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 2024-25.
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 |
| Technology Change and Innovation Management | 10 |
| Technology & Entrepreneurship | 10 |
| Theorising Enterprise and Entrepreneurship | 10 |
| Sustainable Venture Creation | 20 |
| Open Innovation Management | 10 |
| Business Growth and Society | 10 |
| Creativity | 10 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Innovation Consultancy Project | 10 |
| Entrepreneurial Consultancy | 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:
How you’ll learn
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.
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.
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
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
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
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.
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 award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 200 for Business and Management Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Ranked 56th in the world and 19th in the UK for Sustainability (QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025)
Professional accreditation and recognition
Newcastle University Business School accreditation
Newcastle University Business School is accredited by the:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
- Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Only 1% of business schools worldwide hold this triple crown. Our accreditations reflect the investments we make for our students through providing a high quality teaching environment, innovative programming and active engagement with industry.
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
Facilities
Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:
- regional, national and international leaders
- over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
- leading professionals and practitioners from industry
The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix – an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.
Our facilities include:
- flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
- Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
- four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
- dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
- contemporary café
- employability hub to support your career aspirations
- Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
- Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix also offers further study and learning spaces. This includes a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or international equivalent.
