Postgraduate business scheme launched

**February 2013 will see the launch of Warwick’s new ‘Research to Reality’ scheme; an initiative aimed at budding entrepreneurs.**

Postgraduate students who fancy themselves as potential business men or women will have the opportunity to apply for the programme, which is aimed at equipping students with the knowledge required to start their own businesses.

The course will run for 12 weeks and will focus on key skills such as ‘How to write a business plan’ or ‘How to pitch to potential investors’.

On completion of the scheme, participants will be able to apply for funding of up to £5,000 to further develop their business ideas.

Tessa Johnson who graduated from Warwick with a Masters in History of Medicine last month said: “I think this sounds like a great idea.

“Funding for postgrads is rare – there [are] no loans available, so when you graduate you’re often desperate for money and a job… having the opportunity to learn the skills needed to generate your own income would be awesome!

“People invest a lot of money in getting an MA but unfortunately this doesn’t always translate into a better job. Being able to apply the things you’ve learnt to real life is definitely a good thing,” Ms Johnson added.

Josh Spiller, a Creative Writing postgraduate student at Warwick last year agreed that the initiative appeared to be a positive step.

That being said, he thought the limited number of spaces on the course would be taken by business students: “Of all graduates they are probably the most likely to set up their own business in the ‘real world’ anyway”, he said.

“Personally, I would never have considered applying – the idea of running a business really doesn’t appeal to me. Too much stress!”