Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability MSc

Overview

The Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability MSc builds on the School’s extensive experience and track record in driving entrepreneurship and innovation.

Businesses across the globe are increasingly focused on these areas. Sustainability is of particular interest as business practices must remain sustainable for a better and just future.

This programme will allow you to critically understand:

• entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability over time
• the key topics in terms of theory, policy, process and practice
• the role of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability in society and a variety of contextual settings

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

The programme will give you advanced knowledge and skills in a range of topics, including:

• entrepreneurship and enterprise
• innovation management
• sustainable new venture creation
• creativity
• technology and entrepreneurship
• sustainable innovation consultancy
• entrepreneurial consultancy
• business enterprise policy
• open innovation management
• business growth and society

Three core pillars of the programme focus on:

• the entrepreneur / innovator
• process
• praxis and context

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Methods	20
Business Enterprise Policy	10
Managing Innovation and Creativity	10
Technology & Entrepreneurship	10
Theorising Enterprise and Entrepreneurship	10
Sustainable Venture Creation	20
Open Innovation Management	10
Business Growth and Society	10
Introduction to Sustainability Management	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Sustainable Innovation Consultancy Project	10
Dissertation (MSc EIS)	60
New Venture Creation Plan	60
Digital Transformation for Social Good	10
Entrepreneurial Strategy	10

You choose one of the following optional modules:

• Dissertation (MSc EIS)
• New Venture Creation Plan

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You'll be taught through a variety of methods, including:

• workshops
• small group activities
• lectures
• fieldwork
• formative coursework

You'll have opportunities to work in groups on live entrepreneurship and innovation projects for external organisations.

You can also enhance your learning through our Entrepreneurs and Innovators in Residence programme.

Teaching methods

This course is modular, comprising 180 credits. The taught component of the course comprises:

• 110 credits via compulsory module
• 10 credits via elective modules
• 60 credits via a capstone module. You can undertake either a dissertation or a new venture creation plan.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal

Additional assessment information

You will have the opportunity to undertake a consultancy report. You can also work on a new venture creation plan.

Support

The programme will develop your practical skills and give you hands-on experience.

You will:

• develop your entrepreneurial and innovation skills and practice
• learn how to scope, synthesize and analyse new ideas, approaches and processes in contextual settings
• learn how to effectively demonstrate the merits of a proposal to key stakeholders
• learn to use appropriate analytical tools and techniques and apply the results to practice
• design and manage time-bound tasks, both independently and as part of a group

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

• Dr Eftychia Palamida (Degree Programme Director)
• Professor James Cunningham
• Dr Paul Richter
• Dr Fiona Whitehurst
• Dr Andreas Giazitzoglu
• Professor Jonathan Sapsed
• Dr Rebecca Casey
• Dr Chiara Marzocchi
• Dr Hanna Bahemia
• Dr Jungho Kim
• Dr Natalya Radko
• Dr Kautsar Ramli

Your development

Upon completion of the programme, you will be able to show:

• a critical appreciation of the roots and evolution of entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability
• knowledge and critical awareness of the theory, processes and practices of entrepreneurship and innovation
• an advanced critical understanding of the contextual considerations of entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability in a global context
• the ability to apply and integrate learning from taught elements of the programme via your final capstone project

You will have developed your practical skills and be able to:

• scope, synthesize, and analyse new ideas, approaches and processes in contextual settings
• use analytical tools and techniques to gather knowledge and insights
• apply new knowledge and insights to practice
• identify and address ethical issues

Real business skills

You will benefit from opportunities to either:

• pursue new venture creation by bringing your business idea to life, or
  create and develop innovative ideas for civic engagement through social enterprise

Skills and experience

You will:

• learn to use a wide set of analytical and creative problem-solving tools
• develop critical perspectives that support entrepreneurial, innovation and sustainability processes and practices
• learn to consider entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability in various contextual settings, such as organisational and geographical
• have the opportunity to engage with our Entrepreneurs and Innovators in residence programme

Research skills

This programme is research and practice led. This is reflected in the teaching and assessment strategies of each module.

The capstone element of the programme is either a dissertation or a new venture creation plan. You will define, scope, refine and undertake a programme of work with the support of an individual supervisor.

Postgraduate Study Abroad

Gain global experience with the Business School's postgraduate study abroad opportunities. Enhance your skills, explore new cultures, and stand out. Find out more on our Postgraduate Study Abroad page.

Dual Award with Grenoble École de Management

Spend an additional academic year at Grenoble École de Management in Grenoble, France.

After completing your postgraduate studies with us, you would join the last year of their Grande École programme, Masters in Management - M2 year.

On successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded:

• your Newcastle University degree
• an MSc in Management from Grenoble

As part of the Grenoble programme, you will need to either:

• complete an internship (minimum duration 13 weeks, full time), or
• provide evidence of equivalent work experience, either in France or in another country

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Semester abroad

Study a complementary subject for one semester at a European partner university. You would study with the partner university on an exchange basis.

The experience takes place at the end of your studies, once you have submitted your dissertation/final project. You'll develop new skills to set you apart from other graduates.

Studies undertaken at a partner university will not count towards a double/dual degree award. However, you'll receive a transcript from your host university evidencing your achievements.

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Your future

Upon graduating, you can progress onto a career in:

• start-ups (your own or those founded by others)
• entrepreneurial and innovation consultancy
• large corporates
• the third sector, non-government organisations and social enterprises
• policy design for local, national or international organisations
• further academic research (e.g. PhD)

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academe

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events