Een meisje en een jongen staan in een lokaal naast een flip-over bord. Het meisje buigt naar voren om een kladblok aan de jongen te geven die tegenover haar aan tafel zit.

Innovation creates new opportunities that lead to sustainable economic growth and can help tackle serious societal problems relating to sustainability, climate change and health. During our two-year Innovation Sciences Master’s programme, you will learn how to transform new ideas into marketable innovations, and how to manage and promote innovation processes within companies as well as in society at large.

Analyse the journey from knowledge to innovation

Creating a culture of innovation is one of society’s greatest challenges. As an Innovation Sciences student you will analyse the various stages of the innovation process with a view to developing effective strategies for promoting innovation. The aim of this programme is to give you an insight into the nature of technological change and the conditions affecting innovation and knowledge production. It also aims to give you an understanding of the societal uptake of innovations and the role of companies and other stakeholders such as research institutes, governments and citizen initiatives in the wider innovation system.

This programme is aimed at students with a background in technology, natural sciences, engineering or life sciences that wish to extend their technical background with knowledge about technology and innovation management and societal processes driving innovation. Moreover, Innovation Sciences is also of interest to talented students with a background in the social sciences (such as: economics, economic geography, entrepreneurship or business) that have demonstrated affinity with science and technology.

Dynamics of technologies and innovation

This two-year multidisciplinary Master’s programme focuses on the dynamics of newly emerging technologies and innovation. After completing this programme, you will be able to link emerging technologies to human and economic needs, as well as to how they contribute to addressing grand societal challenges. Particularly, around energy, sustainable transport, and life sciences. How does innovation contribute to economic growth, welfare, climate change, energy security, health, mobility and sustainability?

As an Innovation Sciences student you will:

  • Explore innovation processes by combining technology, natural sciences, life sciences and social sciences.
  • Expand your knowledge on technology and innovation by studying and applying theories and methods.
  • Understand the innovation process by analysing the societal dynamics of emerging technologies and newly innovation.

I was looking for a programme where I could learn by applying theory to modern day problems, which I found to be a central theme in the programme.

Arne, student Innovation Sciences

Why in Utrecht

Studying Innovation Sciences at Utrecht University has several advantages and benefits.

  • Research topics are part of larger research efforts to help find innovative, sustainable solutions to threats and opportunities arising from climate change. This results in relevant research and career opportunities.
  • If admitted, you get to gain practical experience by taking part in consultancy projects, case studies and internships. As such, you well acquire hands-on skills that will be useful in your future career.
  • During the Innovation Sciences programme, you will be able to (if admitted) participate in several academic programmes such as the Young Innovators honours programme and the Climate-KIC Summer School.
  • As an Innovation Sciences student, you form a network for life by becoming a member of our community of innovation students, staff members and alumni.

Key facts

Degree: 
Science and Innovation (MSc)
Language of instruction: 
English
Mode of study: 
Full-time
Study duration: 
2 years
Start: 
September
Deadline: 

Dutch & EU/EEA students: 1 June

Non-EU/EEA students: 1 April

Tuition fees: 
Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530

Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2024-2025: € 23,765

More information about fees
Croho code: 
60709
Accreditation: 
Accredited by the NVAO
Faculty: 
Geosciences
Graduate school: 
Geosciences
Brochure: 
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