MBM (MSc) with specialisation in Entrepreneurship & Innovation

This exciting MSc, Master of Business Management, specialised in Entrepreneurship & Innovation challenges students to study at a high academic standard, combining case studies and research. However, the degree programme also has a practical approach in its design - through project weeks, professional enquiry and a module of professional-based learning in which students complete a short work placement often linked directly to their final project.

The programme offers a combination master of business administration subjects and broader modules in economics and management. Through modules looking at global economics and strategic management, globalisation, society & culture the programme will enable students to further develop their deeper knowledge of business management and administration.

Within the course, students gain balanced modules focused on entrepreneurship & innovation that enable a critical look at the role entrepreneurs have within society and the economy.

In a fast changing world, where old ways of doing business and managing organisations have made way for new concepts, entrepreneurship & innovation-specialised students will also consider aspects such as ‘Venture Capital & Private Equity’ and ‘Corporate Sustainability’.

Semester 1

(Core Modules)

• Marketing Management
• Globalisation, Society & Culture
• Research Methods Introduction (Final Project)
• The World Economy
• Professional Inquiry

(Specialisation Modules)

• International Corporate Sustainability
• Venture Capital & Private Equity

Semester 2

(Core Modules)

• Research Methods (Final Project)
• Micro Economics - Global Perspectives
• Strategic Management
• Project Module (3 Project Weeks, linked to Final Project)

(Specialisation Modules)

• Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship
• Critical Perspectives on Entrepreneurship

Semester 3 (Work Placement & Graduation)

• Professional-Based Learning 
• Final Project

The master's programme is delivered in a block format, with 2 modules being covered every 6 weeks. Core module classes are inter-disciplinary - you study shared modules with master's students from different business management specialisations. Due to the rolling entry (6 times a year), groups are dynamic, extremely international and diverse.

The modules are delivered intensively over consecutive days in the 'block format', which means that each module has 6 days of teaching split into two blocks of 3 days. Teaching methods include group work, case studies, presentations, and live projects. The course is delivered through a variety of approaches, including lectures, presentations, tutorials and case studies, with an emphasis on interactive learning. Each module is taught by two lecturers, often a full-time Wittenborg lecturer and a guest lecturer from a partner university. Modules include regular guest speakers from industry.

Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs are successful because they can quickly understand complex situations that require them to plan and make strategic decisions, and work on a multitude of business ideas and projects at the same time. They have a solid understanding of marketing design and implementation. Being able to develop business ideas simultaneously requires an ability to determine and understand important details, pinpoint alternatives and continuously evaluate and review business processes. A characteristic of entrepreneurs is that they have the ability to devote and commit themselves fully to achieving their long-term business objectives and goals, and that this energy is also directly translated into the short-term objectives.

An entrepreneur can be the driver of new business ventures (entrepreneur), or the driver of innovation and change within existing business (intrapreneur).

The profile only essentially differs between these two roles in the requirements of the level of ability to take risk and aptitude for taking opportunity. Both the ability to judge risk and being aware of opportunity are competencies required at both ends of this profile’s spectrum.

An entrepreneur requires the ability to manage through leading and motivating people. This could be during business start-ups and project launches, but also in times of change and innovation implementation. The entrepreneur will understand the need for good communication skills and have a good understanding of society, economics and sustainability. The entrepreneur will have the skills of selling ideas and products, winning commitment, and presenting and executing business plans. Understanding the need for stable and solid management within a company, large or small is important. An entrepreneurial business person in modern-day Europe needs to be able to communicate with people across the continent and across the world, and requires the ability to understand the effects of national and international governments on the business ventures they are involved in.

Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs need the ability to look at problems and risks from a holistic view point and find solutions and manage risk through innovation. They need to have a good understanding of finance and fiscal matters and be able to knowledgeably communicate with people supporting them through accountancy, or human resource or information services, and be able to lead these people.

Graduating from a highly international institute such as Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences (WUAS), that places great emphasis on a combination of academic research and company and professional exposure, means that the career prospects of graduates from the Master of Business Management, specialised in Entrepreneurship & Innovation are multiple and global.

Often WUAS graduates aspire to continue their studies, with a DBA or a PhD research degree; however, many students move directly into business, sometimes as a result of their work placement, and their final project, which is often company based.

Examples of companies where alumni work range from leading global companies in banking, consultancy and insurance to more specialised, local companies, NGOs or government agencies in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Western Europe.

Wittenborg sees the possible professions of a graduate from the Master of Business Management specialised in Entrepreneurship & Innovation in four inter-related sections, between which there is often a natural overlap:

The (Serial) Entrepreneur

This is seen as someone who is committed to starting businesses and companies from scratch and making them a success.

The Independent Self-Employed Business Person

This is seen as a person who directs and manages a company, an SME. This could be the owner of a family-driven business, or a business person who buys and takes over an existing business. This can also be an entrepreneur who has started a business through innovation and remains directing and managing that company, without selling or leaving to start a new venture.

The second in command in an SME

This extremely important entrepreneur is the most common non-executive entrepreneur in small business. An entrepreneur as the number 2 in an SME is a vital position as it enables the company to develop in an innovative and goal-orientated manner, with a careful balance of risks and opportunities. This kind of intrapreneur is someone who has had experience of business or project start-ups and project management, and has now reached the moment where the experience and knowledge gained can be used to support another entrepreneur.

The Corporate ‘Intrapreneur’

This entrepreneurial role is becoming increasingly important within companies and organisations, as well as non-profit and governmental organisations, as they are forced to change, develop and innovate in the modern economy and business environment. Corporations require entrepreneurial business leaders who alongside their leadership qualities have a broad range of business skills and competencies and business administration knowledge.

The admission requirements (criteria) for the Master of Business Management programmes (all specialisations) are as follows:

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent recognised qualification:
  • ​Applicants are requested to provide an academic reference from their previous education institute.
  • It is necessary to have obtained a bachelor's degree from the domains of business, management, economics or trade. In their bachelor's degree applicants must have completed an academic piece of work (final project or dissertation) that demonstrates a degree of academic writing and research experience.
• No professional experience is required for these master's programmes.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent. Click here for an overview of the equivalent scores.
TOEFL Code of Wittenborg is 4889.

The English language proficiency level requirement is ½ a point higher than the minimum national requirements in the Netherlands.

Selection procedure

There is no specific selection criteria for students wishing to enter the master's programmes at WUAS; however, all students are interviewed and must demonstrate motivation. Students will be advised of their suitability prior to signing an initial study agreement as a pre-requisite to obtaining admission (offer letter).

Non-EU students requiring sponsored visa for study.

Non-EU (visa) students are “screened” according to their background, in order for the institute to be able to guarantee their immigration status.

The screening comprises an interview, collection and correlation of all IND required documents, including proof of sufficient funds, taking into account any scholarships provided by Wittenborg (Orange Tulip Scholarship, for instance) or by third parties (NUFFIC, EU, etc).

Details on Scholarships at Wittenborg can be found at http://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-financial-assistance.htm.

Applicants are required to provide a motivation letter in which they describe the reasons for choosing Wittenborg’s programme, as well as the reason for wanting to study in the Netherlands (international students). Student motivation is important as the programmes are demanding and especially for international students there is a criteria that they complete at least 50% of all their credits in a year.