Master in Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Ever considered a career in sustainability and management? This Master's programme will teach you everything you need to know about Sustainable Entrepreneurship.

The global economy is undergoing a transformation towards a sustainable society in which the interests of people, planet, and profits together are the driving force, rather than neoclassical industrial economic systems. This transformation needs academic professionals who can demonstrate that sustainable entrepreneurship is key. Our programme trains these professionals.

Are you interested in:

• developing a new perspective?
• circular business models?
• learning from real entrepreneurs?
• developing your leadership and management skills and academic knowledge about sustainability?

Then join us at Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden in the Master’s programme in Sustainable Entrepreneurship!

Student profile

The SE programme attracts highly motivated students who have a wide range of interests and don't want to limit themselves to a single academic discipline. They share a desire to help save our planet for future generations by contributing knowledge and skills to a shift towards sustainable business models. The programme appeals to those looking for an intellectual challenge combined with personal growth.

Programme

1 year

Our programme takes 12 months (one year) of full-time study. We coach your academic, leadership and entrepreneurship ambitions in four blocks of 10 weeks each. During these 12 months, you will become an expert in all elements of the successful business model of sustainable entrepreneurship.

You will learn how to design (block 1), implement (block 2) and successfully manage performance (block 3). In block 4 you will develop your sustainable ambitions in your personal Leadership project.

As of day one, you will be hosted by one of our regional, national or international companies from Campus Fryslân's network. You may also adopt one of the UN's challenges of sustainability or a personal sustainability challenge. We are an international programme. Sustainable challenges are relevant for all nations, regions, cities, businesses or people. We are open to companies or challenges that will serve as your host during the entire programme.

Why Leeuwarden?

In the Leadership project, you will conduct independent academic research following to your own design, focusing on solving a problem relevant to a corporate sustainability challenge. You can choose one of the two options in the Leadership project; A. The database project B. The case study project

Depending on your individual entrepreneurship ambitions and leadership profiles, you will work with regional, national or international sustainable organizations. You will develop and present your leadership project for supervisors, peers, and stakeholders on the Circular Minds Conference.

Admission requirements

• Assessment interview: you'll be invited for an intake. The intake is a chance for you to ask any pending questions you may have and for us to get to know you better.
• Language test: sufficient English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 to comparable).
• Previous education: to be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's degree from a research university, in science or the social sciences, for example, economics, business, psychology, political sciences, engineering or chemistry.
• Written request: your application must be accompanied by a letter of motivation

Registration procedure

Both the University and the Dutch government obtain their information from Studielink, so it is important that the information that you upload in Studielink is current and accurate.

After you have applied for the programme via Studielink, you will get an automatic email which will allow you to access the University of Groningen (UG) Online Application System (OAS). OAS is the UG's enrolment software where you will upload all the documentation you need to be able to apply for the programme.

Job prospects

Our labor market analysis shows that employment prospects in functions in the field of business administration are excellent. In the categories of general managers, managers and government officials especially, there is an ever-increasing need for graduates from business programmes with a focus on sustainable entrepreneurship.

Sustainability is relevant for careers in multinationals such as Akzo Nobel, FrieslandCampina, and Heineken but also in fast-growing niches in biobased and high-tech sectors. Policymaking institutes nationwide also increasingly require new employees to define their personal career ambitions in line with sustainable societies. International organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank or the OECD consider in-depth knowledge and skills as a prerequisite for trainee programmes.

In short: our programme prepares for a meaningful career with the perspective of actually solving world challenges.

Job examples

• Policymaker
• Project manager
• Internal consultant
• SME consultant
• Sustainability officer
• Sustainable entrepreneur

Research

Centre for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (CSE)

The CSE believes we can balance and preserve our value systems. Sustainable entrepreneurs generate new business models which substantially reduce social and environmental impacts whilst simultaneously improving the quality of societies. The CSE wants to create a circular society. This translates into new programmes for university students, business leaders, and academic scholars, whom we provide with all knowledge and competencies they need to make sustainable entrepreneurship successful.