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Jessica THATER
Recruitment & Admissions ManagerBook an appointment WhatsApp+49 (0)30 32007 102
msc.entrepreneurship.sustainableinnovation@escp.eu
Master of Science (MSc) in
Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Business as usual is over!
Objectives of the programme
This Master of Science degree in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation is designed for aspiring change makers who want to apply the tools of business to solving the world’s most urgent social and environmental problems. Whether students set out to integrate sustainability practices into a corporation, start their own purpose-driven companies, or anything in between, this MSc empowers them to drive change within teams, firms, and industries.
A two-year residential programme based in Berlin and Paris, the Master in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation builds on the latest thinking on sustainable business, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Over six terms, students will gain a practical understanding of relevant business concepts and methods, such as values-based innovation management and business modelling, as well as direct experience in the field on an internship, a consulting engagement, or a business development project.
ESCP Berlin’s Vision Of Sustainability
Sustainability is a Key Academic Area at ESCP Berlin. It entails various study programmes, research projects and ESCP Berlin’s activities in the pursuit of itself becoming a sustainable organisation. This Key Academic Area is devoted to finding answers to essential questions within the field of sustainability entrepreneurship and management. Selected experts from renowned companies and NGOs support the school as a Sustainability Advisory Board.
Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Practical idealism
We believe students of this programme will be pragmatic idealists. Most students will have backgrounds in economics, natural sciences, or engineering. They are fluent in English and interested in pursuing an international business career that is focused on building innovative and sustainability-driven companies that aim to solve urgent issues such as poverty, degradation of natural ecosystems or climate change.
This full-time, two-year programme is taught entirely in English, but most serious sustainability problems cross borders, so students study a second language as well. Cross-cultural perspectives are further encouraged through conversations with ESCP’s international faculty and students as well as frequent speakers.
European Academic Director
Prof. Dr. Florian LÜDEKE-FREUND
Professor for Corporate Sustainability
Member of the European Sustainability Department and the SustBusy Center
Chair of Corporate Sustainability
Research areas: Sustainable Development
Accreditation
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been state-accredited by the Senate Administration for Education, Science and Research of the Federal State of Berlin. The programme is also an internationally recognized state-accredited Master of Science degree by the Accreditation Council through ACQUIN since 2020 and in accordance with the Bologna reform.
About ESCP's MSc
The choice of a full-time MSc corresponds to a professional project and gives young graduates and young managers a combination of high-value skills sought by recruiters.
This programme provides academic expertise and presentation of the best professional practices. Our goal is to train experts who will be rapidly able to progress in a globalized world. Choosing a "Full-Time Intensive" format allows, at the end of a short and dense tuition, to have an immediate access to decision-making leadership positions.
Report
Read through ESCP Berlin Campus' 2022 Sustainability Report to learn more about our efforts.
Student Activities
Learn more about how Climate Fresk enables ESCP to bring climate change science to its community
Partnership
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme for the 2022-23 academic year.
oikos x ESCP ImpactFair
The ImpactFair consisted of various events focused on sustainability and potential career paths within the field -- all with the aim of inspiring students.
Class of 2024 Profile
41 students
20 nationalities
5 continents
68%
Are business/economics graduates. All academic backgrounds are welcome!
25
Is the average age of students starting this programmes
44% male
56% female
Masters Students Blog
Learn about the masters student experience at ESCP, in and out of the classroom. Get admissions tips and discover what it’s like to live in the most dynamic cities in Europe. blog.masters.escp.euMaster of Science (MSc) in
Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Curriculum
A programme for your passion
Through a combination of lectures, skills instruction, and hands-on fieldwork, students learn both the theory and practice of what they need to know to become an entrepreneur who makes a difference to society and the planet.
Courses are taught by full-time ESCP faculty and successful professionals. Students also have the opportunity to meet many successful entrepreneurs and business people focused on sustainability.
A two-year full-time programme
Classes will be delivered on campus and/or online in accordance with government recommendations. The programme begins in September and is organised as follow:
Course Modules
You have to be proficient in English to adequately complete these courses.
Sustainable entrepreneurship & innovation
- Sustainable entrepreneurship I (Theory)
- Sustainable entrepreneurship
- Strategic management
- Sustainable entrepreneurship II (Skills)
- Entrepreneurial finance
- Sustainability accounting
- Sustainability marketing
- Values-based & sustainability innovation
- Values-based & sustainability innovation
- Eco-venturing, starting an eco-company
- Advanced business modelling for sustainability
- Business & financial planning
- Sustainability Entrepreneurship Challenge together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Intercultural management & leadership
- Innovation project skills and management
- Leadership, teams & collaboration in an intercultural context
- Intercultural management
Advanced research & entrepreneurial skills
- Research methods
- Managing complexity
- Master Thesis for MSc
Sustainable Lifestyles Venture
- A 3-term project together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to explore how to build and manage the enterprises of the future that will give consumers more sustainable choices.
Electives
- Diverse specialisations in sustainability entrepreneurship (e.g. Advanced entrepreneurial finance, Digital technologies and sustainability, Circular economy course)
- The selection of elective courses varies every year
Additional Skills
- Language courses
- Career development
You will accomplish a Company Consultancy Project during the MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which allows you to put into practice the concepts acquired in the classroom. The projects provide students with collaborative and intercultural work experience on a case provided by a company.
In groups of 4-5, students are expected to perform an in-depth analysis and make recommendations for actions that can realistically be implemented by the company.
At the heart of the programme, the Company Consultancy Projects are a key element of the programme that enables students to get to know a sector or a specific function. They require significant commitment and focus from the students.
Through the Company Consultancy Project, students learn how to work efficiently as a team and hone their skills in:
- Project planning and management
- Data collection and analysis
- Development of hypotheses and recommendations
- Customer service
- Public speaking and presentations
Within the framework of the Company Consultancy Projects, dedicated workshops are carried out such as:
- Client interaction
- Presentation skills
Throughout the project, tutoring is provided by business experts with support from ESCP professors.
Students learn how to approach an issue with a critical mindset, and how to react swiftly in unexpected situations with a creative and open-minded attitude.
Some Partner Companies
BBVA – BNP Paribas – Capco – Deloitte – Eaton – GE Capital – Hydrogen – IBM – Indeu capital – Inditex (Zara) – Indra – INTERSPORT – International SOS – Interserve – Larousse – Lavazza – LVMH – Orange – Paul UK – Pernod Ricard – Porsche Design – Santer Reply – Telefónica – Vodafone
Company Consultancy Projects
Examples of Company Consultancy Projects
- Implementation of GRI standards for sustainability reporting
- Development of a CSR strategy
- Brand and communication strategy for a new corporate start-up
- Analysis and disruption of a long-term business model
- How to attract and retain top talent in the New Age of Work
- Business model and prototype creation for an on-demand service that targets local food stores owners
- Transforming London’s precious metal OTC market: feasibility report
- City launching of Urban Ninja in the Spanish market
- Development of an innovative B2B online portal
- Feasibility study to set up a commercial subsidiary: services, organisation and financial model
- Growth opportunities in the digital technologies sector in Europe
- Identify growth opportunities for category portfolio products
- Portfolio strategy and deal flow identification (private equity fund, India luxury market)
- SME lending in Europe. New scoring model analysis (banking, innovation)
- Study of business intelligence in the field of "fast-moving consumer health" at the European level
- Telemedicine and return on investment: a real case modelling and evaluation
- The future of newspapers, books and magazines (publishing industry)
- The new online shop: benchmark and suggestions
- Valvetrain footprint optimisation: how to secure profitable regional growth
From May to July of the second year, students must complete an in-company internship of at least 3 months. The internship is an opportunity for practical application of the theoretical concepts learned from courses, with an eye to establishing a career.
Here are some examples of companies and organisations at which students have obtained internships:
Nike – Atlantic Food Labs – Active Giving – SAP – Brussels Beer Project – Siemens Mobility – C4 Ventures – Emma: the Sleep Company – Digital Career Institute
A unique feature of this programme is the possibility to do a Business Development Project (BDP) instead of an internship. The BDP allows students to work on their own business projects, for example writing a business plan, launching a marketing campaign, doing market research, applying for funding, and much more. Many MSEI students make use of the BDP to test and train their entrepreneurial skills in an intense working period at the end of their studies.
The Corporate Relations Department
The Company Relations Department is dedicated to gather placement offers from many companies. The department also organises a series of fairs involving firms, giving MSc students many opportunities to make contact.
Starting in February of the second year, students must draft a professional thesis in consultation with an ESCP Professor, which is based on the course "research methods" (term 4). The topic chosen is approved beforehand by an academic advisor. The thesis is defended orally to a committee between June and July. This individual applied research project is an essential part of the programme, since it leads to in-depth analysis. It represents 20 of the total of 120 ECTS credits earned over the two years.
Network of Business Mentors
Learning from ESCP’s entrepreneurship ecosystem
ESCP has a large network of companies and entrepreneurs, which offers unique access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Berlin and beyond. This special access to entrepreneurial ecosystems is used to connect students of the MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation to business mentors.
These mentors will support our students during their one-year “Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Projects” (SEIPs). The SEIPs are hands-on business ideation projects, from opportunity recognition to business planning, that allow our students to gain in-depth insights into the practical challenges of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Typically, four students form a SEIP team which is guided by one experienced mentor.
ESCP is currently setting up a new network of business mentors for the MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation (as of April 2019).
Florian ANDREWS
Profile:
- Consultant for circular economy and business models
- Founder of Gruener Hering – Agency for Circular Economy, Hamburg
- Founding member of the cooperative sustainable natives, Berlin
Main areas of expertise:
- Circular economy
- Business models
- Business models for sustainability
Dr. Robert GERLACH
Profile:
- Founder of Threebility – Methods for Sustainable Innovation
- Interim executive and advisor for clean-tech venture development
- Mentor at Techstars Berlin and AtomLeap
Main areas of expertise:
- Methods for sustainable product and business model innovation
- Product management and customer development
- Impact entrepreneurship and startup advisory
Frauke HERDEN
Profile:
- Management-, Start-up- and Consulting Experience
- Founder and Partner of FUNKELFEUER– Innovation Consultancy, Hamburg
- Advisory Board B.A.U.M. e.V., Jury Member and Mentor Start Green Award Borderstep Institut
Main areas of expertise:
- Sustainable Business Model Generation and Market Roll Out
- Agile Transformation, Learning Teams, Leadership
- Sustainable Finance
- (Renewable-) Energies, Water, Life Science
Marie-Lucie LINDE
Profile:
- Sustainability and communication consultant (marieLuCie)
- Founding and board member of the cooperative sustainable natives, Berlin
Main areas of expertise:
- Sustainability management
- Sustainable corporate communication
- Developing and facilitating events for sustainable development
Marie’s call for perspective: “Create your ‘raison d’être’ by putting values at the heart of your business.”
Heike MEWES
Profile:
- Independent Consultant
- Trainer and facilitator
Main areas of expertise:
- Sustainable strategies and business models
- Environmental management and climate change
- Sustainability reporting
Thomas SCHINDLER
Profile:
- Deep Alignment for individuals and organisations: www.thomas.cr
- Building Software for a Good World: delodi.net
- Digital Transformation with Purpose: katapultnow.com
Main areas of expertise:
- Transformational Coaching
- Digital Technologies
- Divergent Thinking
SustBusy Research Center
In cooperation with 25 ESCP members from Paris, Torino, Madrid, Warsaw and Berlin, the research centre on issues of sustainability in business and society has been founded in 2013 under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr. Sylvie Geisendorf.
Jean-Baptiste SAY
The Jean-Baptiste Say Institute relies on a unique European network, which was developed in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Chair and is backed by the momentum of ESCP’s European platform and other significant resources devoted to its European expansion.
Report
Read through ESCP Berlin Campus' 2022 Sustainability Report to learn more about our efforts.
Student Activities
Learn more about how Climate Fresk enables ESCP to bring climate change science to its community
Partnership
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme for the 2022-23 academic year.
oikos x ESCP ImpactFair
The ImpactFair consisted of various events focused on sustainability and potential career paths within the field -- all with the aim of inspiring students.
Class of 2024 Profile
41 students
20 nationalities
5 continents
68%
Are business/economics graduates. All academic backgrounds are welcome!
25
Is the average age of students starting this programmes
44% male
56% female
Masters Students Blog
Learn about the masters student experience at ESCP, in and out of the classroom. Get admissions tips and discover what it’s like to live in the most dynamic cities in Europe. blog.masters.escp.euMaster of Science (MSc) in
Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Careers
Demand is up for values-based change agents and entrepreneurs: more companies than ever see sustainability as an essential part of their mission.
However, the new corporate commitment should be seen as the floor of our forecast, not the ceiling. Given the world’s many pressing concerns – climate change, aging populations, income inequality, and more – it’s hard to think of any industry or sector that could benefit more from talented and socially aware entrepreneurs.
Job titles of some of our graduates include: Sustainability Consultant - Partnerships & Social Innovation Manager - Venture Architect - Junior Corporate Development Manager - Managing Director - Impact Manager - Packing Strategy Manager
Build your career
ESCP gives you the opportunity to leverage events, tools and guidelines to efficiently manage your career process after the end of your Master.
The Careers Service
Prepare your Career Plan
The Careers Service team supports you in preparing a well-structured Curriculum Vitae and cover letter in order to strongly increase your chances to have an impact on companies. In addition, it also provides you with a structured method and process to prepare a career plan, in order to build and start an efficient and effective job-seeking strategy.
Job Fairs and Recruitment Day
Of particular relevance are the Job Fairs and Recruitment Day organised by the ESCP Careers Service on each campus. Thanks to these huge events you have the opportunity to directly get in touch with HR and managers of leading companies.
Post-graduation options for non-EU citizens
Start your sustainability career in Europe. Studying in Germany has many distinct advantages during and after your studies. Upon completion of a state-recognised degree, non-EU citizens are entitled to apply for an 18-month residence permit, which can be converted to a longer permit after obtaining a job. See more information here.
The Alumni Network
Once you have completed your Master, you have the opportunity to be part of the Alumni Network that updates ex-students about newest internship and job offers for the national and international business environment.
Report
Read through ESCP Berlin Campus' 2022 Sustainability Report to learn more about our efforts.
Student Activities
Learn more about how Climate Fresk enables ESCP to bring climate change science to its community
Partnership
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme for the 2022-23 academic year.
oikos x ESCP ImpactFair
The ImpactFair consisted of various events focused on sustainability and potential career paths within the field -- all with the aim of inspiring students.
Class of 2024 Profile
41 students
20 nationalities
5 continents
68%
Are business/economics graduates. All academic backgrounds are welcome!
25
Is the average age of students starting this programmes
44% male
56% female
Masters Students Blog
Learn about the masters student experience at ESCP, in and out of the classroom. Get admissions tips and discover what it’s like to live in the most dynamic cities in Europe. blog.masters.escp.euMaster of Science (MSc) in
Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Admissions
Requirements
- A Bachelor degree* with a minimum of 180 ECTS from a state-accredited institution of higher education i.e university
- Applicants will preferably** have a degree in business, management, or entrepreneurship; or a degree in economics with minors in business, management, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and/or innovation
- Fluency in English: Cambridge C1 certificate, TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS scores, OR English test during the Admission Test Day
- Work experience not required (if given, a maximum of 2 years is recommended)
*You may submit an application in the last year of your undergraduate studies, if you expect to have completed your Bachelor degree by the time you start the MSc.
**Students from a non-business/economics background are required to participate in a preparatory course prior to the start of the programme. This course will include the topics of accounting, marketing, finance, economics, and controlling.
Please read the programme FAQs and familiarise yourself with the unique programme features before starting the application process.
Procedure
Step 1: Application form
Applications are completed online. After having created your account, please choose "Master - Master of Sciences" in the "Admission" section.
Admission process
To apply for the MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme, you have to submit the following documents:
- Letter of motivation (half page)
- Photocopy of passport or identity card
- Your resume (curriculum vitae)
- Transcripts of records of all years of higher education (certified copies) and current weighted average mark and/or expected final grade
- Bachelor degree - if you hold it already - original or certified copy
- Completed essay questions to be submitted to the Recruitment and Admissions Manager
Optional:
- The score on a standardized English language test, dated no later than 2 years ago
- GMAT score. In this case, applicants will be exempt from the online logic test (see below).
Step 2: Personal Interview
Online tests and personal interview
Candidates who have successfully passed the Background evaluation will be invited to the online Admission Day. The day consists of:
- Online deductive and numerical logic test. Here you will find more information and practice tests. On the Admisson Day, you will have to complete the Numerical Reasoning Test and the Deductive Reasoning Test (the Mobile-Enabled Interactive Versions for both).
- Individual interview
- English test (written, oral)
- Applicants whose first language is English or who provide the result of a standardized language test not older than two years are exempt (TOEFL written 600; TOEFL IBT 100; TOEFL computer based 250; IELTS 7)
Step 3: Confirmation
Candidates will be admitted on a rolling basis.
Admission Calendar
The application for the September 2023 intake is open. Click here to get to the application platform.
| Application Deadline |
Logic test (if applicable) |
Admission Test Day (with ESCP Berlin) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 2022 | 3 Dec 2022 | 8-9 Dec 2022 |
| 3 Jan 2023 | 14 Jan 2023 | 18-19 Jan 2023 |
| 23 Jan 2023 | 4 Feb 2023 | 8-10 Feb 2023 |
| 27 Feb 2023 | 11 Mar 2023 | 14-15 Mar 2023 |
| 3 Apr 2023 | 15 Apr 2023 | 20-21 Apr 2023 |
| 24 Apr 2023 | 6 May 2023 | 8-9 May 2023 |
| 30 May 2023 | 10 June 2023 | 15-16 June 2023 |
| 19 June 2023 | 1 July 2023 | 3-4 July 2023 |
Report
Read through ESCP Berlin Campus' 2022 Sustainability Report to learn more about our efforts.
Student Activities
Learn more about how Climate Fresk enables ESCP to bring climate change science to its community
Partnership
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme for the 2022-23 academic year.
oikos x ESCP ImpactFair
The ImpactFair consisted of various events focused on sustainability and potential career paths within the field -- all with the aim of inspiring students.
Class of 2024 Profile
41 students
20 nationalities
5 continents
68%
Are business/economics graduates. All academic backgrounds are welcome!
25
Is the average age of students starting this programmes
44% male
56% female
Masters Students Blog
Learn about the masters student experience at ESCP, in and out of the classroom. Get admissions tips and discover what it’s like to live in the most dynamic cities in Europe. blog.masters.escp.euMaster of Science (MSc) in
Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Fees & Financials
Application Fees
The application fees are set at €130. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Tuition Fees
For those entering in September 2023, the fees for the two-year programme are as follows:
- Tuition fee: €14,100 per year
- Service fee: €1,000 per year
Apply by February 28, 2023 to receive an early bird tuition reduction of €2820.
A non-refundable down-payment of €2,000 is due four weeks after admission. The remaining fees are due in four instalments on the following key dates:
- First instalment: September 1st 2023
- Second instalment: January 1st 2024
- Third instalment: June 1st 2024
- Fourth instalment: January 1st 2025
Report
Read through ESCP Berlin Campus' 2022 Sustainability Report to learn more about our efforts.
Student Activities
Learn more about how Climate Fresk enables ESCP to bring climate change science to its community
Partnership
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme for the 2022-23 academic year.
oikos x ESCP ImpactFair
The ImpactFair consisted of various events focused on sustainability and potential career paths within the field -- all with the aim of inspiring students.
Class of 2024 Profile
41 students
20 nationalities
5 continents
68%
Are business/economics graduates. All academic backgrounds are welcome!
25
Is the average age of students starting this programmes
44% male
56% female
Masters Students Blog
Learn about the masters student experience at ESCP, in and out of the classroom. Get admissions tips and discover what it’s like to live in the most dynamic cities in Europe. blog.masters.escp.euMaster of Science (MSc) in
Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Meet Us
Campus Visits
It's important to get a good feel for the right programme for you. If you live in or happen to be travelling to Berlin, we offer personalised visits to our Berlin Campus. Please reserve a time here or reach out to msc.entrepreneurship.sustainableinnovation@escp.eu for more information.
Report
Read through ESCP Berlin Campus' 2022 Sustainability Report to learn more about our efforts.
Student Activities
Learn more about how Climate Fresk enables ESCP to bring climate change science to its community
Partnership
The MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme for the 2022-23 academic year.
oikos x ESCP ImpactFair
The ImpactFair consisted of various events focused on sustainability and potential career paths within the field -- all with the aim of inspiring students.
Class of 2024 Profile
41 students
20 nationalities
5 continents
68%
Are business/economics graduates. All academic backgrounds are welcome!
25
Is the average age of students starting this programmes
44% male
56% female