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Past cohorts of the BEC programme.


 We will be running the course again in February 2018; recruitment will begin in November 2017. Please look out for further information on university emails, social media and Canvas. 

If you have any questions, please call into the careers office on the fourth floor or email: alice.mcdougall@sunderland.ac.uk 


The Business Enterprise Certificate

Are you interested in enterprise and entrepreneurship?

Would you like to run your own business one day?

Do you see yourself as a business leader in the future?

Are you interested in applying for the Tier 1 entrepreneur’s visa?

Would you like to start a business in the UK or take valuable business enterprise skills back to your home country?


The Business Enterprise Certificate (BEC) is an additional, free, 12-week programme for students interested in starting their own business. The programme will teach you the practical skills and knowledge required for business start-up, at the centre of which is writing your own business plan based on your own idea. At the end of the course you ‘pitch’ your business idea to a panel, giving you the opportunity to receive feedback from business leaders.

The course runs for 12 weeks on Tuesday evenings from 17.30 – 20.30. 


Course Outline

1.    Icebreaker and commercial   introduction

2.    Global entrepreneurship & leadership styles

3.    Corporate functions

4.    Writing a business plan 1

5.    Strategy and objective setting

6.    Budgeting and Financials

7.     Research

8.     Writing a business plan 2

9.     Business Development and Sales

10.   Pitch week 1

11.   Pitch week 2

12.   Review and Feedback 


Who can apply?

The programme is open to all students on all courses. If you are an international students, your visa must be valid for the duration of the course. There is no cost to you.

All we ask is for your commitment, enthusiasm and some ideas from which to develop a small business. As this is a practical course in which you will learn through experience, you will need an idea from which to write your business plan. Don’t worry if this is not well developed at this stage; the course will help you learn the skills your need to further establish it.


How do I apply? 

You will be asked to submit your CV along with an application form outlining your business idea.


Alistair Galloway: Course Leader

The programme is run by Alistair Galloway, a company director who has a wide and varied career portfolio having reached the rank of captain in the British Army before embarking on a seven year city career in asset management. He is now the owner of two security and risk management consultancies. In addition, Alistair has also successfully run a military charity and is involved in the development of entrepreneurial hubs in diaspora communities in the UK.