Business Management and Entrepreneurship

30 credits

Starting with your local community. This module empowers you to lead change on local challenges - such as poverty and green space access, by working with Wandsworth Council.

Rooted in ethical thinking and collaboration, it reflects Southlands College's commitment to active citizenship. You will build agency, purpose, and real-world impact, enhancing your foundation for confidence towards meaningful career pathways.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities. 

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a individual community-project report (50%) and a 10-minute group presentation (50%).

30 credits

This module introduces you to the core principles and practices of project management, with a specific focus on their application within entrepreneurial and early-stage venture contexts. Unlike traditional corporate project settings, entrepreneurial environments often require leaner, more adaptive planning approaches due to uncertainty, resource constraints, and rapid iteration. 

As such, you will develop the capacity to manage ambiguity, navigate change, and deliver value through disciplined but flexible project delivery methods.

You will be introduced to a range of project management methodologies including Waterfall, Agile, and Lean Startup, allowing you to critically assess which approach is most appropriate depending on project scope, timing, resources and stakeholder complexity. These frameworks are applied through practical exercises and software tools such as Gantt charts, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Kanban boards, and PIDs (Project Initiation Documents).

Through scenario-based learning and industry-informed simulations, you will explore the full project lifecycle - from initial scoping and planning, to execution, monitoring, and closure. Attention is given to risk identification and mitigation, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and the use of key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress. 

The module places strong emphasis on communication and teamwork, where you will be expected to present your project proposals in professional formats, including project posters and written reports, as well as participate in pitch simulations aimed at securing mock investment or executive support.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities.

Lectures will cover core project management principles and enterprise methodologies, while workshops will consist of a blend of interactive project planning activities, group work on stakeholder management and risk assessment exercises, and peer feedback sessions on project pitches designed to support your leadership and project coordination skills development.

By integrating startup case studies, software tools and investor-style evaluation panels, the module provides you with a professionally focused, applied understanding of how to manage entrepreneurial projects effectively. You will learn how to respond to evolving business contexts, justify project decisions using data, and balance innovation with execution discipline.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a presentation (30%) and coursework (70%).

30 credits

This module provides you with a comprehensive foundation in the processes and principles underpinning the early stages of entrepreneurial venture creation. It centres on the identification, evaluation and shaping of opportunities within dynamic market environments, with a strong emphasis on problem-solution fit and customer value creation.

You will be introduced to a suite of entrepreneurial tools and frameworks, including lean startup methodology, the Business Model Canvas, customer discovery techniques, and value proposition design. Through structured learning activities and practical workshops, you will learn how to systematically observe and analyse unmet needs in markets, test assumptions, and iterate on early-stage concepts in response to real or simulated stakeholder feedback.

Key topics include market gap analysis, industry and competitor mapping, minimum viable product development, financial viability assessment, and digital storytelling techniques for early-stage pitching. The module is deliberately experiential, engaging you in simulation challenges, group ideation tasks and interactive peer critique to foster critical thinking, resilience and entrepreneurial creativity. 

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities. 

Lectures will cover core entrepreneurial concepts and opportunity identification methodologies, while workshops will engage you in developing practical venture concepts and opportunity validation exercises aimed at supporting and consolidating their learning.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a video pitch (70%) and an opportunity report (30%).

30 credits

Innovation is not only a catalyst for competitive advantage but a strategic imperative in an era defined by disruption, digital transformation, and rapid socio-economic change. This module will provide you with an in-depth exploration of the principles, practices, and evolving contexts of innovation management within both entrepreneurial start-ups and complex, established organisations.

You will be introduced to key innovation domains including disruptive innovation, business model innovation, platform strategies, design thinking and open innovation ecosystems. Contemporary challenges such as AI integration, sustainability-led innovation and the ethics of emerging technologies are embedded throughout, enabling you to engage critically with real-world applications and dilemmas. 

Central to the module is the development of a nuanced understanding of how innovation generates both economic and societal value - and the strategic, cultural and organisational conditions necessary to sustain it over time. 

You will learn to recognise innovation not just as a creative act, but as a structured, iterative and risk-aware process that can be designed, managed, and scaled. The module cultivates strategic thinking, opportunity recognition, creative problem-solving, and innovation leadership. It will prepare you for innovation-related roles in areas such as product development, digital strategy, consultancy, corporate entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurship.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities.

Lectures will cover core entrepreneurial concepts and opportunity identification methodologies, while workshops will engage you in developing practical venture concepts and opportunity validation exercises aimed at supporting and consolidating their learning

Through interactive learning, such as live case simulations, innovation sprints, and panel discussions with industry practitioners, you will apply innovation management frameworks to complex, dynamic business scenarios.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a group innovation video and visual artefact (50%) and an individual applied essay (50%).

30 credits

This module integrates the core principles of entrepreneurship by guiding you through the end-to-end process of developing a new venture, from ideation to investment readiness. Building on concepts introduced in earlier modules, you will be challenged to take an original or refined business idea and transform it into a fully developed and professionally presented business proposition.

You will begin with ideation and opportunity refinement, supported by structured market research and validation techniques. The module places emphasis on evidence-based decision-making, encouraging you to test your assumptions through competitor analysis, customer feedback, and business model experimentation. The Business Model Canvas is used extensively to develop, iterate, and articulate the value creation logic of the proposed venture.

As the module progresses, you will develop a comprehensive strategic business plan. This includes sections on marketing and customer acquisition strategy, financial planning and projections, operational and human resource structures, and consideration of legal and regulatory compliance. You will also be introduced to methods of securing funding, including angel investment, venture capital and alternative finance, enabling you to design financially viable and fundable ventures.

 Throughout the module, you will participate in collaborative workshops and receive feedback from tutors and peers on key elements of your business plan and pitch deck. You will be encouraged to critically evaluate your own ideas in light of commercial viability, scalability, ethical considerations, and social or environmental impact.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities.

By the end of the module, you will have not only produced a fully integrated and investment-ready business plan but also gained the confidence and professional competencies required to present yourself as credible, opportunity-driven entrepreneur ready to navigate the realities of venture creation.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a business plan report (30%) and an investor pitch presentation (70%).

30 credits

In an ever-changing world, organisations must make strategic choices based on solid analyses and decision-making processes. This module adopts an innovative teaching approach to illustrate how strategic management theories and models can be applied in different contexts and how they inform decision-making. 

You will develop a skill set founded on strategic management theory that will allow you to become an active participant in the strategy process that organisations deploy to ensure their long-term success.

This module will give you a clear understanding of what strategy is all about and how organisations develop it. You will learn how to apply the essential concepts and tools of strategy that will be useful in their business career whichever sector they choose.

Main topics revolve around the strategic position of organisations, the concept of competitive advantage (how to gain competitive advantage and/or sustain it for longer), and evaluation of business strategies. After a closer look at business and corporate levels of strategy, the module ends with selected aspects of implementation. 

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities. 

Seminars will involve critical analysis of real-life cases to address a range of strategic problems. In this way, you will develop commercial awareness and recognise drivers for business success. You will also have the opportunity to work with others and communicate your views.

Assessment

This module will be assessed through a strategic analysis report (50%) and a recommendation report (50%). Using insights from Assessment 1, you will produce a strategic options report using the relevant frameworks. 

30 credits 

This intensive six-week taught module is designed to equip you with the essential competencies needed for professional consultancy practice. 

This module serves as the skills-based foundation for the concurrent Roehampton Live Project, providing you with theoretical frameworks, practical tools, and professional capabilities required to deliver high-quality consultancy services to real clients.

Delivered as a professional bootcamp in a blocked format, this module creates an immersive learning environment where you will develop expertise in consultancy methodologies, client relationship management, strategic problem-solving, and professional communication. The intensive structure enables you to build confidence and competence before engaging with live client projects.

You will learn to integrate ethical considerations, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability into your consultancy approach, ensuring that your professional practice contributes to broader societal wellbeing.

Key areas of focus include consultancy frameworks and methodologies, client engagement and relationship management, evidence-based research and analysis techniques, strategic thinking and recommendation development, professional communication and presentation skills, and ethical consultancy practice and sustainability integration.

You will engage in real case studies and simulated client scenarios, working individually and in teams to apply learned concepts. The module incorporates guest speakers from industry, practical workshops, and reflective exercises to bridge theory and practice effectively. 

This module prepares you for immediate application of skills in your concurrent Live Project module, where you will work with real clients as part of the ‘Roehampton Business Advice Centre’.

Teaching and learning

The module employs intensive blocked delivery with high contact hours to create an immersive professional development experience. Teaching methods include interactive workshops, case study analysis, simulation exercises, guest speaker sessions, and peer learning activities. 

You will have 22 hours of lectures and 33 hours of workshops over six weeks. Lectures and workshops will be interactive in nature providing an environment for sharing business ideas, problem space mapping and evaluation opportunities and carrying business scoping exercise.

Assessment

This module will be assessed through consultancy toolkit portfolio coursework (50%) and a consultancy bid presentation (50%).

30 credits 

This transformative capstone module is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice. You will have the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting, developing strategic solutions to real-world business challenges.

You will work in consultancy teams as part of the Roehampton Business Advice Service, collaborating with a diverse range of external clients, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organisations, social enterprises, and larger companies. Global engagement projects will also be sought with partners outside of the UK, or projects that can have an influence on communities globally.

Each team will engage with a client to diagnose business problems, conduct in-depth research, and formulate evidence-based recommendations. By making an impact through real-world projects, you will enhance your ability to navigate complexity, synthesise information, and communicate your insights effectively to senior stakeholders.

While teamwork is a core aspect of this module, you will also undertake substantial individual work, ensuring that your personal contributions are critically assessed and aligned with your professional aspirations. The module is structured to simulate a professional consultancy environment, equipping you with the practical skills, commercial awareness, and adaptability needed for leadership roles in business and beyond.

You will be encouraged to develop ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable business solutions, ensuring that your recommendations contribute not only to organisational success but also to broader societal and environmental wellbeing.

Through a combination of practical experience, academic rigor, and reflective work-based learning, you will be empowered to become a strategic thinker, problem solver, and an influential professional. The module is designed to be a stepping stone into a range of career paths, with projects aligned with your own career goals. By the end of this module, you will have built a portfolio of high-quality work that demonstrates your analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.

Teaching and learning

Each consultancy team will be assigned an academic supervisor who will provide structured guidance, feedback, and oversight throughout the project. 

You will have scheduled supervision meetings, including meetings with your supervisor at key milestones during the project to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps. Supervisors will support you in managing client relationships and ensure professionalism in communications.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a consultancy report (50%) and a live presentation (50%).

30 credits

You will develop your core academic and integrated English language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. You will become familiar with key academic skills and concepts, such as referencing methods and awareness of academic integrity and tone. You will apply these skills and knowledge to both broad topics and also your chosen subject pathway.

Teaching and learning

You will be required to actively engage in on-campus learning for up to 10 hours a week.

You will be taught through a full range of teaching and learning methods, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, group directed tasks and presentations. This will enable you to learn from your peers and tutors in both structured and information settings.

You will be encouraged to think creatively about your approach to learning and discussions with your peers. You will also have access to recordings, resources, links and signposting through Moodle to enrich your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through group and individual presentations, comparative and reflective essays, multiple choice exams, coursework and reports, oral exams, portfolios, case studies and blogs.

30 credits

You will develop your research, numeracy and information technology skills. You will investigate the difference between primary and secondary research, conduct your own research project and demonstrate your findings through data analysis. You will also develop your awareness of equality, diversion and inclusion in the UK, through a real-world issue; discrimination in the workplace.

Teaching and learning

You will be required to actively engage in on-campus learning for up to 10 hours a week.

You will be taught through a full range of teaching and learning methods, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, group directed tasks and presentations. This will enable you to learn from your peers and tutors in both structured and information settings.

You will be encouraged to think creatively about your approach to learning and discussions with your peers. You will also have access to recordings, resources, links and signposting through Moodle to enrich your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through group and individual presentations, comparative and reflective essays, multiple choice exams, coursework and reports, oral exams, portfolios, case studies and blogs. 

30 credits

This module provides you with a foundational understanding of the principles and practices of business. You will explore the fundamental concepts of business environments, legal structures, and organisational dynamics, focusing on small and large businesses.

With the introduction of key principles of sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusive business practices in a globalised economy, it is expected that you will develop an understanding of contemporary issues affecting businesses at both local and global levels. The transferable skills you will develop in taking this module will enable you to critically evaluate new business ventures, create mission and vision statements, and engage in collaborative activities to develop essential teamwork and communication skills.

The module follows a thoughtful combination of theory, applied learning and reflective practices. By emphasising real-world applications, ethical considerations and global awareness, you will become a responsible, skilled and adaptive business professional.

Teaching and learning

Through interactive workshops, role-play activities, and case studies, it is expected that you will develop practical skills in business planning, stakeholder analysis, and strategic thinking.

The teaching delivery for each module consists of one, one-three-hour lecture and one, two-hour seminar per week. Seminars will consist of individual, group activities and role plays.

You will also have an additional 30 minutes of online support each week, which will consist of individual tasks such as quizzes, posting on discussion forums, watching videos and taking notes and reading.

Assessment

This module will be assessed using a business pitch and an individual written report.

40% - formative assessment where you will identify sources of business ideas (300 words) and summative assessment, where you will be required to present a business pitch to an audience of investors.

60% - individual written report, using a start-up company of your choice to identify and evaluate key challenges faced.

30 credits

This module delves deeper into core business functional areas and includes topics such as: marketing, finance, Human Resource Management (HRM) and leadership. The module is structured to enable you to gain an understanding of analytical frameworks such as SWOT, PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces that will enable you to evaluate as well as identify opportunities and challenges within different business environments. The transferable skills you will develop in taking this module will enable you to critically evaluate the key functional aspects of business operations and application of theory to practice.

You will also evaluate the principles of product life cycle, and business portfolio management. This exploration will further develop your foundational skills that will enable you to deal with real-world business challenges and engage in critical discussions. Additionally, the module design follows a thoughtful combination of theory, applied learning and reflective practices, emphasising real-world applications, ethical considerations and global awareness, preparing you to become a responsible, skilled and adaptive business professional.

Teaching and learning

This module will be delivered to ensure active interactions through workshops and seminar activities while focusing on practical applications, such as cost behavior, breakeven analysis, market research, recruitment processes, and globalisation.

The teaching delivery for each module consists of one, one-three-hour lecture and one, two-hour seminar per week. Seminars will consist of individual, group activities and role plays.

You will also have an additional 30 minutes of asynchronous digital support each week, which will consist of individual tasks such as quizzes, posting on discussion forums, watching videos and taking notes and reading.

Assessment

This module will be assessed using a group presentation and an individual written report.

40% - group presentation, where you will use relevant tools to evaluate the macro environment of a business organisation of your choice.

60% - individual written report, acting like an independent management consultant, you will write an analytical business report on a company of your choice on how it can gain or increase its competitive advantage.