Newcastle University

Aims

The aims of the module are as follows:

a) To enable students to participate in the setting up and running of a real business.
b) To help students develop entrepreneurial abilities and skills.
c) To enable students to apply management knowledge in a real life business setting.
d) To develop student awareness of working in relation to self employment and small business creation.

In this module, students will gain first hand experience of initiating, setting up and managing a new business venture. The module is ultimately designed to improve student employability and to widen career choice. Emphasis is placed upon the development of business skills, occupational awareness of new venture start up, self employment and the small business sector.

In teams, students will endeavour to originate, plan and manage an enterprise effectively within relevant legislation and regulations, involving the development of systems and procedures for operating the enterprise and their implementation in practice. Individually, students shall identify and evaluate their own skill development and learning in relation to set criteria

In addition to formal lectures and seminars facilitated by academic members of staff, advice and support will be available from external business advisors. In Semester I, if resources are available, students shall also take part in a voluntary team building event.

The module is supported by the national Young Enterprise (Graduate) Programme that provides a mechanism for the student companies to register, trade and liquidate within a negotiated legal & tax framework. The Programme also provides insurance.

The cost of registration to student companies is currently £100. Details of the up to date registration fee are available from the module leader.

Original Summary:
Provides the student with an opportunity to work in a team and run their own business. The module is structured to provide effective support, but the student needs to take responsibility for their group's enterprise. The module is ultimately designed to improve student employability and to wide career choice. Emphasis is placed upon the development of business skills, occupational awareness of new venture start up, self employment and the small business sector. In teams, students will endeavour to originate, plan and manage an enterpirse effectively within relevant legislation and regulations, involving the development of systems and procedures for operating the enterprise and their implementation in practice. Individually, students shall identify and evaluate their own skill development and learning in relation to set criteria.

Outline Of Syllabus

Semester 1:
Introduction to Business Enterprise
Generating Ideas and Building a Team
Evaluating Ideas
Researching your Market and Customers
Mentoring
Business Planning and Finance
Marketing
Teambuilding Day (subject to funding)
Sell, sell, sell!!!
Presentation Pitches
PR & Sales
Semester 2:
Maintaining Motivation
Intellectual Property and Trading Legally
Growing your Business
Liquidation and Lifelong Enterprise.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The companies originated by the student teams are not part of a simulation and it is expected that following development in semester 1, the companies will trade for the minimum of semester 2. The nature of the module therefore requires students to demonstrate a high level of initiative and resourcefulness. To support this approach a wide range of teaching methods are employed, including mentoring guidance from local entrepreneurs and tutors, and seminars led by external experts

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Group assessment

The preparation of a viable Business Plan and associated presentation to business mentors, advisors, and tutors [K1, K3], [S1, S2]

The preparation and delivery of a company presentation to shareholders, advisers and tutors. This will include a review of the company's press release, financial figures and analysis of the contribution of their mentor. [S2, S4], [K1, K3].

Individual
2000 word report in which the students will reflect upon their experiences of developing and operating a business and evaluate them using the literature [K1, K2, K3], [S1, S2, S3, S4]

Resit:
Re-sit assessment will take the form of a 2000 Word Essay based on the evaluation of experiences using the literature to answer a question about starting and running a small business.