Entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurship MSc is designed for students who intend to start and run high-impact, innovative businesses. UCL’s networks provide access to London’s thriving entrepreneurship scene, a possible founding team and investor finance for a new business.

Students learn the necessary skills to build and scale a successful business. This includes how to develop ideas, build prototypes, and understand what customers truly want. Students learn about finance/funding, marketing, team building and all the key issues facing rapidly scaling enterprises. The focus of the teaching and student experience is around hands-on learning and entrepreneurial activity.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules

• Building High Impact Ventures
• Customer Development and Lean Startup
• Entrepreneurial Finance
• Entrepreneurial Marketing and Analytics
• Prototyping
• Strategic Management of Entrepreneurial Ventures
• Managing The Growing Firm

Optional modules

Students choose one of the following modules:

• Fintech Entrepreneurship
• Healthcare Entrepreneurship
• Retail and Consumer Entrepreneurship
• Technology Entrepreneurship

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project working with a mentor from the London start-up community and a supervisor from the UCL Entrepreneurship teaching team that includes a high-quality business or new venture plan as part of their 10,000-word dissertation.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion. Students are given the opportunity to attend weekly lectures from leading global entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Assessment is through presentations, coursework, essays, class participation, open-book and unseen examination, and the dissertation.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Under certain circumstances, candidates with an exceptional entrepreneurial background, but not meeting the above criteria, will be considered. 
Together with the academic requirements, applicants normally must have a demonstrable interest in pursuing an entrepreneurial venture or career and must have undertaken entrepreneurial activities, not simply aspire to entrepreneurship. Applicants must also have in excess of two years' work experience. 

Emphasis is placed on applicants’ ability to begin developing their startup immediately.

Tuition fees for the Entrepreneurship program at University College London vary depending on the student’s residency status and level of study. For the 2023/2024 academic year, international postgraduate students can expect tuition fees of approximately £31,500 per year, whereas home students pay around £11,100 annually. These fees cover access to lectures, seminars, and workshop facilities, as well as participation in entrepreneurship-related projects and networking events. UCL offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to support students in financing their studies. The UCL Graduate Support Scheme provides partial fee waivers for eligible students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and financial need. Additionally, students can apply for external scholarships, bursaries, or sponsorship opportunities related to entrepreneurship and innovation, often provided by governmental agencies, philanthropic foundations, or industry partners. Many students finance their education through personal savings, family contributions, or student loans. The UK government offers postgraduate loan schemes that cover tuition fees up to a specified limit, which students can access to reduce the immediate financial burden. These loans are repayable after graduation, based on income levels. UCL's Career Services also facilitate connections with venture capitalists, business incubators, and startup accelerators, which can provide funding or investment opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures initiated during the course. Some students opt to engage in part-time work or internships to support their studies financially, given the flexible nature of the program. International students are advised to consider additional expenses such as visa fees, health insurance, and living costs, which collectively influence the overall financing plan. Overall, the program’s financing options aim to make entrepreneurship education accessible to a diverse range of students by combining scholarships, loans, personal funding, and income-generating activities, thereby enabling students to focus on developing innovative business ideas and entrepreneurial skills without undue financial stress.

The Entrepreneurship program at University College London (UCL) is designed to develop students' ability to create, analyse, and grow new business ventures in a dynamic and competitive environment. This comprehensive programme offers an interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from business, management, innovation, and technology, to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as entrepreneurs or within entrepreneurial organizations. The curriculum emphasizes practical experience through project-based learning, case studies, and interaction with industry professionals, enabling students to understand real-world challenges and opportunities in the entrepreneurial landscape. Students will engage with topics such as opportunity recognition, business model development, funding strategies, marketing, and leadership. The program also encourages an entrepreneurial mindset, fostering creativity, resilience, and strategic thinking. UCL's strong connections with the business community and its location in London provide students with valuable networking opportunities, internships, and access to a vibrant startup ecosystem. The program is suitable for individuals aiming to launch their own ventures or drive innovation within established companies. It boasts a diverse learning environment with multidisciplinary students, faculty expertise from various fields, and a focus on contemporary issues like digital transformation, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship. Graduates of this programme will be well-prepared to navigate the complexities of starting and managing new ventures, contributing to economic growth and societal development through innovation and enterprise.