Innovation Management: Sustainable Intrapreneurship (MSc)
Hamburg School of Business Administration · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Innovation Management at HSBA is an English-taught Master of Science (MSc) in Hamburg that focuses on innovation, management, business development, and the adaptation of business models in a digitalised, data-driven and globalised world.
You complete 120 ECTS over a regular option of 2.5 years or an optional Fast Track option of 2 years, and you can choose a specialisation from the second semester, including Sustainable Intrapreneurship.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Innovation Management (core module) to build your innovation, strategy, and business model perspective
- Business administration fundamentals including negotiations and project work approaches
- Data Analysis and applied quantitative methods for decision-making with data
- Project Management to apply agile and project structuring methods
- Strategic Digital Economics (core module) covering digital technologies, innovation, and regulatory perspectives
- Business Plans and Legal Foundations to connect innovation and entrepreneurship with business planning
- Sustainable Intrapreneurship specialisation begins with its first specialisation module in the second semester block
- Specialisation Part II modules under Sustainable Intrapreneurship continue the themed focus on intrapreneurship for sustainable innovation
- Specialisation Part III modules extend the track work and prepare you for advanced applied outcomes
- Consulting Project to solve real problems in a structured, team-based setting
- Research Seminar Scientific Methods to prepare you for your master’s thesis
- Master’s Thesis & Colloquium to complete your final academic thesis with supervisor support
- Science Communication to help you present complex content clearly to different audiences
Curriculum
120 ECTS MSc programme at HSBA with compulsory modules, a project module, a specialisation track with Sustainable Intrapreneurship, an elective choice block, and a Master’s Thesis.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | General modules and compulsory core module | Innovation Management | ||
| Negotiations & Storytelling | ||||
| Programming | ||||
| Data Analysis | ||||
| Entrepreneurial Finance | ||||
| Project Management & Business Plans | ||||
| Semester 2 | Core module and year-2 modules including specialisation Part I and choice modules | Service & Product Design | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||||
| Case Studies in Innovation | ||||
| Consulting Project | ||||
| Specialisation Part I | ||||
| Semester 3 | Specialisation Part II and project/elective year-2/3 modules | Strategic Digital Economics | ||
| Sustainable Innovation Camp | ||||
| Specialisation Part II | ||||
| Future of Work & Human Resources (HR) Trends | ||||
| Research Seminar Scientific Methods | ||||
| Semester 4 | Specialisation Part III and transition to Master’s Thesis preparation | Specialisation Part III | ||
| Semester 5 | Master’s Thesis | Master’s Thesis | ||
| Master Thesis (Colloquium) | ||||
| Total | All programme modules plus Master’s Thesis | |||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with innovation-management skills that fit roles where organisations need to turn ideas into sustainable intrapreneurial projects, not just plans.
- You develop practical competence through project work and consulting-style learning that mirrors how innovation teams tackle real business challenges in Germany.
- The Sustainable Intrapreneurship track helps you position yourself for sustainability-focused innovation roles, where companies look for candidates who can combine business planning with sustainable execution.
- Your training in data analysis and digital economics supports career paths in innovation strategy and digital transformation decision-making.
- You build communication skills for stakeholders through science-communication training and presentation-based assessments, helping you work effectively with technical and non-technical teams.
- The MSc structure supports progression toward specialist and leadership responsibilities in innovation, strategy, and corporate development functions.
Employability rate
Graduates in innovation-management and intrapreneurship-relevant business roles in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 82% and an unemployment rate of about 18%, reflecting ongoing hiring needs in innovation and digital transformation teams.
Together, these figures point to a fairly stable outlook for candidates who can combine business strategy, data-informed decision-making, and sustainable innovation project skills.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master's entry requirement (international applicants) | International applicants must hold a completed third-level degree (bachelor’s equivalent) with at least 180 ECTS. The degree should be completed with a grade of at least Good (2.5). HSBA also requires at least 60 ECTS in economics-related subjects, with flexibility for relevant scientific or quantitative methods and substitution via relevant professional experience. |
| Economics-related ECTS and grade | Of the economics-related subjects requirement (60 ECTS), 15 ECTS may be substituted by credits in scientific or quantitative methods. In addition, up to 30 ECTS may be substituted by one year of relevant professional experience. If your grade is not at least Good (2.5), you must provide additional relevant professional experience. |
| Selection process | For the MSc Innovation Management, admission also depends on HSBA’s selection process, which includes an online application and an individual interview. If you meet the admission requirements, you will be invited to that interview for assessment of personal, social and professional suitability. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Direct match | HSBA states that the MSc Innovation Management requires 180 ECTS in the third-level degree and at least 60 ECTS in economics-related subjects, with flexibility for quantitative/scientific methods and substitution via relevant professional experience. In practice, business/economics/management study backgrounds with sufficient economics-related credits align best. |
Language requirements
To study on the MSc Innovation Management (Sustainable Intrapreneurship) at HSBA, you must demonstrate English proficiency. HSBA accepts multiple internationally recognised tests and also considers proof of prior studies in English.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 22500 / total program | Tuition fees are 22,500 euros for the entire Master’s programme. |
| Monthly tuition (payment plan) | EUR 750 / per month | Financing guidance shows an amount of 750 euros per month for MSc Innovation Management. |
Proof of financial resources
HSBA requires you to provide proof of financing for your studies after you receive an offer. When planning your budget for Germany, include tuition fees, living costs in Hamburg, health insurance, and visa-related expenses.
- Proof of financing for your study place after admission (as requested by HSBA during enrolment).
- Your personal financial plan for tuition fees and living costs in Hamburg for your visa/residence process.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
🎓 Scholarship
| Provider | Scheme name | Coverage | Eligibility notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD | EPOS — Development-Related Postgraduate Courses | Tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance | The DAAD EPOS scholarship supports eligible applicants from developing countries to take a development-related postgraduate/master’s degree in Germany. Applicants apply via the DAAD scholarship database and must meet the programme and language requirements of the selected course. |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your documents and eligibility fit
Check that your bachelor’s equivalent meets HSBA’s MSc Innovation Management entry requirements, including the ECTS distribution in economics-related subjects and the minimum grade Good (2.5). Gather your motivation letter in English, CV (preferably in English), and the required degree documents. If you are still studying, you can submit with your current transcript of records and provide the final documents later.
Submit your online application and written application
Submit your written application through HSBA’s application process for the MSc Innovation Management. Upload the required documents in the requested format and ensure your English proof is included with your application. After submission, HSBA will review your application against the admission requirements.
Complete the selection process (interview)
If you meet the admission requirements, HSBA invites you to an individual interview with the academic heads of the Master’s programme. The interview can take place virtually or in person in Hamburg, and it assesses your personal, social and professional suitability. Prepare to discuss your motivation, academic background, and how your experience supports innovation and intrapreneurship topics.
Receive an offer and complete study contract and financing proof
After a successful interview and a positive decision by the admissions committee, HSBA offers you a place at the university. You will then receive a study contract and additional information, including financing requirements. Once you countersign the contract and provide proof of financing, HSBA will proceed with onboarding steps.