Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Program overview

This English‑taught Master’s in Sustainable Entrepreneurship within the field of Business Administration tackles pressing global problems — from climate change and social inequality to economic and financial instability — and explores them through the lens of digitalisation. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools to design and implement sustainable, innovative responses to these challenges.

Learning approach and student support

The degree combines a scientific, research-based foundation with hands-on, practice‑oriented project work, giving students both theoretical rigour and real-world experience. Students also benefit from individual guidance and mentoring, helping them to shape projects and career pathways that reflect their interests and the demands of sustainable business practice. For international students, studying in English offers access to a diverse cohort and the chance to build cross-cultural teamwork skills relevant to global sustainability initiatives.

Typical application requirements (confirm exact details on the program website)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (preferably in business, economics, or a related discipline)
• Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) if applicable
• Academic transcripts and degree certificate(s)
• Curriculum vitae (CV) and motivation letter
• Any additional documentation requested by admissions (portfolio, references)

Program structure

The Master is organised as a three-semester, project-driven sequence that moves from problem discovery to solution delivery. In the first semester you identify and analyse a real sustainability challenge drawn from your home country or professional context, using structured approaches to map complexity and stakeholder relationships. The second semester focuses on developing a practical, sustainable solution: students apply design thinking and lean start-up methods alongside ecological assessment frameworks, while deepening expertise through specialist seminars and guest lectures by academics and practitioners. In the third semester you put the solution into practice and plan for scaling, complete an applied Master's thesis, and use impact assessment and implementation science to measure and refine outcomes.

For international students this setup means you work on issues that are directly relevant to your region or workplace, gain hands-on experience with internationally recognised innovation tools, and engage with experts from both research and practice—useful for building networks and transferable skills for entrepreneurial or sustainability roles.

Key modules / topic areas

• Systems thinking, problem mapping and holistic analysis
• Stakeholder analysis and context framing
• Design thinking and lean start‑up methods for solution development
• Ecological assessment frameworks and sustainability evaluation
• Specialisation seminars and lectures by researchers and practitioners
• Implementation science, scaling strategies and practical rollout
• Impact assessment and the applied Master’s thesis

Learning outcomes

• Identify and rigorously analyse real-world sustainability problems from your home country or professional environment
• Apply systems thinking, stakeholder analysis and problem-mapping techniques to frame complex challenges
• Develop sustainable, user-centred solutions using design thinking and lean start‑up approaches
• Evaluate ecological impacts with appropriate assessment frameworks
• Gain specialised knowledge through expert-led seminars and translate theory into practice
• Plan and execute implementation and scaling strategies informed by implementation science
• Conduct impact assessments and document an applied solution in the Master’s thesis, demonstrating measurable outcomes and scalability potential

Graduates are prepared for roles that require combining sustainability expertise with entrepreneurial and implementation skills, such as sustainability manager, social entrepreneur, innovation or project manager, and consultant in sustainability-focused firms or start-ups. The programme’s emphasis on solution design, impact assessment and scaling readies alumni to lead implementation projects in organisations that address climate, social and economic challenges.

Career destinations typically include NGOs, public sector institutions, SMEs, corporate sustainability or innovation units, consultancies, and mission-driven start-ups. The scientific foundation of the degree also allows graduates to pursue research roles or further academic study (e.g., PhD) in sustainability, entrepreneurship or related fields.