Learning & Teaching

Title of case study	Industry Project
School / subject	Adam Smith Business School,
Lecturer	Charalampus Staginakis & Marco Guidi
Course	MSc FinTech
Student Level	PGT
Class size	40-50
Location	On campus

Brief summary

In this Masters programme students have the option to complete either a Research dissertation, Start-up project or Industry project. For the Industry Project, students apply to projects/organisations of interest (sourced by ASBS). If successful they will have the opportunity to obtain practical experience of planning and implementing a fintech project with an industry partner, and to gain insight about fintech as a career. Students will apply their academic knowledge to generate an innovative solution for an organisation.

Objectives

The key objective is to give students experience of the sector as a “consultant” to working on a live business problem.  Working with a business partner will allow them to develop their industry knowledge, whilst at the same time develop communication skills, build their professional network and gain valuable industry experience and insights. 

What is done?

The students have 2 assessments for the Industry Project. The first is a Portfolio report (75% 10,000 words). The portfolio should look and feel like an industry consulting report and include: a problem description, analyses of and solution to the problem, as well as a reflective account of their experience. The second is an Oral presentation (25% 15 minutes) which should be delivered professionally, as if to the Executive/Senior Team of the organisation. The focus should be on valuable and credible findings.

What works well?

The students have a choice of which pathway is best suited to them and their career aspirations. This choice means not all students will pick this route. Projects & organisations are sourced by the ASBS Business Engagement Team and guidance on the application process is also provided. The application process ensures that the right students is matched to the right project.  

Benefits (students & staff)

Students: 

• Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience of working in an organisation relevant to their future career. 

• Can apply their academic knowledge to a specific, real and current business problem. 

• Learn how to produce a video application with support from the Business Engagement Team 

• Have access to Presentation support via the COllege Employability Programme. 

Staff: 

• Projects are sourced by Business Engagement team 

Challenges (students & staff)

Students: 

•  Students can be wary of new types of assessment and so reluctant to take this option 

• The application process is competitive and so students may not get the project they wish 

Staff: 

• Allocation of supervisors is time consuming – trying to “match” a supervisor to a student & partner organisation 

• Also if students don't get first choice, may need to reallocate supervisors. 

• Is a more complex process requiring time and coordination. 

• Marking process also requires a different skill set so need to ensure supervisors and markers are clear on requirements etc. 

What did you learn?

Communications with project providers can take longer than you think – working with our students is not their priority so sometimes there are delays. Also, if a student doesn't get their first choice of project, there will likely be a delay in allocating their supervisor – which is already on a tight deadline!

What advice would you give to others?

Build in extra time – everything takes longer than you think. From the application process, communicating with the organisations and allocating supervisors – particularly if students don't get the project they want and have to change track. Build in time for contingencies! 

You also need to manage the expectations of students – they will not all get the project they want, as ultimately the organisation decides which student they want to work with. They may even have to move from the Industry Project track to the traditional research option.