| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus and Louvain-na-Neuve (Belgium) | Commencement: August / September |
The MSc in Business Administration - Business Innovation is a unique international double degree programme that is offered in collaboration between Aarhus BSS and UCLouvain’s School of Management in Belgium. It prepares you for a global career in innovation and technology, equipping you with the skills for leadership roles or consulting positions focused on driving innovation
During the program, you will complete two semesters in Aarhus and two mandatory semesters in Belgium at the Louvain School of Management. Upon fulfilling each institution’s credit requirements, you will graduate with two degrees – one from each university – giving you a distinctive edge in the international job market. Managing technological innovation is increasingly critical for the sustainability and growth of businesses. Innovation, whether through cutting-edge technologies, novel products, or enhanced services not only opens new markets but also fortifies competitive positions in existing ones. The importance of managerial decisions related to innovation is immense, as companies face dynamic and intense competition where many new products and ventures struggle to succeed.
This prorgamme is for students aiming to deepen their expertise in managing innovation and technology, develop skills for handling complex and innovative projects and cultivate effective teamwork. It appeals to those with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong motivation to master the art of leading in a global, innovation-driven environment.
The double degree program offers a unique opportunity to explore innovation from a truly international perspective, with two semesters at Aarhus University and two semesters at UCLouvain. This experience allows you to understand how two leading universities approach innovation, while immersing yourself in two dynamic campus environments with a diverse international student community.
Throughout your studies, you’ll gain a deep understanding of innovation within an international context. You’ll broaden your academic perspective, studying how innovation unfolds within companies and within the broader ecosystem that shapes innovation in two different European countries.
Read more about UCLouvain.
The Business Innovation programme will provide students with competences and skills to take up managerial positions in manufacturing companies and consulting firms, as well as start-ups:
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Business Administration - Business Innovation. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
| Methods (IT and statistics must be covered) | 15 |
| Marketing | 7,5 |
| Finance | 7,5 |
| Accounting | 7,5 |
| Organisation- and Leadership Theory | 7,5 |
| Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (both subjects must be included) | 10 |
| Additional ECTS points within the above mentioned areas | 25 |
| Bachelor project | 10 |
| Total | 90 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Business Administration -Business Innovation:
Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration from Aarhus University
Please note that you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme within three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about Legal right of admission.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Business Administration -Business Innovation:
*Please note that if your BSc in Economics and Business Administration from Aarhus University or another Danish educational institution was completed before the year 2010, it will be assessed in connection with the processing of your application whether you meet the admission requirements described in the section "Admission with other education".
You must fill in this appendix and upload it to the application portal. The appendix helps the Admission Board to assess your application.
Download appendix
This master's degree programme has a limited intake.
Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below).
Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.
For Business Innovation the selection of candidates from among qualified applicants will be performed on the background of interviews. Applicants must upload a CV with the application that describes relevant previous experience. Applicants with a legal right of admission must also upload their CVs in case it becomes necessary to prioritise among such applicants. During the interviews, applicants will be asked to explain why they believe their previous academic qualifications and other relevant experience qualify them for admission.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
Course descriptions for the specialisation can be found in the course catalogue. The courses taught in Louvain are not offered by Aarhus BSS, but you can read more about them below. Please note the descriptions are subject to change.
Knowledge Management (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (2nd semester)
The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to the various facets, emerging issues and perspectives in Knowledge Management. Knowledge management is about organising the development and use of knowledge in such a way that it directly contributes to the competitive edge of a company.
Innovation Policy and Ecosystems (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (2nd semester)
The objective of this class is to introduce the main concepts, models and issues of creating innovation-friendly organisations and environments, from the policy and ecosystem point of views.We address in particular some key implications of innovation management regarding innovative people, teams, organisations, networks and ecosystems.
Economics of Innovation (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (2nd semester)
The course aims at analysing the mechanisms and institutions governing the production, use and diffusion of information and knowledge. It also aims at developing a rigorous economic analysis of a large set of issues surrounding intellectual property, R&D and innovation.
Resource and Energy Management (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (2nd semester)
The course focuses on understanding the business and policy logic for making the environment, sustainability, and natural resources core elements of the strategy and management of organisations. It studies the processes and tools that can be used to link environmental, sustainability, and natural resource concerns with strategies, development of products and services, and operations management.
Social and sustainable Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (2nd semester)
This course uncovers the popular concepts of social and sustainable entrepreneurship. It applies entrepreneurial thinking to different business models as seen through a social, environmental and economic sustainability perspective. The course will explore the relationship between business development and its social and environmental impacts.
Managing Complexity (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (2nd semester)
We live in a complex environment, where the interconnections among economic agents (firms, consumers, ect.), their choices/decisions under uncertainty and as a response to unforeseen events determine the successfulness of firms’ activities. In this course, students will learn basic tools that companies can use to identify, report and analyse the risks/opportunities that a complex environment can bring to firms’ activities.
Innovation Management I+II (10 ECTS) UCLouvain (3rd semester)
The objective of this class is to introduce the main conceptual frameworks, analytical tools and issues related to the management of innovation and its implications, in particular regarding new ventures. We also address some key implications of innovation management regarding opportunity identification, assessment and implementation.
Digital business Systems (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (3rd semester)
The objective of this course is to provide students with a broad and solid grasp of the challenges and opportunities raised by datafication (the transformation of social action into data) and digitisation (the conversion of information into a digital format).
Corporate Social Responsibility (5 ECTS) UCLouvain (3rd semester)
The course aims at providing tools enabling the students to elicit critical thinking on ethical, social and environmental issues raised by contemporary organisations. The specificity of the firms' impact on economic life will be addressed by analysing the principles and practices covered by the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Technological and Quantitative Project (incl. Project Management) (10 ECTS) UCLoivain (3rd semester)
The goal of the project is to conduct a clear and structured analytical reasoning by applying, and eventually adapting, scientifically based conceptual frameworks and models, to define and analyse a problem. Furthermore, to initiate, develop and implement ideas around a new product or service, having evaluated the risks. To learn and apply the basics of team and project management. And to express, both orally and in writing, a clear and structured message adapted to the audience.
At Aarhus BSS, we conduct research at the highest academic level.
All researchers employed are engaged in research projects covering a wide range of different subjects and focusing on knowledge and skills considered essential for professional business activities in the global marketplace. All faculty have both research and teaching responsibilities, which means that our teaching is continually based on the latest research results.
Aarhus BSS is very internationally oriented. The broad scope of our research activities and educational programmes enable us to attract researchers, teachers, and students from all over the world, and this creates an international environment for research and learning in which academic views are exchanged, experiences are gathered and friendships are formed.
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The Business Innovation programme will provide students with competences and skills to take up managerial positions in manufacturing companies and consulting firms, as well as start-ups:
In large companies, candidates will be champions for innovation and technology by bridging the gap between R&D, production and sales activities supporting and shaping the innovation culture of companies.
In small- and medium-sized companies, candidates will act as entrepreneurs combining technological know-how with profound business understanding.
The entrepreneurial ability to transform opportunities into economic reality, the ability to organize activities and combine resources for the continuity of innovative activities, are central skills of future managers.
