Module Information

Module Identifier
PGM3310
Module Title
Entrepreneurship for Research Students
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Summer
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Attendance and Participation  20%
Semester Assessment Draft Business Plan  50%
Semester Assessment Dragon's Den Presentation  30%
Supplementary Assessment Retake or resit failed components  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the entrepreneurship process

2. Understand the development of a business plan and apply this to their own research area.

3. Demonstrate communication skills, in writing and in other, to translate complex research ideas to a more general audience, (eg potential funders in this case).

Brief description

This module will equip PGR students with knowledge about entrepreneurship, most likely related to their own research project. The module will develop a set of generic skills (eg. proposal writing) and apply these to entrepreneurship developments. The module covers theory and practical aspects.

Aims

This module is part of the Vitae identified generic research training provision for PGR students. Vitae (vitae.ac.uk) is supporting the professional development of researchers, and closely linked to RCUK. Part of Vitae’s recommendation is to develop Entrepreneurship for PGR students, and this module is providing such training.

Content

The module is a mix between background knowledge, sharing experience and practical work which will cumulate in a draft business proposal and Dragon’s Den type of event. The Dragon’s den in this case will be a panel of experts and peers who will critically assess the draft business proposal.
The module will look at:
• Ideas Generation for a new business or social enterprise
• Business Planning
• Financial Forecasting and Financial Control
• Market Research
• Marketing and selling of products and services
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Business Types
• Attitude towards Risk
• Attributes of Entrepreneurs
• Funding a start-up business
• Start-up support from the University (and beyond)

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Financial Forecasts and reports as part of Business Planning – Cashflows/P&L/Balance sheets
Communication Written communication – Business Plan Verbal, Presentation Skills
Improving own Learning and Performance Yes
Information Technology Use of IT in researching markets; producing plan and presenting
Personal Development and Career planning This module can be used to develop a student’s real business idea
Problem solving The module offers students the opportunity to develop a plan for a new business venture…..thinking through the logistics of setting up a new business or social enterprise
Research skills Market Research – customers, competitor analysis, suppliers
Subject Specific Skills Raising start-up finance, pitching an idea, writing a business plan, etc.
Team work Students have the opportunity of undertaking the planning and presentation in teams, or individually

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7