A six-weeks track specially designed for you to learn how business is being done and innovated in Europe. Dive into: New business models; Corporate social responsibility; Sustainable innovation; Trends & Scenario planning; Design Thinking; Field trips; Business game simulations; The role of science & technology.
Please read the summary below and also the individual course descriptions to gather insight into what your six weeks will look like!
The learning approach consists of a blend of applied-theoretical approaches, case studies, real-life examples, excursions and a competition-like business simulation.
The first two weeks will focus on the value of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship in European business and will familiarise students with the interplay between science and technology and the commercialisation of knowledge and design. You will explore innovation challenges faced by European companies, gain insights into how governments and business cultures in the European Union influence innovation, and discover the traits of innovative ventures and people.
During the second part of the track, we would like to welcome you to our innovation lab! Together with a group of fellow students, you will discover the ins and outs of design thinking, the importance of user-experience and co-creation, and experience first-hand how to innovatsocially-relevant products and services by getting out the door. Our client will provide your team with an assignment, give input and help evaluate your group’s performance. Of course, you won’t have to face this challenge alone. Besides the support of your team members, you will receive intensive coaching from skilled work-field professionals.
The next week will focus on the role of leadership in supporting innovative behaviour and performance happiness. Together with other students, you will discover the key variables of leadership and how leaders can support innovative behaviour, learn how workplace happiness can lead to improved organisational performance, and apply newly found insights by working together with local companies and helping them innovate.
The sixth and final week will teach you how to plan, implement and evaluate an international marketing strategy within a realistic simulated environment. Together with the other participants, you will work as a manager in a small decision-making unit of a manufacturer within a competitive industry. Your goal is to improve your firm's long-term financial performance. Your team's performance will be evaluated via a multi-factor, balanced scorecard evaluation system that includes financial, operational, and customer-facing performance metrics. Will you be in the winning team at the end of the week?
A few key elements of this course are:
The following courses are part of this track:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Europe: Challenges, Drivers and Business Models
Innovation Lab: Design Thinking for Socially-Relevant Innovation
Leadership for Innovation and Performance Happiness
Global Management: Strategic Marketing, Management and Finance
Bart Toering MSc; Bas Delmee, MSc; Jens Gijbels MBI; Kim van Veldhuijzen, MSc Sandra Hendricks MSc
This course is open to all bachelor and master students in the field of business studies and all students who have a background or an interest in innovation within a business setting.
A good command of English is necessary! Given the interactive nature of teaching, students must have the capabilities to actively contribute in class and communicate (understand and speak) in English well, ideally min level B2. .
This track aims to provide students with fundamentals, best-practices and experience in innovation within European business. The specific learning outcomes of the programme are:
This track requires students to be motivated and able to keep up with a study load of more or less 40 hours per week. This includes lectures, group assignments, field trips and self-study.
Please note: You must attend all learning activities (e.g. workshops, fieldwork) to be able to receive the Certificate of Participation and/or the credits for this course, unless absence is officially approved by the teachers and the coordinator of the Utrecht Summer School. You will be expected to be present until the final day of the course has ended. Please keep this in mind when booking your return flight. You can find your schedule in the Day to Day overview of your course on the course page.
The course fee presented applies to all students currently enrolled in a bachelor, master or PhD programme and to 'Fresh Alumni'.
If this applies to you and you therefore believe that you are eligible for this fee, please mention this in your motivation when applying for this course.
If you are NOT currently enrolled in a bachelor, master or PhD programme or not a 'Fresh Alumni' , a professional fee of € 4.899 is applicable, and will be invoiced and visible for you in your account once you are accepted to the course. Please note: if you do not provide proof that you are currently enrolled in a bachelor, master or PhD programme or that you are a Fresh Alumni', we will charge the ‘professional (higher) fee!
Student housing
The housing costs do not include a Utrecht Summer School sleeping bag and a small travel pillow (which you can take home after the course). Please note that the Sleeping bag iand travel pillow are be chosen as a separate product on the invoice (€50).
If you wish not to buy the Summerschool Sleeping bag and travel pillow and rather bring your own bedding (sleeping bag and pillow), do not forget to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow! In all cases, do bring your own towels, please.