Business Creation and Entrepreneurship - master

Programme description

Master of Science in Business Creation and Entrepreneurship (BCE) is a full two year Master's degree programme. The BCE programme is a business oriented, group based study programme within an international learning environement.

First Term
The first term on the BCE program is called the Business Creation Lab. Most weeks bring a new theme, with that theme reflected in all three courses. The main objective of The Lab is to create a foundation for innovative project development in the second year, and to explain how to take knowledge-based ideas to the market. The first semester involves role play and group work, as students from day one work on an idea. The University of Tromsø uses real ideas, real investors, and real idea providers as elements of the role play. The Lab will teach students how to protect their ideas and transform them into viable businesses. During this process, students interact extensively with classmates, successful entrepreneurs, and others in science and industry important to starting their own business, with lecturers coming from both the University and the business community. An important part of this semester is learning how to write a business plan for the given idea and presenting it to potential investors.

Second Term
In the second term students move from the BCE-Lab to idea generation. During the course "Idea Evaluation and Strategy", one of three options are pursued:

• Developing their own idea. In developing their idea, the student can use UiT campus and all the faculties as a "laboratory". They can also search for input in other milieus. The students who choose this option will require the most entrepreneurial skills. If appropriate, an advisory team will be set up.
• Working on potential entrepreneurial ideas from the idea bank. Ideas in the bank come from scientific environments in the Tromsø region, primarily from the University, but also from the University Hospital, NORUT and other affiliated researched facilities. Students choosing this option will learn how to work with scientific inventors. Ideas in the bank will have been evaluated by Norinnova Technology Transfer, who will assist the students together with advisor form the BCE staff.
• Collaborating with an established company in Norway on creativity and innovation projects. Students will work side-by-side with BCE staff and industrial managers to devise innovative, human-centered solutions to real business problems using the design-thinking methodology. They will do in-depth field research, brainstorm, prototype, and eventually test their solutions in a team setting. They can also work on innovation projects from organizational, strategic, and market-related perspectives.

Third and Fourth Terms
The students apply the knowledge from their courses in the second and third terms on the chosen entrepreneurial idea or company innovation project. The students bring the idea or innovation project as a case in the courses, as they continue to refine their ideas and projects, while learning in a highly active and participatory environment.

The fourth term is devoted to writing the Master Thesis. During this term, much effort is also put in developing presentation techniques and presenting their work to external stakeholders. While writing the Master's Thesis, students are given close supervision by the professors. Regardless of the option chosen, the Thesis uses theory and analysis to develop the student's projects.

Programme structure

Learning outcomes

After completing the study programme, graduates should have advanced and thorough knowledge of relevant theories, methods, conceptions and scientific approaches to business creation, innovation and entrepreneurship. Those who complete the study programme are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined by following key areas; general competence, knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:

• Have extensive and broad knowledge about theory and methodology related to entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Have thorough and specialized high-level knowledge related to intellectual property strategy, commercialization, leadership, networking, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship and corporate finance.
• Have a broad knowledge of cutting-edge creativity and innovation processes such as design thinking and design-driven innovation.
• Have deep knowledge of innovative business model development, not only in the scientific realm, but also in broader goods and services industries.

Skills:

• Be able to analyze and be critical to relevant sources of information and use this to structure and frame scientific argumentation.
• Be able to conduct independent assessments and to develop projects while under supervision.
• Be able to present ideas, issues, analysis and conclusions related to the program's profile to both specialists and the general public.
• Be able to carry out an independent research and development project, while under supervision and in accordance with existing research-ethical standards.
• Construct knowledge-based business and ventures by working with complementary competencies, integrating technological, economic, managerial and legal knowledge and understanding on innovations, products, ventures and markets in different areas.
• Navigate and interact with regional innovation systems and regulatory structures.
• Manage small scale projects with growth potential effectively and under time constraints.
• Manage and lead complex innovations as well as teams in interaction with research, market assessment and product development.
• Be able to think through and develop highly innovative business models through brainstorming, bodystorming, roleplaying, visualization, and ethnographic-research techniques.

General competence:

• Have acquired a deep and specialized expertise in the following disciplines: entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, innovation and creativity.
• Have sufficient basis to participate in research projects and to advance to PhD. studies in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Have the competence to analyze problems that require skills at a high level.
• Be able to apply their knowledge and skills to establish knowledge-based businesses, as well as perform advanced tasks and projects within venture creation.
• Have developed an understanding for human-centered design processes that can help develop cutting-edge goods and services that address important human needs.

Admission requirements

Applicants to the BCE program must meet the requirements listed below. All applicants have to enclose certified documentation on formal qualifications of general and special entrance requirements.

Special entrance requirements:
Students have to hold a bachelor degree (180 ECTS) in one of the following disciplines: Business, Management, Marketing, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Electrical engineeing, Physics, Health, Energy, Fisheries or Biotechnology.

• The Norwegian grading system is an A-F scale in which A is the highest score and F is fail. An average grade C from a bachelor degree issued in Norway is the minimum requirement for admission to the master's level for students with Norwegian study background.
• Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand must have an average grade C as a minimum, or the corresponding numerical mark/percentage score to be considered for admission.
• Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned region/countries must have an average grade B as a minimum, or the corresponding numerical mark/percentage score to be considered for admission.

Applicants who pass the general entrance requirements will receive a questionnaire by e-mail and contact information of two referees will be asked. The final part of the application process consists of a personal interview on Skype, testing the applicant'ss ability to communicate in English, his/her ideas, accomplishments, decisions and experiences in a reflective and structured manner. These items will be used to rank the applicants.

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15th for admission to the autumn semester

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for self-financing and quota scheme applicants is December 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application, study code 2016.

Teaching and assessment

The program offers various forms of instruction. Most courses consist of lectures, the case method and participatory learning. Full description can be found in the course plan for each course.

This Master's degree is an intensive programme. All courses are compulsory and demand active participation from the students.

Language of instruction

Engelsk

Job prospectives

The BCE programme is a unique model in the Norwegian context for educating both entrepreneurs-students interested in launching new ventures- and intrapreneurs -those interested in helping existing companies become more innovative. Students in the program gain valuable expertise in entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, innovation and general business operations and strategy, particularly for knowledge-based businesses.

The program is distinctive in its ability to provide students with thorough knowledge regarding theoretical aspects of business operations (protection of intellectual property, law, economics, marketing, organizational behavior, innovation and creativity) while they simultaneously work with:

Business concepts derived from the scientific research environment at the University

• New venture ideas created by the students themselves
• Ideas to launch radically new products and services or enhance innovation and creativity at leading firms in Norway

After finishing their studies, all students will have formal qualifications in the form of a Master's degree. Some students will become entrepreneurs or co-entrepreneurs. Others will pursue opportunities in existing enterprises where their knowledge and skills are invaluable in managing and creating new products or services. Some graduates may also move into established consultancy firms.

Study plan

Studieplan 2014-2015