Applied Innovation Leadership MA
Study level: Postgraduate
This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in sectors such as global organisations, governments, social enterprises and NGOs.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
1 year full-time
Course code
AHT062
Start date
September 2023
January 2024
May 2024
The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.
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.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why 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
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 new Delia Derbyshire building, 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. 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 under pins 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 8 contact hours per week in the first year, made up of group tutorials, seminars, lectures, and 1-2-1’s. 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.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. 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
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £11,200 | 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 fees 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).
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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 government's 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 building represents a major transformation of the university’s arts and humanities facilities. The complex combines the former Graham Sutherland and Maurice Foss buildings, which are being totally refurbished, along with an exciting new extension hosting cutting-edge equipment and spaces.
The new building will have a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects and immersive studios with the latest virtual reality and mixed reality technologies, enhancing the faculty’s creative, teaching and learning spaces and offering students sector-leading facilities in a collaborative and inclusive environment4, during their course.
The new complex will also be open to the public with a gallery space, 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
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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.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international 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 applyFor 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.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.