Course overview

Delivered by the triple-accredited Aston Business School, our MSc Business Enterprise Development programme immerses you in the heart of entrepreneurial innovation. Collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs to create and manage real businesses, projects and enterprises, honing your skills through experiential learning.

Inspired by the Team Academy model of entrepreneurship education from Finland, our course empowers you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and tailor your learning journey with dedicated team coaches.

Join us in Birmingham, a city at the forefront of entrepreneurial activity, and transform your passion into profit and impact. Gain the expertise to navigate the complexities of business development and drive positive change in society with the MSc Business Enterprise Development from Aston University.

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Simun Johan Wolles MSc Business Enterprise Development

“Joining the MSc Business Enterprise Development was one of the best decisions that I have made. I not only learned a lot about the theory behind starting a business and what methods to use, but it also gave me a year of experience in both working as a team and as an individual. The course helped me start two very exciting businesses that I now work full-time in.”

Simun Johan Wolles
MSc Business Enterprise Development
Founder, Unhazzled Ltd.

Why Business Enterprise Development at Aston University?

Experiential learning icon
Make a real impact
Gain consultancy skills with live project work, real clients and global impact
Student satisfaction
Entrepreneurial expertise
Recognised for our focus on entrepreneurship, Aston University was named Outstanding Entrepreneurial University by Times Higher Education in 2020
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Excellent prospects
Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)
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Recognised for quality
Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Course description

MSc Business Enterprise Development

Our innovative MSc Business Enterprise Development programme empowers aspiring entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs with the skills and experiences essential for launching successful ventures or innovating within established organisations.

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What we will provide
Our MSc Business Enterprise Development course offers a unique task-based learning approach, emphasising team-coached sessions, action learning groups and creative boot camps over traditional lectures. Tailored coaching nurtures key attributes crucial for your future career, ensuring you and your team thrive in innovative settings.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

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What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel.

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What skills we teach
Throughout the course, you will cultivate essential teamwork, communication, management and leadership skills, valuable for entrepreneurship, consultancy or management roles. Collaborating within teams enhances your understanding of successful team dynamics, preparing you for diverse career paths.

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Career prospects
Our Business Enterprise Development graduates have embarked on diverse paths, from launching their own businesses to managing family enterprises, working in project management and innovation roles, and consulting with startups to help them get off the ground.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach prioritises practical application and teamwork. Instead of lectures, you will actively set up and manage a real organisation, fostering crucial entrepreneurial skills and competencies. Supported by a select group of team coaches, including academics, successful entrepreneurs and esteemed Aston University alumni, you will gain invaluable experiences in enterprise development within a supportive environment.

Assessments involve practical business activities like pitching your idea, crafting business plans and conducting market research. This hands-on approach fosters vital entrepreneurial skills and provides firsthand business experience, coupled with personalised feedback and support for your development.

If you prefer just-in-time learning and hands-on experiences over traditional methods, this masters course is ideal. You will be coached as a team alongside your peers, nurturing your ideas, practising business skills and sharing insights.

At the start of your course, you will be allocated a personal tutor who can offer individual study advice and guidance. You will also benefit from access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. Aston University's virtual learning environment supports your journey, providing resources like lecture slides, e-books and online journals.

Student holding laptop in student study space

Gain the advantage

Our flagship professional development module provides a range of opportunities to apply your learning and increase your employability.

What you will learn

You will learn how to apply entrepreneurship and management principles effectively throughout the entire start-up journey. From idea generation to market research, investment pitching and business plan creation, you will tackle practical challenges essential for venture success.

In the taught phase, you will explore entrepreneurship, visionary leadership and research methodologies. You will critically evaluate current scholarship, develop self-regulatory skills and learn to approach complex enterprise issues systematically and creatively.

In the dissertation phase, you will complete the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Challenge, aligning your project with sustainable development goals. Whether crafting a business plan, conducting a consultancy project or embarking on a personal enquiry, you will integrate CSR principles into your enterprise strategies, contributing to ethical and sustainable business practices.

Ogonna Chinedua Business Enterprise Development

Practical learning

Reflecting on some of the highlights of the MSc Business Enterprise Development programme, Ogonna Chinedu emphasised: "I enjoyed the practical way in which we were taught".

Postgraduate courses

Learn business, do business

Our classroom goes beyond traditional lectures, focusing instead on real-life projects and hands-on experiences.

Course objectives

  1. Develops the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes that are necessary for the stimulation of entrepreneurial activity.
  2. Facilitates the activities and opportunities required to enable aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their fledging enterprises.
  3. Develops specialist knowledge to build on experience in order to enhance entrepreneurial effectiveness in chosen areas of expertise.
  4. Develops the self-regulatory skills and motivation necessary to embrace life-long learning as a fundamental life skill.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Taught stage modules

In the taught stage you will study the following core modules:

Module TitleCredits
Enterprise Creation and Management
This module aims to equip you with a systematic, conceptual understanding of methods and tools to identify, critically evaluate and exploit enterprise opportunities. It also provides a systematic conceptual understanding of key principles, theories and frameworks for managing and growing your enterprise beyond the 'start-up' phase.
30
Creating and Leading High-Performance Teams
This module aims to empower you to critically evaluate current models, theories and frameworks of team building and leadership. You will develop a critically reflective understanding of team dynamics, your role within them and how to employ various leadership skills in cultivating high-performance teams.
30
Academic Effectiveness and Applied Research
This module encourages you to reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses within both academic and entrepreneurial contexts, enhancing your lifelong learning capabilities. Additionally, it equips you with the necessary skills to identify and thoroughly investigate live enterprise problems, challenges and opportunities, guiding you in planning and executing effective, applied research.
30
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This module aims to cultivate a critically reflective understanding of the essential skills and competencies for identifying and exploiting enterprise opportunities. It focuses on developing the abilities needed to foster an innovative, creative and entrepreneurial mindset.
30
Business Enterprise Professional Practice
This module supports your ability to learn from business practice experiences by engaging in value-generating ventures with others in your local and broader learning community. It enhances your skills in critical self-reflection and personal and professional development planning, fostering your growth in understanding and applying business principles.
0
Total120

Dissertation stage modules

In the dissertation stage you will study the following core modules:

Module TitleCredits
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Challenge
The CSR Challenge is a choice of dissertation, personal enquiry project, business plan or consultancy project. Whichever format you choose, you will need to ensure that it has an element of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and/or sustainability, i.e., it links to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
60

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stage, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key principles, theories and frameworks underpinning how to build and grow an enterprise and a critical awareness of the problems and insights relevant to this informed by current research.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key principles, theories and frameworks of entrepreneurship and visionary leadership and an ability to critically evaluate current scholarship in this discipline. 
  • Use a range of techniques to plan and conduct effective applied research and critically analyse and evaluate the results, thereon, in order to support effective enterprise judgements and solve related problems.
  • Approach complex, dynamic and uncertain enterprise issues in a systematic and creative manner in order to make sound enterprise decisions.
  • Demonstrate self-direction and originality in identifying and evaluating enterprise opportunities and/or challenges and in planning and implementing an appropriate response.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.


 

Entry requirements

One of the following:

  • 2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree or equivalent
  • Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (see international students tab below for more information)
  • At least 3 years of work or entrepreneurial experience, combined with either BBC (A Level) or DDD (BTEC)
  • At least 7 years of work experience with at least 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 and above, including English and Mathematics

You will also need to provide:

  • A professional reference
    • If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2-3 years), we will ask for an academic reference
    • If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference
  • An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
  • A completed application form.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will receive an interview invitation which will be conducted virtually or on campus.

The interview will usually be conducted in a group format, and it is your chance to find out more about the programme and how we work, ask questions, and have a go at a group-based ideation activity. While we are interviewing you, we also believe it is just as important for you to have the opportunity to ‘interview’ us and experience Team Academy style learning before you make your decision about joining the programme.

When applying, please ensure you include an up-to-date email and telephone number as this is important information for us if you are shortlisted for an interview.

The virtual/in person interview is a compulsory element of the application process; no offer will be made without a successful interview being conducted first. Further information about the interview and admissions process will be made available to you after applying.

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study but also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.

Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

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Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09:30-16:30)

Aimee Postle Business Enterprise Development programme director

Meet your programme director

Aimee Postle
Programme Director, MSc Business Enterprise Development

If you have any questions about the course or modules you will be studying, you can get in touch via email and I will be happy to answer your queries.

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:£12,000

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:£23,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Assessment

Our assessments are all practical and involve authentic entrepreneurial tasks. These include activities such as pitching for funding, personal reflection exercises, developing business plans, team and leadership activities and a marketing research project. These assessment tasks will help you develop crucial entrepreneurial skills and give you first-hand experience of key start-up business activities.

Career prospects

Previous graduates of MSc Business Enterprise Development have started their own businesses, taken over the management of family enterprises, worked in project management and innovation roles, and consulted with start-ups to get off the ground.

Davies Okeowo MSc Entrepreneurship graduate

Exceptional lecturers

“The thing I enjoyed the most about studying at Aston University was the people. The lecturers were great, and their knowledge base was exceptional.”

Our graduates achieve amazing things all over the world – whether it’s setting up their own businesses, landing jobs with high profile organisations, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Alumni

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Frequently asked questions

Why study Business Enterprise Development at Aston University?

Our unique course will equip you with a breadth of business skills and experiences that you will learn by doing. Working as part of a team to create and develop a business venture, you will also be supported by a team of coaches, including lecturers, entrepreneurs and Aston University alumni. This means that your learning experience will be tailored to you.

What kind of career will I develop with a masters in Business Enterprise Development?

You’ll develop a deep understanding across business functions, and acquire relevant skills and experiences that will assist you, whether you wish to run your own business, work in a leadership or management role, or operate within an organisation in an entrepreneurial manner (intrapreneurship).

Why should I study my postgraduate degree at Aston University?

There are lots of benefits of studying a postgraduate degree at Aston University.

Watch this video from MBA student, Monique, who talks about just a few of them:

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

  • Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
  • Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
  • World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
  • Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
  • Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
  • Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham

What will my timetable look like?

We understand how important it is to know your timetable in advance for planning around work, childcare, or other responsibilities. Here's some basic guidance on what to expect regarding your student timetable.

Full-time programmes
As a rough estimate, full-time postgraduate students in the College of Business and Social Sciences should expect to spend about 12-15 hours per week in lectures and on-campus seminars. This is in addition to independent study, and there may be additional guided learning activities during certain weeks. The exact distribution of these hours will vary depending on your course and module choices.
Part-time programmes
Part-time students will have fewer weekly on-campus hours compared to full-time students. This reduction is proportional to the number of modules you're enrolled in.
Timetable availability
Complete timetables are usually released shortly before the start of your programme. This timing is necessary to ensure that we accommodate all course requirements and that rooms are allocated based on the number of students likely to enrol on each programme. We aim to provide these timetables as early as possible, to assist you in your planning.

As your induction week approaches, you will be sent more information about your timetable via email, and you will be able to access your timetable by logging into MyAstonPortal. For any further queries or information regarding your timetable, you can reach out to your programme director or the Student Support team.

Online/distance learning programmes
The above information also applies to students enrolled in online/distance learning programmes. Please note that both full-time and part-time distance learning students are still required to attend scheduled synchronous learning sessions.

MyAstonPortal

What can I get involved in at Aston Business School?

At Aston Business School, you will dive into a dynamic blend of innovative learning and hands-on experiences. With our acclaimed triple-crown accreditation, we offer you academic excellence and a track record of producing successful graduates.

Located in Birmingham, the UK's vibrant second city, Aston Business School provides you with a culturally rich environment and superb connectivity. You will benefit from real-world business engagements, international study opportunities and entrepreneur support programmes like BSEEN and Pitchfest.

You can also engage in practical consultancy at the Aston Business Clinic and collaborate with global peers in events such as the Maastricht Case Competition or the Universities Business Challenge. Our partnership with The Prince’s Trust, alongside a range of student clubs including TEDx and Enactus further enriches your learning experience.

Discover more

Say Hello to students at Aston University

Hello, what would you like to ask us?

Hello! We are a team of current Aston University students from various parts of the world, studying a wide range of postgraduate subjects.

Feel free to ask us anything about studying at Aston University.

Chat to our students

 

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