BSc Undergraduate Programmes

(including Top Up/Online)

Business Integration Project 2 (BIP2)

Summative Assessment Brief

Spring Term 2019

Submission deadline: 23:59 (UK time) on 30th April 2019

Submission mode: Turnitin online access

BPP University School of Business & Technology: March 2019

1. General Assessment Guidance

• Your summative assessment for this module is made up of this individual coursework submission
which accounts for 100% of the marks.

• The deadline for submission is 23:59 (UK time) on 30th April 2019. Please note late submissions
will not be marked.

• You are required to submit all elements of your assessment via Turnitin online access. Only
submissions made via the specified mode will be accepted and hard copies or any other digital
form of submissions (like via email or pen drive etc.) will not be accepted.

• For coursework, the submission word limit is 3,000 words. You must comply with the word count
guidelines. You may submit LESS than 3,000 words but not more. Word Count guidelines can be
found on your programme home page and the coursework submission page.

• Do not put your name or contact details anywhere on your submission. You should only put your
student registration number (SRN) which will ensure your submission is recognised in the marking
process.

• A total of 100 marks are available for this module assessment and you are required to achieve
minimum 40% to pass this module.

• You are required to use only Harvard Referencing System in your submission. Any content which is
already published by other author(s) and is not referenced will be considered as a case of
plagiarism. You can find further information on Harvard Referencing in the online library on the
VLE. You can use the following link to access this information:

http://bpp.libguides.com/Home/StudySupport

• BPP University has a strict policy regarding plagiarism and in proven instances of plagiarism or
collusion, severe punishment will be imposed on offenders. You are advised to read the rules and
regulations regarding plagiarism and collusion in the GAR and MOPP which are available on VLE in
the Academic registry section.

• You should include a completed copy of the Assignment Cover sheet. Any submission without this
completed Assignment Cover sheet will be considered invalid and not marked.

BPP University Business School: September 2015

2. Assessment Brief

2.1 Assessment Introduction

The Business Integration Project Part 2 (BIP2) requires you to undertake a business orientated
project aimed at improving employability as well as providing a platform for a potential commercial
venture.

For the BIP2 project you must can choose either a Business Plan or Business Report.

BIP2 is designed in such way that you conduct research, analysis and potentially planning in an area
of personal and professional interest.

In particular, the assessment is designed to fulfil the following key education aims of BIP2:

1. Allow you to demonstrate your ability to utilise and contextualise significant amount of
research, applying investigatory and analytical skills to derive meaningful outcomes within a
defined time-frame.
2. Demonstrate the ability to write a detailed document that address a business issue or
opportunity
3. Create an opportunity for you to develop a range of skills associated with research including
analysis, interpretation, written expression, formal report writing, and self-managed study
4. Allow you to work on a complex, integrated activity that will consolidate and integrate
previous skills and learning
5. Provide you with a ‘showcase’ that allows you to demonstrate your ability to apply the
knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the course to a significant and
specialised task

2.2 Assessment brief

The assessment is made up of 1 component

Written Project (100% of module grade)

• 3,000 words individual written project.

You must choose either a Business Plan or a Business Report.

For business reports, you cannot replicate the subject/topic/report

idea that you used for BIP1.
For business plans you cannot use the same idea that you used for
the Entrepreneurship module.

BPP University Business School: September 2015

Business Plans
• The business plan assessment is designed to test your commercial awareness, academic level
and your research, analysis and reasoning.
• The business plan must be based on your own idea for a new business venture. This may in part
focus on developing or providing existing products or services (finding new markets) as well your
own original ones. For example, the business may be a new type of retailer selling original
products as well as brands from other existing manufacturers. However you must show a
commercial justification for the plan including a clear USP (unique selling point).
• The plan cannot be for a franchise or branch of an existing business such as McDonald's or a
Ford car dealership.
• The business plan should follow the expected protocol (a template is provided on the VLE), and
present relevant information including financial information for a new start-up.
• All elements of the plan should include realistic information based on research and should
consider the business opportunity, investment needed, competitor and business environment
analysis, competitive advantage, operations and marketing.
• Astute and realistic financial projections and requirements must be given to support the plan.
Therefore, there must be evidence of robust secondary data research to justify the financial
viability of the business plan.
• The business plan can be a not-for-profit organisation as long as funding and financial viability is
fully justified.
• There must not fabrication of details and figures - these should be based on research. Any
technologies referred to must be in existence and not made up/new inventions.
• The figures in the financial section must be expressed as British pound sterling.

Business Reports
• The business report should be structured appropriately and present relevant information
proposing an evaluation to a business issue either in the form of a solution to a business
problem, or an answer to a business question.
• The business report will normally only use secondary data, which should be used to identify,
qualify and quantify (where possible) the issue being explored, and as a basis for recommended
solutions or conclusions.
• There must be evidence of appropriate theoretical application throughout.
• Primary research – such as interviews – may be incorporated but should not form the main basis
of critical evaluation/analysis for the report. It can be used as supporting qualitative material
(not quantitative).
• Where possible, reports should focus on a specific organisation and not an entire industry.

To help students focus on specific objectives, report titles should identify -

• A business question - that requires an answer; or

• A business problem - that requires a solution

BPP University Business School: September 2015

2.3 Assessment Submission Structure

This section shows the guided structure for different types of projects, namely Business Plan or
Business Report. This is guidance only.

The guided structures include the following sections:

Business Report –
The module recognises that there is a range of approaches that can be used by students in order to
execute an effective report, depending on the objective. It can also include primary as well as
secondary research if appropriate.

 Cover Page
a. Standard BPP submission sheet used for VLE
 Title Page
 Abstract (maximum 1 side of A4)
 Table of Contents
b. Headings and sub-headings with page numbers.
c. List of Appendices
d. Numbered Tables, graphs and figures
e. Summary of abbreviations

 Written Content
1. Introduction.
2. Identify issues in the topic.
3. Clarification of aim(s) of the report with the justification.
: Aims(s) should be justified with issues identified in 2.
4. Clarification of theoretical context.
: This can take the summary of relevant theories or academic views (if applicable).
: Or it can be the review of current learning or understanding of the issue.
5. Summary of the current situation.
6. Evaluation and analysis
7. Conclusion – revisit your aim(s); clarify your answer or solution
8. Recommendations (if applicable)

 Reference List: To include all work and author’s mentioned in the text.

 Appendices: These will not attract marks but will be read by the marker as additional
information which might help the marker to understand the work in more context.

a. These should be an interesting extra which add further information a reader may
like to refer to – they are not a necessity.
b. Your work in the main document should make sense without these being read
c. Appendices should be presented in a numerical order that follows their reference in
your written work (e.g. see appendix A)

BPP University Business School: September 2015

Business Plan

• Executive summary
• The business overview:
o Purpose of the business
o Product / service description
o USP
• Market / industry analysis
• Market opportunities and risks
• Target market
• Competitors analysis
• Marketing strategy and plan
• Operations
• Funding Requirements & rationale
• Financials (for the first three years of operation):
o Cost: set-up and running cost.
o Sales revenue projection
o Profit & loss account
o Cash flow forecast

 Reference List: To include all work and author’s mentioned in the text.

General

All assignments should use font size of 12, “normal” page margins (default A4 margins) and a
minimum of 1.5-line spacing. In addition, page numbers should be included (both in the main part
and the appendices).

There are templates for all these options on the VLE for students to download.

2.1. Assessment Marking Guide

The assessment is marked out of 100. The module consists of one element. You must achieve 40%
or above to pass this module.

Generic level 6 marking criteria (see below) are to be applied to all submissions.

There is a wide range of student project options and therefore a common marking matrix is not
possible. Therefore the generic marking criteria must be used.

2.5 Modes and dates of submission

Projects Due Date: 23:59, 30th April 2019.

Mode of submission for written work: Turnitin platform (the link can be found on the VLE)

BPP University Business School: September 2015

 BIP2 MARKING CRITERIA

These criteria reflect the bespoke nature of student submission, ranging from business plans, case studies and research projects.

Level 6 Assessment Criteria

PASS FAIL

Criterion 80-100% 70-79% 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 30-39% 0-29%

Knowledge & (a) Very deep (a) Deep knowledge of (a) Very good, thorough (a) Good knowledge and (a) Some knowledge (a) Inadequate, poor or (a) Little or no
Understanding knowledge of the topic, the topic, explicitly and explicit knowledge understanding of central and understanding of very poor knowledge or knowledge or
explicitly related to related to & understanding of the topic issues, some central topic issues. understanding of central understanding of central
a) Systematic Understanding topic. explicitly identified.
extremely comprehensive (b) Some evidence of topic issues. topic issues.
b) Emerging Thought comprehensive knowledge of the An appreciation of and Some appreciation of a the understanding of
explicit links to a wider wider field. (b) Not clear or precise (b) Significant gaps in
knowledge of the discipline(s). Evaluation the thoughts and understanding of the understanding of
discipline(s). Evaluation of current knowledge field. (b) Clear evidence of an practices related to the thoughts and practices practices related to the
and contribution to (b) Application of recent (b) Some clear evidence understanding of discipline indicated. related to the required discipline indicated
current knowledge emerging thought or of the application of thoughts and practices discipline indicated
(b) Excellent usage of practices from the thoughts and practices at the forefront of the
recent emerging discipline at the forefront of the discipline.
thought and/or practices discipline
from a range of
appropriate disciplines

BPP University Business School: September 2015

 PASS FAIL

Criterion 80-100% 70-79% 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 30-39% 0-29%

Argument (a) Consistently high (a) A high level of ability (a) Presentation of a (a) The development of (a) Evidence of some (a) Work is descriptive (a) Work is wholly
levels of ability to to analyse critically using coherent critical a critical analysis critical awareness. and uncritical. descriptive and
a) Analysis, Synthesis & There is analysis which is Generalisations,
Evaluation analyse critically using a a range of perspectives. argument without guidance. uncritical. Contains
wide range of Excellent synthesis of demonstrating the Some ability to structured within unsubstantiated numerous
b) Numerical Analysis appropriate criteria, elements of the ability to analyse, synthesise concepts, guidelines. assertions and generalisations,
c) Argumentation sources and argument including synthesise and evaluate theories and practice. Some difficulty in exaggeration. unsubstantiated
perspectives. Excellent contrary views. to form a balanced and Application of a range of balancing and (b) Numeric analysis assertions and
d) Independent Research
synthesis of elements of supportable judgement. analytical methods substantiating points that is incomplete or exaggeration.
(b) Numeric analysis made.
the argument including that is complete and Use of contrasting appropriate to the task. contains errors which (b) Numeric analysis is
contrary views. mostly free from errors perspectives. (b) Numeric analysis (b) Numeric analysis have critical effect, or almost non-existent and
(b) Numeric analysis with fluent and (b) Numeric analysis that is complete and that is mostly complete methods that are also incorrect
that is complete and appropriate application that is complete and mostly free from but contains errors with applied inappropriately (c) Total lack of
free from errors with of methods. mostly free from errors significant or critical significant effect, or (c) Lack of consistency consistency or structure
application of methods with relevant and errors with appropriate methods that are or structure in the in the argument. Nil or
(c) Extremely strong and applied inappropriately
that may be insightful or consistent argument effective application of application of methods. argument. Serious limited integration of
original that convincingly methods. (c) Evidence of an (c) Evidence of a weaknesses in the evidence and no
(c) Extremely strong and addresses issues (c) Evidence of an overall convincing consistent argument but integration of evidence awareness of the
consistent argument including uncertainties argument that is argument but may have may have weaknesses, and/or no awareness of limitations or weakness
making a convincing and conflicts. Excellent generally convincing weaknesses, gaps or significant gaps or be the limitations or of research
whole with evidence of use of information with a good internal inconsistencies. Clear unconvincing. Clear use weaknesses of the (d) Generally only a very
originality. Impressive gathered which to consistency and use of information of information gathered research. restricted range of
ability in the use of support and further the addresses most issues. gathered but may have but may not be (d) Over reliance on very personal research which
information gathered to argument Very good use of some weaknesses in the sufficient to sustain the restricted range of is not evaluated and is
support the argument. information gathered to integration into the argument. personal or secondary not directly related to
(d) Substantial research the question
(d) Evidence of an and evidence of an support the argument. argument. (d) Evidence of a research much of which
innovative or original innovative use of a wide (d) Clear evidence of (d) Appropriate use of a consistent argument but may not be evaluated
use of extensive range of personal considerable personal wide range of personal may have weaknesses or and may not be directly
personal research which research with clear and research and the use of research which is be unconvincing. Clear related to the question
has been thoroughly consistent evaluation a diverse range of critically evaluated for use of information
evaluated conceptually conceptual appropriate sources but key conceptual issues gathered but may not
may contain problems although this may not be sufficient to sustain
with consistency in the be consistent
conceptual evaluation throughout

BPP University Business School: September 2015

 PASS FAIL

Criterion 80-100% 70-79% 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 30-39% 0-29%

Presentation (a) Excellent structure (a) Excellent structure (a) Good structure and (a) Adequate structure (a) Adequate structure (a) Poor structure and (a) Extremely poor
and presentation and presentation presentation and presentation and presentation presentation structure and
a) Structure presentation
b) Referencing (b) Precise, full and (b) Precise, full and (b) Full and appropriate (b) Good references and (b) Competent (b) Poor references and (b) Very limited or nil
appropriate references appropriate references references and notes notes with minor or references and notes notes with multiple referencing with
c)Use of Language and notes. and notes. with minor or insignificant errors or but may contain inconsistencies, errors numerous errors and
(c) Subtle use of (c) Precise use of insignificant errors omissions inconsistencies, errors or omissions omissions
language expressing a language expressing (c) Clear and precise use (c) Generally clear use of or omissions (c) Serious errors in the (c) Extreme errors in use
high degree of thought complex thought with of language allowing a language sufficient for (c) Generally use of language which of language and an
with clarity and clarity, accuracy and complex argument to be arguments to be readily understandable use of makes meaning unclear extreme lack of clarity
precision to a level precision which furthers easily understood and understood and language but significant or imprecise
appropriate for and enhances the followed followed errors in expression
submission for argument affecting overall clarity
publication.

BPP University Business School: September 2015