MSc Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Bristol

Program Overview

This MSc is perfect for anyone eager to make ideas happen — whether that’s launching your own startup or driving change inside an existing company. You’ll get hands-on experience turning creative concepts into real-world solutions, learning how to spot opportunities, build products, and lead projects that really make a difference.

Curriculum structure

Term 1 – Becoming a Corporate Innovator:
You’ll start by learning the essential skills to innovate within organisations. From human‑centred design to spotting market opportunities, and from conducting business research to crafting solid business cases, this term equips you with the mindset and tools to confidently act as an innovator inside a company.

Term 2 – Applying Your Skills in Business:
Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves. You’ll work on live business challenges, either as a consultant for a company or as part of a team developing a new venture idea. This is your chance to put theory into practice, testing your skills in real-world situations.

Summer – Launch Your Venture:
In the final stage, you bring everything together. You’ll design and present a product, service, or business venture — a capstone project that acts as your launchpad into the professional world, giving you something tangible to showcase to future employers or investors.

Focus areas

Corporate innovation, intrapreneurship, human-centred design, venture creation, real-world problem solving, new product and service development.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will confidently lead innovation projects, identify and validate business opportunities, design solutions with impact, build business cases, and turn ideas into real products or services.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Offered by the University of Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), an accredited Centre of Excellence, this MSc also awards an Advanced Diploma in Entrepreneurship, adding professional recognition to your academic achievement.

Reputation (employability & environment)

This programme is highly hands-on, industry-connected, and focused on real business challenges rather than exams. Bristol is one of the top UK cities for startups outside London, giving you access to a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Graduates go on to launch their own ventures, join leading consulting firms, or work in corporate innovation and strategy roles around the world.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc isn’t about sitting in lectures and memorizing theory — it’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing. You’ll gain hands-on experience solving real business challenges, creating your own ventures, and learning how innovation really works in the corporate world. With access to Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), you’ll work in collaborative studio spaces, prototype your ideas in a Maker Space, and get support from faculty and industry experts every step of the way. Here’s how your learning comes to life:

Work on real company projects: Collaborate with industry partners to tackle live business challenges, helping you build a portfolio of meaningful, practical work from the very start.
Prototype your ideas: Use the Maker Space and prototyping labs — from simple craft materials to 3D printers and laser cutters — to bring your concepts to life.
Learn in creative, interactive spaces: Studio-style classrooms encourage teamwork, brainstorming, and hands-on problem solving rather than traditional lectures.
No exams — just real outputs: Assessments focus on practical deliverables like business plans, venture proposals, and consulting reports you can show future employers or investors.
Build or innovate within companies: Work on your own venture or develop new ideas inside an organisation, gaining both startup experience and corporate innovation skills.

This program truly gives you the chance to learn by doing, turning ideas into real-world impact.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing this MSc opens doors to exciting career paths where you can make a real impact — whether that’s starting your own business, driving innovation inside a company, or shaping strategy for high-growth ventures. Graduates often become startup founders, innovation managers, consultants, or strategists, turning ideas into action and leading projects that change how businesses operate. Because this programme is hands-on and connected to industry, you’re fully prepared to hit the ground running:

University career support: You’ll have access to Bristol’s Careers Service, which helps with internships, employer networking, and personal development opportunities like the Bristol PLUS Award — giving you a real edge in the job market.
Strong employability: Bristol graduates are highly sought after, with the university ranked joint 7th in the UK for graduate employability and 49th globally in QS employability rankings.
Industry connections: Through the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), you’ll work on live projects with real companies — building experience, contacts, and credibility before you even graduate.
Accreditation & professional recognition: You’ll also earn an Advanced Diploma in Entrepreneurship alongside your MSc, giving you an extra credential that highlights your practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset.
Graduate destinations: Alumni have gone on to launch their own startups, join consulting firms, lead corporate innovation and product development teams, or work in strategic roles in dynamic start-up ecosystems.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, this MSc also sets you up to pursue a PhD or other research degrees in innovation, entrepreneurship, or business strategy — potentially continuing at Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship or in other business-focused departments.