Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship PgCert | PgDip | MSc
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-05-05 |
Program Overview
This Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship course at Robert Gordon University is designed to support you, no matter where you are on your entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial journey, with effective tools and techniques targeted at enhancing your personal contribution to business success.
Whether leading and growing your own business or operating within an established business, entrepreneurial and innovative thinking are in demand with exciting opportunities available to the inspired, the bold and the creative.
This course is part of the MSc Business and Management programme, giving you the option of studying a 2 year MSc (with work placement)
The course will develop your understanding of the business environment and the challenges experienced in different entrepreneurial contexts including family and social enterprises. It will expose you to the contemporary body of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship, innovation and strategic decision-making.
Our staff are actively engaged in high quality and impactful entrepreneurial research and will bring this to life in the classroom.
Each course in the Business and Management programme comprises of a dual award:
Program Outline
Stage 1
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.
MSc Business & Management Programme (with work placement) - Key Information
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Student Stories
RGU Student Blog - Studying MSc Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship at RGU
Modules
Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our
course and module disclaimer
for more information. Detailed module informationOn 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 also provided giving you access from home to learning materials (including videos and e-books).Activity Summary
Seminars
- 30 students per group, 12 hours per weekIndependent Study
- 24 hours per weekHow 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:
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.
Academic Support
The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.
The Inclusion Centre
Online Learning & Support
All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.
CampusMoodle
Study Skills Support
The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:
Study Skills Support
Library Support
The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.
University Library
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 Full Time 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.
Prospects
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 studying Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship a good career choice?
Previous graduates have gone on to take up managerial positions:
