Applied Innovation Leadership MA

Study level: Postgraduate
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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

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

AHT062

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


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.

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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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

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

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£11,200  
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£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.


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

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