Innovation-driven Entrepreneurship

We are living in a data-driven society where entrepreneurship and innovation, driven by data has led to radical social and economic changes. However, advanced technology and data alone is not sufficient to guarantee either user adoption or commercial success. The course will raise your awareness of the legal, business, managerial, ethical, creative, analytical and interpersonal skills relevant to setting up and running a new venture, and more broadly, encourages you to be an innovative thinker in a variety of organisational contexts. 

This course provides an on-line enabled curriculum utilising multiple learning modes, including: independent reading, short lecture video presentations, interview videos with individual entrepreneurs, case studies, online discussions, and exposure to practice. Throughout the course, you will engage in a piece of research to evaluate your opportunity ideas.

The course will cover the following five topics related to innovation, entrepreneurship and new ways of organising business activities with data: 

• Data-driven innovation and entrepreneurship
• Design thinking, Opportunity discovery and evaluation
• Business models and business model innovation
• Entrepreneurial growth and scale-up strategies
• Entrepreneurial leadership

Further information can be found in the University's course catalogue: 

Innovation-driven Entrepreneurship

This course is aimed at those looking for an introduction to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship and innovation.

This is an introductory Masters-level course (SCQF Level 11). It provides foundational skills and/or an overview of the subject – no prior knowledge is needed. Masters-level courses are relatively intensive and require independent learning, critical thinking, analysis and reflection.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.  

Entry requirements by country

If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, you may still be considered if:

• you have professional qualifications with substantial work experience, or
• you do not hold a degree or professional qualification, but you have a very strong motivation and experience demonstrating a high degree of responsibility

Experience can be from any industry including the public sector, charitable organisations, or the arts.

• Interests in taking entrepreneurial opportunities forward in a variety of contexts
• Interests in creating values for the organisation by using data and technology
• Individuals from all levels of an organisation

English Language Requirements

You must be comfortable studying and learning in English if it is not your first language.

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Recognise and critically assess an entrepreneurial opportunity in a market (and/or social) space relevant to Data Science, Technology and Innovation
2. Critically analyse and consider different business situations where innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities are present or possible
3. Research a business start-up opportunity and marketplace to evaluate the attractiveness and/or feasibility of an opportunity
4. Communicate and demonstrate interpersonal skills
5. Understand and apply the course concepts in the contexts of Data Science, Technology and Innovation, and venture creation and development

Course fees for 21/22 are £960, but Scottish Funding Council funding is available for people employed, unemployed or furloughed in Scotland (residency requirements apply). Full-time students are not eligible for funding. 

Funding

Through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) Upskilling Fund and National Transition Training Fund, a number of fully-funded places are available at The University of Edinburgh on short, standalone courses from the Data Skills Workforce Development Training portfolio.  

Eligibility

Funded places are available to those who meet Scottish Funding Council (SFC) fee waiver criteria.  Note that course places are limited and priority will be given to those who meet the criteria for SFC-funded places.

Determining eligibility for a funded place for upskilling takes a number of things into account, including fee status, but also location of employer. SFC provide guidance specifically for upskilling courses:

“Courses/provision is open to all Scottish-domiciled/’home fee’ students, which is consistent with SFC’s policy for core funded student places. Students from the rest of the UK (rUK) are not normally considered eligible for SFC funding. If however a university is working with a Scottish/UK employer which has a physical presence or operating in Scotland, rUK employees of that employer would be eligible.”

Organisations like UKCISA, and the University, provide guidance on how to determine your fee status:

• Information on current fee status regulations for studying in Scotland is available here: https://ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/Scotland-fee-status-for-students-starting-from-August-2021.
• You can check your likely fee status here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/tuition-fees/fee-status/work-out

If your fee status is Scotland Fee Rate, RUK Fee Rate, or EU-EEA Pre/Settled Scotland Fee rate, you may be eligible for a funded upskilling place. To determine this we will look at your fee status, residency information and, where relevant, details of your employer, to confirm whether the employer is based in, or has a significant presence, in Scotland.

Funding eligibility will be assessed at the point of each application for each course; you may be asked to provide further information if you do not meet the general residence conditions. Please email us at bayes-training@ed.ac.uk if you would like to discuss your funding eligibility before applying.

Please note that full-time students (including full-time PhD students) are not eligible for funding.

Funding eligibility criteria for the National Transitition Training Fund in the 2021/22 session is still to be confirmed.

How to Apply

Courses are now being updated for the 2021/22 academic year.

Each course will have a distinct start date which will be updated on the Schedule of Courses webpage and each Course page.  

Application links will be available in each individual course webpage, which can be accessed from the Courses summary page. Details about entry requirements and any supporting documentation required can also be found on each page.  

You can register your interest by joining our mailing list where courses do not have a live application form for this session.

If you have questions about the application process please contact: 

bayes-training@ed.ac.uk

You may find additional information in the FAQ section helpful as well: 

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links:

Schedule of Courses 

Courses

You will receive a certificate of attendance after the final assessment date if you have submitted your coursework. If you pass the course, you will receive a certificate of completion once marks have been ratified by the Board of Examiners - this may be several months after the final assessment deadline.

Developing a Data-Driven Company

Dynamic Web Design

Leading Technology and Innovation in Organisations

This course is offered as part of Data Science, Technology and Innovation, a flexible, modular, online programme designed to fully equip tomorrow's data professionals with courses available from across The University of Edinburgh in the sciences, medicine, arts and humanities. You can use credits achieved on this course towards postgraduate study on this programme (MSc, PG Diploma or PG Certificate), subject to approval by the Programme Director.

You may also be able to use credits achieved on this course towards other University of Edinburgh postgraduate programmes, subject to approval by the relevant Programme Director:

Degree Finder