Innovation and Applied Entrepreneurship - MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

The Postgraduate Certificate is made up of the following two modules:

Business Basics for Entrepreneurs - a blended learning module, which includes 5 core study units covering key business topics (Accounting and Finance; Human Resources; Law; Marketing; and Strategy) and 10 optional study units (you need to complete 5 of them) that allow you to go into more detail in the areas of most relevance to you and your business.

Innovation and High Performing Teams -a hands-on module including: team roles and organisational role analysis; group processes and team dynamics; team development and team building; creativity and innovation in teams; idea generation and selection; team working diagnostics, tools and techniques; diversity and difference in teams; cross-cultural team working. There will be an opportunity to work on your own business ideas, as well as on genuine 'briefs' from external organisations.

The Postgraduate Diploma is made up of the above modules, plus the following two modules:

Developing Entrepreneurial Capacities follows a similar format to the 'Business Basics for Entrepreneurs' module. Core study units cover key aspects of entrepreneurship (including creativity and decision-making; funding models and pitching; lean start-up approaches) and options allow you to explore relevant themes in more depth.

Leadership and Managing People - follows a similar format to 'Innovation and High Performing Teams' and the emphasis is on developing your leadership and management capacities. Areas covered will include: personal influence; self-leadership and managing self; leadership practice; leading through complexity, networks and patterns of relationship; coaching, dialogue and constructive conversations; giving and receiving feedback; well-being and resilience; diversity and difference; and leadership across cultures.

For the Masters phase, as well as the four modules above, the choice is between completing a dissertation or a business development plan:

Research Methods (15 credits) and Dissertation (45 credits) This requires you to complete a research methods course and assessed dissertation project plan, followed by a dissertation that explores a relevant innovation/entrepreneurship topic of your choosing in some depth the dissertation will be 15,000-20,000 words. You will be allocated a supervisor to support you through this process.

Business Development Plan (60 credits) Grounded in rigorous business research, the business development plan brings together a strategy to achieve specific business goals and the key elements that will help your business to achieve these within a given time-frame. These are likely to include but are not limited to: value proposition and business model, strategic marketing plan, human resources and management structure, financial structure, sales planning, and financial and (where appropriate) investment planning. The assessment includes a verbal presentation, the business development plan itself (10,000 words) and a critical reflection and evaluation of the plan (4,000 words). You will be part of an action enquiry group, as well as receiving individual supervision.

The course is team based and uses a 'learning by doing' approach. In training sessions, you will be supported by an experienced team coach. As well as undertaking projects based on 'wicked problems' (complex issues requiring input from different perspectives and backgrounds), you will have opportunities to bring your own startup ideas and benefit from the input of other team members.

Masterclasses are highly interactive and are led by academic and industry experts, whilst online delivery of some modules allows you to engage with individual study units as and when they are most relevant to you.

Group working is a key element and you will have plenty of opportunity to practise and develop your team working capabilities. The opportunities to share learning across multi-disciplinary teams will also help you to learn more, and at a faster rate.

For more details, see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

This is a full-time course, which means you'll attend the University for 12 months. You will have three 3-hour training sessions a fortnight, plus a series of masterclasses. Projects are typically based out of the Team Entrepreneurship Hub on the Frenchay Campus and may also involve client visits.

Study support

If you have been out of higher education for a while, we provide skills sessions to help prepare you for studying again as well as sessions for non-native English speakers.

The assessment on this course is designed to demonstrate that you can apply theory to practice effectively and to develop skills that will be useful in your future career. There are no written exams. Course work assessments include verbal presentations, book reviews, reports, marketing/business plans, project logs and reflective essays.

For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.