Innovation, Creativity and Leadership MSc

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Key information

Duration: 12 months (full-time); 24 months (part-time)

Attendance mode: Full-time; Part-time

Location: Finsbury Square

Start of programme: September 2025

Application deadline: Rolling applications

Entry year: Showing course information for 2025

An interdisciplinary Master's that will help you think differently and lead positive change

Overview

Innovation, Creativity and Leadership MSc Who is it for?

The Master's in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership is for you if want to:

Lead innovation – be the change-maker in tomorrow’s business world
Build a career with impact – motivate your teams and create meaningful change
Redefine the rules – innovate, lead, and challenge the status quo
Explore a business playground full of bold ideas, new connections, and real-world skills
Join in, have fun and build a career that feels like you.

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Seeking to further expand your leadership and creative skills so you can address today’s increasingly unpredictable business, technological and social challenges? This programme is for you. 1 minute

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Why choose this course?

This course provides a unique opportunity to study innovation, creativity and leadership from a fully rounded, interdisciplinary perspective
Our curriculum builds upon your professional experience, marrying it with contemporary theories and innovative approaches
You will have an unrivalled opportunity to network with a diverse community of like-minded professionals, and benefit from our close links with practice

We appreciate your work commitments – we offer options to balance work and study through part time attendance
You will immediately be able to apply what you learn to your current workplace
You will have the opportunity to work with experts and be involved in projects running through the Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice, the Centre for Creativity Enabled by AI, and the Institute for Creativity and AI.

Course objectives

In a complex and chaotic world, the aim of our master’s in innovation, creativity and leadership 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.

The course takes a practical, reflective and values-based approach that brings theories to life, and offers you a wide variety of experiences to help you to strengthen your capabilities.

You’ll develop your own skills as a creative leader, and you’ll also discover how to unleash creativity within others, including team members, colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

You will learn from a multi-disciplinary team of academics and practitioners, developing knowledge and skills in leadership, creativity and innovation that enable you to bring about valuable change in a broad range of situations.

This interdisciplinary programme draws on theory and practice in:

business
the arts
psychology
law
design
digital technologies.

Teaching staff

On the Master's Innovation, Creativity and Leadership you will learn from a team of academic experts and highly experienced practitioners many of whom 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.

Dr Sara Jones

Reader in Creative Interactive System Design

Dr Eugenia Cacciatori

Reader in Management

Module leaders include:

Course content

In this course you will:

Develop your creative thinking
Learn when and how to use different approaches to innovation
Learn when and how to use cutting-edge digital technologies, including generative AI, to help with creative problem solving
Gain practical skills to facilitate creative thinking and enhance innovation in your teams and organisations
Develop your capacity for reflection in ways that will support your personal development journey and sharpen your leadership skills
Learn how to work effectively in teams to solve problems, produce creative outcomes and design solutions
Learn how to foster a creative climate within your organisation
Learn how to deliver change.

Watch our taster session

Course structure

Programme content is subject to change. We regularly review our module offering and amend to keep up to date and relevant.

You can take the Master's Innovation, Creativity and Leadership (MICL) as either:

A one-year full-time course
A two- year part-time course

Full-time students
In Term 1, you will take four compulsory modules, followed by another four compulsory modules in Term 2. In Term 3, your attendance will depend on your chosen path:

A dissertation
A small project and three elective modules

Part-time students
You will join the full-time students for the modules. Our programme offers a mixture of module designs to accommodate those who are working while pursuing the MICL.

Each year, you will take:

Two compulsory modules in Term 1
Two compulsory modules in Term 2

In Term 3, your attendance will depend on your chosen path

A dissertation (Year 2)
Three elective modules (Year 1) and a small project (Year 2)

Induction weeks
The course starts with two compulsory induction weeks. During induction, we will introduce you to some core concepts and skills that will underpin your later work across the programme, and give you a flavour of the way you will work with us throughout, as well as providing some fun and surprises along the way.

You will have introductory sessions on:

Reflection for learning and professional development
Preparing to be at your best
Uncovering your values and goals for the course.

You will also be able to join a range of Careers events, and have the opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow students, Course Director and Faculty in an informal environment.

Creative Writing
- 15 credits
- 30 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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 Jason Donald, who is a practicing writer.
Creative Problem Solving and Leadership
- 15 Credits
- 30 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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 Dr Enrico Bonadio, of the City Law School, one of London's major law schools in conjunction with a team of intellectual property practitioners.

The Psychology of Creativity and Innovation
- 15 credits
- 30 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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 at City. The module leader is Dr Anke Plangol.
Technologies, Creativity and Innovation
- 15 Credits
- 30 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
In this module, you will explore ways of using digital technologies such as generative AI for yourself and your teams, in ways that help, rather than hinder, your creative processes. You will use real examples and 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 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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. The module leader is Andy Wilkins.
Creativity and the Creative Industries.
- 15 credits
- 30 contact hours
- 120 independent learning hours
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 Dr Ayce Ince Onkal.

You may choose from these two options in your final term.

Research Methods and Individual Project
Research Methods and Small Project.

Electives offered in 2024

Ethics, Society and the Finance Sector
Corporate Entrepreneurship
FinTech - Financial Services in the Digital Age
Negotiation Skill for Multidiscipline Managers
New Market Creation
Project Leadership
Storytelling for Business.

Please note that electives are subject to change and availability.

Download course specification:

Innovation, Creativity and Leadership MSc [PDF]

Assessment methods

Course work
Individual presentations
Group projects

Term dates

Term dates 2025/26

Induction: 15th September 2025 - 26th September 2025
Term one: 29th September 2025 - 12th December 2025
Term two: 19th January 2026 - 3rd April 2026
Term three - international electives: 4th May 2026 - 15th May 2026
Term three: 18th May 2026 - 3rd July 2026
Term three exams: 6th July 2026 - 17th July 2026
Resits: 10th August 2026 - 21st August 2026
Additional resit week - tests only: 24th August 2026 - 28th August 2026.

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

Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.

Careers

The Innovation, Creativity and Leadership master's has been designed to unlock career possibilities. Our alumni 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.

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Recent graduates have gone on to work in such varied roles as brand campaign managers, UX designers, product developers, product managers, strategists and policy specialists.

For example, after graduating in 2018, MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership alumna Callie Seymour started working as Community Manager for Artgym. Alumnus Pascal Rota started working as a Consultant for Capgemini Invent. Diana Squires (2021) started work as a programme manager at Pilotlight, and Natasha Cox (2022) developed her own award winning business, using the power of performing arts to change lives.’

Marco Marugg

"Your future is worth investing in; the MICL will change you and challenge you."

- Diana Squires,
MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership 2021 graduate

Our alumni have gone on to work in a variety of roles including:

Communications and Change Specialist
Product Marketing Manager
Assistant Director Culture & Inclusion
Executive Creative Director
Head of Internal and Cultural Communications
Head of People, Culture and Capabilities
Business Transformation Manager
Learning Design Producer
Product Strategy Principal
Country Business Manager

Recent alumni have been employed by companies including:

Amazon
Bank Muscat
BBC
Deloitte
Excerp
Great Place To Work
Interactive Workshops
Kubrick Group
L’Oréal
Makeba
Pilotlight
Thames Water

Download our latest MSc Employment Report

Dedicated to your success

From the moment you accept your offer, you'll have access to our dedicated Postgraduate Careers Service, tailored to support your career journey. Our Career Accelerator module, launched over the summer, provides early access to valuable resources, employer insights, and career planning tools to prepare you for the job market.

Our expert Postgraduate Careers Team, made up of experienced recruiters and career coaches offers personalised one-to-one guidance, covering everything from networking and CV building to job offer management and mock interviews. Whether you’re pursuing a new career path, seeking an entry-level role, or launching your own business, you'll receive support to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

You'll also benefit from exclusive events such as Careers Fairs, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with industry professionals and alumni, helping you explore career options and make valuable connections.

Workshops led by our Careers Team and industry experts cover essential professional skills, including presentation techniques, personal branding, and assessment centre success, ensuring you stand out in the job market.

Additionally, Bayes Careers Online (BCO) offers career planning tools, guidance leaflets, access to job postings directly from employers and key career events, helping you stay on track with your career goals.

Recent employers

Alumni stories

Daniel Liendo

Innovation, Creativity and Leadership

Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.

Read Daniel’s story
Callie Seymour

Innovation, Creativity and Leadership

Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.

Read Callie’s story

Fees & funding

UK/Home fee

September 2025 entry

£12,000

MSc (Full-time)

£6,000 (per year)

MSc (part-time)

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

International fee

September 2025 entry

£26,000

MSc (Full-time)

£13,000 (per year)

MSc (part-time)

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met).

First instalment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period).

Second instalment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course).

Tuition fee increases

Where applicable, tuition fees for Bayes' programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each year of study. Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships, sponsorships, loans and other funding could support your education at Bayes Business School.

Learn about the cost of living as a Bayes student in London.

View our scholarships and funding

Entry requirements

We normally require 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 should normally have a minimum of three years’ full-time work experience in a relevant professional domain (there is no upper limit).

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.

Apply

Please see our Application Guide for details of the documents you will need to supply as part of your application, and other useful information.

We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply. We can only make a decision on your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.

Frequently asked questions

Apply for September 2025 entry

We only accept online applications.

Apply - MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership FT Apply - MSc Innovation, Creativity and Leadership PT

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 and will be on campus.