Entrepreneurship & Innovation BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Experience is central to this course. You will meet, engage with and work with a range of entrepreneurs and business owners throughout your studies.

  The key elements of this course are built upon a sound understanding of enterprise and entrepreneurship, what it means to be entrepreneurial and how to become more entrepreneurial, plus the experience and networking required to be more enterprising in how we do business.

  Stage One

  You will gain understanding of key entrepreneurial skills and how entrepreneurs operate in today’s changing business environment. You will also develop marketing skills and a range of business acumen including leadership and management techniques. In addition, you will visit a range of SME’s and liaise with entrepreneurs from different business forms. A study trip to London to visit a range of entrepreneurial businesses is also included.

  Stage Two

  In your second year of study you will learn more about the role that innovation plays in entrepreneurial businesses and further develop your design thinking and creativity capabilities. As part of your course you will embark on an international study trip, e.g. New York, to visit, engage, and learn from fellow business owners. A short work placement module in an enterprising business will also be undertaken. After a successful second year of study, you will be eligible to apply for an Optional Placement Year to gain industry insight into a business of your choosing for a twelve month period.

  Stage Three

  Your final year will comprise of an individual project, either dissertation or consultancy project based, plus new venture planning, innovation and entrepreneurial strategy modules. You will also learn the art of self-marketing through content creation, understanding and developing the techniques to effectively use social media, web presence and small business marketing.

  List of Modules

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 21/22. The modules relating to the academic year 22/23 will be available from June 2022.

  • Stage 1
    • Foundations of Marketing (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1001

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce the concept of marketing to students. To explain what marketing is and to show the way in which marketing impacts on organisations, customers and other stakeholders. The idea of ?creating value? is central to a marketing orientation and this module seeks to explain what this means in a rapidly changing external environment..
    • Entrepreneurial Skills Development (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1005

      Status: Compulsory
      This module aims to develop students understanding of entrepreneurship and develop their entrepreneurial skills, behaviours, and attitudes needed to succeed in the modern business environment. In the light of this, students will evaluate their personal efficacy and undertake to develop their entrepreneurial potential and capabilities.
    • Professional Practice Enterprise (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1039

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to establish professionalism by identifying areas for self-development and explore strengths and weaknesses. Students are encouraged to develop their digital profile and networking abilities. Students will learn to communicate effectively, confidently and appropriately to a range of audiences. A key aspect of the module is to allow students the opportunity for self reflection and self assessment.
    • Enterprise in Live Context (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1040

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to explore and examine different forms and sizes of business in a live industry context ultimately, it aims to provide students both an academic and practical rationale for their enterprise choices in the future. The module will incorporate a number of visits to a variety of businesses to understand and embed key principles that are being discussed.
    • Innovation Boot Camp (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1041

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop creative thinking skills. Investigations into how social problems can be addressed by entrepreneurs will lead to the gerneration of innovative ideas and identification of sustainable solutions. Students will build communication, idea generation, presentation and team building skills.
    • Entrepreneurship Toolkit (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1042

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is designed to provide a comprehensive package of entrepreneurial skills, tools and practical techniques. Through "real life" scenarios, this module aims to help students develop their entrepreneurial mindset, build a skills set and widen career destinations.
  • Stage 2
    • Issues in Small Business and Entrepreneurship (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT2031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to explore and examine the challenges faced by small businesses in a National and International context. To develop students? ability to critically evaluate a range of academic, practitioner and quality journalistic sources and to develop communication skills through presentation and debate.
    • The Consultant Entrepreneur (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT2037

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to give students an insight into SME consultancy. Students will work with real SME clients. They will be engaging in commercial projects, client briefs, market intelligence and client presentations. Students will be given real work experience in the demands and practices of the SME consultancy world.
    • Creativity and Feasibility (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT2052

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to expose students to developing creativity, testing the feasibility of ideas and building resilience. Using a variety of creativity techniques students will develop several business ideas, test their feasibility and use this as a go / no go decision making experiences using a toolkit of methods in order to build their resilience.
    • Entrepreneurial Study Tour (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT2053

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to engage with businesses and business owners outside of the UK on a study tour. Students will experience a commercial environment and be able to liaise with practicing entrepreneurs.
    • Entrepreneurship in Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT2054

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will also help prepare students for small busines sstart up by developing entrepreneurship, business development and management skills through the application of vocationally relevant knowledge. Through placements and work shadowing students will have the opportunity to observe and to work within an SME environment to develop thir own profressional practice.
    • Opportunity into Innovation (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT2055

      Status: Compulsory
      The pursuit of opportunity is fundamental to the formation, growth and survival of any business enterprise. This module will explore why innovation is important and how to identify opportunities and turn them into viable businesses. The emphasis is on practical application of innovation and finding an opportunity for a new venture creation.
  • Stage 3
    • Entrepreneurial Strategy (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT3031

      Status: Compulsory
      This module helps students manage in an ever-changing world, where an ability to respond rapidly to new, emerging opportunities is often the difference between organizational success and failure. Traditional approaches to strategic management need to be adapted and expanded to incorporate entrepreneurial management techniques. This module explores the development of organisational strategy from the needs of new and growing ventures, and focuses on the knowledge, skills and attitudes adopted by successful entrepreneurial managers.
    • Content Creation for Marketing (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT3046

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to focus on the development and building of professionally relevant content on a variety of platforms which will enable the student to develop skills in real time, relevant marketing communications and content creation.The creation of content will be linked to relevant academic theory in communication and visual language which will underpin the student?s choices.
    • Business Planning (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT3048

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to allow students to develop a busines splan for a new venture of their choice and source the appropriate funding. This could be a new commercial business, a development of an existing business, or a social enterprise (such as a community project or charitable enterprise). This highly practical module to students future provides the knowledge and information needed to ensure the production of "commercial quality" proposals, and have initial conversations to attract funding.
    • Digital Entrepreneur (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT3049

      Status: Designate
      To remain competitive in today's digital world, businesses need to move fast. Digital entrepreneurship module will focus on issues related to creating and doing business in the Digital Era. Main emphasis of the module is on practical aspects of digital entrepreneurship, including digital entrepreneurship skills, tools, practices and processes.
    • Disruptive Innovations (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT3050

      Status: Compulsory
      Disruptive technology is changing the innovation landscape of inductries and sectors. This module will explore the impact of social change and disruptive innovations on business in an evolving digital world. Emphasis will be placed on the practical use of disruptive technologies and their use in modern businesses.
    • Marketing Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: MKT4001

      Status: Designate
      The overall aim of the module is to develop advanced personal scholarship skills and subject knowledge through the design and conduct of an independent piece of academically rigorous research.
    • The Entrepreneur Project (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT4007

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to be an independent study module that provides students with an opportunity to carry out an in-depth investigation of a current entrepreneurial organisation of their choice. Students will be encouraged to think creatively about growth and expansion strategies, incorporating research and analysis of the current business environment. Relevant academic concepts will be used to structure the investigation, facilitate the analysis and provide justification for the recommended strategy.

  Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

  BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship & Innovation is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS). The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply to this course. A typical offer is around BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC.

  For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

  The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year are DEE at A level or MPP at BTEC.

  For more information on how to make an application please visit our How to Apply pages for Home and EU, and International students.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  22/23 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International Full Time: £14,000
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • Optional Work Placement Year: £1,100

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2022. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  21/22 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £6,780 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International Full Time: £13,000
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £13,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • Optional Work Placement Year: £1,000

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2021. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

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• Postgraduate Opportunities

  Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

  Social Innovation MA

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time degree at Northampton you will receive a laptop when your course begins. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks visit our Student Perks page.

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• Integrated Foundation Year

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for Entrepreneurship and Innovation we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme which includes a Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.

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• Optional Work Placement Year

  You are encouraged to undertake a year-long placement in between Stages Two and Three of study. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. Whilst on your Optional Work Placement Year you will study a 40 credit module ‘The Placement Year Experience – Organisations in Context’. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

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• FAQs

  How will I be assessed?

  Most assessment tends to be coursework based which is likely to include business reports, projects, essays, consultancy projects and presentations.

  Are there any study trips for this course?*

  Study trips are available throughout your studies on this course. The study trips and residential trips bring to life everything you are learning from your modules and apply directly to the entrepreneurial industry.

  *Future study trips are dependent on Government and local travel guides relating to Covid-19.

  Are there any special features for this course?

  • Students will be encouraged to engage and be actively part of many special events which take place across the University each year. These include Subject Futures Week, Enterprise and Employablity Week and Changemaker Week. Full details and participation are led through the course team.
  • There is an opportunity for you to achieve the Enterprise Certificate whilst studying the compulsory six modules. This gives you an additional qualification plus those who complete get a six-month business incubator stay along with lifetime Santander business support.
  • You will also be able to complete the Changemaker Certificate as part of your studies to compliment your degree.

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Careers and Employability

Careers can be wide and varied as you are studying an entrepreneurial and innovative business degree. Some students choose to set up and run their own business during or shortly after completion of their studies, while others focus on small business management, consultancy and new venture development.