Entrepreneurial Practice module expands after raising £9,200 for charities in last academic year

The optional module, which held 151 students last year, is run by the undergraduate entrepreneurship team and led by Senior Lecturer Supin Hussain. They are always aiming to improve the learning experience for their students, particularly through assigning them groupwork. The main team activity on the module, which allows students to develop various entrepreneurial skills as individuals and as a group, involves students raising funds for a UK charity of their choice. 

The student teams are required to develop a page on CrowdFunder, a site for free fundraising, for a chosen charity. They work towards a deadline, being live on the site for four weeks. Students use their knowledge of marketing, video production, planning, pitching, applying entrepreneurial theories and concepts, gathering evidence of their learning, and finding further opportunities to fundraise. 

Last academic year, the teams raised approximately £9,200 for their charities. Previous years have raised money for charities within the range of £7,500-£10,000. The capacity for this module, which helps students to gain transferable and desirable experiences and skills, is being increased due to high demand.  

Speaking about the students on this module, Supin Hussain, said: “My team and I are immensely proud of our student teams and what they have achieved in such limited time. They have worked tirelessly with their Workshop Leaders to ensure the best outcome for themselves and their team.  Raising such an impressive amount for their charities is simply a bonus. 

“They have been given a chance to ‘have a go’ and practice entrepreneurship in a safe environment as well as feel and go through this entrepreneurial process.  It was never meant to be easy but so many have taken away valuable learnings, but most importantly, they have discovered their own capabilities within a team environment. I am honoured to have been a part of their short journey of what could be an incredible and fulfilling one towards becoming the entrepreneurs of our future.”

Joice Duarte Ferreira, a student who took this module, said: “This is the best module I have ever experienced since I started university. It not only teaches the theory of how to become an entrepreneur, but most importantly, it teaches you by doing something whilst helping other people. The team is extremely committed and helpful.”

Another student, Jason Bharwani, said: “Unlike other courses, Entrepreneurial Practice focuses on teaching the content and giving you an opportunity to implement them in real life situations. Furthermore, Entrepreneurial Practice provides you with in-depth knowledge on the interdisciplinary approach of starting a business.”

Learn about Business and Management courses offered at the University of Westminster.