Engage with our students Host a student project with Sheffield University Management School
By hosting a student project, you provide a valuable opportunity for our students and your organisation.
About student projects
Sheffield University Management School is ranked in the top one per cent of business and management schools globally, attracting some of the top students from around the world.
Students can work with your company on a particular issue or challenge for a period of around three to four months from May to August, and will provide you with feedback on completion of the project. This could be in the form of a report, a presentation or simply recommendations for you to consider.
We aim to develop knowledgeable and employable students, and to have a positive impact on organisations and society. By providing opportunities for our students to work with you during their academic training, we can make a difference together.
Student projects are research dissertation projects carried out by Masters level Management School students, set by you as the host organisation and guided by us.
Why host a project? Providing students with the opportunity to undertake a student project enhances their applied learning experience, creates fresh ideas and brings enthusiasm directly into your organisation. It’s a chance for you to examine current business issues, and gain extra support in finding possible solutions.
This guide to hosting a student project at Sheffield University Management School includes:
• Background information on projects • Our areas of expertise • Examples of previous projects • The process • Further information and contact About Masters students A student studying a Masters programme has chosen to specialise their knowledge at postgraduate level, after previously completing an undergraduate degree. They are looking to acquire the professional skills and expertise needed to carve out a career within their chosen field of management.
Your support All students will need someone who can act as a guide and a point of contact within your organisation throughout the project, supporting them when necessary. They may also require access to people, contacts or information that have been identified as part of the research element of the project, which you will need to facilitate. It isn’t necessary to provide a designated desk for the student, although they will need a suitable work space when carrying out tasks on-site. The detail of your support will vary depending on the type of project, and will be discussed when the project outline is being agreed.
Our commitment We endeavour to support you and the student, to work together throughout the project, and to match your project with the most suitable candidate. Each student who applies to undertake a project with an organisation will have completed a development programme, designed to prepare them for working with you. Students will go through an application process, including a competencybased interview, and you will have the opportunity to meet them before the project commences.
Bringing our expertise to you
People Every organisation or business relies on people. Our students welcome the opportunity to practice their research skills in areas concerning people in organisations. Projects could examine topics including work and wellbeing, managing the physical work environment to maximise effectiveness, change management, developing employee innovation, recruitment and selection processes, and interpersonal communications (between departments, different levels of seniority or functions). • An evaluation of training programmes and the impact on the workplace after six months • An analysis and evaluation of top-down communications during organisational change • A review with recommendations to help establish a fair and just reward system.
Operations and logistics All businesses rely on efficient processes, either within an office environment, or within supply chain or logistics. They are all essential for an organisation to be effective and efficient. Our students learn practical and theoretical approaches to process improvement and mapping, effective waste management, developing and managing sustainable business practices, and logistics. Our specialist students can bring their knowledge and expertise into your organisation. They can help to suggest possible solutions to improve supply chain operational procedures which add value to your organisation. • Opportunities to introduce lean methodology in a warehouse environment to achieve improvements in stock control and haulage costs • The mapping of call centre processes to identify inefficiencies • An analysis of route planning for a complex organisation to maximise driver efficiency.
Finance Our students studying finance are aiming to start their careers in the areas of financial management, financial services, auditing, investment banking, and asset management. • An analysis of current organisational financial systems • A cost benefits analysis to determine future financial stability • A review of the current CSR priorities for an accountancy firm in the city region.
Management Our management programmes develop students who are motivated to build a career in management and leadership in organisations of all sizes. Projects could examine issues around entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, intercultural communication and operational issues. Students also examine how businesses operate on an international level, looking at global marketing strategies, elements of an inter-country supply chain, and the potential implications of an international workforce. • Attracting, employing and retaining millennials to an international business • The development of a leadership and development programme • Opportunities to maximise volunteers for a third sector organisation.
Marketing Our marketing students are given a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of marketing communications, consumer behaviours, media and PR, and brand management. Undertaking a project allows students to expand their practical understanding of marketing methods in both UK and international settings. Projects are typically carried out in a B2C environment, however B2B projects are also possible, depending on the availability and access to customers needed for students to carry out the necessary project research. • Research into the development and delivery of a new clothing brand • The development of an international marketing plan to target markets around the world • A market sector study analysing the potential for a new product.
Arts and culture Our students specialising in management in the creative and cultural industries are working towards a career in arts management. If your organisation relies on fundraising, sponsorship or philanthropy, our students could help you evaluate such partnerships, and identify other possible solutions and types of collaboration within your organisation’s society. • A trends analysis of visitor figures across three museum sites • An evaluation of stakeholder satisfaction at an annual arts event • Exploring utilising Chinese students studying in Sheffield as future ambassadors for the city region.
The process Projects are typically sourced from September to November to be undertaken by students the following summer. The process is almost a year from start to finish, but your involvement will vary throughout, with key times being the project sourcing stage and then project delivery. • • • • • • •
September to November: Project sourcing September to December: Agree project brief January to February: Advertise projects to students March: Students allocated to projects March: Open evening to meet allocated students June to August: Project delivery September: Feedback to organisations
Working together to make a difference To discuss your idea for hosting a student project at Sheffield University Management School contact Business Development Manager, Una Moran: e: u.moran@sheffield.ac.uk t: +44 (0) 114 222 3252 w: management.shef.ac.uk/business/host-a-student-project