CSC8409 : Capstone Project for Data Analytics Degree Apprenticeship
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Vlad Gonzalez
- Lecturer: Dr Tong Xin
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 30 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 30 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This individual work-based project is tailored to your job role and specialism within the Digital and Technology Solution Specialist Master’s Degree. It involves solving real-world problems, addressing live business scenarios, developing specialist expertise, and showcasing professional development. You will collaborate with your employer, academic supervisor, and apprenticeship skills coach.
Specifically, the module aims to equip the apprentices with the following knowledge and skills:
To deepen the core professional competencies and Data Analytics specialist Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) acquired in the programme through practical application.
To develop an awareness of the limitations and potential of emerging technologies for solving real-world Data Science problems.
To enhance problem-solving, critical-thinking, and stakeholder communication skills through project-based learning.
Outline Of Syllabus
Toward the end of the programme, a lead academic supervisor will agree upon a business-related project with the apprentice’s employer and the apprentices based on the apprentice’s job role and specialism that they are undertaking as part of the Digital and Technology Solution Specialist Master’s Degree. The independent assessor of the EPA (End Point Assessment) should present the meeting for finalising the topic for the capstone project. If the apprentice or their employer needs to change the capstone project scope, they must resubmit a project proposal for the EPA Assessor to approve.
The agreed project will present a typical business task, appropriate for demonstrating the relevant KSBs outlined in the standard, with its EPA approach delivered through a Project Report (PR). In every project, there will be a research component and a strong design, programming and/or analytic element.
Project Definition and Planning: The agreed project will be comparable in terms of content and complexity for all apprentices – it is the context within which the knowledge and skills must be demonstrated that will vary.
The project is undertaken and completed on programme and pre- gateway to the EPA (End Point Assessment). The project itself is not part of the EPA.
Supervision: Each project has at least one academic supervisor from the School and one partner supervisor
from the apprentice’s employer. The apprentices and the supervisor will meet regularly throughout the period
of the project.
Research: Background research will be undertaken in the selected topic with access to the library and online
resources.
Development and Analytics Skills: The core of the project will involve carrying out the project plan largely
independently, but with guidance from the supervisors.
Dissertation: A dissertation will be prepared, describing the technical background, the work undertaken, the
analysis of results and directions for further work. Guidance on the style and content of a dissertation
will be provided by means of lectures and through the supervisor.
Project presentation: apprentices will demonstrate their ability to communicate their work to the stakeholders.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:30 | 3:30 | Ethics form. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Sessions (in person) for module overview, expectations, create a plan of action. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:30 | 3:30 | Preparation and Recording of a 10 minute video demonstration. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 37 | 1:00 | 37:00 | Formative assessment. Submit draft interim report for feedback. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 28 | 2:00 | 56:00 | Dissertation writing. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 28 | 2:00 | 56:00 | Background research for dissertation. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Sessions (in person) for interactive activities and reflective discussion. |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 400 | 1:00 | 400:00 | Undertaking a work-based capstone project. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Surgeries (in person) with the teaching staff. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Surgeries (online) with the teaching staff. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 28 | 1:00 | 28:00 | Asynchronous supervisor meetings. |
| Total | 600:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The project is undertaken with a lead academic supervisor, working collaboratively with the apprentice's employer. There will be a designated Skill Coach to offer additional assistance or advice.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 100 |
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
| Description | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | M | Ethics form. |
| Portfolio | M | This entry is to inform whether the student has passed the End Point Assessment. |
| Oral Presentation | M | Demo video submission. Video to inc. a demo of the software implementation & a reflection on the key areas of personal skills & prof behaviour. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 2 | M | Submit an up to 2,500 word draft dissertation for feedback. |
| Research proposal | 2 | M | Project proposal for supporting the supervisor allocation. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The final dissertation allows apprentices to apply their accumulative knowledge and skills in their area of speciality to an agreed upon project by themselves, their employer and university supervisors. The formative assessment of writing an interim report will help apprentices prepare their final report. A video presentation at the end of the module will provide an opportunity to showcase their projects to each-other and their employers. Overall the project, dissertation and video submission should help prepare apprentices towards the apprenticeship Gateway, Project Report and EPA.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8409's Timetable