What will I learn on this module?
This module is a practical hands-on application of business principles. It aims to put you – and a group of your peers - into the real-world situation of solving problems for businesses. This will include contacting the client to negotiate, agree and confirm initial project requirements and then working towards a deliverable that is acceptable to the client within the given time frame. This process requires the application and development of several key skills associated with project management and consultancy such as team organisation, working with others, planning and timekeeping. Employers are looking for students with these transferable skills who can adapt and work as individuals and as members of a team in analysing computing problems and applying effective programming solutions.
The consultancy projects vary year-on-year many technology-based and, therefore, students are expected to use and develop their own expertise in this area. At the end of the module, each group will be expected to present their findings in report format and to give a formal presentation for the benefit of the tutors and the client. The projects will be supplemented by lectures and seminars introducing the skills required for such consultancy and project management work especially during the first third of the module.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through lectures, workshops, and independent learning. The lectures will cover consultancy and project management theories and concepts that will enable you to work effectively within your team. You will work on these during workshops within the collaborative workspaces in Northumbria’s CIS building computer labs.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by lecturers during the timetabled sessions when you will receive feedback, guidance, and support with your client and consultancy project. The University’s eLearning Portal offers remote access to all lecture and seminar materials to reinforce your learning. In addition, the university library offers support for all students through providing electronic resources.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1 You will be able to recognise the role of a consultant and associated professional issues including appropriate communication standards, professionalism and privacy and security.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2 You will learn to interact professionally with real clients and use and apply appropriate project management techniques including risk mitigation to your consultancy activity.
MLO3 You will be able to identify appropriate solutions to a range of well-defined and abstract problems to meet a business need, both on an individual and group basis.
MLO4 You will be able to present and evaluate your chosen solutions using logical and reasoned arguments.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5 You will be able to differentiate between the module requirements and the reality of business/organisational requirements.
How will I be assessed?
Assignment 1 – (50%) Reflective Log (2,000 words): documenting and reflecting upon your approach to meeting the general and specific requirements of the project brief which you have been assigned.
Assignment 2 – (50%) Group Work (10,000) To develop your individual skills in consultancy related activities.
If the assessment is completed by groups of more than one student, then a rigorous Peer Assessment mechanism is employed to ensure a fair distribution of marks based upon students’ individual contributions to the project.
MLO1, MLO3, MLO4, and MLO5.
Feedback is verbal or via notes made to students work.
Continuous formative feedback and advice is provided on, student engagement with external clients, team dynamics and communication. This is and tutors for all assessed components.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This module is designed to deepen your knowledge and enhance employability, acquiring hands on experience working on a real-life project, an experience that is directly transferrable to industry and the world of work after your graduation. You will enhance your abilities as a problem solver with valued investigative, theoretical and practical skills to implement a solution as part of a consultancy team. The computing sector is a wide discipline in which professionals can find themselves working within a number of different roles and specialisms, each requiring a specific skillsets, knowledge and behaviours. You will work as a member of a team bringing your own skillset to a project with a specific set of requirements which will be negotiated with the client. These requirements could be technical, organisational or commercial and the consultancy project will align to your degree specialism. The final deliverable will be a client-oriented solution along with a report and reflective log.
Course info
UCAS Code GN50
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Computer and Information Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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