Lincoln University

What you'll study

This major combines core commerce foundations with modules that develop practical entrepreneurship and innovation skills. You study business fundamentals such as accounting, economics, marketing and business law alongside purpose-built entrepreneurship subjects. Typical topics include opportunity recognition, business model design, new venture finance, innovation management, product development, lean start-up methods, and social entrepreneurship.

• Core commerce courses — accounting for decision-making, micro/macro economics, marketing principles, quantitative methods and business law.
• Entrepreneurship and innovation subjects — opportunity evaluation, business planning, new venture finance, innovation strategy, design thinking and prototyping.
• Sector-focused streams — many students can tailor projects towards agribusiness, sustainability or digital innovation reflective of Lincoln’s regional strengths.
• Experiential learning — applied projects, start-up workshops, incubator or accelerator placements, and a capstone venture or consultancy project.
• Electives and research methods — options in international business, HR and project management plus research skills to support major projects.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a recognised university entrance qualification from secondary school. For domestic students this typically means meeting national secondary school diploma requirements; international applicants must present an equivalent qualification. Universities often expect competence in mathematics or statistics at secondary level, as quantitative skills are important for core commerce topics.

• Academic — successful completion of a recognised secondary qualification that meets university entrance; some prior study in mathematics or numeracy is recommended.
• English language — international applicants must meet the university’s English language requirements; accepted tests include IELTS and equivalent qualifications.
• Other — selection can consider references, a personal statement and evidence of relevant interest such as extracurricular enterprise activities, work experience or prior involvement in start-ups or community projects.

Career prospects

Graduates with a major in Entrepreneurship and Innovation pursue a wide range of careers where initiative, commercial thinking and problem-solving are valued. The degree is particularly suited to roles in start-ups and small to medium enterprises, as well as innovation functions within larger organisations.

• Founder or co‑founder of a start-up
• Business development manager or product manager
• Innovation or strategy consultant
• Venture analyst or start-up accelerator/ incubator manager
• Roles in agribusiness innovation, sustainability ventures or social enterprises
• Project manager in SME growth programmes and government innovation initiatives

Why study at Lincoln University

Lincoln University combines a compact campus environment with a strong applied focus and close links to industry, especially in agribusiness and environmental sectors. The commerce programmes emphasise experiential learning, giving students opportunities to work on real ventures, access incubator support and connect with regional businesses and research centres.

• Practical, applied learning — emphasis on project-based assessment, start-up incubation and hands-on workshops.
• Industry connections — partnerships with businesses and regional innovation networks that support placements and project work.
• Specialist strengths — opportunities to apply entrepreneurship skills to agribusiness, sustainability and technology innovation.
• Supportive campus — smaller class sizes, accessible academic staff and resources to develop venture ideas and graduate employability.