business requires continuous actions to gather resources and to set up viable business structures. Therefore, entrepreneurs who initiate more start-up activities and who are more active in the process of starting a new business are more likely to successfully launch one. The student/entrepreneur will have the opportunity to work on a real enterprise/start-up and implement solutions, make decisions and manage the process, which is learning by doing. This will provide a powerful way for entrepreneurs to learn from other entrepreneurs and from their business mentors. This learning process will offer to students/entrepreneurs space for individual reflective and guided learning, that they will then be able to translate into action; they will be able to receive support and constructive feedback from their peers as well as their business mentors; they will have the chance to devise creative ways to develop a small business with limited resources; they will have the opportunity to test different options without taking excessive risks by making decisions with an eye to affordable loss/acceptable downside. Starting with only a small limited seed funding, students will be encouraged to form productive partnerships whose resources might be put to valuable use. Starting without a large capital will also force the entrepreneur to attempt an early sale which offers a learning opportunity on the viability of the business. Students/entrepreneurs through this learning process will be able to review the common misconceptions about entrepreneurship and associated questions that hold them back – e.g. ‘I don’t have an idea’, ‘I have no money’ or ‘I am afraid to fail’. They will learn what works, in what will be a safe environment to start their own business.

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Overview and Aims: On successfully completing the programme, students will be better equipped in several key competencies required to succeed within the entrepreneurial eco-system. Entrepreneurial competencies can be defined as higher-level characteristics encompassing personality traits, skills and knowledge, which can be seen as the total ability of the entrepreneur to perform a job successfully. Six major competency areas of entrepreneurs are: (1) opportunity, (2) organisation, (3) strategy, (4) relationships, (5) commitment, and (6) conceptual competencies. Through study at this level, students will also have a thorough understanding of research, both as a practice and as a product, and be fully prepared for further development in either an academic, or professional, environment. The students, having gained a broad management / entrepreneurship education will also be better trained to be innovative and excel in their careers. The main aims and objectives of the programme are –

to support students in developing critical analytical, problem-solving, creative and learning skills, and a critical awareness of the constituent elements of theory and practice of entrepreneurship and innovation;

to support students, develop a critical awareness of economic, social and technological context of entrepreneurship, both in an independent venture and within large organisations.

to develop students for careers as entrepreneurs, as owner-managers, policy makers in government, consultants and analysts in entrepreneurial strategy and finance, entrepreneurial management in different types of organisations;

to support students to manage their own learning and personal development in the future;

to support students in identifying new commercial and social opportunities for new and existing businesses

to support students in developing a new business idea, from concept design to implementation.

to help students become part of an, innovative and entrepreneurial community.

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Course Learning Outcomes: At the end of the Course you will be able to:

1 Knowledge of Entrepreneurial Theory and Practice: Critically analyse the

theory and practice of new venture creation and entrepreneurship processes in various organisational scenarios (start-ups, small business and corporate spin-offs, venture capital firms, for-profit, not-for-profit).

2 Global Awareness: Analyse and comprehend the critical components of culture interplay on entrepreneurship in different countries, and analyse how different beliefs and ways of thinking affect how entrepreneurs operate their businesses.

3 Critical and Creative thinking: Apply critical and creative thinking to the analysis and evaluation of business problems, including the ability to identify assumptions and implicit values, evaluate evidence, appraise the logic of arguments and reasoning, the ability to generalise appropriately, refine existing solutions, devise alternative explanations and generate new solutions.

4 Problem solving and Decision making: Solve complex problems and make decisions by establishing relevant criteria and making use of appropriate decision techniques, as well as implementing decisions through the selection and use of appropriate interpersonal skills.

5 Communication skills: Demonstrate active listening and confidence in negotiating and persuading or influencing others, including coherent, clear and highly effective oral and written communication to a variety of audiences (customer, suppliers, investors, employees, business partners etc.)

6 Sector expertise: Critically analyse and reflect upon contemporary and advanced concepts, theories, models and analytical frameworks pertinent to a specific sector (Creative and Social sector OR Technology sector), as well as designing appropriate entrepreneurial venture strategies.

7 Self-management: Be self-directed and able to act autonomously in planning and implementing projects at professional levels. Take responsibility for continuing to develop own knowledge and skills.

Level Learning Outcomes: PG Certificate:

1 Knowledge of Entrepreneurial Theory and Practice: Critically analyse theory

and practice of new venture creation and entrepreneurship processes in various organisational scenarios (start-ups, small business and corporate spin-offs, venture capital firms, for-profit, not-for-profit etc.).

2 Global Awareness: Analyse and comprehend the critical components of culture interplay on entrepreneurship in different countries, and analyse how

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different beliefs and ways of thinking affect how entrepreneurs operate their businesses.

3 Critical and Creative thinking: apply critical and creative thinking to the analysis and evaluation of business problems, including the ability to identify assumptions and implicit values, evaluate evidence, appraise the logic of arguments and reasoning, the ability to generalise appropriately, refine existing solutions, devise alternative explanations and generate new solutions.

PG Diploma (All of PG Cert outcomes (1, 2 and 3) and):

4 Problem solving and Decision making: Solve complex problems and make decisions by establishing relevant criteria and making use of appropriate decision techniques, as well as implementing decisions through the selection and use of appropriate interpersonal skills.

5 Communication skills: Demonstrate active listening and confidence in negotiating and persuading or influencing others, including coherent, clear and highly effective oral and written communication to a variety of audiences (customer, suppliers, investors, employees, business partners etc.)

6 Sector expertise: Critically analyse and reflect upon contemporary and advanced concepts, theories, models and analytical frameworks pertinent to a specific sector (Creative and Social sector OR Technology sector), as well as designing appropriate entrepreneurial venture strategies.

MSc (All of PG Cert & PG Diploma outcomes (1,2,3,4 and 5) and):

7 Self-management: Be self-directed and able to act autonomously in planning and implementing projects at professional levels. Take responsibility for continuing to develop own knowledge and skills.

Course Structure: Level 7

The MSc programme in Entrepreneurship and Business Development is an intensive, eighteen-month programme that has 6 block modules of 20 credits each in year 1, followed by 60 credits of a live commercial project and a parallel mentoring and coaching support where students apply their new skills to their start-up ventures, consulting activity or a corporate setting (Intrapreneurship). Students will be provided with the opportunity and support (in the form of seed funding and mentorship) to launch their ventures, should either the individual venture (or team) be deemed viable. Students whose projects are not considered viable will be given an

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opportunity to work with a start-up or small entrepreneurial business venture, a venture capital firm or in a large innovative company (in a new business development role), putting their accumulated entrepreneurial knowledge and skills into action. Managing the creation, delivery and capture of new business opportunities is a complex process, requiring broad-based skills, knowledge, guidance and experience. The MSc programme has been designed to meet this need by combining core management modules with real practice and analysis of entrepreneurship. It aims to enhance students’ strategic and operational management skills through unique and highly practical modules. Full –Time (18 Months)

Each module will be run a block over 4 consecutive days. The Live Commercial Project is made up of two components – 20% for a Proposal and 80% for a Project report. Students may start thinking about their proposal from beginning of Trimester 2 bearing in mind that it takes minimum 3 months and may take up to 6 months in exceptional cases for full approval of a start-up proposal. The actual project could start early in overlap with Trimester 3 if needed. However students cannot start their Live Commercial Project until they have completed 60 credits in the Fundamental modules (Individual Enhancement, Market Focus and Strategic Thinking). As justified in the Course mapping in Box 40, the higher 60 credit LCP module cannot be used as a leverage for obtaining a PG Diploma. Part –Time (24 Months) Each module will be run a block over 4 consecutive days.

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The following is an indicative route. The 20 credit coursework modules have to be taken in the order indicated. Part-time students get more flexibility and may take an extra 6 months to finish 20 credit modules. Again, students may start thinking about their proposal early, but cannot start their Live Commercial Project until they have completed 60 credits in the Fundamental modules (Individual Enhancement, Market Focus and Strategic Thinking). However, as justified in the Course mapping in Box 40, the higher 60 credit LCP module cannot be used as a leverage for obtaining a PG Diploma.

Proposal Time-Line Start-Up Track (3 to 6 Months including funding decision) It is anticipated most students will opt this track as a group project work.

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Consultancy Track (2.5 to 3 Months)

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Intrapreneurship Track (4.5 to 5.5 Months) This track will not be encouraged unless the student entered the course as employer sponsored. However where a student seeks a placement, the search may take longer than a consultancy client search.

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Trimester 1 Core (Y) Trimester 2 Core (Y) Individual Enhancement

Y

Market Focus

Y

Trimester 3 Final 6 Months (Full time) or 12 Months (Part Time)

Advanced Practice

Y Live Commercial Project

Y

Option

N

Indicative option modules Semester 3

Creative and Social Enterprise

Technology Entrepreneurship

Contained awards available:

Award Title Level Credits

PG Dip Entrepreneurship and Business Development 7 120

PG Cert Entrepreneurship and Business Development 7 60

Length and status of programme and mode of study:

Length (months)

Status (FT/PT) Mode (campus based/DL or other)

18 FT Campus based

24 PT Campus based

Learning and Teaching (to include, as a minimum, the following topics)

Learning and Teaching Approaches

1. Knowledge and Understanding

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Through a structured programme of CPDs included in block deliveries that cover topics relating to the generation of new business concepts, the assessment of feasibility and the execution of appropriate business models and strategies. The MSc programme is highly flexible and portable, meets the needs of busy entrepreneurs and corporate change makers, and fits around their personal and professional commitments. The block workshops encompass a blend of robust academic theory and practical hands-on experience, meaning students can start putting their learning into practice from day one, providing immediate benefits to the students without putting their new venture idea or career on hold. Teaching methods include group and project based activities along with case-based teaching. Students will be required to attend all block modules, study extensively on their own and make effective contributions to group-based activities. 2. Intellectual / Cognitive Skills Throughout the programme, all modules will introduce information that will need to be assessed critically and will demonstrate that how conflicting interpretations arise from the same information. 3. Practical Skills (Professional or Subject specific)

through the writing of project reports

through group and individual presentations

through seminar and class discussion

through workshops and field visits

through tutorial support, academic supervision and practitioner mentoring 4. Transferrable Skills (Graduate or Employability)

Project reports, course work, live commercial project

using data bases, consulting on-line library catalogues

seminar presentations

guided and self-directed reading, class discussion

Learning and Teaching Activities

1. Directed self-study, lectures and seminars on different aspects of

entrepreneurship

2. Field visits; discussions with tutors, supervisors, domain experts, government departments, start-up incubators, investors etc. on the values, principles and applications of entrepreneurship theory and practice

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3. Directed self-study, observation and reflection of practice; comparative case study work in workshops and the classroom

4. Project-based work with small and medium enterprises, social and creative

enterprises, technology entrepreneurs, corporate spin-offs and government agencies concerned with enterprise and innovation

5. Recommended reading, networking with external communities of practice,

peer groups and various regional, national and international forums, review with practitioners and domain experts

6. Lectures and directed self-study for understanding tools, techniques and

methods used in traditional business research, and identify those which can be used to inform and support practical business planning scenarios. These methods and strategies will be built into each module and reinforced separately in the Live Commercial Project module.

7. Informal assessment through presentations of findings related to ideas,

concepts, strategies and good practice; related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction, should enable students to explore and enhance their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation and communication skills.

8. Development of reflective logs from the beginning of the course, on-line

discussions and quizzes

9. Formal assessment of outcomes of modules will take the form of course work assignments and presentations, with the Live Commercial Project providing a further opportunity to assess the range of skills outcomes in 38.

The diversity of teaching and learning approaches as above and assessment strategies (see 49) has been designed to preserve and promote equality of opportunity, allowing each student to participate, appreciate and develop their true potential. International case studies and the students work in multicultural groups will provide additional support for an all-inclusive curriculum and the opportunity for the students to bring forward and discuss in dialogue with peers, mentors and tutors their own perspectives and critical viewpoints.

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Use of the Virtual Learning Environment The programme is offered as both full-time and part-time study, however it is designed to fit around any work and personal commitments. Therefore the main teaching is delivered in blocks at workshops, and online activity via VLE is used to enrich the learning experience. All modules make use of the university’s VLE facilities (MyBeckett). There is a standardised approach to ensure consistency, with all modules using the VLE for: • Web-links, references and uploads of Pre-block reading • Module documents including Module Handbook and Assessment details • Lecture slides • Online activities and quizzes to support learning • Web links, references and uploads for further reading • Contact details for teaching staff • Provisional mark list and generic feedback Announcements are made on the portal to inform students of guest lectures and enterprise events. Staff use the university email system to contact individual students, seminar groups and year cohorts. Students’ individual timetables are provided through the VLE. All modules provide a “MyBeckett” site designed to meet at least the minimum design expectations of the university e.g. lecture slides, seminar questions, etc. In its communications with the cohort, the course team adopts the principle that the channels used are clear and limited in number. In this way, we can be sure that messages from both the team and cohort are transmitted and received. Use of Blended Learning A typical trimester will include two face to face four day blocks. Alongside this, students will attend online tutorial sessions, study online in a dedicated VLE, and participate in forum discussions with e-tutors and colleagues. This blended approach will be carefully designed to deliver a balanced combination of self-study and practical learning with international colleagues.

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Student Support Network If you have a question or a problem relating to your course, your Course Administrator is there to help you. Course Administrators works closely with academic staff and can make referrals to teaching staff or to specialist professional services as appropriate. They can give you a confirmation of attendance letter, and a transcript. You may also like to contact your Course Rep or the Students’ Union Advice team for additional support with course-related questions. If you have any questions about life at our University in general, call into or contact the Student Hub on either campus to speak to our Student Experience Team. This team, consisting of recent graduates and permanent staff, are available to support you throughout your time here. They will make sure you have access to and are aware of the support, specialist services, and opportunities our University provides. There is a Student Hub on the ground floor of the Rose Bowl at City Campus and one in Campus Central at Headingley. You can also find the team in the Gateway in the Leslie Silver Building at City Campus. The telephone number is 0113 812 3000, and the e-mail address is StudentHub@leedsbeckett.ac.uk. Within MyBeckett you will see two tabs (Support and Opportunities) where you can find online information and resources for yourselves. The Support tab gives you access to details of services available to give you academic and personal support. These include Library Services, the Students’ Union, Money advice, Disability advice and support, Wellbeing, International Student Services and Accommodation. There is also an A-Z of Support Services, and access to online appointments/registration. The Opportunities tab is the place to explore the options you have for jobs, work placements, volunteering, and a wide range of other opportunities. For example, you can find out here how to get help with your CV, prepare for an interview, get a part-time job or voluntary role, take part in an international project, or join societies closer to home.

Assessment Strategy

A range of assessments will be used with emphasis on practical skills and demonstration of transferable skills. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods that include: class participation; presentations and group or individual course work; through group and individual project and live commercial project that relate to the market, technical and financial viability of a new business opportunity. For the real-world projects (Performance tasks) in 20 credit modules, small teams of students compete with one another to develop a strategy for a real business client

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with support from a tutor. The teams will consult with businesses to make a case to develop an innovative idea. Each team will present its recommendations to the business and will write a project report to be assessed by the academic and practitioner mentor.

Feedback on Assessed Coursework A range of feedback methods will be used to promote effective learning and suit the individual needs of students.

Comments on a first draft of course work

Online self-assessment quiz

Peer grading of group oral presentations

Individual consultations with academic supervisors and practitioner mentors on company projects.

Peer feedback of case studies worked in class groups

Class discussion of a coursework in progress

Criterion-based feedback on submitted course work and live company project.

Module Assessment Methods (core modules only, please tick () all which apply)

Module Titles

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Level 7

Individual Enhancement

Market Focus

Strategic Thinking

Building Relationships

Advanced Practice

Live Commercial Project

Employability and Professional Context: The programme offers significant opportunities for personal as well as professional learning and development. All modules employ a work-related learning approach in which the learner prepares for employment or is applied to the learner’s start up. The learner’s intellectual and personal skills development is intended to support employability or career enhancement, and assessment (where appropriate) is related to the learners start up. It is also designed to develop participants’ capacity and confidence as independent learners. We support this transition process so to enable all students to become confident in their academic and professional abilities and able to apply their knowledge and skills within complex situations. All Module content and delivery, is designed to enable students to apply their knowledge with originality within advanced academic and range of professional contexts. Students/entrepreneurs who would like to obtain a full Master’s degree will also have to submit a project report based on their start-up venture or consultancy or internship. Students who complete the programme would be well equipped to work in the public or private sector, as well as developing a career managing a start-up or small business. The course would also be suitable for students looking to undertake a research or consultancy role. Graduates might expect to gain senior management roles in a range of functions including strategy formulation, marketing, new product development, innovation, research & development management, technology, and the creative arts. The

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programme may interest those wishing to work in manufacturing, IT, clean technology and low cost healthcare. In order for students to be prepared for such careers, the course will enable them to develop appropriate skills, abilities, and knowledge, each of which will be tested within the course assessments. Students will also be provided with opportunities to tailor their research and project work to organisations, opportunities, or potential new ventures, in which they have a particular interest, hence providing them with relevant and specific understanding. More generally, the students will develop intellectually, personally and socially, through the course in order to make them more employable in professional environments. The students can also benefit from the support and assistance provided by MyHub, in terms of identifying career options, job hunting, CV preparation, applications, and interviews. In addition, the support of the Enterprise Academy and QU2 incubator will help students with respect to identifying future career paths or setting up their own business. These aims are aligned with the values and objectives of the Strategic Planning Framework 2016-2021 and the recent 2016-21 University Education Strategy, particularly reflecting enterprise and employability that also aligns with QAA guidance. The time spent on our MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Development will expand your knowledge with advanced and seminal management theories that allow you to specialise within your chosen sector(s). Our MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Development will equip you for the challenges you will face in the future as a manager. Your future success will be enhanced by the development of your management style, networking abilities, marketing, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship, holistic understanding of the organisation and its environment. The MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business and Development will prepare you to be a change agent ready to tackle business issues whether external or internal to the organisation. Your course will conclude your MSc study with a Live Commercial Project, During this time you will apply your knowledge of academic and professional practices studied during the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Development to develop your business start-up plan, undertake a consultancy project for a small entrepreneurial business or support a Venture Capital firm in it due-diligence or work with a large company on new business development (as a Corporate entrepreneur or Intrapreneur). This will be useful to develop internal as well as external organizational business planning and consultancy expertise and sustain your critical thinking development beyond the completion of your course.

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When you leave Leeds Business School, you will feel confident in applying innovative and original thinking by combining advanced academic theory and professional practices to complex problems in the context of global markets, organisations and management.

Reference Points used in course design and delivery: All our courses leading to Leeds Beckett University awards have been designed and approved in accordance with UK and European quality standards. Our courses utilise the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) and where relevant subject benchmarks (where these are available) and professional, statutory and regulatory body requirements (for professionally accredited courses). We review our courses annually and periodically, responding to student feedback and a range of information to enhance our courses. Our University is also subject to external review by the Quality Assurance Agency. Our latest report can be found on the QAA web site at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports We appoint External Examiners to verify that our University sets and maintains standards for awards which adhere to relevant national subject benchmark statements and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (UK), ensure standards and student achievements are comparable with other Higher Education Institutions in the UK, with which they are familiar, and ensure that assessments measure achievement of course and module learning outcomes and reach the required standard. External Examiners may also provide feedback on areas of good practice or potential enhancement.

Staff Teaching on the Course: You can find details of our highly qualified permanent teaching staff on our website, who are involved in teaching, research and administration associated with the course.