Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship MSc
MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship
MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship
Overview
Prepare to launch or grow your business on this entrepreneurial Master's degree.
Develop business ideas to pitch to investors during the course as you learn how business works in different countries, and graduate ready to bring ideas to the market in a global environment.
You'll explore topics including business, product development, and the process of innovation management in large companies as you prepare for your career as an entrepreneur.
Use your own business ideas to inform your studies and identify, test and market a business idea in groups. You'll develop your business knowledge and understanding and critically evaluate a company that you choose.
You'll work with students from a range of backgrounds on projects, activities and assessments, and learn from industry experts throughout the course.
By the time you graduate you'll have all of the skills and knowledge you need to run your own business.
This course is suitable for students from any academic background with an interest in business and innovation. You do not need to have studied innovation management in the past to apply.
Prefer to study online?
If you'd like to study this course online, take a look at MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (distance learning). This is a University of Portsmouth degree run in partnership with the Cambridge Education Group.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Hear from industry professionals and guest speakers from companies including HP
- Access industry networking opportunities
- Network with students from a range of backgrounds
- Hear from regular entrepreneurial guest speakers including course graduates
- Benefit from the Entrepreneurs in Residence program
- Access student startup and career support throughout your studies, and for up to 5 years after you graduate
What you'll study on this MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship degree course
Full-time
You'll study all core modules and one optional module.
Core
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and critically evaluate an entrepreneurial opportunity in the market
- Develop a business model as part of a new venture project
- Appraise entrepreneurship as a career option through reflecting on personal entrepreneurial skills and emerging entrepreneurial identity
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate product development and management theories and concepts
- Discuss and reflect upon one or more aspects of product development management using appropriate theoretical models and frameworks from the academic literature
- Undertake and evaluate the results of concept tests with potential customers, and develop appropriate recommendations from the test results
- Assess the viability of a new product concept, synthesising information from a variety of sources and analysing the evidence in this assessment
Optional
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan effective research and be able to critically evaluate research
- Able to use and interpret statistical concepts and methods
- Able to carry out effective research
- Exhibit advanced expertise in the area of their research
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan effective research and be able to critically evaluate research
- Able to use and interpret statistical concepts and methods
- Able to carry out effective research
- Exhibit advanced expertise in the area of their research
Part-time
All modules in this year are core.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and critically evaluate an entrepreneurial opportunity in the market
- Develop a business model as part of a new venture project
- Appraise entrepreneurship as a career option through reflecting on personal entrepreneurial skills and emerging entrepreneurial identity
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate product development and management theories and concepts
- Discuss and reflect upon one or more aspects of product development management using appropriate theoretical models and frameworks from the academic literature
- Undertake and evaluate the results of concept tests with potential customers, and develop appropriate recommendations from the test results
- Assess the viability of a new product concept, synthesising information from a variety of sources and analysing the evidence in this assessment
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan effective research and be able to critically evaluate research
- Able to use and interpret statistical concepts and methods
- Able to carry out effective research
- Exhibit advanced expertise in the area of their research
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
We expect you to be running your own business when you graduate from this course.
Some students already run businesses when they join us, or return to family businesses after they graduate to grow the business with their new understanding and experience.
As well as developing your entrepreneurial skills, you'll also be able to apply your skills to the workplace in fields like business and marketing.
Graduates of this course have gone on to roles in:
- Entrepreneurship
- Product development
- Marketing
- PhD study
Find out more about Zezhou's time at uni, and where he plans to take his ambition next.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
It is our expectation that all international students will join us here on campus in Portsmouth.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
If you study full time you can expect to:
- Attend scheduled sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Study for 4 hours daily per 30-credit module, and 2 hours daily for your research methods module
- Study 2 modules in each half of the year, alongside your research methods module across the whole year
- Attend some online Zoom sessions
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- exams
- group reports
- individual projects
- critical reviews
- group pitches
- group debates
For each unit you'll be assessed in a way that's relevant to test your knowledge. This will involve you thinking and working in an original way to overcome problems. At the end of the course you'll produce a dissertation related to your workplace, your future career, or a business venture.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Professor Chris Simms
I am the Knowledge Services Lead for the Strategy Enterprise and Innovation (SEI) subject group in the Faculty of Business and Law. I am also a Reader in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship and fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr Vijay Vyas
My research is published in Annals of Operations Research, International Review of Entrepreneurship, Technology Innovation Management Review and Journal of Entrepreneurship. I have been a reviewer for Small Business Economics, TQM Journal, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research and have been a consultant to Promethean, UK, Lupin Laboratories, India and Diamines & Chemicals, India.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2022 start)
- Full-time: £9,400
- Part-time: £4,700 per year
- Full time: £17,000
- Part time: £8,500 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2023 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2023
Apply now (Full-time 1 year or 2 years with optional placement year)
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Business, Management and Marketing
- Faculty
