Master in Strategic Management and Innovation

Master in Strategic Management and Innovation is one of 32 English-taught Business Administration programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 19 institutions. 29 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 727 to EUR 1,453; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 18 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

The Master's Programme Strategic Management and Innovation at the University of Innsbruck is a full-time, English-taught degree for people who want to shape strategies and business models in a world of disruptive change and digital transformation.

What you study

The programme focuses on how strategies and business models are developed and implemented when digitalisation reshapes markets. You work on innovation projects and get practical insights into leading innovation ecosystems. The curriculum values critical thinking, openness, creativity and reflexivity, and it builds managerial and social competences through cooperative teamwork. You also have the chance to build networks with companies and institutions. Early on, you apply your abilities in strategy and innovation projects for small, medium-sized and large organisations, or in scientific research projects.

How the programme is organised

It runs over four semesters and carries 120 ECTS credits, leading to a Master of Science (MSc). The mode of study is full-time. Teaching is in English. The programme is internationally oriented and trains entrepreneurial thinking and action through innovation projects. It is part of the University of Innsbruck's economics programme, alongside subjects such as management, marketing, finance, economics and tourism. The Faculty of Business and Management is responsible for it. The programme recommends starting in the winter semester to avoid study delays.

Who it suits

This master's is for students with an entrepreneurial mindset who are interested in founding and developing their own start-up. It also suits people who want to understand and develop strategies and business models that address the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation, and who want to find creative solutions and manage innovations. The programme emphasises teamwork and networking, so you should be comfortable working with others and building contacts with companies and institutions.

Admission, language and next steps

You need a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent, and language certificates. The teaching language is English, so you will need to show your English proficiency as part of the admission requirements. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to the University of Innsbruck, and its programme page gives the application period and deadlines. As a public university, EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters; other students pay a fee per semester. If you are considering setting up your own business, the University of Innsbruck also offers an Extension Programme Entrepreneurship as a supplementary option. Graduates can go on to doctoral programmes, including the PhD Programme Management.

The master’s programme in Strategic Management and Innovation addresses students with an entrepreneurial mindset who are interested in founding and developing their own start-up. Furthermore, the programme focuses on the ability to understand and develop strategies and business models that address challenges and opportunities through digitisation. The master's programme prepares the students to find creative solutions and develop and manage innovations. The programme values critical thinking, openness, creativity and reflexivity to enable the students to develop managerial and social skills. The programme emphasises cooperative teamwork and the establishment of networks with companies and institutions. The students have the possibility to apply their abilities and creativity at an early stage in strategy and innovation projects for small, medium-sized and large organisations, or in scientific research projects.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Innsbruck. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.