MSc Management (Entrepreneurship)

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Durham University Business School

Program Overview

The MSc Management (Entrepreneurship) at Durham University Business School is designed to help you develop both the mindset and the management skills needed to create, lead and grow new ideas. It’s a great fit for graduates from any background who want to build a strong grounding in management while also learning how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, innovate and push organisations forward.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Core Management & Entrepreneurial Foundations)
You’ll begin by exploring the essential areas of business while developing your understanding of entrepreneurial thinking. In Strategy, you’ll learn how organisations compete and plan for long-term success, while Organisational Behaviour shows you how people work together and how leadership shapes performance. Alongside these core subjects, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Thinking Entrepreneurially help you develop the creative, opportunity-focused mindset that underpins successful venture creation and innovation.

Year 1 (Applied Entrepreneurship & Specialisation)
As the programme moves forward, you’ll deepen your skills through modules focused on applying entrepreneurial tools in real situations. New Venture Creation guides you through the process of designing and evaluating new business ideas, from understanding customers to building financial and operational plans. You’ll also study Business Analytics, which strengthens your ability to use data to support decisions, and choose optional modules that allow you to align the degree with your interests — whether that’s consulting, digital business or global management. Your studies conclude with either a Dissertation or a Business Project, giving you the chance to explore a topic in depth or work on a real organisational challenge.

Focus areas: Strategy, organisational behaviour, entrepreneurial thinking, opportunity identification, new venture creation, business analytics, consulting and digital or global business specialisms.

Learning outcomes: You will graduate ready to evaluate business opportunities, design and develop new ventures, apply strategic and analytical tools, and contribute to innovation in both start-ups and established organisations.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Durham University Business School carries prestigious triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS), giving your qualification global recognition and long-term professional credibility.

Reputation (employability rankings): Durham is widely respected for management education and strong graduate outcomes, and its entrepreneurship-focused programmes are supported by a business school known for academic quality and industry relevance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc Management (Entrepreneurship) at Durham is built to help you think and act like an entrepreneur through hands-on learning, real problem-solving and practical project work. You won’t just study entrepreneurship—you’ll practise it, developing ideas, testing assumptions, working in teams and applying your knowledge to real organisational situations. The Business School’s modern facilities, collaborative learning spaces and access to Durham’s strong enterprise ecosystem give you an environment where your ideas can genuinely take shape.

Here’s how the programme helps you build practical, entrepreneurial and managerial skills:

A dedicated Business Project, where you investigate a real challenge for an organisation and deliver recommendations—giving you first-hand experience in consulting, problem-solving and communicating insights.
Creative and applied tasks in entrepreneurship modules, such as opportunity assessment, venture design, business model evaluation and preparing conceptual pitches linked to Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Thinking Entrepreneurially and New Venture Creation.
Collaborative group work, where you work closely with classmates to analyse cases, develop solutions and present your ideas—mirroring the teamwork essential to founding and scaling ventures.
Practical use of analytical tools, especially in modules like Business Analytics, helping you turn data into insight when evaluating new business opportunities.
Career development workshops and networking activities, including access to Durham’s experienced enterprise advisers, sector talks and specialist Masters careers support to help you build confidence and direction in your entrepreneurial journey.
Optional international experiences, which broaden your global perspective and expose you to entrepreneurial practices and business environments beyond the UK.
Access to Business School and University facilities, including modern teaching spaces, breakout rooms for team projects, and extensive library resources that support both research and venture-focused work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the MSc Management (Entrepreneurship) equips you with the skills, mindset and confidence to pursue a wide range of exciting career paths. Many graduates go on to start their own ventures, join early-stage start-ups, or take on roles in innovation, strategy and business development within established organisations. Typical career destinations include positions such as Entrepreneur / Founder, Innovation Manager, Business Development Manager, or Management Consultant, where your ability to generate ideas, analyse opportunities and drive projects forward is highly valued.

To support your transition into these roles, Durham provides a rich ecosystem of resources and professional guidance:

Specialist Masters careers support, offering personalised coaching, interview preparation, and tailored workshops that help you shape your career strategy with confidence.
Employer and industry engagement, with sector-specific talks and networking events that allow you to connect with professionals across consulting, technology, start-ups and corporate innovation.
Opportunities to work with real organisations, through applied projects that help you build tangible experience and demonstrate your entrepreneurial problem-solving abilities.
Strong university-wide employment outcomes, with a high proportion of Durham postgraduate students progressing into skilled work or further study within 15 months of graduation.
Long-term value from triple accreditation, giving your qualification global recognition and reinforcing the credibility of your managerial and entrepreneurial training.
A powerful alumni network, offering connections to founders, business leaders and industry experts who can support your professional ambitions.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue developing your expertise, you may choose to pursue doctoral research (PhD) in areas such as entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy or organisational behaviour. Some graduates also continue with advanced professional training in areas like venture finance, analytics, leadership or sustainability, enabling them to specialise further or prepare for senior roles in start-ups, consultancy or corporate innovation teams.