Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module BUSI4L710: Management Consultancy (Taught)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4L710: Management Consultancy (Taught)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2021/22
Tied to N1T717

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Management Consultancy (Online) BUSI 4L610

Aims

  • To examine current literature, theories, models and practice with respect to management consultancy work.

Content

  • Introduction to Management Consultancy
  • Client relationships and the consulting cycle
  • Consulting competences and skills
  • Knowledge management in management consultancy
  • Understanding and dealing with ethical Issues
  • International consulting and the global context

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have:
  • a critical knowledge and understanding of the changing nature and role of management consultancy work at a time of unparalleled global change and public interest;
  • a detailed understanding of the key approaches used in the global management consultancy industry;
  • an understanding of the capabilities needed for effective management consultancy, including industry thought leadership, nurturing client-consultant relationships, knowledge management, and various aspects of international management.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:
  • have the ability to use advanced critical, evaluative and communicative skills needed to develop and deploy effective solutions to strategic challenges facing client organizations.
Key Skills:
  • Research and Analytical skills
  • Solution and Creative skills
  • Planning and Delivery skills
  • Teamworking
  • Negotiating and persuading
  • Written communication
  • Presenting effectively using oral, written and technological media

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

  • Learning outcomes are met through classroom-based workshops, supported by online resources. The workshops consist of a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion. Online resources provide supplementary material for the workshops – typically consisting of directed reading and video content.
  • The formative assessment includes classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses of specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module. Feedback will be given as appropriate.
  • The summative assessment is in two parts: an individual written assignment which is designed to test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth; and a group presentation to test students' ability to work effectively in collaboration with others and to critically assess the relevance and validity of others' views. The group presentation is assessed according to the criteria set out in the Programme Specification. All group members are awarded the same mark.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion), timetabled in blocks 6 Over a 3-day teaching block 4 hours 24
Preparation, reading and other independent study 76
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Group Presentation Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group Presentation 15-20mins 100% Individual 10 min presentation
Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written assignment 2000 words max 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Students will undertake group work during the module and will receive feedback in preparation for the summative assessment.


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