7B007B - The Portfolio 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 7B007B
Module Title: The Portfolio
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Marketing
Module Leader: Jackie Harris
Module Team: Sofia Christidi, Callum Evans, Alexandra Hollyman, Michael Parsons, Sian Jenkins
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 30
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100075 - marketing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are: 

  • To enable students to integrate academic theory with practical marketing and leadership challenges, using real-world simulations to demonstrate strategic decision-making under ambiguity and pressure. 

  • To foster critical reflection and personal development, enabling students to evaluate their leadership competencies and professional impact across the programme. 

  • To develop and present a portfolio that synthesises learning outcomes from across the course, evidencing strategic thinking, leadership practice, marketing innovation, and continued professional development. 

Content Summary

This final, core module challenges learners to integrate academic learning with a strategic approach to career planning and professional showcase. It requires deep critical reflection on the knowledge and skills acquired across the entire MSc Strategic and Digital Marketing course, aligning with a strategic approach to leadership and management of marketing effectiveness. The module should ensure students demonstrate how they can critically apply advanced models of leadership and management to ambiguous, high-pressure contexts. The outcome is the creation of a powerful Integrated Professional Portfolio that synthesises theoretical mastery and serves as a high-impact, employer-facing asset, evidencing strategic thinking and continued professional development. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Guided Study 184
Practical Classes and Workshops 56
Summative Assessment 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse and reflect upon the application of advanced leadership and marketing theories to inform strategic decision-making within complex, ambiguous business environments.
LO2 Critically reflect on professional and academic competencies, curating and delivering a compelling Digital Portfolio that showcases acquired skills and knowledge, and formulating an evidence-based Strategic Career Development Plan.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio Written Work (The Critical Skills Audit & Synthesis) and Strategic Career Development Plan (50%): This component requires sustained critical reflection on the student's journey, linking their progress in leadership and management of self, others and application of work through the synthesis of core theoretical models to diagnose and propose integrated solutions to complex real world marketing problems and to learning outcomes. External-Facing Portfolio (Digital Showcase) (50%) Digital Showcase: This requires the creation of a Professional e-Portfolio or Website containing curated, high-impact evidence of the student's best work (e.g., project outcomes, simulation results). 0 5000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio

Reading List

Week 1 – The Portfolio Mandate & Critical Self-Audit 

Essential Reading 

  • Moon, J. A. (2013) Reflection and Employability: Learning through Experience. Routledge. 

  • Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford Brookes University. 

  • CMI (2021) Professional Standards Framework. Chartered Management Institute. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Schön, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books. 

  • Yorke, M. (2006) Employability in Higher Education: What it is – What it is Not. Higher Education Academy. 

  • USW Careers & Employability (2024) Professional Skills Audit Toolkit. [University Resource] 

 

Week 2 – Strategic Synthesis & Problem Framing 

Essential Reading 

  • Johnson, G., Whittington, R. and Scholes, K. (2023) Exploring Strategy, 13th edn. Pearson. 

  • Kotler, P. and Keller, K. L. (2022) Marketing Management, 16th edn. Pearson. 

  • Mintzberg, H. (1994) The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning. Free Press. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Barney, J. B. (1991) ‘Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage’, Journal of Management, 17(1), pp. 99–120. 

  • Grant, R. M. (2021) Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 11th edn. Wiley. 

  • McKinsey & Company (2024) State of Strategy Report. [Industry Report] 

 

Week 3 – Evidencing Impact & Portfolio Curation 

Essential Reading 

  • Brown, S. and Knight, P. (1994) Assessing Learners in Higher Education. Routledge. 

  • Coughlan, S. and Perrin, D. (2020) Digital Portfolios in Higher Education: Reflecting, Recording and Showcasing Learning. Springer. 

  • HubSpot Academy (2024) Content Marketing and Digital Branding Certification. [Online Course] 

 

Supplementary ReadingCambridge, D. (2010) ePortfolios for Lifelong Learning and Assessment. Jossey-Bass. 

  • LinkedIn Learning (2024) Building an Online Portfolio for Career Success. [Video Course] 

  • Canva & Wix Learning Hubs (2024) Portfolio Design Guides. [Online Resources] 

Week 4 – Strategic Career Development Planning?? 

Essential Reading?? 

  • Greenhaus, J. H., Callanan, G. A. and Godshalk, V. M. (2019) Career Management, 5th edn. Sage.?? 

  • Law, B. and Watts, A. G. (2003) The DOTS Model of Career Learning, Decision-Making and Transition. NICEC.?? 

  • CIPD (2023) Career Development Framework. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.?? 

 

Supplementary Reading?? 

  • Arthur, M. B. and Rousseau, D. M. (1996) The Boundaryless Career: A New Employment Principle for a New Organizational Era. Oxford University Press.?? 

  • O*NET and LinkedIn Learning Hub (2024) Labour Market Insights Reports. [Web Resources]?? 

  • USW Careers (2024) Strategic Career Development Toolkit. [Institutional Resource]?? 

Week 5 – CPD and Professional Certification Pathways?? 

Essential Reading?? 

  • CMI (2024) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guide. Chartered Management Institute.?? 

  • CIM (2024) Chartered Institute of Marketing Competency Framework. [Online Resource]?? 

  • DMI (2024) Global Digital Marketing Skills Benchmark Report. Digital Marketing Institute.?? 

Supplementary Reading?? 

  • HubSpot (2024) Inbound Marketing Certification. [Online Course]?? 

  • Google (2024) Analytics and Digital Garage Certification Programmes. [Online Learning]?? 

  • Wenger, E. (1998) Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity. Cambridge University Press.?? 

Week 6 – Finalising the Written Synthesis & Professional Storytelling?? 

Essential Reading?? 

  • Kolb, D. A. (2015) Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development, 2nd edn. Pearson.?? 

  • Denning, S. (2011) The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative. Jossey-Bass.?? 

  • Harvard Business Review (2023) The Art of Crafting a Compelling Leadership Narrative.?? 

?? 

Supplementary Reading?? 

  • McKee, R. (2017) Storynomics: Story-Driven Marketing in the Post-Advertising World. Twelve Books.?? 

  • Doyle, C. (2020) Executive Presence and Strategic Communication. Kogan Page.?? 

  • Deloitte Insights (2024) Leading with Impact: Executive Storytelling in Business Transformation. [Report]?? 

?Week 7 – Assessment Finalisation & Career Launch?? 

Essential Reading?? 

  • USW Careers & Employability (2024) Graduate Employability Toolkit. [University Resource]?? 

  • LinkedIn Learning (2024) Personal Branding and Job Search Masterclass. [Online Course]?? 

  • Bolles, R. N. (2022) What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. Ten Speed Press.?? 

??Supplementary Reading?? 

  • Dorie Clark (2017) Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future. Harvard Business Review Press.?? 

  • Harvard Business Review (2023) How to Tell Your Career Story on LinkedIn. [Article]?? 

  • USW Alumni Network (2024) Career Launch and Networking Resource Pack. [Institutional Resource]?