Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module BUSI3242: Dissertation in Marketing and Management

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI3242: Dissertation in Marketing and Management

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 3 40 Available in 2025/2026 None. Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • BUSI3322 Behavioural Science Marketing Project

Aims

  • The dissertation should be a substantial piece of work that provides a detailed and critical examination of a particular topic. Empirical research is encouraged where appropriate to the topic and programme of study, but is not compulsory.
  • Additional aims are:
  • to provide students with an opportunity to undertake a substantial research project on an approved Marketing topic and present their findings and conclusions in an extended and coherent piece of work.
  • to develop students' abilities to plan and manage their own learning.
  • to facilitate students' development of research skills and provide the opportunity to apply their knowledge to an appropriate topic associated with their degree.

Content

  • The specific Marketing topic and scope of the dissertation will be decided in consultation with an appropriate member of staff, should be of relevance to their degree and is subject to approval.
  • Lectures and supervision sessions will address basic issues of methodology and method, data gathering and data analysis, reviewing literature, structure and presentation of argument, academic writing.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the module students are expected:
  • to have acquired extended knowledge of a relevant Marketing topic.
Subject-specific Skills
  • To have acquired skills of independent research and project management.
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present and analyse data in a clear and appropriate manner.
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present arguments and conclusions in an extended and coherent form.
Key Skills
  • Written communication - through summative assessment.
  • Planning, organisation and working to deadlines.
  • Problem solving and analysis - e.g. by designing research, manipulating concepts and applying analytical skills.
  • Initiative by gaining access to relevant sources.
  • Computer literacy - by production of the dissertation in word processed form- accessing literature and other sources via electronic means and as relevant use of computer based analysis methods.

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

  • Learning is facilitated by lectures, consultations and support for private study.
  • Formative assessment is by means of preparation of dissertation outline, draft chapters for discussion at consultations and the keeping of a dissertation diary.
  • Summative assessment is through the production of a dissertation of 12,000 words. Students will have individual supervision sessions with a named dissertation supervisor throughout the year.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Supervision Sessions 6 3 per term 40 min 4 Yes
Preparation and Reading 396
Total 400

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Dissertation 100% Dissertation 12000 words 100%

Formative Assessment

A draft chapter for discussion at a date agreed between supervisor and student. Keeping of a dissertation diary.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.