MBA in Innovation Management

Overview

This distance-learning MBA (Master of Arts) in Innovation Management is aimed at working professionals who want to lead change and growth in their organisations by applying structured innovation strategies. Taught in English, the programme blends theory with hands-on methods and tools so graduates can guide innovation processes and create viable new business models while balancing ongoing work commitments.

Curriculum highlights

Key areas of study include:

• General management and core business fundamentals
• Innovation management in companies: process design, business model innovation, open innovation, frugal innovation, and intellectual property management
• Building an innovation-oriented culture: leadership skills, creativity techniques, organisational design (New Work), and values-based innovation
• Systematic innovation methods such as TRIZ, design thinking, trend analysis and other structured approaches to idea generation and problem-solving
• Digitalisation and sustainability: integrating digital transformation and sustainable practices as central drivers of innovation
• Case studies and real-world insights, including analysis of successful innovative companies and participation in international events such as the ISPIM Innovation Conference

What you’ll gain and the learning environment

Graduates develop a solid understanding of how innovation functions as a strategic competitive advantage and acquire the practical skills to design and implement innovation strategies across industries. The programme emphasizes applied learning within a cooperative working atmosphere and provides intensive support to help students build their expertise and professional networks.

Requirements (summary)

• Target audience: professionals seeking to lead innovation and change
• Language of instruction: English
• Study mode: distance learning
• Degree awarded: Master of Arts (MBA in Innovation Management)
• Specific entry requirements (e.g., prior degree level, professional experience, application documents) are not provided here — check the university’s admissions information for exact criteria, deadlines and any additional conditions.

This four-semester, practice-focused MBA in Innovation Management combines a solid grounding in business with specialist innovation training. During the first two semesters you build core management skills — management frameworks, finance and quantitative methods, marketing, communication and leadership — to ensure you have the analytical and managerial foundations needed for strategic innovation work. In the third semester the curriculum concentrates on innovation-specific topics such as managing innovation processes, leading teams and cultures that foster creativity, and systematic methods for developing and implementing novel products, services and business models. The final semester is devoted to an independent master’s thesis, supported by an international seminar and a public presentation of your research findings.

Teaching follows a blended-learning format that is designed for working professionals: a mix of self-study materials (so-called “learning letters”), online courses and digital platforms, plus concentrated face-to-face sessions held on three to four weekends each semester. Small-group formats let you deepen your learning, while applied methods — simulations, team projects and live presentations — prepare you for real-world challenges. Assessment methods include written exams, seminar papers, project presentations, a master’s thesis and a concluding colloquium, ensuring you can demonstrate both practical and research capabilities.

You will learn from professors with hands-on experience and extensive corporate contacts, as well as industry executives who contribute specialist lectures. The programme’s design emphasizes flexibility so you can continue working while studying, and it provides structured opportunities to build a professional network with peers and practitioners — a strong asset for career development in innovation roles.

Program requirements and structure (key points)

• Four-semester programme culminating in a master’s thesis
• Semesters 1–2: core business modules (management frameworks, finance/quantitative methods, marketing, communication, leadership)
• Semester 3: specialised innovation modules (innovation management, leadership for innovation-friendly cultures, systematic innovation methods)
• Semester 4: master’s thesis, participation in an international seminar, and presentation of research outcomes
• Blended/hybrid delivery: self-directed study materials (“learning letters”), online courses, and face-to-face weekends (3–4 per semester)
• Small-group work, simulations, group projects and presentations for applied learning
• Assessment types: written examinations, seminar papers, project presentations, master’s thesis and colloquium
• Designed to allow continued employment alongside studies and to foster professional networking via faculty and industry contacts

Graduates are prepared to lead and implement innovation strategies across organisations and industries. Typical roles include innovation manager, product or project manager, business development manager, R&D or technology strategy roles, and consultant positions focused on innovation and digital transformation. The programme's emphasis on systematic innovation methods and business model development equips alumni to design and operationalise new products, services, and organisational practices.

Because the programme is part-time and geared towards professionals, it also supports career progression within the students' current organisations—strengthening leadership capabilities for building innovation-oriented cultures. The international conference component and industry-linked teaching further enhance employability by providing practical experience and a professional network useful for both corporate and entrepreneurial career paths.