Program Overview

MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Overview

The MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme teaches students how to apply their passion to change the world through real-world business challenges. The programme welcomes students from any discipline who are thinking about building a socially purposed career either in large commercial organisations or startups.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

The degree is delivered through practical units on innovation-led entrepreneurial skills; design and systems thinking; and developing and prototyping ideas.

• In the first term, students learn about human-centred design thinking to develop innovations that create value by meeting real human needs.
• In the second term, students explore solutions for a real-world client, iterating to develop an unexpected range of possibilities and creating prototypes to test with customers or users.
• In the final project over the summer, students pull together all they have learned to create a product or service as an entrepreneurial or innovative new venture.

Entry Requirements

• Students typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline.
• If students are currently completing a degree, the university understands that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they have achieved during their studies to date.
• The university will consider applications if interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make an aspirational offer.
• The university will also consider applications if the final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement, provided students have at least one of the following:
  • Evidence of significant (minimum two years) relevant work experience in a role within social and civic industries; innovations; volunteering and charity
  • A relevant postgraduate qualification

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £19,700 per year
• Overseas: full-time £35,300 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, students should budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
• Alumni discount: University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.
• Funding and scholarships: Funding and studentship opportunities are listed on the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences funding pages.

Career Prospects

• Students may create a social entrepreneurial venture or join an existing one.
• Whatever they choose, they'll be able to hit the ground running.
• Students will graduate with a portfolio of work that shows what they can do – they may even have an emergent venture.
• Students will have built a network of contacts to draw on whether they are starting-up or seeking innovative roles.