Outline

Overview

The CEMS Business Project provides students with practical experiences in applying their management knowledge and skills in business analysis and team-working to researching a significant business challenge or opportunity in a host organisation and preparing and presenting an evidence-based business report of a high professional standard. Most students are already familiar with various business disciplines through course work; however, the interdisciplinary use of this knowledge and the capacity to translate it into practical solutions is often a new challenge. The project permits students to combine theory and practice - by learning how to analyse problems, develop recommendations and propose solutions to the problem. In addition to providing hands-on experience on how to deal with a business problem, the unit also offers a unique opportunity to hone research skills in a cross-functional team context. Students work in small groups of four (4) or five (5) and partner with a real organisation over a ten (10) week period to research and recommend solutions to a real business problem identified in consultation with the partner organisations. Projects range from social entrepreneurship programs, where students work with community groups and NGOs, through to consultancy projects for large multinational corporations. Projects are overseen by a specifically appointed consulting mentor and students have access to business mentors throughout the project. Following preparatory learning in advanced applied research methods, students design and undertake investigative research on an agreed business issue, deliver a presentation and provide a written report to the client organisation, as well as to create and disseminate a Thought Leadership Piece on a topic linked to their challenge.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Management Education
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Megan Davis, megan.davis@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Thought and leadership piece Thought leadership creative written paper.	10%	Formal exam period Due date: 08 Jun 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 Jun 2026	1000 words +/-10%	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	BP Reflection (2) Final Reflection on learning from entire BP experience at end of semester.	10%	Formal exam period Due date: 08 Jun 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 Jun 2026	1000 words +/- 10%	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Group Peer evaluation and individual student contribution Two rounds of peer evaluation of group members contribution at mid point (week 7) and conclusion of business project report and presentation assessments. Individual contribution will also be assessed throughout the semester by UOS coordinator and mentors.	20%	Multiple weeks	300 words from students on group peers.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Scoping document Written task	5%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Apr 2026	No longer than 3 typed pages.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Mid semester BP Reflection (1) Reflection on BP learning experience at the mid point of semester.	10%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 Apr 2026	1 x 1000 words +/- 10%	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Business project presentation Presentation	20%	Week 12	30 - 40 mins plus 20 mins client Q & A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Business project report Written Report	25%	Week 12 Due date: 22 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Jun 2026	5000 words + /- 10% plus appendix	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Scoping document: Each team will provide a copy of a final scoping document which has been sent for approval to their business mentor and partner organisation. The format of the document is to be determined by the team taking into consideration the nature of the project. The scoping document will comprise of (5%) of the total BP report mark.
Business project report: Each team submits a written consultancy report outlining the context of the business problem - the research question, research methods to be used, analysis of research findings, conclusions and recommendations. The final report will be worth 25% of total report assessment.
Business project presentation: In conjunction with the business project written reports, students will have the opportunity to present their findings and recommendations to the partner organisations. The format of the in-company presentations will be agreed upon with the consulting mentor and partner organisations in line with the unit of study assessment criteria. The presentation will be worth (20%).
Thought leadership piece: This assignment is worth (10%), is a creative written paper and is to be no longer than 1000 words +/- 10%.
Mid semester BP reflection (1): The first part of the written reflection assessment is to reflect on the learning from the BP experience in the first half of the semester. This paper is to be no longer than 1000 words +/- 10%, will be due in Week 7 and is worth (10%).
BP Reflection Final (2): The second part of the written reflection assesment is to reflect on the entire BP learning experience and will be due in Exam Week (1). This paper is to be no longer than 1000 words +/- 10% and is also worth (10%).
Group peer evaluation & Individual student contribution: All students will be required to submit 2 rounds of peer evaluation of group members at the midway point (week 7) and the conclusion of the business project report and presentation. The PE will contribute a maximum of 5 marks each to reflect each group member’s individual contribution to the business project report and presentation assessments respectively. Students' individual contribution to the project through the group report and presentation will also be assessed by the UOS Coordinator for a maximum 5 marks each allocated for the BP report and presentation group assessments respectively.

Detailed information and marking criteria for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In line with Business School guidelines late submission of assessments will result in a penalty of 5% possible marks per day late.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Business Project introduction session	Seminar (3 hr)
	consulting, business communication, team building, research and analysis skills.	Seminar (7 hr)
	consulting, business communication, team building, research and analysis skills.	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 02	Initial client meetings to develop scoping document	Placement (4 hr)
Week 07	Mid-semester progress meetings with unit coordinator	One-on-one supervision meeting (1 hr)
Week 10	Presentation feedback meetings with unit coordinator	One-on-one supervision meeting (1 hr)
Week 12	Business project client presentations	Assessment (2 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Business project debrief session and unit wrap up	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no required Academic Readings as this is a fieldwork and applied UOS relating to individual company projects, so any relevant Academic resources would be specific to each project.

As a result of the diversity of projects, general course wide Academic resources are not provided by UOS Coordinator, other than those presented during the consulting skills workshops at the beginning of semester.

On request, students are provided guidance on where to source relevant resources if possible. Resources can also be sourced from the Business Mentor working with each group, with the majority of project and company specific information usually being provided by the company project sponsor.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. explain the role, responsibilities and the work of a business consultant in preparation of an industry relevant business project
LO2. apply tools that will allow them to find creative and methodologically sound solutions to management challenges organisations face in an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy
LO3. analyse and critically assess real business problems/opportunities and design creative solutions for topical business issues
LO4. demonstrate constructive communication processes within their team and with the business partner throughout the business project development process
LO5. operate a business project through planning and organizing activities, meetings, and processes, and explain their own role in the team processes
LO6. appraise the ethical conduct necessary to run a global business in responsible and sustainable ways.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The scope document has been allocated a weighting of 5% to contribute to the overall BP Report grade (now reduced to 25%) for a total of 30% allocated to work on the BP Report. This is to engage students earlier in the large group assessment. The Reflection assessment still remains at a total of 20%, however, has been split into 2 x 1000 word papers (worth 10% each) with the first due midway through semester (Week 7) and the second at the conclusion of the BP group assessments.This change in format is to allow a more progressive reflective process for the students throughout the semester. Lastly, the student Peer Evaluations have been split into 2 parts to have one mid semester to align with the BP Progress meetings with the UOS Coordinator in week 7 then a final PE at the end of semester as previously done . The total weighting for the PE remains at 5% for the contribution to the BP report and 5% for BP presentation respectively and combines with the individual participation and contribution marks, also 5% each for both group assessments. This is to address student concerns of non-contributing group members earlier in the semester, encourage accountability of individual students and have an opportunity to facilitate improvement and more productive team dynamics, leading to better project and student learning outcomes. Both the Thought Leadership Piece and Reflection assessments have also had the classification of 'hurdle task' removed as advised by the committee.

Additional information

The primary learning goal of this UOS is to provide students with an opportunity to engage with a corporate partner and work on an industry project whilst studying. The UOS is applied and practice focused and encourages students to seek their own research and work through solutions to their company business problem. It operates very differently from conventional University UOS in order to bridge the gap between academia and industry and assist students in their transition to the workforce.

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CEMS6011: CEMS Business Project

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links