The two-year MSc in International Innovation, which takes its first students from October, includes substantial project work on R&D and business development, designed to enhance trade links between the two countries. In the second year of their degree, students will spend at least six months working in Guangdong Province with Chinese businesses – and they also work with UK businesses during their first year.

The new Masters is open to graduates with first degrees in subjects that correspond to the key priorities for business development, and to one of the five specialist streams within the programme: computer science, design, engineering, entrepreneurship and environmental science. 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 new 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.

Teaching on the programme is provided by the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts (LICA), the Department of Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation at Lancaster University Management School, and by the Confucius Institute.

“This new MSc offers a hugely exciting opportunity for talented students with the ambition to work in international business,” said Programme Director Helen Fogg.

“While some other programmes include a period of study abroad in China, having the chance to work there as a central part of your degree, and to learn directly from Chinese businesses, is something altogether different. It will give those we recruit a real advantage in terms of direct practical experience and understanding of how to interact effectively with Chinese firms. Employers are likely to find this kind of experience highly attractive.

“We are also very fortunate in that the funding provided by the HEFCE Catalyst Fund allows us to offer a stipend of £16,000 which will help towards living costs during the two years.”

The programme is now open for applications. To find out more, see http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/study/masters/programmes/msc-international-innovation/

Or contact Claire Prior on +44 (0)1524 592286  or email c.prior@lancaster.ac.uk

Photograph of Guangzhou courtesy of Kevin Ho: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevho86/