Live organisation challenges

New venture creation

During this challenge, you and your team will create a new business venture. The challenge will test your ability to create a business plan and pitch that plan to a team of investors. You will be mentored throughout this module, as well as having exposure to a number of successful entrepreneurs.

Marketing consultancy

During the early weeks of your first semester, you will be introduced to a real life organisation that faces a marketing related challenge. This challenge will give you the competencies in both marketing and consultancy to address those challenges. 

Working as part of a team, you will engage with the organisation throughout the process, meeting with them on approximately a weekly basis. At the culmination of the module, you will present your findings to the senior management team from the organisation.

Internationalisation

In today's globalised world, an increasing number of companies are extending their operations beyond their home countries. However, venturing into foreign markets requires extensive due diligence and market intelligence to reduce risks and achieve success. While there are numerous success stories, there are also significant instances of failures.

This challenge presents theories and current practices essential for management professionals to understand to develop, lead, and manage business operations in international markets. It encompasses a variety of topics, including strategies for market entry into foreign territories, the acquisition of intelligence on countries and markets, international finance, global trade, multinational enterprises (MNEs) and the management of worldwide supply chains.

You will work in a team to carry out a project in collaboration with a real-world company interested in exploring opportunities in international markets. This project is a crucial component of the assessment, and you are also expected to compile a report that reflects on your learning experiences while working on the group project.

The Internationalisation Challenge has been shortlisted in the Academic Employability Awards 2025 for the Employability Postgraduate Award. This recognition highlights the real-world impact of our programme - both for businesses and our talented students. Businesses have gained fresh, strategic insights to support international growth: from market entry strategies to sustainability initiatives, our MBA students have made a tangible impact.

Individual MBA challenge

At the conclusion of your Sheffield MBA journey, you will complete the Individual MBA Challenge. There are two routes available, offering different ways to engage with the Challenge.

Route 1: Traditional dissertation

If you select route 1, you will research a topic appropriate to the field of management. This topic must be approved by a supervisor. The research, and the resulting dissertation, may take the form of an academic research or a managerial-problem solving exercise. You will be required to apply critical analysis and to set the issues you are researching within the context of appropriate management literature.

Route 2: Company project

At Sheffield University Management School, you also have the option to apply for a company project rather than a formal entirely research-based dissertation. This is where you work alongside a company to complete your dissertation, focusing on a real issue that the company is facing. You will get access into the organisation and support through their resources and a company project is an excellent networking and development opportunity. We source the organisations for you, ensuring they are academically appropriate to support your studies.