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Innovation Management Studies Content and Perspectives

In a world that is constantly changing due to technological breakthroughs and rapidly changing market requirements, the ability to innovate is becoming a decisive success factor for companies. A degree program in innovation management prepares students to turn creative ideas into successful business strategies. This article provides an overview of what makes a degree program in innovation management stand out, what content is taught, and what career opportunities arise from it. Find out why this discipline is so exciting and relevant for forward-thinking minds.

What is an innovation management degree?

An innovation management degree is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the development, implementation, and marketing of innovations. The aim is to prepare students for the challenges associated with promoting and managing innovation in companies, organizations and start-ups. The program combines elements of business administration, technology, creativity methods and strategy management. Students learn how to develop, analyze and successfully establish innovative products, services, processes or business models in the market. At the same time, they acquire skills in project management, change management and leading teams in dynamic environments. The program is aimed at creative and solution-oriented people who are interested in future trends, entrepreneurship and the design of new ideas. Graduates can work in various industries, such as product development, management consulting, research and development or as founders of their own start-ups.

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What qualifications are needed to study innovation management?

If you enjoy creating new things, working in teams and thinking in a solution-oriented way, you have the ideal qualities for studying innovation management. This course of study also offers an exciting challenge to those who enjoy dealing with future trends and approach change in a positive way.

Formal requirements

  • University entrance qualification:
    • A-levels, advanced technical college certificate or a comparable qualification.
    • Alternatively: Vocational qualification with relevant professional experience (depending on the university).
  • Language skills:
    • Good knowledge of English, as many courses include international content and English-language literature.
  • Specific requirements:
    • Sometimes a letter of motivation, a personal interview or an aptitude test is required.
    • Previous knowledge in economics, technology or project management can be helpful, but is rarely mandatory.
  • Technical affinity (for specialized courses of study):
    • Interest in digitization, technologies or IT tools, especially for programs with a strong focus on technology management.

Personal qualities

  • Creativity: Innovation management requires the ability to develop new ideas and think unconventionally.
  • Problem-solving skills: The ability to approach challenges analytically and develop practical solutions is key.
  • Teamwork: Innovations often arise from collaboration with others. Good communication and cooperation skills are important.
  • Interest in trends and technologies: A natural curiosity about future topics, technological developments and social changes is an advantage.
  • Strategic thinking: Innovation management not only includes the generation of ideas, but also their implementation and positioning in the market. A sense of long-term planning is helpful.
  • Organizational talent: Projects must be planned in a structured way and carried out efficiently. Organizational talent and a focus on objectives are therefore essential.
  • Resilience and flexibility: Innovation processes are often characterized by uncertainties and setbacks. Stamina and the ability to adapt quickly to new situations are valuable.
  • Entrepreneurial thinking: If you want to be successful in innovation management, you should have a sense of economic interrelationships and market needs.

Innovation Management program at Munich Business School

At Munich Business School, you can study for a Master's in Innovation and Entrepreneurship with a focus on innovation management. This gives you the perfect mix of business knowledge and practical experience and project management skills, through a business project for example, to help you shape your future according to your ideas. These are the most important facts about studying at MBS:

Duration of study

18 or 24 Months

Degree

Master of Arts

Start of studies

Every September

Degree program

Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Language of study

English

Tuition fees

EUR 8.580 per Semester

Highlights

Dual Degree, Mentoring Program & Guest Lectures by Experts

Areas of focus

Individual Components through Electives such as Social Entrepreneurship, Technology Trends or „Success Factor Happiness“

This is what you will learn in innovation management studies

This table summarizes the main topics and content areas of the course. It shows how broad and practical the course is.

Category Course content
Basics Business administration and management, business law and ethics
Core areas of innovation management Innovation strategies, design thinking and creativity methods, technology and trend management, product and process development
Practice-oriented content Project and process management, change management-entrepreneurship
Digitization and innovation Digital transformation, big data and artificial intelligence
Supplementary content Market and competition analyses, sustainability management, communication and presentation
Practice and graduation Practical projects and case studies, final thesis

Study innovation management or business administration with a focus on it?

A business degree with a focus on innovation management offers you a broader foundation than a degree in innovation management alone. While innovation management is highly specialized in the development and implementation of new ideas, business administration gives you a comprehensive knowledge of business contexts, such as finance, marketing, human resource management and corporate strategy. This broad base not only helps you to develop innovations, but also to better understand their economic impact and to embed them in a targeted manner in the corporate context.

By specializing in innovation management, you can still gain in-depth knowledge of creative processes and trend analysis, but you have the advantage of also being flexibly deployable in other areas. This makes you a sought-after specialist who can take on both operational and strategic tasks. This combination opens up more diverse career opportunities for you and enables you to manage innovations holistically.

Studying Business Administration at MBS

Munich Business School not only offers you a degree in business administration, but also focuses on international business, so that after graduation you can pursue your chosen career anywhere in the world. At MBS, you can expect small study groups, dedicated teachers, and award-winning programs. But more importantly, your name matters to us. Here, you are not an anonymous member, but the driving force that motivates us every morning. As a small, private university, we take the time to address your concerns and offer you a tailor-made study experience. Our lecturers have extensive practical experience and teach you skills that really count. Studying at MBS offers many highlights such as business projects, internships, semesters abroad, plenty of networking opportunities, and much more. In addition to sound business knowledge, we also promote values and skills that will give you an understanding of sustainability and social responsibility as a future professional and prepare you optimally for a wide range of careers.

Benefits of the Munich Business School

Learn from Experts

Professors with business experience and specialists as guest lecturers

Individual Support

Small class sizes & support through, for example, numerous networking opportunities, mentoring programs, etc.

Double Education

Education in Business and Management

Become a Generalist and Specialist at the same time

Broad business studies program & specialized knowledge through specializations and focus options

International Prospects for the Future

Recognized degree abroad, support from the Career Center, studies in English, and much more!

MBS Experience Report

Felix on StudyCHECK Perfect concept ★★★★★
“The experience has been very good throughout. The aim of the program is not only to impart knowledge about economics, but also to broaden one's horizons and to get a perfect start in the international working world after the program. Here, students don't study against each other, but with each other. The professors and lecturers don't just read their slides, but also want the students to understand the material.”
StudyCHECK

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

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English Proficiency

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Application deadlines in detail

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Application Process

Step 1: Written Application

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Step 2: Admission

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Step 3: Study Contract

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Step 4: Student Visa

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Scholarships

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Glas voller Münzen mit wachsender Pflanze – Symbolbild für nachhaltige Finanzen und langfristigen Vermögensaufbau.

Innovation management salary

Salaries in innovation management vary depending on professional experience, company size, industry and location. Here is an overview:

  • Average annual salary: Innovation managers in Germany earn an average of around €66,400 gross per year.
  • Factors influencing salary:
    • Professional experience: Beginners with less than 3 years of experience receive an average of €54,000 gross per year. With over 10 years of experience, the salary can increase to around €88,700 gross per year.
    • Personnel responsibility: Innovation managers with personnel responsibility tend to earn more than those without.
    • Company size: Salaries are often higher in larger companies.
    • Industry: Certain industries, such as the automotive industry or the energy sector, pay higher salaries.
    • Region: In federal states such as Bavaria and Hesse, average salaries are higher than in other regions.
  • Gender gap: Men earn an average of €69,800 gross per year, while women receive around €60,800.
  • Additional benefits: In addition to the basic salary, many companies offer bonuses, company pension schemes

Master Study Program in Numbers

53% International students
60+ International partner universities
100% Munich as a business location
1 Semester abroad
1 Business Projects

3 examples of jobs in the field of innovation management

The diversity of innovation management is reflected in a number of exciting professional fields. Here is a closer look at three examples of careers:

Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for planning, developing, and launching products. They are responsible for defining product features, monitoring production costs, and measuring success after launch. The job combines technical knowledge with customer focus. They analyze market requirements and create roadmaps for product cycles.

Frau mit Tablet vor Windrädern bei Sonnenuntergang – Symbolbild für BWL Berufe im Bereich Nachhaltigkeitsmanager.
Sustainability Manager

A sustainability manager develops and manages strategies for environmental, social, and economic responsibility within a company. Their tasks include defining goals, implementing measures, reporting, compliance, and internal coordination. The profession is highly regulated, data-driven, and politically influenced, and requires assertiveness, systematic thinking, and perseverance.

Project Manager

A project manager plans, controls, and monitors projects from the definition of objectives to completion. The tasks include structuring, time and budget control, coordination of teams, and risk management. The profession requires organizational skills, decision-making ability, clear communication, and the ability to take responsibility under time pressure.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about studying Innovation Management

What is studied in the field of innovation management?

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What is entrepreneurship and innovation management?

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What does a process for innovation management in a company look like?

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What is global innovation management?

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What is an innovation management degree?

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