Outline of Syllabus Semester 1 – Market Opportunity This Semester is focused on conducting high quality, detailed market research. You will spend time learning how to conduct efficient and effective research before analysing the potential market opportunity behind your idea. You will conduct both primary and secondary research to understand: • • • • •
the size of the sector and size of your potential target market the problem that you are trying to solve and how your target market experiences this problem your competitors and how you will position yourself against them your unique selling points how you should communicate your value proposition.
Semester 2 – Business Development This semester is spent developing your idea into a sustainable business model with a consideration of feasibility, viability and desirability. You will explore each of the individual elements that need to be considered to take an idea into a fully functioning business. Topics covered in Semester 2 include: • • • • • •
Building a business model Financial sustainability Intellectual property and legal considerations Founder skills/talent planning Marketing and social media Sales strategies
Participation and Attendance This is a 20-credit module and you are expected to carry out both independent research and study. Including the core content, you should spend a total of 200 hours on this module across the academic year. You will be expected to actively engage in discussions and activities. Attendance at synchronous sessions is mandatory and is monitored; non-attendance is recorded and reported - you must notify the Module Leader as a basic expectation if you are unable to attend due to unavoidable/special circumstances. Non-attendance and engagement with may trigger the need for contact and discussion with your academic School and Personal Tutor to monitor and safeguard the situation for prevention of a negative impact on your degree outcome.
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