Overview
Who is it for?
The MICL is for you if:
- You’re ready to challenge yourself and explore your own potential as an extraordinary leader, creator and innovator.
- You want to amplify your creative capabilities, so you can address today’s increasingly unpredictable business, technological and social challenges.
- You want to inspire and empower your teams and organisations to take managed 'leaps of faith' that will overcome these complex obstacles.
Now you’re seeking new skills and new opportunities. You’ve been working full-time in a relevant professional area for at least three years, and you have an upper second class degree, or equivalent. You can also ask us to consider relevant work experience.
This programme at Bayes was like no other that I had found (and I had searched postgraduate options all across Europe and North America). I enjoyed every single module, and was impressed with the variety as well as the threads that wove them all together.
Your future is worth investing in, the MICL will change you and challenge you. It’s relevant and it’s one-of-a-kind.
- Diana Squires
Objectives
In a complex and chaotic world, the aim of our master’s in innovation is to inspire and enable you to drive the future, and change things for the better. You will become part of a global community of creative thinkers and practitioners who work together to lead positive change.
Student Consulting Opportunities
This course is taught within the Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice, C2P2, and you have the opportunity to join projects running through C2P2 and its sister centre, the Centre for Creativity Enabled by AI (CebAI).
You learn from a multi-disciplinary team of academics and practitioners, developing knowledge and skills in leadership, creativity and innovation that can instigate valuable change in a broad range of situations. Their practical, reflective and values-based approach brings theories to life, and offers you a variety of experiences to help you to strengthen your capabilities.
This interdisciplinary programme explores
- business
- the arts
- psychology
- law
- design
- digital technologies.
You’ll also discover how to unleash creativity within others, including team members, colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
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Bayes Innovate
For the last few years at Bayes Innovate our Master's in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership postgraduate programme students have had the chance to learn from entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage of their journeys – from fledgling start-ups to global giants.
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Structure
Previous Alumni have stated that the MSc programme for Innovation, Creativity and Leadership has :
- Taught and applied practical processes and tools which they use every day, even 10 years on
- Encouraged them to explore their own potential as a leader, creator and innovator
- Through active, inspiring modules and teaching, gave them personal and professional insights which continue to inform their ambitions and achievements
On this MSc programme students can benefit from:
- Learn and apply practical processes and tools to drive creativity which you’ll use for years to come.
- Gain personal and professional insights from experts in each discipline and build a fully rounded perspective which will inform your ambitions.
- Discover the power of collaboration in extensive group projects.
- Prepare for your future in the third term with your choice of electives plus an academic or practical project to apply the insights you’ve gained.
- Benefit from our close links with organisations where creative and innovative leadership is crucial, and enjoy unrivalled opportunities to network with a diverse community of like-minded professionals.
The Master's in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership offers a rare opportunity to study innovation, creativity and leadership from a fully rounded, interdisciplinary perspective, learning from leaders in each of the disciplines.
Creative leadership is crucial in promoting and delivering innovative outcomes. Creative leaders need to be flexible, knowledgeable and be able to inspire others to follow them into the unknown. In this course you will:
- Develop your understanding of the roles and advantages of different creative problem solving strategies, techniques and tools in a range of different contexts
- Learn when to use different innovation tools, and in which situations
- Gain practical skills to facilitate creativity and enhance innovation
- Learn how to tackle complex and wicked problems
- Learn how to work effectively within teams to solve problems, produce creative outcomes and design solutions in business and other contexts
- Learn how to overcome barriers to creativity and innovation so you can deliver change
- Understand what elements foster a creative climate and what distinguishes creative organisations.
We review all our masters courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice. Therefore, there may be some change to the detailed content of the modules and occasionally to module titles.
Induction weeks
All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.
Term 1
Creative Writing
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
You will learn to develop and communicate ideas through writing and discover how storytelling supports leadership.
You will also develop your own writing skills through critiquing others' writing and responding to critiques of your own work and learn how to use tools to develop a play or screenplay.
The module was developed by the School of Communication & Creativity. The module leader is Phil O’Shea, who is a practicing script writer.Creative Problem Solving and Leadership
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
Learn practical problem-solving processes and cultivate intuitive decision-making and communication skills.
Enhance your understanding of your own skills and how to apply them in the business and professional worlds to foster a creative climate and enhance innovation.
The module leader is Andy Wilkins.Leading Creative Design
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
In this module you will learn how to intertwine creative and design thinking as part of advanced service design practices. Theories and practices from different design disciplines - e.g. service, product and architecture - will provide you with the interdisciplinary frameworks to create and design more effectively.
Throughout the module you will learn about new techniques to investigate, generate, envision, prototype, critique and reflect on designs that are creative solutions to complex and chaotic problems .
The module leader is Professor Neil Maiden.
Intellectual Property Law and Management
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
You will gain an overview of the legal issues around design, innovation and creativity, and learn to identify and address the concerns they raise.
You will also learn about confidentiality agreements, copyright, trade mark and branding, and design rights - including rights ownership and their commercial exploitation.
This module is delivered by Prof Ruth Soetendorp, in conjunction with a team of intellectual property practitioners from leading creativity and innovation enterprises, and is moderated by the City Law School, one of London's major law schools.
Term 2
The Psychology of Creativity and Innovation
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
You will explore ways to develop creative talent in individuals, teams and at an organisational level and develop skills in building work environments that support innovation.
You will also understand how creativity and innovation can drive economic performance, employee involvement and organisational change.
This module was designed by organisational psychologists from the Department of Psychology. The module leader is Dr Maire Kerrin.Technologies, Creativity and Innovation
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
In this module, you will learn creative approaches to digital innovation through the design of new digital systems, and explore ways of using digital technologies for yourself and your teams, in creative problem-solving and design, in ways that help, rather than hinder, your creative processes.
You will use case studies to understand the process of developing digital support for creative problem-solving and design, as an example of interactive system design.
The module leader is Dr Sara Jones.Delivering Innovation
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
Learn how the results of creative work can be transformed into valuable products and services in business and professional contexts.
You will use case studies of commercial and public organisations to develop a deep understanding of creative and innovative practices.
This module is leader is Andy Wilkins.Creativity and the Creative Industries
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures and guided study
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
You will explore creativity and innovation in different performance arts including music, dance and acting.
You will compare creativity and innovation in performing arts with creativity and innovation in the other disciplines you have studied and learn how to transfer different types of knowledge across disciplines to improve creativity and innovation.
The module was developed by the School of Communication & Creativity. The module leader is Mary Ann Kernan.
Term 3
You may choose from these two options in your final term.
Research Methods and Individual Project
You will undertake a substantive individual piece of work under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The aim of the individual project is to apply the insights you’ve gained throughout the Innovation, Creativity and Leadership master's programme to a working environment of your choice.
You will deliver your final project as a dissertation. A member of academic staff with expertise in the particular area you wish to research will be allocated to supervise the project.
This can be an excellent opportunity for your employer to gain immediate benefit from your studies.
Examples of recent projects include:
- Business Mavericks
- Innovation in Professional Services. A Comparative Study
- Creativity in a Box: learning to facilitate group creativity using online learning materials and the facilitator's toolkit
- The Sensei Within: A Study of Leadership Qualities in Japanese Martial Arts
Research Methods and Small Project plus electives
You will undertake an individual piece of work under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The aim is to provide you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that you have acquired in the taught part of the master's degree in relevant creative, innovation delivery and leadership contexts.
You will deliver your final project as a project report. A member of academic staff with expertise in the particular area the student wishes to research will be allocated to supervise the project.
This can be an excellent opportunity for students' employers to gain immediate benefit from their employee's studies.
Work on your Project is undertaken alongside study for 3 chosen electives.
Electives offered in 2022
- Research Methods and Small Project
- Family Business
- Driving Supply Chain Innovation through Technology
- Innovation in Organisations
- New Market Creation
- Project Leadership
International electives
- Corporate Open Innovation (taught in Milan, Italy)
- Procurement (taught in Mannheim, Germany).
Please note that electives are subject to change and availability.
Assessment methods
Assessment
Assessment of all core modules on the Masters in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership is by means of coursework only. Coursework may consist of standard essays, or individual and group project work, as appropriate to the module.
The master's consists of eight core modules, each worth 15 credits, plus either:
- A dissertation project worth 60 credits
Or
- Three electives worth 10 credits each and a small project worth 30 credits
Term dates
Term dates 2023/24
- Induction: 11th September 2023 - 22nd September 2023
- Term one: 25th September 2023 - 8th December 2023
- Term one exams: 8th January 2024 - 19th January 2024
- Term two: 22nd January 2024 - 5th April 2024
- Term two exams: 22nd April 2024 - 3rd May 2024
- Term three - international electives: 6th May 2024 - 17th May 2024
- Term three: 20th May 2024 - 5th July 2024
- Term three exams: 8th July 2024 - 19th July 2024
- Resits: 12th August 2024 - 23rd August 2024
- Additional resit week - tests only: 26th August 2024 - 30th August 2024.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
View academic timetables (add timetable and search for your programme)
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
Teaching staff
Course Director
Academic expert working at Bayes Business School
On the MICL you will learn from a team of academic experts and highly experienced practitioners who have been working together for over a decade to develop an integrated and highly practical interdisciplinary approach to the core topics of creativity, leadership and innovation.
Module Leaders include:
Application
How to apply
Apply for MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership: Full-time
Apply for MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership: Part-time
Documents required for decision-making
- Undergraduate degree transcript (if applicable)
- Grading system used by your university (if applicable)
- CV (Evidence of minimum of three years employment, at an appropriate level)
- Personal statement - this should be around 500 words in length and answer the following:
- Why have you selected this course? What are your motivating factors?
- What are your areas of interest within the course?
- What contributions do you feel you can make to the course?
- How do you see the course affecting your career plans?
Documents which may follow at a later date
- English language test result if applicable
- Confirmation of professional qualification examinations/exemptions/passes, if applicable
- Two professional references
- For a successful application to receive an unconditional status, all award documents must be verified, and should be provided to the relevant Admissions Officer via one of the methods stated in your offer.
Individual Appointments
If you would like to arrange an individual appointment to discuss the application process and be given a tour of the facilities, please complete this form.
Please note - these are subject to availability.
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Terms and conditions
Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.
Entry requirements
A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution. Applicants who do not hold a degree may be considered on the basis of work experience alone.
Work Experience
Applicants must have a minimum of three years' full-time work experience in a relevant professional domain
English language requirements
If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take an English language test.
If you have studied in the UK at degree level for less than three years (e.g. 3+1, 2+1, 2+2, etc.) you will be required to provide the results of an approved English language test and possibly resit the test to meet our academic entry requirements.
Full list of approved English language tests/qualifications and minimum requirements.
Fees
Fees in each subsequent year of study for continuing students (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee for continuing students in writing prior to commencing each subsequent year of study (where applicable).
Application fee: Nil
Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met)
First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the induction period)
Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course)
Career pathways
Career destinations for Master’s Innovation, Creativity and Leadership
Our Master’s Innovation, Creativity and Leadership equips students for creative leadership roles in a broad range of contexts.
Those completing the course go on to become innovation leaders and consultants in large and small organisations, and in private, public and voluntary sectors, as well as developing their own businesses providing products and services across a range of different industries.
Maybe you’ll take your new skills back to your current employer. Or maybe you’ll be moving on to new opportunities.
Maybe you’ll become an entrepreneur, setting up your own business from an idea developed through the course. The MICL has been designed to unlock career possibilities.
Your innovation master’s unlocks career possibilities and prepares you for a wide range of creative leadership roles. Your career path could see you working as a consultant in large or small organisations, in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Or you may wish to follow the entrepreneurial route and develop your own business. You might return to your current employer, armed with new skills and ideas, or move on to new opportunities.
Recent graduates have gone on to work as brand campaign managers, UX designers, product developers, product managers, strategists and policy specialists. After graduating in 2018, MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership alumna Callie started working as Community Manager for Artgym. Alumnus Pascal Rota is working as a Consultant for Capgemini Invent.
Our careers team will help you find your path and achieve your goals.
Previous graduates have gone on to work in financial services, technology, IT services and property/real estate across the UK, the EU and South America.
Class profile
Graduates from the MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership degree programme have secured positions in companies including:
- Head - Internal and Cultural communications - Bank Muscat
- Business Development and Acquisition - Excerp
- Executive Creative Director - Centro International de Desarrollo Social - CIDS
- Junior App Development Manager - Complete Coherence
- Country Business Manager - Makebea
(Data provided from alumni who completed the annual destination data survey for 2020/21 and 2019/20).
Alumni stories
Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.
Read Callie’s storyCourse information and statistics (2022/23 cohort)
