A ground-breaking new Masters programme is giving students the opportunity to work on high-impact business projects that develop collaboration between UK and Chinese SMEs.
The two-year full time MSc in International Innovation (Environmental Science, which takes its second cohort of students this October, includes substantial project work on R&D and business development, designed to enhance trade links between the two countries.
The MSc International Innovation (Environmental Science) draws on the strengths of the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), one of the first universities to establish a department of Environmental Science, and is open to graduates with degrees in environmental science, chemistry, biology, geography, and hydrology.
There are 38 places with a £16,000 bursary for October 2015 entry available. The interdisciplinary Masters also equips students with a foundation in the areas of technology, design and management.
In the second year of their degree, students will spend six months working in Guangdong Province on projects with Chinese businesses, and they do projects with UK businesses during their first year.
In preparation for the project work in China, the programme also includes intensive introductions to Chinese language and seminars on Chinese culture and business practice.
The degree forms an integral part of the £5.1m Lancaster China Catalyst programme which is funded by the HEFCE Catalyst Fund and Lancashire County Council to work with technology-focused SMEs in the UK who are looking to expand their activities in China and to form productive relationships with Chinese partners.
“This MSc offers a hugely exciting opportunity for talented students with the ambition to work in international business. It gives our students a real advantage in terms of direct practical experience and understanding of how to interact effectively with Chinese firms,” said Dr Ruth Alcock, Head of Enterprise and Business Partnerships, Lancaster Environment Centre.
Examples of the joint projects include the development of energy storage systems, global chemical regulatory systems, sustainable waste management, carbon fiber city car, and dairy products for China.
"I am really excited to be part of such an innovative and interesting course and can’t imagine anything I would have enjoyed more than the unique mix of classes and seminars we have taken over the last few months. The workload is at times challenging but manageable and I feel we get our money’s worth with different events every month and lots of contact time as well as a large variety of choice for the environmental scientists. It is a great experience to take part in multidisciplinary courses and seminars which opens your mind to other ways of thinking," Lucy Binfield, MSc International Innovation (Environmental Science).
Teaching on the interdisciplinary programme is provided by the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts, the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development at Lancaster University Management School, and by the Confucius Institute.
"The course so far has been fantastic. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we receive from the staff, not only academically and financially but also socially.I would definitely recommend this course to other students as it is completely unique,”Bryony Robertson, MSc International Innovation (Environmental Science).
Issue 1 of the MSc International Innovation Newsletter is now available online- find out about how our current students are getting on with the course, gaining awards, meeting Chinese businesses, and socialising together.
The programme for 2015 intake is open for applications until July 2015. Apply Now!
To find out more, download the MSc International Innovation Environmental Science flyer or contact Claire Prior T: +44 (0)1524 592286