BSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Business Project

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS34542
Credit rating 40
Unit level Level 6
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Welcome to The Business Project. This handbook aims to provide you with the information about the unit, including aims, indicative content, proposed delivery, how to contact until staff and assessment regime.

Aims

Give students the experience of running a company and the different functions within it, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between effort, team working, good management and success.

Small groups of students will set up and run their own small business venture. In running their company, students elect a board of directors from the group, raise capital and market and finance a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the unit the company goes into voluntary liquidation and students present a report and accounts to any shareholders. For the academic session 2020/21 students will focus on their chosen concept and preppare it raedy for launch at the end of semester 2.

In running the business the students can draw on aspects of theoretical knowledge gathered during the programme. This unit provides an opportunity to work independently on a long-term project culminating in an extended piece of work aimed at applying theory to practice.

The unit counts for 40 credits and comprises of a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, supplemented through private study and guided reading.  We recommend that the set-up cost for your business should not exceed £100 per student, however in the academic session 2020/21 it may be considerably less or no cost at all as students will only be working on the concept.  If you wish to invest more money you would need to consult your business mentor as a discussion of managing the risk of loss will be conveyed.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Intellectual skills
  • Practical skills
  • Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

Pre-recorded lectures and seminar/workshops and interactive feedback session to be delivered. Minor changes to the delivery pattern may arise and students will be advised of such changes at the earliest opportunity. Locations of the sessions will be communicated at the start of term.

Knowledge and understanding

  • Critical appreciation and understanding of the business management issues entailed in running a business.
  • Understanding of the different functions within a company structure.
  • Knowledge of marketing, branding and finance within a business context.
  • Demonstrate the ability to be able to develop a business plan and communicate this.
  • Understanding of an e-marketing plan and how to pitch ideas to industry.

Intellectual skills

  • Appreciate the theoretical underpinning of developing a business.
  • Research and evaluate appropriate marketing and communication methods to promote a business and apply marketing and other concepts.
  • Demonstrate critical reasoning. Identify and solve problems; analyse and interpret information;
  • Demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.
  • Articulate and synthesise attributes and study skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, employment, research and self-fulfilment.

Practical skills

  • Use appropriate sources of information to gain relevant information on management theory, business entrepreneurship, marketing and the fashion industry.
  • Write a cogent report, presentation skills and team-working skills.
  • Ability to ‘pitch’ ideas outlining research, a strategic plan and strategic recommendations.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Apply subject knowledge.
  • Communicate effectively to demonstrate knowledge of business management and the fashion business environment.
  • Solve problems.
  • Demonstrate strategic analytical skills.
  • Work independently and collaboratively on project based work.
  • Utilise creative and problem solving techniques to generate solutions.
  • Demonstrate a general working knowledge of the Windows and associated software such as Word, Microsoft Video and Power Point.
  • Show a high level of competence across a range of communication skills

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%
Portfolio 50%

Feedback methods

Written and verbal

 

 

Recommended reading

Students are not required to purchase any textbooks for this module. The following are recommended:

Essential:

Beaver, G. (2002) Small Business, Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development, FT Prentice Hall

Robbins, S. & Hunsaker, P.L. (2003) Training in Interpersonal Skills International Edition, 3rd edition, Pearson Education, New Jersey

Recommended:

Adair, J. (1986) Effective Team Building: How to Make a Winning Team Gower

Caproni, P. (2000) The Practical Coach Pearson Education, New Jersey

Carter, S. & Jones-Evans, D. (2000) Enterprise & Small Business: Principles & Practice FT Prentice Hall

Fry, R. (1997) Manage Your Time Kogan Page (out of print although Hollings Library has a copy)

Gill, R. (2006) Theory & Practice of Leadership Sage, London

Johnson, D.W. & Johnson, F.P. (2006) Joining Together: group theory and group skills 9th edition, Pearson Education Inc, Boston, USA

Lambing, P. & Kuehl, C.R. (2000) Entrepreneurship FT Prentice Hall

Patten, D. (2001) Successful Marketing for the Small Business Kogan Page

Solomon, P. (2004) Financial Accounting: A New Perspective McGraw-Hill/Irwin, New York

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 72
Independent study hours
Independent study 328

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Aurelie Le Normand Unit coordinator

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