Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module BUSI5C715: New Venture Creation

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI5C715: New Venture Creation

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2016/17 Module Cap
Tied to N1K607
Tied to N1K807
Tied to N1K307
Tied to N2P109
Tied to N2P209
Tied to N2P309
Tied to N2P609
Tied to N5K609

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with advanced understanding of key processes associated with starting and growing an entrepreneurial venture, including obtaining finance.

Content

  • Entrepreneurial process and new venture creation
  • Opportunity recognition and development
  • Environments for entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial strategies
  • Business plan and resource requirements
  • Creating the organisation - role of the entrepreneur and team formation
  • Obtaining venture and growth capital
  • Managing rapid growth
  • Corporate venturing, university spin-offs and social entrepreneurship

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have an advanced understanding of the concepts associated with recognising and developing entrepreneurial opportunities;
  • Have a critical appreciation of the theories concerning entrepreneurial strategies, management team formation and managing growth;
  • Have an advanced understanding of the role and impact of investors in entrepreneurial firms;
  • Have a critical appreciation of the differences between various entrepreneurial contexts such as corporate venturing, university spin-offs and social entrepreneurship.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to write a sound business plan, and to critically evaluate business plans.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy; interpersonal communication; teamworking.
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy; interpersonal communication; teamworking.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, seminars and groupwork (including group discussion of case studies and the development of a group business plan) together with individual exercises and guided reading.
  • The assessment of the module, by group business plan and individual commentary, is designed to test students’ understanding and critical appreciation of the key concepts and issues associated with entrepreneurial activities, and their ability to apply them through the development and critical evaluation of a business plan.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures/workshops 9 2 hours 18
Seminars 2 1 hour 4
Preparation & Reading 130
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Group business plan Component Weighting: 80%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group business plan 5,000 words 100% Individual assignment
Component: Individual commentary Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual commentary on the group process and group business plan 1,000 words 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Group project and group presentation


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University