Creative Business Ideas
Postgraduate
MSc
Entrepreneurship
Salford Business School
Attendance
Full-time
Course
One year
Next enrolment
September 2023
In a nutshell
International applicants: please check the international intakes page for the latest information and application dates.
Are you thinking of setting up a company? Do you have an idea for your own business start-up? Are you wondering where to go for enterprise training and support?
The MSc Entrepreneurship programme has a strong practical orientation and aims to nurture your entrepreneurial skills from the outset. It has been designed for students with an existing business idea that they wish to develop, as well as those looking at setting up a business but who are still defining their ideas.
Unlike many courses, this enterprise degree is delivered beyond the classroom. You will be based on the main University of Salford campus close to Manchester city centre, working five days a week on your own business. You will develop your core enterprise skills through a series of taught modules designed to kickstart your learning, supported by online learning materials.
International students on a Tier 4 visa are not able to start a business or be self-employed in the UK. However, the MSc Entrepreneurship can help you gain the knowledge and abilities to develop and test your business ideas (to put into practice in your home country). You will also develop entrepreneurial skills that are highly valued by employers internationally.
Six good reasons to choose Salford Business School:
- Innovative experiential learning based on examining real-life business problems.
- Develop your own business proposal in the final third of the course and present to a ‘Dragons’ Den-style panel.
- Support from Launch@ Salford, the Business School incubation centre.
- Beautiful campus just minutes from Manchester city centre.
- Excellent industry links with entrepreneurs and with the dynamic Greater Manchester business community.
- Focus on the digital, ethical and sustainability business challenges of the 21st century.
Find out more, register for one of our Open Days, explore the Salford campus on our virtual tour or learn more about our Masters courses in business, finance and law.
You will:
- use an experiential learning approach to learn by starting, developing and growing your own business as part of the programme
- be taught by visiting entrepreneurs as well as Salford Business School academics
- network with other entrepreneurs and be encouraged to share with and support each other
- gain an understanding of the strategic choices available to existing and new businesses
- develop an entrepreneurial mindset that is widely sought by employers
International
students accepted
This is for you if...
1.
you've always wanted to run your own business
2.
you want to develop an entrepreneurial mindset
3.
you are motivated and highly driven
4.
you are a problem solver and a critical thinker
5.
you are digitally competent and happy to work with the latest technology available
6.
you want to focus on practice as well as theory
All about the course
The course is delivered in four blocks of intensive study periods. For each block, you study a single module for a six-week period. Teaching is delivered for six hours each week. You will also undertake independent study in your own time with online support through the University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
The Entrepreneurial Development Project module accounts for the final 60 credits of your degree.
Part time students study alternate modules (one module on, one module off) to complete their degree in two years.
Semester one
On this module, you will initiate and develop innovative business ideas, looking at the risks and opportunities involved in start ups, developing an understanding of the factors that drive new business and learning the methods for analysing and understanding performance.
Teaching:
- Real-life business problems are used as the basis for learning
- Interactive workshops and seminars
- Guided personal study supported by associated reading list and relevant research articles
Assessments:
50% Group assignment
50% Portfolio of individual and group assignments
Entrepreneurial Business Simulation
Using modern techniques in business simulation, you will develop a systematic approach to market research and industry analysis in order to assess the strategic choices available for new and existing businesses and evaluate the financial viability of business concepts. You will look at the tools available to help you develop your strategy and learn to evaluate the impact of different strategic scenarios.
Teaching:
- Real-life business problems are used as the basis for learning
- Interactive workshops and seminars
- Guided personal study supported by associated reading list and relevant research articles
Assessments:
50% Group assignment
50% Portfolio of individual and group assignments
Semester two
Innovation for Growth
By developing a critical understanding of the modern entrepreneurial process, you will learn to identify innovation opportunities and how to exploit them by using difference process models. You will also look at effective decision-making to support innovation and consider the impact of venture capital on the innovation process.
Teaching:
- Real-life business problems are used as the basis for learning
- Interactive workshops and seminars
- Guided personal study supported by associated reading list and relevant research articles
Assessments:
50% Group assignment
50% Portfolio of individual and group assignments
Resourcing your Business
You will look at internet-based forms of finance for new business, evaluate the tools you need to manage your finances and learn to read prevailing economic conditions and their impact on business growth. You will consider the finance needed for new business ventures and develop and understanding of modern accounting practices.
Teaching:
- Real-life business problems are used as the basis for learning
- Interactive workshops and seminars
- Guided personal study supported by associated reading list and relevant research articles
Assessments:
50% Group assignment
50% Portfolio of individual and group assignments
Entrepreneurial Development Project
Entrepreneurial Development Project
The aim of this project is to project your business into the future and consider how it will look in 5 years’ time. Using market insight and financial projections along with creating a website and videos, you will develop your business proposals to present to a Dragons’ Den-style panel to pitch for funding.
Alongside critical analysis, clear expression of your ideas and the ability for independent judgement, a key element of this module is to consider ethical and responsible practice.
Teaching:
This module builds on the preparatory teaching from the first two terms. You will develop and grow your business venture. You will be allocated a supervisor to support you and provide guidance.
Assessments:
15% Project proposal developed during the first two terms of the course
85% Portfolio (individual business report, digital presentation/pitch, reflective log)
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Why Choose Salford Business School?
Salford Business School aims to foster the next generation of leaders and create a new vision of innovative and entrepreneurial leadership. We are integrated into the local business community as a hub for knowledge creation and exchange.
This means that our teaching is highly practical and your learning is informed by our industry partners. Every postgraduate course includes a work placement or work experience project in the UK or internationally so you can put your learning into practice before you graduate. We are proud that our industry collaborations and partnerships benefit students, businesses and the community.
Our goal is to prepare you for a fulfilling life and professional career. Along the way, you’ll learn to be curious, adaptable and confident, ready to meet the digital, ethical and sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
Is Business a Science or an Art?
At Salford Business School, our postgraduate degree award is the Masters of Science (MSc) to reflect our approach to business knowledge. We believe that business decisions should be data-driven and evidence-based – even when the outputs are innovative and creative.
Where Will I learn?
Salford Business School is located at the heart of the University’s beautiful Peel Park campus and just minutes from Manchester city centre. Teaching facilities include Lady Hale and Chapman buildings which offer stylish modern spaces with lecture theatres equipped with the very latest technology and large screen displays. Small group learning (tutorials, seminars and workshops) is held in dedicated spaces within Maxwell, Peel and Chapman buildings. Throughout our campus, there is a choice of individual study areas as well as communal learning and breakout spaces for group working.
The University library isn’t just for reading books. The ‘library in the park’ is a fresh, modern learning space with PC suites, Mac computers, bookable working rooms and café. It's open 24/7 everyday of the year (except Christmas Day!) so you can study when it suits you. It'll be an important place for you; in 2020, 100% of students asked agreed that the library resources have supported their learning (University of Salford analysis of unpublished NSS 2020 data).
You will have access to a range of study skills sessions to help you get ready for postgraduate learning and be successful in your studies and in your work. These include academic writing, research and digital skills.
A dedicated Business School Employability team will help you with work placements and work skills. You can access our professional, on-campus employability services at any time – even after you graduate. We can help you to create the perfect CV and LinkedIn page, as well as practice interview techniques and offer career advice.
Interested in starting your own business? Launch@ Salford is the incubation centre for business start ups providing a reception area, hot desk office space, private meeting rooms – and a networking lounge where you can grab a coffee and make those business connections.
Getting here
University of Salford is easy to get to with Salford Crescent train station right in the centre of our main campus. Whether by bus, rail, bike, car or plane, Peel Park campus is easily accessed from all over Greater Manchester, Lancashire and beyond. For international students, Manchester airport is a short ride away and offers regular flights from London and many international airports.
What about after uni?
You will gain invaluable skills and networks for setting up and running your own business as well as the confidence to try your ideas.
If you decide self-employment is not for you, the skills and entrepreneurial mindset will enhance your career prospects with prospective employers.
Career Links
This course will work with number of employers and entrepreneurs. However, the employers chosen will be determined by the nature of the project the student wishes to do.
There is extensive evidence that students who engage with employers as part of their degree are more confident, more articulate and receive more employment offers.
What you need to know
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English, so as an applicant you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6 with no element below 5.5.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
Normally a minimum 2:2 honours degree or equivalent.
A wide range of professional qualifications are also accepted either in partial or complete fulfilment of entry requirements.
Where a student has gained a recognised honours degree but does not meet the normal entry qualification requirement, they may still be considered for entry if they can demonstrate relevant work experience of a minimum two years duration post study and acceptable level of responsibility.
International Students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2023/24 | £8,550per year |
| Full-time international | 2023/24 | £15,750per year |
| Full-time home | 2024/25 | £8,550per year |
| Full-time international | 2024/25 | £16,560per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Contact us:
By email (UK applicants): enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By email (international applicants): international@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0) 161 295 4545