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In this 40 credit unit, final year students undertake a live consultancy project in a group. The clients are not-for-profit or third sector organisations. The course incorporates social responsibility through service learning. Students must normally have a second year average grade of at least 60+%. Places are limited to 40 and are allocated by the course unit director following a one page application (July). Students work in groups. The opening sessions of the unit focus on the nature of consulting, individual styles and team work. Students are introduced to the client organisations in semester 1 and work on a project plan. In semester 2 they collect data and prepare the reports. There is a final presentation to the clients just before the reports are submitted. Students work under the guidance of the lecturers and are expected to formulate and execute the projects in line with the principles of ethical business research. Students also complete an individual essay worth 30% of the final grade. This unit develops many transferable skills including team work, project management, problem formulation, ethical practice, the design of data collection tools, presenting and report writing. It also deepens students self-awareness and understanding.

None, but we normally expect a performance at 2.1 level or above and a strong application. Places are allocated by the course unit director.

To apply for a place on this course you must complete the application form.

Your application should set out any previous experience in project groups, consultancy or the not-for-profit sector, but the main criteria for selection are a strong academic performance in second year and the motivations to work in a group delivering a live project for a not-for-profit client organisation (experience is not necessary).

The unit aims to:

The course unit aims to develop an awareness of the skills and processes involved in the development and implementation of a consultancy project in an organisational context and an appreciation of how business and management knowledge taught in other parts of the degree programme can be applied to practical situations. It aims to provide practical experience of working in a team and delivering a live project to a third sector or not-for-profit organisation. Through this experience the course unit aims to develop employability skills, including self-awareness, understanding of team dynamics and organisational change, project management and personal development. The course unit provides the opportunity to work on a live project under the close guidance of AMBS academics.

An introductory session explains the course aims, the way of working with live projects and the expectations the lecturers have from the students. Further sessions with the lecturers expand on performing and delivering management consultancy, using the organisation development cycle as a framework. The sessions address skills of problem definition, ethical practice, qualitative and quantitative methods and report writing for consultancy. Project definition, project management and SMART objectives are covered. Students examine such topics as values, personal style, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, leadership styles, team working, team roles, reflective writing, emotional intelligence and resilience. The course unit seeks to develop presentation skills suitable for a business environment. The projects are introduced before reading week in Semester 1 when students meet their clients. Semester 1 is the time for shaping and defining the projects with client feedback. After an interim presentation and report in Semester 1, project work continues until the final presentations with the clients and the delivery of the client reports at the end of Semester 2.

2 hour lectures = 40 hours

30 minute group project tutorials x 4 = 2 hours

Lecture slides and session plans uploaded to Canvas

Additional materials placed on Canvas, for example videos, study materials

Understood the organisational development cycle and how consultancy projects are designed, implemented and adopted.

Applied academic knowledge and literature to problem formulation and analysis.

Developed a sound understanding of ethical business research.

Developed critical appraisal skills concerning evidence and argument.

Developed the ability to critically assess the organisational implications of project development and implementation.

Developed critical appraisal skills concerning data collection methods and tools.

Designed and delivered a project solution to meet the needs of a real organisation  

Developed their understanding of project management

Developed their oral presentation skills to be at least competent in a professional environment.

Developed report writing skills appropriate to a business context.

Developed experience of self-managed learning and managing teamwork and enhanced their self-understanding.

Project plan group presentation - 10%

Individual reflective essay - 30%

Final project group presentation - 10%

Final project group report - 50%

(See University of Manchester reading lists online)

Core text: Evidence-Based Management – how to use evidence to make better organisational decisions by Barends and Rousseau 2018 Kogan Page (available as an e-book)

Bulletproof Problem Solving – the one skill that changes everything by Charles Conn and Robert McLean 2018 Wiley

Humble Inquiry – the gentle art of asking instead of telling by Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein 2021 2nd edition Berrett-Koehler Publishers (available as an e-book)

Research Design – Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches by John W. Creswell 2009 3rd edition Sage

Readings from: Strategic Management in the Third Sector Roger Courtney ISBN 2013 978-230-33693-3

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