This program is aimed at graduates and professionals who aspire to launch successful knowledge-based entrepreneurial ventures. This course was designed for Science, Engineering, Information Technology and Maths (STEAM) graduates interested in launching their own business start-ups. However, of the 168 students who have graduated from the course to date those from the professional adviser disciplines of law and accountancy have found it particularly valuable as have others from diverse backgrounds including physicians and soldiers.
This innovative, hands-on course is held over a period of three semesters full-time with face-to-face tuition imparted over four week-long intensive training periods, during the first part of the course, coupled with intensive personal mentoring sessions during the subsequent dissertation period. Topics covered include an Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategy, Marketing, Finance, Risk Management, People and Project Management, Market Research, Raising Business Finance (Debt and Equity) and Business Planning. A mentored project allows students to develop a feasibility study on a business of their choice, which leads to a final project consisting of a detailed business plan and funding presentation that can be applied in real life. The study units are taught by foreign and local lecturers with assessment by progress tests and written assignments related to the production of business documents. The course was developed in conjunction with the Technology-Transfer unit of Oxford University.
Students who have been accepted for this Master Programme have the option to terminate their studies following the completion of 60 ECTS study units, and in this case will be awarded the Diploma in Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship. On the other hand, these students may opt to terminate their studies having obtained 30 ECTS credits, including the first study-unit, and in this case shall be awarded a Certificate in Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship. (Students shall only be eligible for one award – the highest – through this degree programme.)
The shortest duration over which this degree programme can be completed shall be three consecutive semesters in the same academic year on a full-time basis.
Intensive week 1: Monday 14 - Friday 18 October 2024
Study-unit code: EBI5001
Study-Unit title: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Intensive week 2: Monday 11 - Friday 15 November 2024
Study-unit code: EBI5002
Study-Unit title: Creativity and Innovation - From Ideas to Products and Services
Study-unit code: EBI5003
Study-Unit title: Marketing and Strategy for Entrepreneurs
Intensive week 3: Monday 27 - Friday 31 January 2025
Study-Unit code: EBI5004
Study-Unit title: Business Planning for Entrepreneurs
Study-Unit code: EBI5005
Study-Unit title: Enterprise Finance - Funding for Growth
Intensive week 4: Monday 17 - 21 March 2025
Study-Unit code: EBI5006
Study-Unit title: Risk Management - Products and Projects
Study-Unit code: EBI5007
Study-Unit title: Performance Management - People and Organisations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Study-Unit code: EBI5000
Study-Unit title: Mentored Entrepreneurship Project
This is a mentored module which starts in semester 1 and ends in semester 2.
Study-Unit code: EBI5008
Study-Unit title: Final Entrepreneurship Project
This consists of a supervised final project which has to be submitted in semester 3
Lectures start at 08:30 and till 17:00 for the duration of each of the four intensive training weeks.
Lectures are held at CEBI, Dar Guzeppi Zahra at the University Campus Msida.
Prospective candidates should be in possession of a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category ll in the areas of Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Media, Communications, and the Humanities, or in any area which the CEBI Board deems as appropriate. Applicants in possession of a Bachelor degree with Third Class Honours or Category lll in the areas of Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Media, Communications, and the Humanities may apply if they are also in possession of other qualifications or at least 5 years of relevant work experience, obtained following the first cycle degree.
In exceptional circumstances and under certain conditions, applicants who are not in possession of the qualifications indicated above may also be considered if they submit a letter of motivation and a detailed curriculum vitae showing evidence of considerable experience and achievement. The admission of applicants may be made conditional to the results of an assessment as the CEBI Board may deem appropriate.
The programme has been accepted into the Malta Enterprise 'Get Qualified' scheme. Students who apply separately under the 'Get Qualified' scheme may be granted tax rebates up to 70% of the course fees.
UM accepts online applications until 16 September 2024 by 2pm. Earlier applications are subject to lower application fee.