MSc Entrepreneurship Innovation and Enterprise Development

at University of Westminster

Course structure

The course is designed to test and challenge you from the outset, giving you a broad understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation theory and business management, while developing your capacity and capability to put these into practice. We’ll deliberately keep you out of your comfort zone – which is the only way you’ll succeed as an entrepreneur! In addition to critical business skills, we’ll help you develop analytical, creative thinking, communication and networking skills. Since none of our modules require previous knowledge, this course is accessible to anyone with a desire to enhance their enterprise awareness and entrepreneurial capabilities. All modules studied are core.
 

Semester 1

Our focus from the start is on developing an effective entrepreneurial mindset, which includes the resilience to cope with rejection and see failure as an opportunity to improve. We’ll prepare you to scan markets for opportunities, gather relevant evidence and conduct qualitative/quantitative research and data analysis so you can make informed decisions about the value and legitimacy of different ideas. Practical support includes providing you with an overview of alternative funding sources and the tools to evaluate their suitability, whether you’re acting on your own, as part of a family business or on behalf of an employer.
 

Semester 2

The focus of the second semester is to build on earlier teaching and extend the knowledge you have gained into the applications of innovation in a digital economic context. To develop your knowledge and understanding of the digital economy, we may, for example, ask you to suggest ways to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) or virtual reality (VR) within a business. While developing a better understanding of innovation and technology, you will also learn the practicalities of developing a business plan and running a company in enterprise development, where you will be exposed to an understanding of financial management principles in a context of business development. You will also start working on your two-semesters-long entrepreneurial project, where you can explore any aspect of your business idea and, should you wish to do so, work on the launch of your start-up.
 

Modules

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
 

Core modules

• Analytics for business
• Creativity and innovation management
• Enterprise development
• Entrepreneurial marketing
• Entrepreneurial mindset and opportunities creation
• Entrepreneurial project
• Innovation and digital strategies
• Innovation through design thinking
   

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Exceptionally, practitioners with significant work experience (3 years) in any sector or industry will be considered for admissions. Entrepreneurial experience may include all sort of activities that indicate opportunity seeking activity, which may include (and not limited to) opportunities identification (e.g., generating an idea for a potential business, or interest for a future as a business owner), organisation and coordination of resources (e.g., running a project that involves teams and resources coordination like a Church/Association project or a fundraising activity or a campaign to raise awareness about some issues within a community), and not necessarily running a business. 
 

If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
 

Applicants are required to submit one reference.

International tuition fee: £19,000 (Price per academic year)

Although all our activities are highly experiential, we also provide a sound grounding in current entrepreneurship and innovation theory. Having an entrepreneurial mindset, the ability to think outside the box and skills to innovate will increase your attractiveness to a wide range of employers looking for opportunities to retain or develop competitive advantage. You may choose to pursue a career in mid or senior level management in-house or as a business consultant identifying and fixing problems. Alternatively, idea generation could lead to a role in new product development or research and development, while knowledge of how to successfully attract investments could be transferred to a career as a fundraiser.
 

Past students have gone on to create successful ventures ranging from a gym for women and a barber franchise, to a VR company, molecular cocktail company, an upmarket bar saloon and organic farm.