Management Consultancy projects – applying learnings to real-world challenges

Group of students standing and talking at Management Consultancy Unit event

At the University of Bristol Business School, students in their third year have the option to select a Management Consultancy unit, through which they have the opportunity to work on bespoke research projects for not-for-profit organisations in areas such as marketing, fundraising, strategy and social impact.

This unit is one of the exciting partnerships between the Business School, Professional Liaison Network and external partners allowing students to apply their academic studies to real world situations.

Read on to find out more about the research undertaken by students on this unit, this year, and the mutual benefits this unit offers students and organisations who take part.

At the start of May, this year’s cohort of Management Consultancy students presented the findings of their projects to Unit Director Professor Andrew Sturdy, peers and external organisations with whom they collaborated. The Professional Liaison Network organised a day of exciting student presentations allowing the students to come together, deliver their findings and celebrate each other’s work. The Professional Liaison Network team would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students on all of their hard work and dedication throughout the course of their projects.

This year, six groups of students undertook projects arranged by the Professional Liaison Network with external organisations – Act On It, ACH Refugee Integration Services Provider, Delegated Services C.I.C., Step Together Volunteering, Street2Boardroom, and Together for Short Lives. The students’ research will assist these partners with their ongoing social initiatives such as supporting refugees in accessing work, developing Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity policies, improving uptake of Youth activities, and aiding former offenders in attaining employment. We are incredibly proud of our students for this meaningful and impactful work.

In partnership with the Professional Liaison Network, the Management Consultancy unit is designed to be mutually beneficial for both students and the not-for-profit organisations who take part. The students are provided with an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of key Management Consultancy concepts, reflect upon their learning and employability, and gain a range of relevant skills and experience by undertaking this unit.

Former Management student, Tia McGrath said ‘I thoroughly enjoyed working with my team on this project and found it extremely rewarding to hear that our recommendations are being implemented and will benefit our client’s charity’.

Project partners receive support from a team of skilled students working on a bespoke consultancy project tailored to their needs. The research undertaken by the students provides significant impact for the partners, who can incorporate the students’ recommendations to support their business needs. These projects can cover a wide range of topics in Management such as marketing and social media strategy, funding models, strategy for business partnerships and operations management.

Watch this video to learn more about how taking this unit can help build confidence and develop a great understanding of consultancy.

If you’re a student who’s interested in finding out more about the Management Consultancy unit, or if you’re part of an organisation who would like to take part in an exciting project opportunity with Business School students, then do get in touch with the Professional Liaison Network on fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk.

Join a thriving network, join the Professional Liaison Network.

Find out more about undergraduate courses at University of Bristol Business School.