Course overview
In today’s fast-moving world, organisations need graduates who can think strategically, generate creative ideas, work across cultures, and turn innovation into practical action. This Masters degree will help you understand how organisations compete and grow globally, while developing the skills to design, lead and implement innovation in products, services, processes and business models.
You will explore the relationship between strategy making and innovation management. Through a combination of research-led teaching, practical projects, simulations, digital collaboration and industry engagement, you will learn how to analyse complex business challenges, develop innovative responses, and communicate your ideas with confidence to different audiences.
The course is ideal if you want to build a career in innovation management, strategy, consultancy, entrepreneurship, product and service development, digital transformation, or leadership roles in fast-changing global organisations. You will graduate with both the analytical skills to evaluate strategic choices and the human skills to collaborate, persuade, reflect, adapt and lead innovation responsibly.
Course Highlights
- Develop expertise in strategy, innovation management and digital transformation.
- Learn how to generate, evaluate and implement innovative ideas for products, services, processes and business models.
- Build the human skills employers value, including creativity, collaboration, communication, adaptability, ethical judgement and leadership.
- Apply your learning through practical projects, simulations, digital collaboration tools, prototyping and presentations.
- Prepare for careers in innovation management, strategy, consulting, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, product/service development and leadership.
- You’ll have access to the latest knowledge from our specialist research centre, LCEE, which is based at the Business School, and brings together researchers and practitioners interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Benefit from guest lectures that bring together corporate speakers who provide real-world insight and experience.
- Take part in visits to organisations that are active in innovation to see theory in practice and learn from real-life scenarios.
- Learn from academics and educators with extensive industry experience.
- Receive support from professional development staff, industry experts and alumni to aid your career planning and employability.
- On all Masters courses at Leeds University Business School you’ll have an opportunity to apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which will include company visits, guest lectures and networking events, as well as an opportunity to visit local places of interest. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.
- There is guaranteed 2 weeks work experience
Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School
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Accreditation
Course details and modules
The course introduces you to the core concepts and techniques of strategic management, innovation management and international business. You will examine how organisations create and sustain competitive advantage, but also how they generate ideas, develop new products and services, commercialise innovation, and respond creatively to technological and market change.
Core modules help you understand strategy in dynamic global environments, while also developing your ability to lead innovation teams, manage digital transformation, work with uncertainty and communicate solutions professionally.
A distinctive feature of the programme is its focus on applied and human-centred learning. You will work individually and in teams, use digital collaboration and analytical tools, engage with practical innovation challenges, develop presentations and pitches, and reflect on your own professional development. In your dissertation or consultancy-style project, you will apply your knowledge to a topic of your choice, connecting theory, evidence and practice.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Strategic Management | 15 |
| Managing for Innovation | 15 |
| International Business Theory | 15 |
| Commercial and Professional Skills | 15 |
| Managing Corporate Leadership and Performance | 15 |
| Dissertation | 45 |
| Digital Transformation Management | 15 |
| Innovation Management in Practice | 15 |
| Implementing Strategy in a Digital World | 15 |
| Research Design and Analysis | 15 |
Learning and teaching
You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, allowing you to develop your skills in research and analysis.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help support your studies. This is a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your course and modules.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.
This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component . For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business (6 weeks) and Language for Business (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Documents and information you’ll need
- a copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- contact details for two academic references
- a personal statement
- an up-to-date CV
- your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- a letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2027
This course is taught by
Leeds University Business School
Contact us
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Email: masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £16,100 (Total)
International: £32,600 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Learn more about Masters funding.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
Career opportunities
From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career. You’ll have access to a Professional Development Tutor as well as an academic tutor, helping you connect your learning to your future goals.
This Masters degree prepares you for careers where strategy, innovation and creativity come together. You will develop the analytical, creative and human skills needed to lead strategic innovation initiatives, support digital and organisational transformation, develop new products and services, and advise organisations on growth and change in global markets.
Our strong corporate links will help you connect with organisations involved in innovation management and gain insight into a variety of exciting career paths. The programme is particularly relevant for careers in strategy, innovation management, management consultancy, business development, entrepreneurship, product and service innovation, digital transformation, sustainability innovation and leadership roles in fast-paced organisations.
Links with industry
Senior figures in innovation and strategy are often invited to deliver guest lectures at the Business School, providing a practitioner's view of the latest industry developments. We also host regular speakers as part of our guest lecture series and networking events, bringing together innovation experts in industry with our academic and student community.
Students on this course can engage with senior leaders from the world of business as part of our Leaders in Residence initiative. Successful and established businesspeople will share their experience at speaker events and guest lectures to help you connect the theory of your course to real world practice.
The course also organises a one-day study trip in which students learn from business leaders and participate in live technology demonstrations. Previous trips have included visits to Veolia, IBM Research offices and the Hartree Centre for high performance computing, data analytics and artificial intelligence research.
Careers support
As part of this course, our dedicated Professional Development Tutor will provide tailored academic and careers support to help you achieve your career ambitions.
You can expect expert advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, support to boost your employability, as well as coaching to support you to develop the professional skills you will need to start a successful career, and how to evidence these to prospective employers.
You’ll also benefit from the University’s Careers Service, where you can access a range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate.
Read more about our careers and professional development support
Work placements
As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.
You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.
This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.
Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:
- Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
- Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
- Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
- Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
- Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
- Improve your employability prospects.
- Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.
Work placements and industry experience
As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.
You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.
This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.
Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:
- Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
- Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
- Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
- Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
- Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
- Improve your employability prospects.
- Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.