Program Overview

Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation

The Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation is a non-disciplinary specific programme that combines academic learning, problem-solving, design thinking, and human-centred system-minded design. This programme encourages students to develop a deep sense of curiosity, purpose, passion, and empathy to become leaders and influence the future.

Programme Overview

The programme supports students through an integrated approach, building resilience and confidence alongside the development of creative and innovative concepts and products. It enables students to experience a cutting-edge learning journey, identifying and developing entrepreneurial characteristics to become a leader of change and impact the entrepreneurial world.

Key Features

• The programme is 18 months long, full-time, and consists of three semesters.
• It is available in a distance format with some in-person seminars at the Auckland City Symonds Street Campus.
• The tuition fees for domestic students are $9,260 per year, plus a $300 student services levy.
• The tuition fees for international students are $24,000 per year, plus a $300 student services levy.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor's Degree achieved with a B average in the final year or a Bachelor Honours Degree or a Postgraduate Diploma.
• Have been awarded a Bachelor's Degree followed by relevant professional experience.
• Have demonstrated equivalent practical, professional, and/or scholarly experience. International applicants must:
• Turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe.
• Have achieved an IELTS academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 or equivalent.
• Hold a New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed to be a bachelor's degree (NZQF Level 7).
• Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements.

Programme Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation will be able to:

• Demonstrate an agile mindset, communications skills, innovative leadership, and resilience through creative storytelling.
• Apply critical thinking to discern the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of design innovation.
• Create innovative, non-linear solutions to design challenges.
• Establish and monitor realistic goals to transform and actualize a minimum viable product (MVP) to market readiness.
• Synthesize concepts, research, and practice to generate future-focused ideas and creative innovations in local or global contexts.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are equipped for a range of roles, including entrepreneurs, business founders, innovation consultants, and agents of change in private firms, public organizations, NGOs, and creative industries.

Further Study Options

Graduates who meet research entry requirements may progress to doctoral studies.

Faculty Members

The programme is led by a team of industry-seasoned academics and creative thought leaders, ensuring students benefit from real-world insight and broad professional networks. The faculty members include:

• Dr Mariapaola McGurk
• Rob Mills
• Rebecca Steedman
• Uelese Vavae
• Chris Chong
• Dr Shireen Chua
• Dr Amanda Sterling
• Gautam Nair
• Gouhar Pirzada
• Aida Shahbazi

Programme Structure

The programme employs a blended approach, combining distance (online) learning with in-person seminars. This model enhances flexibility while ensuring meaningful peer and faculty engagement. Students engage in applied, real-world learning experiences both online and on-campus in Auckland.