Practice Track: solve a real-world business challenge as part of your degree

The Practice Track is an alternative to a traditional dissertation. You will work in a group or alone to complete a project with an external organisation.

A practical alternative to a dissertation

Use your skills and knowledge to take on a project with an external organisation as part of your master’s degree. The Practice Track is currently only available on some courses.

Some of our courses offer you the chance to complete the Practice Track instead of a dissertation.

Unlike a dissertation, the Practice Track is a practical project with a real-world organisation. It gives you the chance to demonstrate your skills and expertise in a different way.

You’ll work on a real-life consultancy or research-based project with one of our partner companies, gaining practical experience as part of your degree. The project could be a challenge faced by the company or an extension of current research for an organisation. You may even further your own research to complement the company’s aims.

You can work as part of a small group or on your own to complete the Practice Track.

Our Practice Track courses

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences courses that include the Practice Track are:

The Practice Track takes place in the summer after the first two semesters of your course. It lasts around three months.

Support and guidance for a practical project

We aim to provide you with the right platform to take on the challenge.

You will have support from the company you work with and your academic supervisor throughout your Practice Track project. This will help you to apply the skills, knowledge and techniques gained during your studies.

Throughout the year leading up to your project, you’ll benefit from our Professional Development Programme (PDP). PDP sessions are designed to enhance your employability skills and help you make a positive start to your project.

Why choose the Practice Track

Completing the Practice Track can help you to stand out in a competitive job market. You’ll get the opportunity to:

gain real business experience
build your professional network
improve your CV
take on a challenge valued by employers
explore your career options
build a route into full-time employment
benefit from training in project and client management
enhance your presentation skills

A group of students writing on a whiteboard as part of a task

Andrew Brigden, Fathom Consulting

'We were delighted to have two students from the University of Bath’s EBIS MSc programme work with us on separate projects through the summer. Their analysis was of exceptional quality and left us with databases and computer code that will be of material value to the company.'

Man sitting at a table looking at financial charts on two laptops

Practice Track: MSc students’ view

The Practice Track is a feature of some Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences and School of Management courses. Here, some School of Management MSc students share their experience of the Practice Track.

The Practice Track isn't available on all master's courses. If you choose another course, you will have the opportunity to gain applied experience through placements or practicums.

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