Strategic Innovation Management with a Professional Placement Year

Entry requirements

You should have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above.

Your qualification can be in any subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Innovation is the key for companies who wish to grow, survive and outperform their competitors. On this MSc, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to lead and manage innovation at operational and strategic levels. Focusing on new-product and service development in private- and public-sector organisations, you’ll:

• understand the causes, consequences and managerial implications of scientific development, technological progress and innovation
• analyse complex trends and challenges such as digital transformations and environmental sustainability
• learn to create appropriate value from innovation
• analyse innovation management challenges in a variety of economic and organisational contexts.

This course draws on the expertise of innovation management experts from SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit, based in the University of Sussex Business School. You’ll benefit from our collaboration with the OECD, Sussex Innovation Centre and other innovative organisations. You’ll also learn from guest speakers about their innovation management practices.

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. This can be a fantastic opportunity to gain real-life insight into industry as well as skills valued by employers. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:

• find an employer
• draft an application
• prepare for interviews.

Don’t worry if you’re not successful, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.

Accreditation

You’ll join the EQUIS and AMBA-accredited University of Sussex Business School. Learn more about all of our course accreditations here. Find out more

Information for international students

We are pleased to announce that all international applicants who study a full time Masters course at the University of Sussex Business School starting in September 2025 will receive a £2,000 award towards their overseas tuition fee. A range of unlimited country specific scholarships are also available.

Fees and funding

Please see our prospectus for the latest information on fees. Visit our website for more information Funding and Scholarships. Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.