Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Do you need business skills before starting a business? Integrating theory with practical examples, this course aims to help students understand what makes a successful entrepreneur.
Key information
| Subject | Business |
| Teaching fellow | TBC |
| Credit level | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
| Credits | 20 SCQF (Find out more about studying for credit here) |
| Eligibility |
Our credit-bearing courses are only available to applicants aged 18 years or over. Applicants should have at least 1 year of undergraduate study experience. |
| Language requirements | Applicants should meet the minimum English language requirements in order to fully benefit from, and engage with, Summer School courses. Your English language ability must be equivalent to, or above, 6.5 IELTS overall with 5.5 in each component. |
| Dates | 03 July-27 July 2023 |
| Length | 4 weeks |
| Contact hours | 56 |
| Course fee | £3895 |
| Application deadline | 17 May 2023 (17:00 - BST) |
The course is aimed for students to understand the link between entrepreneurial theory and practice. It offers an introduction to some of the key areas of entrepreneurship research, and illustrates these theoretical insights with cases from a wide range of industries, sectors and countries. Students will learn to reflect on the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship and strengthen their critical thinking skills through discussion and practical exercises, including the development of a start-up business model. The combination of theory, methodology and practice will help students understand the challenges of entrepreneurship in the real world, achieving a holistic view of this phenomenon and its different facets.
The course is divided into four parts. In the first part, students will explore the foundations of entrepreneurship, including definitions of entrepreneurship, characteristics of entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial networks and the context in which they operate. It will also introduce fundamental concepts, such as the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the digital ecosystem. The second part focuses on start-up planning and will introduce methodological tools such as the Business Model Canvas. The third part will cover entrepreneurial finance, and the fourth part will provide an overview of processes occurring beyond the start-up phase, such as entrepreneurial growth, exit and entrepreneurship policy.
Students will develop a holistic view of entrepreneurship through lectures and tutorials which connect theory and practice. They will learn to use methodologies such as the Business Model Canvas to build a start-up propositions. This model allows students to contextualise the start-up journey within a broader context, identifying other factors influencing the development and survival of a start-up. The tutorials will provide an opportunity for students to work in groups and learn from their peers.
Week 1 (3 July)
- Mon (10:00-12:00)
- Tues - Fri (10:00-13:00)
Week 2 (10 July)
- Mon - Fri (10:00-13:00)
Week 3 (17 July)
- Mon - Fri (10:00-13:00)
Week 4 (24July)
- Mon - Thurs (10:00-13:00)
All classes will be delivered in person at the University of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Campus.
The course will be assessed through a 2500-word essay. In preparation of the essay, students will be encouraged to submit an essay plan of up to 750 words on which feedback will be provided.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Distinguish the different dimensions of the entrepreneurship phenomenon.
- explain basic concepts of entrepreneurship and their practical implications.
- Apply the Business Canvas Model to develop a start-up proposition.
- Critically evaluate the feasibility of a start-up proposition.
The course fee does not include accommodation during your study. Please see our Accommodation section for more information.
To ensure your experience at the University of Edinburgh's Summer School is memorable, we encourage students to embrace the city and its culture and take part in the variety of social activities available.
Applying