University of Manchester

What you'll study

This masters blends core management theory with practical techniques for creating and commercialising new products, services and business models. You will study a mix of compulsory and optional modules that typically cover:

• Innovation strategy and management – frameworks for managing innovation portfolios, corporate entrepreneurship and open innovation.
• Entrepreneurial finance and funding – finance for start-ups, investment readiness, business valuation and investor pitching.
• New product and service development – design thinking, customer discovery, prototyping and rapid iteration methods.
• Marketing for entrepreneurs – lean marketing, digital customer acquisition and growth strategies.
• Technology and IP management – commercialising technology, intellectual property strategy and technology transfer.
• Leadership, teams and organisational change – leading creative teams, change management and building innovative cultures.
• Research methods and applied project – a dissertation or a practice-based consultancy/venture project that applies learning to a real venture or corporate challenge.

Teaching methods typically include lectures, case studies, applied workshops, team projects, guest speakers from industry and opportunity to work with incubators or live clients. Assessment mixes essays, project reports, presentations, pitch exercises and the final project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree (for example an upper second class honours or international equivalent) in any discipline. Relevant work experience, professional qualifications or evidence of entrepreneurial activity can strengthen an application and in some cases compensate for a lower academic classification. International applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements; typical minimum scores from recognised tests are required and will be detailed on the programme pages.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a wide range of roles across start-ups, scale-ups, corporates and public sector innovation bodies. Typical career paths include:

• Founder or co-founder of new ventures
• Innovation manager, new product manager or R&D commercialisation lead within established firms
• Business development and corporate venturing roles
• Strategy and management consulting with a focus on innovation and growth
• Roles in venture capital, angel investment or start-up incubation and acceleration
• Policy and support roles in economic development and innovation agencies

The programme’s emphasis on practical projects, industry engagement and pitching prepares graduates to move directly into operational roles or to launch their own businesses. Alumni typically benefit from the University’s entrepreneurship support and regional innovation networks.

Why study at University of Manchester

The University of Manchester combines a large research-intensive university environment with strong links to industry and a growing innovation ecosystem in the city. Students benefit from access to business-school expertise, cross-disciplinary collaboration across engineering, science and social sciences, and practical enterprise support including mentoring, workshops and incubation opportunities.

Located in a major UK city with a vibrant tech and creative scene, the programme offers frequent engagement with local and national businesses, investor networks and entrepreneurial communities. Teaching is delivered by staff with academic and practitioner experience in innovation and entrepreneurship, and the university’s resources support students who want to develop, test and scale commercial ideas.