School of Management MSc in Entrepreneurship Postgraduate Student Handbook Section 1 2017-2018 i
Contents MSC IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT THE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT 1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 2 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 3 CONTENT AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL COURSES 4 Mandatory Courses 4 MN5561 Business Opportunities, Ideas and Planning 4 MN5562 Corporate Entrepreneurship 4 MN5566 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 4 MN5568 Entrepreneurial Finance 5 MN5569 Entrepreneurial Marketing 5 RESEARCH AND YEAR IN BUSINESS PROJECT COURSES 5 MN5445 Dissertation Preparation and Research Methods (Mandatory non-condonable) 5 MN5572 Independent Business Research Project 6 Optional Courses 6 MN5570 Innovation 6 MN5571 Business Ethics and Entrepreneurship 7 OPTIONAL COURSES FROM OTHER MASTER PROGRAMMES 7 BI5691 E-Business 7 MN5903 Sustainability Accounting 7 MN5904 Creative Accounting and Impression Management 8 MN5054 Service Marketing 8 MN5056 Arts Marketing 8 MN5058 Sports Marketing 8 MN5064 Marketing Communications 8 MN5067 Consumption, Markets and Cultures 9 STUDENT ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES 9 MN5555 Foundations of Modern Management (Induction week only, optional, not assessed) 9 Entrepreneurship and Enactus student societies 9 Career Advice 9 Field Trip 1: Visiting Entrepreneurship Hubs 10 Field Trip 2: Visiting Small and Medium Businesses 10 Page ii
MSC IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT THE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT The MSc in Entrepreneurship builds on the research and teaching expertise of the staff in the School of Management. The MSc offers seven courses in specialist Entrepreneurship subjects, developed for the Master s programme. These have been chosen for their relevance to contemporary Entrepreneurship research, practice and policy and designed to equip students with some of the key skills and knowledge required to develop their own projects, whether it be starting a new organisation or developing an entrepreneurial project within an existing organisation, in the public, private or voluntary sectors. The MSc is aimed at students with a high second class UK honours degree or equivalent in Management or another discipline in the Arts, Social Sciences, Sciences or Engineering. The programme would also appeal to those individuals with work experience, and those interested in starting or managing an entrepreneurial initiative. It is suitable for all candidates regardless of whether they do or do not have prior knowledge of the subject area. For all candidates the MSc in Entrepreneurship will be a useful qualification for gaining employment, formulating business ideas, and for embarking on further study. Director of the MSc in Entrepreneurship Dr Knut Lange, Senior Lecturer in International Business Knut.Lange@royalholloway.ac.uk Director of Graduate Studies, School of Management Dr Niran Subramaniam Niran.Subramaniam@royalholloway.ac.uk Administration Enquiries to ; MN-ENT@royalholloway.ac.uk 1
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION The MSc Entrepreneurship Programme Specification can be found in the Programme Specification Repository at the following link: http://www.rhul.ac.uk/studyhere/progspecs/home.aspx This document describes the Master s Degree programme and Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship. The 2015 Programme Specification is valid for new entrants from September 2017. 2
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Masters Degree MSc Entrepreneurship Mandatory Courses Research and Final Project Courses MSc Entrepreneurship Optional Courses Optional Courses from other programmes (20 Credits Each) (subject to availability) MN5561 (20 credits) Business Opportunities, Ideas and Planning MN5562 (20 credits) Corporate Entrepreneurship MN5566 (10 credits) Introduction to Entrepreneurship MN5445 (20 credits) Dissertation Preparation and Research Methods MN5572 (40 credits) Independent Business Research project MN5570 (20 credits) Innovation MN5571 (20 credits) Business Ethics and Entrepreneurship BI5691 E-Business MN5903 Sustainability accounting MN5904 Creative Accounting and Impression Management MN5054 Service Marketing MN5056 Arts Marketing MN5058 Sports Marketing MN5568 (10 credits) Entrepreneurial Finance MN5569 MN5064 Marketing Communications MN5067 Consumption, Markets and Cultures (20 credits) Entrepreneurial Marketing 3
CONTENT AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL COURSES Mandatory Courses MN5561 Business Opportunities, Ideas and Planning The aim of this course is to introduce you to the basic theories and practices related to business planning and the entrepreneurial start-up process. Particular, emphasis is given to: the discovery of business opportunities the development and assessment of business ideas the formation of founding teams the preparation of a business plan Assessment: A group report a full business plan, 2,500-3,000 words (50%); and an individual report - personal reflections on critical stages of developing a business idea and plan (incorporating a weekly reflective work log), 2,000-2,500 words (50%). MN5562 Corporate Entrepreneurship This course takes a critical look at corporate entrepreneurship, exploring the strategic and organizational models behind new venturing, innovation and strategic renewal. In doing so, it examines both large and small company perspectives in the management of new business opportunities. It discusses the importance of internal and external technology sources, as well as the development of complementing activities through the emergence of various forms of external relationships. Assessment: An in-class group poster presentation based around a case study (40%) and a threehour examination (60%). MN5566 Introduction to Entrepreneurship This course will develop awareness and understanding of various aspects of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ventures with reference to both theoretical underpinnings and applied and public policy measures. The themes which are covered include: economic approaches to entrepreneurship sociological and psychological approaches habitual entrepreneurs family firms outcomes: enterprise barriers, growth and performance Assessment: A 2,500 word essay. Students will be required to choose one form a selection of essay topics which relate to the material covered in the session, and will be expected to develop a critical examination of the question (40%) and a two-hour examination (60%). 4
MN5568 Entrepreneurial Finance This course offers a blend of applied finance with appropriate theoretical underpinnings. More specifically there is a strong emphasis upon the following: entrepreneurial value creation, understanding financial statements and value techniques the range of sources of finance available increasing awareness of the various Government initiatives to assist SMEs and enterprise Assessment: A 2,000 word essay based upon an entrepreneurship and finance related question (50%) and a 2,000 word report evaluating a finance and entrepreneurship case study (50%). MN5569 Entrepreneurial Marketing Key topics in marketing are covered, focusing on small organisations with limited resources and entrepreneurial organisations as follows: selling & negotiating market analysis & customer segmentation consumer behaviour creativity & innovation leveraging limited marketing resources customer relationship management brand building Assessment: A group based marketing plan comprising a presentation (10%) and a group written plan with a 5000 word limit (90%). RESEARCH AND YEAR IN BUSINESS PROJECT COURSES MN5445 Dissertation Preparation and Research Methods (Mandatory non-condonable) The aims of this module are: To prepare students for their dissertation To encourage students to reflect critically upon the theoretical and philosophical assumptions underlying research methodology To facilitate the ability of students to achieve a self-managed process of systematic and logical enquiry consistent with writing a dissertation To enable students to research and write a structured research proposal that will form the basis of the student s dissertation To encourage students to consider the ethical aspects of conducting research To help students relate the research and entrepreneurship context By the end of this module students should be able: To recognise and critically evaluate approaches to management research and the assumptions upon which they are based To evaluate in a critical manner primary and secondary data sources 5
To make justified choices as to appropriate quantitative/qualitative research methods for data collection and subsequent analysis To conduct research in a systematic and critically reflective manner To evaluate in a critical manner potential limitations to research investigation and application To develop a coherent and appropriate research proposal To recognise the ethical implications of research investigations and their impact upon findings To understand and apply research in business and entrepreneurship Assessment: One in-class test of one hour (30%) and one 3,000 word research proposal (70%). MN5572 Independent Business Research Project The Independent Business Research Project expects students to combine theoretical insights from the programme with practical applications from a vetted entrepreneurial setting. The final independent business research project report will retain key elements of the dissertation, including an expectation to demonstrate deep and wide scholarship in the form of secondary and primary research components, but encourage students to utilise a current industry or business problem as the context of their investigation, which would likely draw on their working context. For the Year in Business Pathway the Independent Business Research Project should be based on an analysis of their placement experience. Placement support would be offered by the College Careers team and the academic oversight of a project supervisor. Students would be responsible for finding their own placement opportunity lasting between 6 and 11 months, at an appropriate level, which would include a week of evidenced training and documented end of placement performance review. Assessment: A 10,000-12,000 words individual project (100%) Optional Courses Please note that for any of the optional courses to run, a minimum number of students must have enrolled in the course (usually 10 students). One or both of the following optionals can be selected. MN5570 Innovation In this module you will explore business innovation in the context of new ventures and corporations, discussing how changes in Information technology, markets, and society are affecting how new business models, products and services emerge. From this broad perspective, the course focuses particularly on exploring sources of innovation and creativity, the innovative organisation, developing new products and services, innovation networks and policies, knowledge management and innovation in the global context for competitive advantage. Assessment: One in-class test of one and a half hour (50%) and one 2,000 word individual assignment (50%). 6
MN5571 Business Ethics and Entrepreneurship In this module will be introduced to the moral frameworks and critical abilities necessary to understand the role of business in society from an ethical perspective. The course will cover different types of business including large publicly traded multinationals, small and medium sized enterprises, social enterprises and family firms. You will be expected to understand the different issues in these organizational types and to articulate moral arguments from a range of different perspectives. Assessment: A 2500-3,000 word individual essay (50%) and a two-hour individual examination (50%). OPTIONAL COURSES FROM OTHER MASTER PROGRAMMES Optional courses from other programmes are a great opportunity to expand your knowledge in areas of specific interest and increase your networking opportunities with other classmates. Only one of the following optionals can be selected and they are subject to availability. During the first year you will have to indicate your preferences by completing a form handed to you by your course administrator and selecting no more than three options. Your programme administrator will process your request and inform you about the decision in due time. You will always have the option to pick both optionals from the MSc. Entrepreneurship programme. BI5691 E-Business Here you will cover the challenges of the information society as networked organisation managers. A key challenge is successful development of electronically mediated forms of interaction in this type of organisation. The module will focus on: The e-environment: e-business models and enabling technologies E-business strategies: analysis, formulation and implementation Assessment: Unseen examination (50%) and an individual assignment (50%). MN5903 Sustainability Accounting Here you will develop your knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in the theory and practice of sustainability accounting and accountability. Assessment: Report related to a group presentation (40%) and a three-hour examination (60%). 7
MN5904 Creative Accounting and Impression Management The aim of this unit is to raise your critical awareness of theory and practice regarding a variety of questions of communication in accounting. You will examine the nature of the international reporting environment and the needs of lay and expert readers of financial reports. Assessment: One 2000-2500 word written assignment (40%) and a three-hour examination partly based on a pre-distributed annual report. (60%). MN5054 Service Marketing The course is designed to study four key areas in how the role of service marketing is changing in society and in the organisation, and demonstrating the various factors that influence marketing decision-making. These areas are: understanding the differences between services and goods the key elements of service marketing the service delivery process implementing and managing profitable service strategies Assessment: One individual assignment (2,500 words) (50%) and one group project (3,500 words) (50%). MN5056 Arts Marketing This unit will introduce you to the basic marketing theories and practices necessary for the successful running of art galleries. Attention is drawn to arts consumption and consumers, with reference to arts organizations in the private, public, and voluntary sectors. Assessment: Two individual assignments (Total 5,000 5,500 words). The two assignments will be proportion 40%/60% (both in words and weighting). MN5058 Sports Marketing Here you will develop an understanding of the unique application of marketing principles and processes to the sports industry. Two themes are considered: sports as product and sports as medium. Assessment: One individual report (2,000 words) (50%) and one group report (2,600 words) (50%). MN5064 Marketing Communications In this module you will examine the principal means of marketing communications advertising, promotion, public relations, direct marketing and sales teams. You will also develop an understanding of the contemporary media environment and how this impacts on marketers efforts 8
to communicate with stakeholders. An important theme that will be examined is how communication should change when dealing with different segments, and entering markets with different communication cultures (particularly overseas). Assessment: One individual report (2,000 words) (30%), one individual report (3,000 words) (60%) and a group presentation and report (1,000 words) (10%). MN5067 Consumption, Markets and Cultures This course will provide students with an intellectually and historically grounded ability to understand the broader socio-cultural issues relevant to marketing practice in the 21st century. You will gain the skills and knowledge to understand the interactions that occur between the market, consumers and the marketplace. The focus centres on how particular manifestations of culture are constituted, maintained and transformed by broader forces such as cultural narratives, myths, ideologies and grounded in specific socioeconomic circumstances and marketplace systems. You will work with popular texts such as The McDonaldization of Society by George Ritzer as well as with complex theoretical concepts including Consumer Culture Theory, Symbolic Consumption and the Production of Culture. Assessment: One individual case study (2,000 words) (30%), one individual report (3,000 words) (60%) and one group presentation and report (1,000 words) (10%). STUDENT ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES MN5555 Foundations of Modern Management (Induction week only, optional, not assessed) Here you will be introduced to management in an integrative manner by identifying five elements important to the commercial success of an organisation: customers, shareholders, employees, numbers and technology. Through analysis of historical roots you will gain: a better appreciation of current practice with regard to the first three elements discuss how the remaining two can influence management decision-making Entrepreneurship and Enactus student societies At Royal Holloway you can become an active member of the Entrepreneurship Society focusing on business ventures, and Enactus Society focusing on social entrepreneurship. They invite successful entrepreneurs, organise entrepreneurship competitions, and provide a series of interesting activities for future entrepreneurs. These vibrant societies provide great opportunities for you to meet likeminded entrepreneur students to discuss and develop business or social entrepreneurship ideas. Career Advice Support from Career Services, focusing on opportunities to be entrepreneurial within organisations. This could include advice about finding and applying for year in business placements too. These sessions are optional and arranged on demand with Career Services. They are designed to help students: Describe the attributes of an entrepreneurial employee 9
Identify jobs within the UK and multinational companies that would use these entrepreneurial skills Describe how UK and multinational companies recruit Identify their own skills and promote these effectively to potential employers Field Trip 1: Visiting Entrepreneurship Hubs The first field trip will take place during the autumn term. Students and members of the academic staff will go to visit an entrepreneurship hub near London. The purpose of this field trip is to see how many benefit from shared spaces, experiences and networking activities when starting a business. Although participation in this activity is not compulsory, it is highly recommended for learning and team-building purposes. Specific costs associated with this field trip will be covered by the programme. Field Trip 2: Visiting Small and Medium Businesses The second field trip will take place during the spring term. Students and member of the academic staff will go to visit one of a few small businesses in the area near the university. The purpose of this trip is to talk to more experienced entrepreneurs about their challenges, visit established businesses and possibly try their products and services first-hand. Although participation in this activity is not compulsory, it is highly recommended for learning and team-building purposes. Specific costs associated with this field trip will be covered by the programme 10
School of Management Royal Holloway, University of London Egham Hill, Egham Surrey, TW20 0EX Telephone +44 (01784) 276213 11