Applied Innovation Leadership MA

Postgraduate
Conversion course

Two women sat at a table smiling at each other

Gain the skills and knowledge to lead innovation and drive positive 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

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

Develop, test, and refine product and service ideas through real-world simulations.
Develop problem-solving skills through a structured progression from team member to manager to leader.
Learn how to apply innovation strategies in real-world settings, focusing on digital fluency, entrepreneurship and strategic leadership.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th 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

Lead and manage innovation projects by progressing through structured roles in a collaborative, real-world learning environment
Use modern methods such as agile practices, rapid prototyping, and design thinking to drive business transformation
Learn how to create impactful solutions by developing and presenting innovative products, services and business strategies.

What you'll study

Develop innovation skills and enhance your problem-solving abilities. Learn how to undertake a management role to guide new starters, innovate and focus on leadership, integrating all insights, skills and knowledge you have gained throughout your studies.

Modules

Disruption at The Edge of Chaos - 60 credits

The world is full of ever more complex systems that can no longer be understood through the lens of reductionism. Rather, it is the inherent complexity of the system itself in which value resides. Furthermore, such complex systems often sit at the very edge of chaos, thus making partial examination and analysis difficult as the system may tumble over the edge if incorrectly modelled. However, applied innovation has provided a means through which complex interactions may be brought to bear on existing markets or completely new ones; often viewed through the lens of red or blue oceans (Kim, and Maubourne 2004).

Through workshops, seminars, tutorials and studio-based interactions that mimic real-world application, produce prototype(s) capable of delivering product/service ideas to pseudo/real-customers. This module aims to prepare you for employment across all industry sectors where critical thinking, curiosity and creativity are core recruitment and promotion considerations. Fulfil a participatory role within a framework that supports a rapid process journey from ideation to minimum viable product through agile methodologies.

Compulsory

Gale of Creative Destruction - 60 credits

From Evolution to Economics, the gale of creative destruction (Schumpeter 1942) is writ large; new enterprises are created, rise to prominence and fail in pseudo-organic manner. The need for new enterprises to usurp incumbents has become a core tenet of free markets, providing opportunities for new ideas, products and services to replace those of the past. Such creative gales 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.

Explore how enterprises emerge, thrive and decline in a pseudo-organic cycle, with free markets driving constant innovation. Examine creative forces shaping progress, revealing how innovation connects both natural evolution and human development.

Compulsory

The Innovator’s Dilemma - 60 credits

Professor Clayton Christensen first coined the term disruptive innovation to describe those entities and individuals who could change the landscape through innovative product and service creation and realisation. This term has come to describe any enterprise that seeks to overturn established principles of trade and commerce, products and services. The dilemma manifests itself in the way incumbents react to disruptors in their industry sector. Such disruptors often enter at the bottom of a market; should existing enterprises lower their offerings to do battle with competitors who pose little or no threat to their existing market share?

This module aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to answer this question from the viewpoint of both incumbent and innovator. Learn how to tackle market disruption as an innovator, exploring whether established enterprises should lower their offerings to compete with minimal-threat challengers. Examine core principles of trade, 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

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical studio sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

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

Assessment methods may include:

formal examinations
phase tests
essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
exams
individual assignments.

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 entry requirements.

An honours degree 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in any discipline.

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.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in any discipline.

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

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 and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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).

*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

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

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.

Careers and opportunities

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.

On 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
deploy advanced personal skills, judgement and critical awareness to facilitate innovative problem-solving across 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.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

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. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

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

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

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, partnerships and memberships

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

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

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 for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. 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.