MSt in Social Innovation

The programme aims to produce graduates who:

• have a critical understanding of the different forms of social and organisational change as seen through the lens of sociology, political science and organisational theory;
• are prepared to lead, build and manage collaborative initiatives of the corporate, public and social sectors to tackle the wicked problems that the globe faces;
• are skilled in the practice of business planning, financial planning and impact measurement principles and can apply these in a global context to create blueprints for social ventures, social change organisations or internal change projects; and
• are equipped with the advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills required to actively contribute to the academic debate on social innovation and to engage with intellectual rigor with individuals and organisations working towards the development of novel solutions to deep-rooted problems of poverty and inequality in both rich and poor countries.

Learning outcomes

This programme will provide an overview and understanding of social innovation and approaches to addressing social, cultural, economic, and environmental challenges and opportunities. We aim to provide an open environment for critical dialogue, so the programme will be highly interactive with workshops, case studies, subject experts, and practitioners engaging in the discussion of key concepts, theories, frameworks, and emerging ideas for creating, developing, and enabling social innovation across sectors in the UK and internationally.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• understand and critique the core business models in the social innovation and social venture space;
• reflect upon, communicate, and integrate key theories and frameworks in the study of social innovation and social ventures;
• recognise, appreciate, and assess multiple stakeholder perspectives in social innovation; and
• develop and apply advanced research skills.

Find out more

Visit the Cambridge Judge Business School website for full information about the course.

If you have any questions about the application process, contact our Admissions team: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262.

For all other enquiries, register your interest on the Judge Business School website or contact mstsocialinnovation@jbs.cam.ac.uk

We run regular taster webinar sessions and admission events from September to March. Keep visiting the Master of Studies in Social Innovation web page for the most up-to-date schedule or, if you would like to be notified of dates and locations of these admission events, join our mailing list.

The Postgraduate Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November. The event is suitable for those considering applying for postgraduate study at the University. It provides opportunities to meet with academics, explore the Colleges, and find out more about the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

Teaching

Prior to each residential teaching block, students will be expected to engage for at least eight hours a week with online study materials which will include readings, videos, discussion forums and self-assessment.

There are four residential teaching blocks (of one week each) in Cambridge – three in the first year and one in the second year of the programme. During the residential blocks students are expected to participate in a blend of workshops, seminars, lectures, guest lectures, group work, case study discussions, presentations, simulations, and other activities for nine to ten hours per day.

Following each residential block students will produce individual pieces of coursework, involving research and written presentation of findings on selected topics.

Before and after the residential phases, participants will be fully supported and engaged in the programme through a virtual learning environment. They will also count on support and facilitation by a Cambridge Judge Business School teaching team who will be available for face-to-face meetings or phone/video calls.

One to one supervision

Each student will be allocated a principal supervisor at the start of the first year and a dissertation supervisor during the second year. Supervisors will provide general academic advice to students, and subject-specific advice relating to the dissertation. Students and dissertation supervisors normally meet three times for formal supervision over the course of the dissertation writing process, plus other members of the Cambridge Judge Business School teaching team will be available for further advice depending on the nature of the project.  

Feedback

Students receive qualitative and quantitative feedback on their assignments. The style and content of the formal written feedback is dependent on the style of assessment. Students are also welcome to approach lecturers for informal advice and guidance on how to improve their performance in the programme.

Marks will be provisional until confirmed by the Board of Examiners.

Assessment

Thesis

Students must submit a dissertation of 15,000 words. The topic will be proposed by the candidate and approved by the Degree Committee. The dissertation contributes 50 per cent to the final mark.

Research summaries of dissertations authored by past MSt in Social Innovation students are available from the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation website. 

Essays

Modules 1 and 2 will be assessed by essays (5,000 words each), Module 3 by a business plan, a change project or a critical case study (5,000 words), and Module 4 by a research proposal (4,000 words). Each module assignment (1–4) contributes 12.5 per cent to the final mark.

Fees

The fees for 2021 entry will be £16,500 per annum for Home/EU students and for overseas students.

The combined graduate fee includes college membership, but does not account for the cost of travel, accommodation and subsistence during residential teaching blocks in Cambridge – four residentials between December 2021 and September 2023.

Scholarships

The Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation has agreed a number of studentships for students with an offer to join the programme. In the past these have included subject awards available from the Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, St Edmund's College, Lucy Cavendish College, Trinity Hall and Hughes Hall as well as the Centre for Social Innovation Studentships. 

Visit the MSt in Social Innovation Fees and Funding page to find out about the current funding opportunities.

Other sources of funding

Sources of government funding and financial support - including Professional and Career Development Loans

Applications will be accepted online until Tuesday 31 March 2021.

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal, where you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and request references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the £70 application fee
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

English as a native language or IELTS minimum overall score of 7.5 (with not less than 7.0 in each element) or TOEFL minimum score of 110 iBT (with not less than 25 in each element) or CAE minimum score of Grade A or B (with at least 193) or CPE score of Grade A, B or C (with at least 200).

Assessment by the Cambridge Language Centre as a means to meeting a language condition is possible only after recommendation by the Programme Manager and will be determined only after a formal offer is made for admission. 

Read the MSt Application Guide to find out more about the application process and what you need to do and consider as a potential applicant.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Once the admissions team has received an application and the supporting documentation, the applicant is notified if they have been shortlisted for a Skype interview with the Admissions Committee. The purpose of the interview will be to further gauge the candidate's suitability for the course. 

Stage 2: The Admissions Committee of the programme makes a recommendation for the applicant, and this is submitted to the CJBS Degree Committee for approval.

Stage 3: When the recommendation for admission of an applicant is agreed by the CJBS Degree Committee, the admissions team of Institute of Continuing Education will issue a formal offer letter. The offer of a place on the programme will come with conditions attached. These might be financial (i.e. proving that the applicant has the funds to pay for the programme), language-related (i.e. proving that the applicant’s English language skills are proficient), or academic (e.g. submitting original documents). It is the applicant’s responsibility to meet these requirements and provide the necessary evidence in order to be confirmed as a student in the programme.

Stage 4: The confirmation of offer will also be subject to the applicant obtaining College membership. The request for membership to the applicant’s college of choice is made by the CJBS programme team. Contact us if you would like to talk about College choices. 

Stage 5: This is the final stage of the applications process. Once you have met all the conditions of your admission and have the offer of a College place, you will be notified that you are a confirmed student in the programme for Michaelmas term start. At this stage you can start making arrangements such as visa, travel and accommodation ahead of your first residential phase in Cambridge.

Admission of students into our programme is a rolling process, and therefore we welcome and encourage an early submission of applications.

The duration of the selection process will vary depending on committee meeting dates and the number of applications being received. All candidates should expect to be informed of the outcome of their application within 6 weeks of the application deadline.

Supporting documents

Below are details of the Course Specific Questions and other supporting information you will be asked to provide before you can submit your application. These are marked with an asterisk (*). References and transcripts can be provided either at the time of submitting your application or shortly after.

If you have any questions, please contact ICE Admissions: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

References

You will need to provide the details of two referees who can provide academic or professional references. You will be asked to provide email addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form.

If your referees are unable to use the online referencing system, or do not have email addresses, please contact the ICE Admissions office for further assistance.

Transcripts

A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and with the credit value if applicable.

If you are currently studying, please provide a transcript listing the courses taken during your programme of study, with the results or grades obtained for each. Current Cambridge students should upload a copy of their unofficial transcript from their Student Self-Service.

If you have previously completed degree-level study, please provide a transcript or degree certificate for each degree-level programme you have studied, showing the date the degree was awarded and the final class or grade obtained.

The transcript should be uploaded via your Self-Service, using the 'Academic - pre-decision' category. Please note that we may also ask you to send the originals via post if we make you an offer of admission and supplying these may be a condition of your offer.

If your documents are not in English, you must also upload a full translation of each document, prepared by a registered translator.

Curriculum Vitae*

You will be required to submit your CV on application. 

Personal Statement*

Please complete a statement of interest, a summary of research interests along with your long term career goals.