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BUSI4O060: Dissertation (International) (MSc Marketing)

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 60
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Management and Marketing

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • Dissertation in Marketing (BUSI4G360) AND Influencer and Content Marketing: Theory and Practice (BUSI4X160)

Aims

  • To provide students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level of an issue which is applicable and relevant to their degree subject.
  • The dissertation should be theoretically underpinned and should normally involve undertaking empirical research but may be a critical essay that draws upon academic literature.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to undertake research abroad at a partner University.

Content

  • Students review the literature and choose a dissertation topic, which is formally approved by the Board of Examiners. It should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation, and relevant to their degree route.
  • In producing the dissertation, students will make use of and manage library facilities, databases, and other learning resources.
  • Before going abroad, students attend information briefings on undertaking their dissertation abroad and are assisted with the application process by the MSc Study Abroad team. In addition, students are monitored and supported by the MSc Study Abroad team while abroad and have a mentor from the partner institution.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of the module students should have:
  • an in-depth and critical understanding of a chosen relevant topic in Marketing through the utilisation of appropriate advanced techniques of research and analysis.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • To be able to effectively organise, structure and manage a research project at an advanced level, including undertaking critical appraisal of relevant literature, and apply critical judgement and discrimination.
  • To have developed the ability to operate independently on a research topic and exercise appropriate judgement in the selection of material.
  • To have further developed the skills of inquiry, quantitative and qualitative research design, experimental research, data collection and information retrieval, bibliographic search, measurement and analysis, interpretation and presentation of results.
  • To have developed advanced skills of research, analysis and scholarly expression in a chosen topic.

Key Skills:

  • Written Communication
  • Planning and Organising
  • Problem Solving and Analysis
  • Using Initiative
  • Numeracy
  • Computer Literacy
  • Self-discipline, time management and the ability to work autonomously

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

  • Students work independently on their research, analysis and writing up while abroad, under the guidance of a supervisor in Durham and a mentor abroad whose main responsibility is to check progress. Normally the student will meet their supervisor before going abroad and will regularly stay connected with their supervisor while abroad, via email or Skype. In addition, the student will normally meet their mentor while abroad on no more than three occasions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Supervisory meetings60.5 hours3 
Research, Preparation, Analysis and Writing597 
Total600 

Summative Assessment

Component: DissertationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Dissertation15,000 words max100same

Formative Assessment

Students receive detailed feedback on one draft chapter/section of their dissertation.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.