Applied Innovation Leadership MA

Postgraduate

Two women sat at a table smiling at each other

This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to lead innovation and change in global organisations, governments, social enterprises and NGOs.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

AHT062

Start date

May 2025

How to apply

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Course overview

Due to the dynamic nature of innovation, applicants from any discipline are welcome.

The course aims to meld recent graduates with seasoned professionals to create a working environment that combines raw talent with hardened experience.

This course focuses on the most important aspects of innovation as a positive driver for change. Only through the utilisation of cutting-edge thinking in design, innovation, and business practice, can humanity face the problems of tomorrow.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Innovation is at the very centre of modern business, government and charity sectors - without innovation, entire industries cease to exist
This course recognises the need for contemporary approaches to innovation that provide solutions to some of the world’s most intractable problems. To this end, Coventry University is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that identify the seventeen most pressing issues facing humanity
Supported by staff who are inspired by innovation to develop real-world solutions to complex problems, you will be empowered to pursue deep learning within one of the most exciting facets of the modern work environment
Coventry University has invested in rapid prototyping technologies to provide you with opportunities² to 'think the unthinkable' and act as a real catalyst for positive change within industry and society at large
You can expect to engage in solving real-world problems in a contemporary learning environment that mimics that of the most innovative organisations on Earth.

What you'll study

In semester one, you will concentrate on acquiring the knowledge and skills required to innovate in situations that require deep thinking and an agile mentality. Semester two sees you undertake a management role to guide new starters through their semester one. In semester three, you will embrace a leadership role that combines knowledge gained in the previous two semesters.

Modules

Disruption at The Edge of Chaos - 60 credits

Through workshops, seminars, tutorials, and studio-based interactions that mimic real-world applications, you will produce prototype(s) capable of delivering product/service ideas to both pseudo and in some cases, real customers². This module can prepare you for employment across all industry sectors where critical thinking, curiosity and creativity are core recruitment and promotion considerations. You can fulfil a participatory role within a framework that supports a rapid process journey from ideation to minimum viable product through agile methodologies. This module will explore the application of innovation in different markets for you to apply your own prototype project.

Compulsory

Gale of Creative Destruction - 60 credits

New enterprises are created, rise to prominence and fail, in a pseudo-organic manner. The need for new has become a core component of free markets, providing opportunities for new ideas, products, and services to replace those of the past. We will explore the creative forces that have been postulated by luminaries in their respective fields; from Darwin and Marx to Schumpeter and Christensen - each building upon the former's work to deliver an understanding of innovation that holds true in both, the natural world and that of human construction.

Compulsory

The Innovator’s Dilemma - 60 credits

This module will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to answer the following question from the viewpoint of an innovator: those who disrupt the market from the bottom, should existing enterprises lower their offerings to do battle with competitors who pose little or no threat to their existing market share? We will explore established principles of trade and commerce, products and services.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Utilising teaching spaces in the Delia Derbyshire complex, you and your peers will have the chance to explore innovation in all its guises during the course; working collaboratively across semester intakes to provide thought-provoking solutions to contemporary problem domains.

You will receive a course of interactions designed to provide the foundations upon which you will contribute through extensive self-directed study. Academic staff will be on hand to advise and guide you through your learning journey.

Practical group project work will be at the centre of course delivery, equipping you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work in highly complex innovation environments. You will aim to become a master collaborator and communicator through continuous feedback and feedforward interactions with academic staff and peers. You will learn to manage stakeholders within business, government and NGOs.

Teaching contact hours

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning (SDL). Across the course of the week, you will have non ‘taught’ time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This is particularly important in the school of art and design as it allows you to put into practice, making in workshop and studio spaces.

This self-directed learning allows you to monitor and self-evaluate your development and how best to manage this time to best impact your creative work. SDL is key to designing and making as it is a process that takes discipline and repetition. This mode of learning underpins our community of practice approach.

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around eight contact hours per week in the first year, made up of group tutorials, seminars, lectures, and one-to-ones. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 24 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods may include:

Written coursework
Practical project work
Group work
Presentation
Posters
Films
Roadmaps
Prototypes

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should normally have a 2:1 undergraduate degree, or equivalent international grade/qualification, from a recognised university.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees³ cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The Delia Derbyshire complex represents a major transformation of the university’s arts and humanities facilities. It  combines the former Graham Sutherland and Maurice Foss buildings, which are now totally refurbished, along with an innovative extension hosting cutting-edge equipment and spaces.

The complex boasts a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects, and immersive studios with the latest virtual reality and mixed reality technologies, enhancing the college’s creative, teaching and learning spaces and offering students sector-leading facilities in a collaborative and inclusive environment⁴, during their course.

The space will also be open to the public with a gallery, café and events atrium where students, staff and visiting artists can showcase their work to members of the community.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

undertake research to synthesise and articulate advanced knowledge of both theoretical and applied aspects of innovation in its four main forms – disruptive, radical, sustaining, and incremental
realise complex projects through the creation of ambitious artefacts for identified and diverse audiences and/or contexts
contribute to shaping a global contemporary discourse by engaging with innovative, experimental, hybrid and creative approaches to one or more of the four types of innovation – disruptive, radical, sustaining, or incremental
deploy advanced personal skills, judgement, and critical awareness to facilitate innovative problem-solving for a wide range of creative, professional, social, and collaborative contexts
innovate while applying critical thinking to a selected range of contextualised problem domains that embrace user requirements, brand identity and/or social imperatives
demonstrate knowledge and understanding as to the principles and theories of both, entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship to facilitate strategic and tactical leadership.

This course aims to give you the requisite knowledge and skills for leadership in any industry that places innovation at its centre. This will typically take the form of innovation units within large organisations, governments and NGOs. In addition, the course aims to provide you with core competencies cognisant with starting your own business or social enterprise.

Our Talent Team is on hand to offer tailored career and enterprise information if you wish to gain employment within course-specific industries. It provides specialist careers information, advice, and guidance to all students, regardless of career aspirations. Our dedicated enterprise officers also offer valuable assistance on how to pursue an entrepreneurial pathway.

How to apply

UK students

Full-time and part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.