ObjectivesThe main aims and objectives of the programme are - to help participants in developing critical analytical, problem-solving, creative and learning skills, and a critical awareness of the constituent elements of the study and practice of entrepreneurship and innovation; - to help students develop a critical awareness of economic, social and technological context of entrepreneurship, small business development, social and community enterprise and self-employment; - to equip students with a thorough understanding of the value of entrepreneurship research and appropriate skills in research techniques for effective problem solving, in-depth investigation of key issues. - to prepare students for careers as entrepreneurs, as owner-managers, policy makers in support services, entrepreneurial management in different types of organisations; - to help students to manage their own learning and personal development in the future; - to enable students to start developing business and personal plans with a view to starting their own business or social enterprise, and/or projects in existing organisations; - to help students become part of a learning, innovative and entrepreneurial community. - to help students to identify underpinning epistemological issues, and acquire critical knowledge of research design, techniques and methods as they apply to the whole subject of entrepreneurship and its component parts; - to help students to apply their knowledge of research to the writing of either a traditional dissertation or a comprehensive business plan, both of which will demand critical insights into the topic and the application of research methods.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications 2.1 or equivalent; IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 240/580
Academic titleMSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation addresses critical issues that are central to economic growth and social transformation. It aims to enable students to acquire the essential knowledge, contemporary skills and critical awareness necessary for rewarding careers in dynamic business environments, in government and other policy-making institutions, in non-governmental or community-based organisations, and as potential entrepreneurs creating, managing and sustaining their own enterprises.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN
Compulsory: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
Compulsory: CREATIVE IDEAS PLATFORM 2
Compulsory: ENTREPRENEURSHIP POLICY, CULTURE, AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Compulsory: MANAGING THE NEW ENTERPRISE
Compulsory: THEORIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Core: THE CREATIVE IDEAS PLATFORM 1
DISSERTATION
HEALTH ENTERPRISE
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
TECHNOLOGY, CREATIVITY AND ENTERPRISE
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Ideas, theory and practice of new venture creation and entrepreneurship processes and their application in various organisational scenarios (key focus on small and medium sized enterprises)
A2 : The value of entrepreneurship research and application in different private, public and community contexts
A3 : In-depth and critical understanding of key issues, including, the economics of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and economic development, the context of entrepreneurship; typologies of entrepreneurs, and enterprise management functions, including new venture finance and financial management, organisational learning and training, and innovation and technology management for new ventures
A4 : Epistemological and social scientific underpinnings, influences and interpretations of entrepreneurship and innovation in the global arena
A5 : Critical understanding of application of theories of entrepreneurship and innovation in different economic contexts and in different organisatonal settings
A6 : In-depth understanding of research methods, processes and techniquesand their application for the investigation of new venture creation and growth
A7 : Critical understanding of the application of theoretical concepts of research in writing either a Masters level dissertation addressing key topics/issues or a comprehensive business plan underpinned by theoretical concepts, as appropriate.
Teaching Methods
Directed pre-reading and writing tasks on different aspects of entrepreneurship; lectures;
Discussions with tutors and supervisors on the values, principles and applications of entrepreneurship theory and practice.
Discussions with practitioner-based advisory panels; reference to private and public fora on entrepreneurship and innovation, such as the Thames Gateway, EEDA. I.10 and others.
Directed self-study, observation and reflection of practice; comparative case work in workshops and the classroom; consultation with library materials, projects with small and medium sized enterprises and public agencies; presentations of findings related to models, strategies and good practice; examination of critical topics.
Informal assessment will be made through group work and oral presentations Related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction, should enable students to explore and augment their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation skills.
Assessment Methods
Learning outcomes (1) - (6) are assessed by course work assignments (individual assignments and group work, including oral presentations and class tests) and written examinations. No (2) is also assessed by the dissertation or the business plan.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Identify, design, develop, create, codify, synthesise, and critically review/analyse theoretical and practical arguments on entrepreneurial opportunities, strategies, and tools for new ventures and public policy for new venture creation, in particular contexts and for different purposes.
B2 : Assimilation and acquisition of particular learning skills for developing a practical business plan for new venture creation; in-depth research-based skills.
B3 : Construction and use of appropriate methodologies and applied action/experiential learning methods in the new venture contexts.
B4 : Identification ,evaluation and use of critical theories of entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation and methodologies for the development of business plans concerned with growth of new ventures
B5 : Carrying out independent research and formulating coherent and cogent arguments
Teaching Methods
Lectures; workshop exercises, preparation of individual and team-based assignments, presentations of assignments to academic and practitioner panels; peer group work; final examination.
Project-based work with small and medium enterprises, social enterprises and government agencies concerned with enterprise and innovation.
Recommended direct reading, networking with external communities of practice, peer groups, practitioners; reference to public and private fora.
Development of learning logs from the beginning of the course.
Lectures and directed self-study for the identification of different research paradigms, techniques and methods used in traditional dissertation, and those which can be used to inform and support practical business planning scenarios. These methods and strategies will be built into each module and reinforced separately in the Creative Ideas Platform modules.
Informal assessment will consist of group work and oral presentations Related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction, should enable students to explore and augment their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation skills.
Re: Learning Outcome B5
Self directed study with dedicated supervision.
Assessment Methods
Formal assessment of outcomes (1) and (3) will take the form of course work assignments and written examinations, with the dissertation or the comprehensive business plan providing a further opportunity to assess the range of skills highlighted in (2) and (4). The presentation will conform with the University's policy on oral assessment.
20% of the marks for the dissertation/ comprehensive business plan will be awarded for a presentation on the dissertation thesis/business plan. This will be presented to the MSc group and the panel of external advisers.
The assessment of the traditional dissertation will encompass examination and evaluation of the student's knowledge of research philosophy and methods in exploring a specific topic. The comprehensive business plan will seek to examine a similar range of research skills as they apply to the development of a business proposition (e.g. the development of a new product, or a case study of a the creation of new organisation).
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Compare and contrast different theoretical and practical approaches to entrepreneurship and enterprise development in different types of organisations; the development of a business plan
C2 : Working through a 'Creative Ideas Platform', (which runs through the programme) to develop a business plan for use and application in a 'real world' context
C3 : Working through the second stage of a 'Creative Ideas Platform', (which runs through the programme) to develop a business plan for use and application in a 'real world' context
C4 : Development of practical plans and skills for independent research in the form of a dissertation or a comprehensive business plan
Teaching Methods
Direct reading, lectures; review with practitioner advisory group; networking with peers; reference to public and private fora, the International Entrepreneurship Forum; on-line discussions; formation of teams linked to small and medium sized enterprises and other organisations; international visits and activities; workshops; discussions with tutors and supervisors; projects; maintenance of learning logs; international visits.
Routine classwork, management of self-learning, group work and interactions with experts will provide an informal means for assessment of the practical skills acquired by the students
Assessment Methods
Learning Outcomes (1), (2) and (3) will be formally assessed by written assignments; the presentations of individual and group work, and written examinations.
Learning outcome (4) is assessed by the completion of a dissertation or a comprehensive business plan.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Oral and written communication to different audiences in a coherent, cogent and effective manner.
D2 : Use of information technologies including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical and web-based packages to read, download, analyse and evaluate different types of data and information
D3 : Use and manipulate different types of numerical data, solve mathematically based problems, apply and interpret statistical data
D4 : Use and application of analytical, morphological and other creative problem skills
D5 : Understanding and appreciation of different communities of interest, good spoken and written communication skills, empathy and resolution of conflict.
D6 : Work as project management, including time management, critical task prioritisation, meeting deadlines, evaluating self- learning.
Teaching Methods
New venture creation in different scenarios, including product and service development; the preparation of comprehensive business plans; team work and leadership on projects; critical understanding of people, organisations and the wider environment; application in international contexts; the teaching of enterprise developmentand entrepreneurship.
Assessment Methods
Learning outcomes (1), (5) and (6) will be assessed by presentations of individual and group work.
A variety of written coursework assignments will assess (2), (3), (4) and (6)
Written examinations will assess (3) and (4)