BPP Coursework Cover Sheet

Please use the table below as your cover sheet for the 1st page of the submission. The sheet should
be before the cover/title page of your submission.

Programme BSc Undergraduate Programmes

Business Integration Project 2

Module name

Schedule Term

Student Reference Number (SRN)

Report/Assignment Title

Date of Submission
(Please attach the confirmation of any
extension received)

Declaration of Original Work:

I hereby declare that I have read and understood BPP’s regulations on plagiarism and that this is my
original work, researched, undertaken, completed and submitted in accordance with the requirements
of BPP School of Business and Technology.

The word count, excluding contents table, bibliography and appendices, is ___ words.

Student Reference Number: Date:

By submitting this coursework you agree to all rules and regulations of BPP regarding assessments
and awards for programmes. Please note, submission is your declaration you are fit to sit.

BPP University reserves the right to use all submitted work for educational purposes and may
request that work be published for a wider audience.

BPP School of Business and Technology

 BSc Undergraduate Programmes
(including Top Up/Online)

Business Integration Project 2 (BIP2)

Submission mode: Turnitin online access

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
 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 3000 words. You must comply with the word count
guidelines. You may submit LESS than 3000 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 authenticity of assessments. 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 GARs 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 may be considered invalid and not marked.
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.

Note: You cannot replicate the subject/topic/report idea that you used for BIP1 or
Entrepreneurship modules.
2.2.1 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 no 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.

2.2.2 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
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:

2.3.1 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
 Executive Summary (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 to your chosen business.
2. Identify the key issues in the topic (what question are you looking to answer or what
problem are you looking to solve?)
3. Clarification of the aim(s) / purpose of the report with justification.
: Aims(s) / purpose 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. Critical Evaluation and Critical Analysis
6. Conclusion – revisit your aim(s) / purpose; clarify your answer or solution
7. Recommendations

 Reference List: To include all work and authors 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)
2.3.2 Business Plan
 Executive summary (maximum 1 side of A4)
 The business overview:
o Purpose of the business
o Product / service description
o Your USP
 Market / industry analysis
 Market opportunities and risks
 Target market
 Competitor 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 authors mentioned in the text.

2.3.3 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.

2.4 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.
2.4.1 Business Report Marking Guide
Section Marks allocated

Executive Summary 10

Introduction 6
An excellent introduction will enable the reader to gain an overview of
the business and enough of its background to be able to understand its
current context.
Key issues and clarification of the aims / purpose of the Report (This 10
will drive your report)

An excellent answer will identify and explain current issues that affect
the business, and which are posing either a problem to be solved, or a
question to be answered. The aim/purpose of the report will arise
naturally out of these issues, and will clearly be something to which
research into the business can offer an answer or a solution.

Justification of Theoretical framework 1 7

You need to identify which models would be of most use, and explain
here why you think they are appropriate in the context of your question.
It is more important to choose an appropriate model rather than lots of
inappropriate models. You should only explain what this model is to the
extent that it helps you explain why you have chosen them, and how they
will help in finding the answer to the question / problem about your
business.

Justification of Theoretical framework 2 7

You need to identify which models would be of most use, and explain
here why you think they are appropriate in the context of your question.
It is more important to choose an appropriate model rather than lots of
inappropriate models. You should only explain what this model is to the
extent that it helps you explain why you have chosen them, and how they
will help in finding the answer to the question / problem about your
business.

Critical Evaluation and Critical Analysis 40

You need to show good critical evaluation skill with frameworks. You
should use frameworks you have selected above.

Presenting information from sources are not considered as the

evaluation but the description of the information.
Conclusion and Recommendations 10

An excellent conclusion will summarise the findings of the evaluation

section, and lead to recommendations (if appropriate) arising naturally
out of those findings. There should not be anything in the conclusion
and the recommendation that has not been discussed earlier in the
report or not been linked to your evaluation, but you will draw
everything together and answer your question/solve the problem as far
as possible.

Presentation, referencing, grammar, etc. 10

An excellent report will be of publishable standard, with a clear line of

argument, extensive research underpinning clear and structured
analysis, and a valid conclusion. The referencing will be correct in all
cases.
2.4.2 Business Plan Marking Guide
Section Marks allocated

Executive Summary 10

An excellent Executive Summary will give the

potential investor enough information about what
the business is, what is its USP, and how it is viable
to enable him/her to make an investment decision
without reading the whole report
Business overview including the purpose of the Total 13
business / product / service description / Your
USP Purpose of the business : 4 marks

Product/service description : 4 marks

An excellent plan will give clear and specific USP: 5 marks

information about exactly what the business is
and what it is selling, as well as why it is likely to
be successful.

Market / Industry analysis / Market Total 14

opportunities and risks / Target market
Market / Industry analysis – 6 marks
An excellent plan will explain the context of the
proposed business, and explain why you think it Market opportunities and risks 4 marks
will have a chance of success. It will focus on its
Target market- 6 marks
potential customers and how this business will
attract them

Competitor analysis 10

An excellent plan will identify and discuss

potential competitors in the market, and explain
how the business will deal with them, both in the
current situation and as they might adapt in the
future.

Marketing plan 10

An excellent plan will specifically explain how the

business will attract its customers, and this will
include the potential costs and benefits. Your
marketing plan should aim to attract your target
market.

Operations 10

In order to explain the potential viability of the

business, an excellent plan will give detailed
information about how the business will be run,
both initially (most importantly) but also how it
might adapt in the future. This will again involve a
consideration of costs.

Funding Requirements and rationale. Total 10 marks

An excellent answer should take the income and Funding requirements : 5 marks
cost implications from the rest of the report and
summarise the funding requirements for the Rationale for your funding requirement
business both initially and going forward. These and funding method : 5 marks
should again be as specific as possible, with an
analysis of the potential variability depending on
results.

Financials (for the first three years of operation) 12

and including Cost: set-up and running cost; Sales
revenue projection; Profit & loss account; Cash
flow forecast.

An excellent answer will incorporate all the

income and costs identified elsewhere in the plan,
and explain the assumptions and rationale behind
them, where appropriate. All financials should be
justified with reference appropriately. It shouldn’t
be random numbers.

Presentation, referencing, grammar, etc. 10

An excellent plan will be logical and coherent,

using accurately referenced research to justify
statements made. It will be clearly presented
such that an investor would be able to easily
understand it
Appendix I
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 (a) Very good, (a) Good knowledge (a) Some knowledge (a) Inadequate, (a) Little or no
Understanding knowledge of the of the topic, thorough and and understanding and understanding poor or very poor knowledge or
topic, explicitly explicitly related to explicit knowledge of central topic of central topic knowledge or understanding of
a) Systematic
related to comprehensive & understanding of issues, some issues. understanding of central topic issues.
Understanding
extremely knowledge of the the topic. explicitly identified. (b) Some evidence central topic issues.
b) Emerging (b) Significant gaps
comprehensive discipline(s). An appreciation of Some appreciation of the
Thought (b) Not clear or in the
knowledge of the Evaluation of and explicit links to of a wider field. understanding of precise understanding of
discipline(s). current knowledge a wider field. (b) Clear evidence the thoughts and understanding of practices related to
Evaluation and (b) Application of (b) Some clear of an understanding practices related to thoughts and the discipline
contribution to recent emerging evidence of the of thoughts and the discipline practices related to indicated
current knowledge thought or practices application of practices at the indicated. the required
(b) Excellent usage from the discipline thoughts and forefront of the discipline indicated
of recent emerging practices at the discipline.
thought and/or forefront of the
practices from a discipline
range of
appropriate
disciplines
 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 (a) Presentation of (a) The (a) Evidence of (a) Work is (a) Work is wholly
levels of ability to ability to analyse a coherent critical development of a some critical descriptive and descriptive and
a) Analysis,
analyse critically critically using a argument critical analysis awareness. uncritical. uncritical. Contains
Synthesis &
using a wide range range of demonstrating the without guidance. There is analysis Generalisations, numerous
Evaluation
of appropriate perspectives. ability to analyse, Some ability to which is structured unsubstantiated generalisations,
b) Numerical within guidelines. assertions and
criteria, sources and Excellent synthesis synthesise and synthesise unsubstantiated
Analysis Some difficulty in exaggeration.
perspectives. of elements of the evaluate to form a concepts, theories assertions and
c) Excellent synthesis argument including balanced and and practice. balancing and exaggeration.
Argumentation of elements of the contrary views. supportable Application of a substantiating (b) Numeric analysis
d) Independent argument including judgement. Use of range of analytical points made. that is incomplete
(b) Numeric analysis
Research contrary views. contrasting methods or contains errors
(b) Numeric analysis is almost non-
perspectives. appropriate to the (b) Numeric analysis which have critical
that is complete existent and also
task. that is mostly effect, or methods
(b) Numeric analysis and mostly free incorrect
complete but that are applied
that is complete from errors with (b) Numeric analysis
contains errors with inappropriately
and free from fluent and that is complete (b) Numeric analysis (c) Total lack of
significant effect, or
errors with appropriate and mostly free that is complete consistency or
methods that are
application of application of from errors with and mostly free (c) Lack of structure in the
applied
methods that may methods. relevant and from significant or consistency or argument. Nil or
inappropriately
be insightful or effective critical errors with structure in the limited integration
original application of appropriate argument. Serious of evidence and no
(c) Extremely strong
methods. application of (c) Evidence of a weaknesses in the awareness of the
and consistent
methods. consistent integration of limitations or
(c) Extremely strong argument that
argument but may evidence and/or no weakness of
and consistent convincingly (c) Evidence of an
have weaknesses, awareness of the research
argument making a addresses issues argument that is (c) Evidence of an
significant gaps or limitations or
convincing whole including generally overall convincing
be unconvincing. weaknesses of the (d) Generally only a
with evidence of uncertainties and convincing with a argument but may
Clear use of research. very restricted
originality. conflicts. Excellent good internal have weaknesses,
information range of personal
Impressive ability in use of information consistency and gaps or
gathered but may research which is
the use of gathered which to addresses most inconsistencies. (d) Over reliance on
not be sufficient to not evaluated and
information support and further issues. Very good Clear use of very restricted
sustain the is not directly
gathered to support the argument use of information information range of personal or
argument. related to the
the argument. gathered but may secondary research
question
 PASS FAIL
Criterion 80-100% 70-79% 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 30-39% 0-29%
(d) Substantial gathered to support have some (d) Evidence of a much of which may
(d) Evidence of an research and the argument. weaknesses in the consistent not be evaluated
innovative or evidence of an integration into the argument but may and may not be
original use of innovative use of a argument. have weaknesses or directly related to
(d) Clear evidence
extensive personal wide range of be unconvincing. the question
of considerable
research which has personal research Clear use of
personal research (d) Appropriate use
been thoroughly with clear and information
and the use of a of a wide range of
evaluated consistent gathered but may
diverse range of personal research
conceptually evaluation not be sufficient to
appropriate sources which is critically
conceptual sustain
but may contain evaluated for key
problems with conceptual issues
consistency in the although this may
conceptual not be consistent
evaluation throughout
 PASS FAIL
Criterion 80-100% 70-79% 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 30-39% 0-29%
Presentation (a) Excellent (a) Excellent (a) Good structure (a) Adequate (a) Adequate (a) Poor structure (a) Extremely poor
a) Structure structure and structure and and presentation structure and structure and and presentation structure and
b) Referencing presentation presentation presentation presentation presentation
(b) Full and (b) Poor references
c) Use of Language (b) Very limited or
(b) Precise, full and (b) Precise, full and appropriate (b) Good references (b) Competent and notes with
nil referencing with
appropriate appropriate references and and notes with references and multiple
numerous errors
references and references and notes with minor or minor or notes but may inconsistencies,
and omissions
notes. notes. insignificant errors insignificant errors contain errors or omissions
(c) Extreme errors
(c) Subtle use of (c) Precise use of (c) Clear and precise or omissions inconsistencies, (c) Serious errors in in use of language
language expressing language expressing use of language (c) Generally clear errors or omissions the use of language and an extreme lack
a high degree of complex thought allowing a complex use of language (c) Generally which makes of clarity
thought with clarity with clarity, argument to be sufficient for understandable use meaning unclear or
and precision to a accuracy and easily understood arguments to be of language but imprecise
level appropriate precision which and followed readily understood significant errors in
for submission for furthers and and followed expression affecting
publication. enhances the overall clarity
argument
3. Marking Guide