Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Stage1

You will focus on tools and techniques supporting the development of a business, including the associated marketing and sales dimensions. You will learn skills for the management of innovation and develop an awareness and understanding of the management of family and social enterprises which constitute a large portion of our business environment. You will reinforce your professional and transferable skills in interpersonal communication and teamwork.

Stage 2

You will critically review and manipulate a range of analytical tools to support strategic decision-making and develop skills necessary to supporting the creation of a business. You will develop your appreciation of the various contexts and challenges associated with entrepreneurship and focus on the specific development of technology oriented business solutions and their commercialisation.

Stage 3

The Capstone module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to integrate master's level knowledge and skills by independently working on a research focused project from a degree related discipline. Personal and professional skills such as research, communication and presentation skills will be developed.

Extended Master’s

We offer an extended Master’s route, starting in September, on our traditional 1-year route which incorporates a 12 month placement. This route has a duration of 24 months, and will follow the same teaching programme as the 1 year course. You will receive training, guidance and support to support you through the recruitment and selection stages for the jobs on offer from our dedicated Employability and Enrichment Hub team.

On Campus Study

You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. These comprise of a mix of group study, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals.

There is 12 hours of timetabled classes per week with a further 12 hours of directed and individual study. The course uses a workshop type approach with flexible module sessions normally of 3 hours per week for each module. Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is alsoprovided givingyou access from home to learning materials (including videos and e-books).

Activity Summary

• Seminars- 30 students per group, 12hours per week
• Independent Study - 24hours per week

How long is a Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship course?

This Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship course can be successfully completed within 1 year - 24 months. This is to include independent study, coursework preparations, seminars and other activities.

Independent Study

The course encourages you to work autonomously and to take responsibility for your own learning and professional development. The main vehicle for independent learning is the Capstone Project where you will develop your learning in many aspects: the nature of research, writing a proposal, sourcing relevant information, data collection and analysis, research ethics and presenting work.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed over the duration of the course:

• 8 written assignments, including essays
• 1 dissertation
• 3 oral assessments

Staff Delivering on This Course

Academic staff who teach on this course have worked in a range of professional backgrounds, are ‘business-connected’ and use professional networks and their academic research to ensure teaching is professionally relevant and cutting edge.

Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning. In addition, many have featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Other staff members include industry professionals, guest lecturers, staff with Research experience or past Postgraduate Research students.

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Capstone

You are encouraged to apply for live Capstone consultancy projects which are sourced locally and are advertised through our Professional Enrichment hub. You are also able to negotiate and source your own consultancy host organisation in discussion with the Professional Enrichment Hub.

12 Month Placement

For those on our Extended Master’s route (24 months 1 On Campus) you will have the opportunity to embark on a 12 month placement on completion of the 9-month teaching programme (mid-May). If you successfully secure a placement, you will start your placement no later than September and will complete your placement by the following June prior to graduation in July.

Placement opportunities are real jobs in an extensive range of organisations from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to global multinationals, and is an excellent way to test your academic knowledge, develop transferable skills and develop your business networks. The employing organisation is likely to be a source of rich data for the Capstone module and you will be encouraged to research an organisational issue of your choosing likely identified through discussion with the placement employer. You will also complete a reflective e-portfolio which captures the skills development through the placement period.

Throughout the placement you will be assigned both a workplace mentor and an academic mentor and will receive ongoing support to enhance your career development.

N.B. You are responsible for finding the placement, with support from the placement team, and as such the University cannot guarantee that all students will be successful in securing a placement. If unsuccessful, your course fee attached to the work experience element will be refunded.

This course is for new graduates or experienced entrepreneurs who wish to create or grow an existing business. It is also targeted at professionals who wish to support the development and implementation of innovation within a business context. You may be from a non-relevant (ie. non business) academic or professional background. If you are looking to enter this field and have no relevant formal qualifications, this course will allow you to gain the necessary expertise.

Is studyingBusiness Innovation and Entrepreneurship a good career choice?

Previous graduates have gone on to take up managerial positions:

• in the public and private sectors
• in organisations ranging in size from small entrepreneurial ventures to listed companies, large conglomerates and the quasi-public sector
• some have also gone on to set up their own businesses