MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Discover new opportunities and learn how to turn them into ventures
- Put theory to practice during an international study trip, and work on live projects with local businesses
- Nurture your creative risk taking skills in a collaborative environment
- Learn from the best academics with real life entrepreneurial experience
- Launch your global career, click to see graduate outcomes
What you need to know
Overview
Henley’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation masters programme has a strong foundation in bringing theory into practice, including an international study trip where you will collaborate with local firms on a live project, and give your recommendations to real business challenges.
This programme attracts a diverse international cohort as it appeals to graduates from a range of subject backgrounds who wish to enhance their entrepreneurial mindset. You will be joined by graduates from small business backgrounds to those exploring entrepreneurship before they decide upon a career path.
Whether you wish to set up a business, consider a career change, or advance into a managerial role, this is the course for you.
Masters in Entrepreneurship
The MSc in Entrepreneurship is designed to give students applicable theoretical knowledge, real-world problem-solving abilities and face to face access to entrepreneurs to learn from the best.
What is unique to Henley’s Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation?
This programme has two exclusive modules, which are only available to students studying MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation. These modules have a practical approach in which 'theory meets reality.' Here you will collaborate with external entrepreneurs and develop an understanding of risk taking outside of the classroom.
Through the Applied Challenge module, you will work abroad with an international partner university and practice working cross culturally with businesses. This is followed by a longer and in-depth consultancy project with another set of entrepreneurs based in the UK.
MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation - Taking Theory Beyond The Classroom
Are you stepping into a family business or looking to set up your own? Our MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation students share their experiences of studying at Henley, and how they have already applied their learning to their careers.
Graduate success
Discover the career paths our most recent graduates have taken since completing their studies at Henley.
"One of my goals is to take my family business to the next stage by diversifying the business, entering new markets and taking risks. That’s one of the key things that I’ve learnt during my Masters."
Highlights from our 2023 graduates*
(Henley Masters Careers Survey 2024)
(Henley Masters Careers Survey 2024)
(Henley Masters Careers Survey 2024)
(Masters Career Survey 2024)
Where are our graduates working?
- Capita
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
- OpenText
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Leeds City Council
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- AtkinsRéalis
- Levi Strauss & Co.
*Statistics are based on respondents to our Masters Outcomes Survey in 2024, which was completed by our 2023 graduates, 12 months after graduation.
Respondents are from 8 Postgraduate programmes.
Careers, accreditation & progression
Prepare for your successful career
The experiences you will accumulate during your Entrepreneurship and Innovation Masters will set you up to take the plunge into your own start-up. Alternatively, you can use the inquiry and consultancy skills to complete the professional process of entering a larger organisation.
The styles of assessment correspond with communication styles used within a variety of organisations, helping you to easily transfer the skills you learn on the programme. For instance, the development of the soft skills needed by entrepreneurs to influence their supporters and customers will prepare you for a variety of opportunities in fields where new ideas, new opportunities and innovation are deemed to be important.
Receive dedicated support from our award-winning careers team during your postgraduate studies and four years after graduation:
Careers Consultant appointments
Our Careers Consultants will help empower you to progress your career, they offer support with:
• advice on your CV
• interview practice
• post application feedback
• next steps to planning your career goals
Careers and Employability Modules
All Henley PGT students receive career management skills sessions designed to help you understand and develop the tools and mindset to compete successfully in the today’s increasingly competitive labour market. These timetabled modules will appear in your calendars.
Events
Henley Careers organise numerous events aimed to help you build your confidence and employability skills. Additionally, we organise networking events with employers to expand your industry and sector knowledge.
Alumni support
We offer four years support after graduating. You can continue to book one-to-one appointments with your Careers Consultant, use our online resources and attend events in the UK or globally.
For more information please see our Careers page.
How we teach you
A holistic approach
Henley Business School is where business theory meets real world practice. Our Masters programmes don’t just teach you the tools of the trade; they help you grow as a leader, with a focus on personal development that runs through everything we do.
You will be taught by the best academics with a passion for their subject area, and have the opportunity to interact with guest lecturers and speakers from the industry. We will introduce you to the latest research and thinking, as well as exploring real world issues and challenges.
How you will learn
Henley has a rich research heritage in how entrepreneurs ‘make markets’ to encourage customers to adopt novel innovations. You will develop an understanding of microeconomics and the behaviours of entrepreneurs. This will be tested in a variety of practice application methods, including case study analysis and exposure to local Henley entrepreneurs. The programme culminates in the International Applied Challenge and the capstone Entrepreneurship and Innovation consultancy project where you become an independent consultancy team for a small organisation.
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Masters is designed with a core of 140 credits to foster a strong cohort community and encourage peer support. Each of the informal pathways then has a choice of 40 credits, totalling 180 credits.
One module usually equates to 20 credits and 12-15 hours of work per week. Your week will include lectures and tutorials which take up to four hours per week, plus your own creative and analytical thinking and personal study.
How we assess you
You will be assessed through a variety of teaching methods depending on your chosen postgraduate course, including:
- online materials
- group assignments
- crowdfunding campaign simulation for your New Venture project
- case studies
- field visits
- presentations
- consultancy work
- examinations
Entrepreneurship is based upon putting theory into practice and hence exams are limited to the key theoretical modules for entrepreneurship and finance, although there will also be some in-class tests to ensure your learning is up-to-date.
The core modules of 140 credits comprise only 13% of exams and in-class tests though this increases for the Financing pathway option (please refer to the module details on the University website).
Ongoing support
Even the most motivated students need support sometimes, and at Henley, you’re never on your own! From lecturers to dedicated support staff, we’re here to guide and encourage you every step of the way.
Boost your business English whilst you study
Clear communication is essential for collaboration in global business, particularly in how you express ideas and influence others. That’s why, as a Henley Masters student, you’ll have access to our free Effective Communication: Language Skills for Business module.
This free, non-credit-bearing course runs alongside your main studies and is designed to help you improve your English fluency and confidence in academic and professional settings. Delivered in partnership with the International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) at the University of Reading, it’s part of Henley Business Schools commitment to supporting your personal and professional development.
The course is designed to help you:
- Speak clearly in meetings, presentations and group settings
- Write professionally for business, everything from emails to reports writing
- Learn industry-specific terminology
- Prepare for your career with confident communication for interviews and networking
Who Can Take Part?
If your English level meets the selection criteria, you’ll be invited to join, however the course is open to any student who wants to enhance their communication skills and boost their career prospects.
With real-world business examples, interactive learning, and expert feedback, this course helps you thrive at Henley Business School and beyond.
Course structure
Exclusively available to Henley Business School offer holders, the Pre-study course suite comprises of innovative short courses designed and developed by Henley faculty on the Futurelearn platform, one of the leading online learning platforms.
Future of Work: Coding with Python for Business & Finance (Exclusive to Henley offer holders)
A course delivered online by Henley faculty and you will receive online support from one of our teaching staff members and be able to interact with other prospective students in your course.
Study skills for success (Exclusive to Henley offer holders)
This course will provide building blocks of knowledge to help you prepare for your learning journey in the area of your choice as well as equip you with key employability and study skills for successfully navigating your studies and professional career.
Advances in Entrepreneurial Theory and Practice (MMM168)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module introduces students to the scholarly literature on entrepreneurship and its recent advances. It shows how theoretical developments have practical applications and so assists students to appraise the increasingly entrepreneurial role of managers in modern business. The module covers the theory of markets and firms from economics, the approach by geographers to entrepreneurial locations, and sociologists to the theory of entrepreneurial networks.
Entrepreneurial Leadership (MMM128)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module introduces students to the characteristics and skills that underpin Entrepreneurial Leadership. Using scholarly literature and case studies this module discusses how this form of leadership is applied in difference contexts, from family businesses to corporates and start up-firms. The module has a strong practical application and uses real life case studies.
Innovation Management (MMM162)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the distinctive features of management of innovation in a range of organisations. Students will experience the analysis of an existing innovation process and the conceptual design of a future innovation direction.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Consultancy Project (MMM161)
40 [20 ECTS credits]This module is where ‘theory meets reality’. It provides you with the experience of risk-taking as you step out of the class and engage with external entrepreneurial businesses to help them enhance their growth.
Financing for Entrepreneurship (MMM094)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module introduces students to the various forms of financing for entrepreneurship as a process of entrepreneurship (e.g. debt, equity financing, non-for-profit and alternative financing). It introduces an entrepreneurial ecosystem approach , and develops skills of cost-benefit analysis of a project and a financial appraisal of new ventures.
New Venture Start-Up (MMM123)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module provides students with a simulation of starting up a real business venture within a virtual incubator setting. New venture start-up involves more than generating a creative idea…it involves spotting a problem and generating a creative solution and then actually starting-up or taking action.
Applied Challenge (MMM169)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module enables students to gain a practical international experience and advance their multicultural understandings, and cross-cultural competencies by working with an international partner university.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (MMM042)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the distinctive features of management in the SME environment, its complexity, the additional challenges and risks related to the small dimension, but also its advantages.
Global Marketing Management (MMM006)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module will introduce students to marketing in a global context, and will enable students to understand the complexity and variety of factors playing a role in designing and implementing global marketing programmes.
International Human Resource Management (MMM081)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This is an advanced module focusing on the challenges and approaches in managing human resources in the multinational context, based on an understanding of basic concepts and practices in human resource management and cross-national contexts. Students will explore key issues and concepts and critically evaluate alternative approaches to the practices of human resource management in multinational organisations.
Management in Creative and Cultural Industries (MMM035)
20 [10 ECTS]This module examines organisations that are engaged in creative or cultural activities and the industries they create from an interdisciplinary management perspective. Students will define and understand the parameters of the creative or cultural industries; alongside identify the management challenges faced by organisations in these sectors; and examine strategies for addressing them.
Marketing for a Better, Sustainable World (MMM170)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module is designed to provide knowledge of the link between marketing and sustainability and how to evaluate and implement marketing strategies that promote sustainable products, services and behaviours.
Private Equity and Venture Capital (ICM513)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module is intended for students who may be interested at some stage in their careers in raising private equity or venture capital finance for an entrepreneurial venture or management buyout, or who see themselves working in a professional investment capacity.
Sustainability and Business Ethics for Responsible Management (MMM171)
20 [10 ECTS credits]This module introduces students to the related theory and practical applications on sustainability, business ethics and responsible management and develops students on how these theories are enabling business leaders, professionals and their organisations to integrate well ethical, humanistic, social and green impact in business and management and purposefully serve the common good, without sacrificing economic responsibility and performance.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Consultancy Project (MMM161)
40 [20 ECTS credits]This module is where ‘theory meets reality’. It provides you with the experience of risk-taking as you step out of the class and engage with external entrepreneurial businesses to help them enhance their growth.
Modules or course content marked as optional are indicative and may be subject to change. Please note, constraints in timetable scheduling may mean you are unable to take some optional modules at the same time as others.
Fees & funding
UK/Home
| Year of Entry | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2025 | £14,500 |
International (incl. EU)
| Year of Entry | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2025 | £26,000 |
Scholarships
We're pleased to announce that, following the recent closure of our previous scholarship scheme, we’ve now been allocated additional funding to support more students on their postgraduate journey to Henley. This new funding allows us to provide further financial support to high-potential applicants. If you’re considering postgraduate study, now is a great time to apply!
Current scholarships
Entry requirements
| Entry requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | A good second-class honours degree or the equivalent from an internationally recognised university. We invite applications from students who can demonstrate entrepreneurial initiative. |
| Degree discipline | Any discipline |
Evidence of entrepreneurial and professional experience will be considered on your overall suitability for the programme.
English Language Requirements
Studying in a second language can be challenging. If your English language ability is below the minimum requirement, we may ask for evidence of proficiency. Alternatively, we may ask you to attend an English language course before you begin your studies with us.
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 with no component below 5.5 in any sub-skills |
Acceptance of LanguageCert Online and DuoLingo English qualifications
We appreciate the difficulties that some students are having with the availability of English Language tests, as the impact of the global pandemic continues. As a result of this we are pleased to announce that we can now accept the non-SELT version of LanguageCert (which includes the online version) and DuoLingo as suitable English language qualifications. These can be accepted for direct entry onto Undergraduate (except Speech and Language Therapy), Postgraduate Taught (except Speech and Language Therapy) and Postgraduate Research programmes.
For information on individual programme requirements and other English language qualifications, please visit our English requirement equivalent page.
If you require specific advice on your qualification please contact admissions directly by email or telephone on +44 (0) 118 378 5289.
Pre-sessional English language programme
Find out about our comprehensive range of Pre-Sessional English courses.
UK visa requirements
If you are not a national of the European Union (EU), you may need to obtain a UK visa. This visa will allow to live and study in the UK. See the UK Border Agency website. Contact the University's International Office with any questions: intoff@reading.ac.uk.
Graduate route
The UK's Graduate Route post-study work visa allows you to apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after you graduate, with the opportunity to undertake skilled work. Visit the University website for the latest information.
How to apply
Apply for 2025 entry now
Apply online now through the University of Reading’s online application service.
The online application service allows you to complete your application information, attach electronic copies of your academic transcripts, certificates and other supporting information. It also provides a facility for an email request to be sent to your referees. This enables the referees to send your supporting references directly to us.
When to apply
We operate a rolling admissions system and it is recommended that you apply early to secure your place. There is no specific deadline and applications will be considered until the programme is full. However, to allow us time to process your application we recommend that you apply by the following dates:
| UK/Home applicants | International applicants |
|---|---|
| 1 August | 1 July |
After you apply
You will receive a confirmation email when we receive your application form. Your application is then reviewed by a member of staff. If successful, you will receive a formal offer letter outlining any necessary entry criteria you will need to meet. You'll then be asked to confirm your acceptance of this offer.
If you require a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for your visa, details will be sent by email once all conditions of the offer have been met.
Throughout the admissions process we will keep you updated with key information via email. We also provide opportunities to interact with faculty and staff online.
Find us on Facebook and keep up-to-date with news and events at Henley or ask us a question. In addition, you can speak to a current student, our students are always happy to share their Henley experience.
Chat to our students
Our students and alumni are always keen to share their Henley experience. Whether you are a prospective applicant or already applied to a Masters programme at Henley Business School. You can ask questions to a current student by clicking the “Chat to our students” button below.
When contacting one of our students, please introduce yourself and the Masters programme you have applied for.
Speak to a current student
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at postgraduate@henley.ac.uk or by phone on +44 (0)118 378 7593.
The way in which the Masters is designed allows you to learn all of the necessary theories and apply them immediately in real-life case studies and business situations.
Learning the formal frameworks and approaches allowed for deeper learning and understanding of the material, as well as connecting with fellow course mates and lecturers. There was a common sense of community and professionalism which was refreshing to experience.
What I’ve learned from the study visit to Poland is that everything I’ve learned at Henley works in the real world.
During my studies, I was not only able to learn practical skills and theories that would help increase my employability, but I also shifted my way of thinking and improved my argument making through the various consultancy projects offered.
Talking with outside professionals from various industries when working on different projects taught me how to conduct myself in front of them. This really helped me learn how to talk to my clients now professionally.
The opportunity to have a casual chat with experienced entrepreneurs and researchers is invaluable — as are the friends I’ve made. Lots of insight to be had in a safe and comfortable place!
The exposure to leadership subjects and a broad spectrum of theoretical and practical knowledge has equipped me with confidence and a far-reaching skill set that I am currently leveraging within my role.
One of my goals is to take my family business to the next stage by diversifying the business, entering new markets and taking risks. That’s one of the key things that I’ve learnt during my Masters.
