NBS8523 : MBA Individual Project
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Dean Pierides
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 40 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
You will deliver an individual project that turns your core skills and global outlook into impact. You will lead an individual project that challenges you to solve complex, real-world problems and aligns with what you enjoy doing and are good at. Whether you choose research, consultancy, or a business plan, you will apply practical theory in context: framing real problems, gathering evidence, and delivering outcomes that organisations value. You will learn to make a positive difference—to clients, communities, and your career—by aligning what you love with what the world needs and your civic duty.
Outline Of Syllabus
The Individual Project requires you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired across the MBA programme to produce an individual project report.
Guidance on requirements and expectations is provided in the pre-requisite module NBS8489 Business Analysis for Decision Making.
You will be allocated an academic tutor and receive supervision to support independent study and the completion of your individual project report.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 395:00 | 395:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Total | 400:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The individual project is an independent piece of work supported through the academic tutorial system. The academic supervision provides relevant guidance and appropriate support throughout the research, analysis and reporting process.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 20 | 3 | A | 10 | The oral defence will take place after the supervisor and second marker have independently marked the dissertation. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 3 | M | 10 | Submission of a project proposal (2,500 words max.), plus appropriate ethics and risks forms, for formative feedback. |
| Report | 3 | M | 80 | Individual project report - 9,000 words. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 3 | M | Feedback from academic tutor on submitted research proposal, ethics and risks forms |
| Report | 3 | M | Feedback from academic tutor on one draft of project report |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
An in-depth project report allows you to demonstrate your ability to undertake self-directed independent research and integrate learning from across the MBA programme.
You will produce a final written report based on your chosen project, grounded in relevant academic and, where appropriate, practice-based literature, to define and address a significant business issue.
Unless agreed otherwise by your academic tutor or module leader, all reports will also include a multimedia executive summary and recommendations written for a non-academic audience.
After submission, you will complete an oral defence of your project. This will take place once the supervisor and second marker have independently marked your report and will give you the opportunity to explain your approach and findings.
If you are eligible for a second attempt, the resit will cover any failed components, and the calculation will follow the original module weighting.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8523's Timetable