Master in Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship

Course overview

This programme of study is also offered on a part-time basis from 5 semesters day up to 11 semesters day. Students are required to consult with the Board of the Centre for more information pertaining to which study units to register for during each year of study.

The Master in Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship is designed to impart knowledge to Science, Technology, Engineering and Media graduates, allowing them to become successful entrepreneurs and launch their own successful business ventures, and convince financiers and financial entities to finance their ventures. Following an introduction to entrepreneurship, the students will cover topics in Creativity, Innovation, Marketing, Strategy, Business Planning, Finance, Risk Management and Performance Management, all focusing on the requirements of entrepreneurs.

This course will also be useful to intrapreneurs working within their own organisations, and to professionals who provide services to entrepreneurs on a day-to-day basis.

The course follows a highly pragmatic, hands-on approach, culminating in two business and operational planning exercises which allow participants to build their own plans that can be taken to the market for financing.

The course will be delivered as an intensive training program, with most of the face-to-face tuition delivered over four intensive weeks distributed equally throughout the first two semesters. Thus, even persons in employment would be able to follow the course.

Another innovative feature of the course is that students may follow the programme over a period of five years and still be eligible for the award of the degree, provided they are successful in all components of the programme.

Learning outcomes

Students successfully completing the Master in Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship should be able to:

• Display a thorough understanding of entrepreneurship and what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur;
• Use their knowledge and understanding of creativity and innovation within the business environment to develop new business products;
• Develop a broad knowledge and understanding of Market research and analysis of data; the development of new markets and the development of markets towards maturity; customer expectations, service and orientation; competing against established businesses and establishing the Unique Selling Proposition (USP);
• Create a sound business plan and apply it as a management tool;
• Appraise the main ways in which business finances are presented and how businesses are valued, and identify how and when to raise funding for growth via debt or equity finance;
• Assess how good project planning and management can minimise business risk;
• Manage people and organisations within an entrepreneurial start-up culture;
• Apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to mentored business projects.

Course intended for

The course is primarily designed for Science, Technology, ICT, Engineering, Media and other Creative Industry graduates. However, graduates with a good business idea will also be given the opportunity to participate in the course, provided they pass a qualifying interview.

Career opportunities and access to further studies

This course primarily teaches Science, Technology, Engineering and Media graduates how to become entrepreneurs and launch their own, successful business ventures, and convince financiers to finance their ventures.

The course will also teach intrapreneurs how to launch successful business initiatives within their own organisations and convince top management to fund their proposals and initiatives.

Finally, the course will allow professionals who work with entrepreneurs to gain excellent insight into the way entrepreneurs think and allow them to provide better services to entrepreneurs.