Course Overview

The Master’s programme in Venture Management and Business Scaling focuses on the practical aspects of managing and scaling new businesses, standing out from conventional entrepreneurship master's programmes’ attention on the preliminary stages of opportunity recognition and business model design. This unique programme is tailored to specific management career paths such as founders associates in startups, junior management roles in scaling ventures, and next-generation CEOs of new family business spin-off ventures.

The programme aims to equip students with the specialised skills and knowledge required to manage ventures from startup to harvest. It leverages the expertise and reputation of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth & Scaling (CEGS) at the University of Galway, a founder member of the European Scaleup Institute. Building on the established reputation for Masters degrees in Management at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, this programme integrates the University’s priority research areas by focusing on scaling solutions to global challenges at the firm level.

Practical Experience and Distinctive Approach

The programme differs from traditional entrepreneurship programmes that emphasise pre-start skills often provided for free by incubators and accelerators, this Master's programme focuses on the critical stages of business growth and scaling. This approach aligns with the graduate demand for clear career pathways and job readiness upon graduation, addressing a common void of conventional entrepreneurship programmes.

Students in this programme will engage in consulting work with university spinouts and startups within Galway’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, gaining hands-on experience in real-world venture management and business scaling. The programme was developed in consultation with venture HR specialists and CEOs hiring Founder’s Associates. It addresses the specific knowledge and skill needs in entrepreneurial strategy, finance, sales, leadership, data analytics, and project management, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the demands of startup to growth and scaling phases.

 

Entrepreneurship Local Eco System Tile

 

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

A range of assessment methods are integrated and assessed throughout the programme. These include essays, projects, reports, presentations, case studies, and 'away day' activities.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Normally a H2.1 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent). However, candidates with a H2.2 honours degree and who have a minimum of 2 years relevant work experience, will also be considered. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year (3 semesters)

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

60

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

NFQ Level 9

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Venture Management

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

 

Semester 1 - Core Modules  
Core Modules ECTS
Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills 5 ECTS
Business & Professional Development Skills  5 ECTS
International Entrepreneurship  10 ECTS
Founder Selling 5 ECTS
Strategic Management 5 ECTS
Semester 2 - Core Modules  
Core Modules ECTS
Entrepreneurial Financial Management 10 ECTS
Digital, People and Business Analytics 10 ECTS
Elective Modules (10 ECTS) ECTS
Scaling Big Ideas  5 ECTS
Megatrends  5 ECTS
Introduction to Sustainability  5 ECTS
Project Management 5 ECTS
Negotiations 5ECTS
Leading Change and Business Transformation 5 ECTS
Semester 3  
Core Modules  
Managing Scaling Ventures summer school 10 ECTS
Applied Consultancy Report – Capstone project working with local venture teams 20 ECTS

 

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

While many entrepreneurship programmes concentrate on prestart activities like opportunity recognition and business model design, this course uniquely emphasises the management of new ventures from startup to scaleup and harvest.

This programme covers critical areas often overlooked in traditional entrepreneurship courses, such as selling, finance, talent management, and operations. It equips students with the skills needed for marketing & sales and finance & operations, addressing key deficits identified in Ireland's startup ecosystem (ScaleIreland surveys 2023, 2024).

The programme is designed to ensure that graduates are job-ready and equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in various roles within the entrepreneurial ecosystem including:

  • Founder's Associates

The Founders Associate role is a very recent pathway to participation in a startup for someone who does not have a business idea of their own, or who would prefer to work in a startup before taking the leap themselves. It is growing rapidly, particularly in European startup hotspots like London, Berlin or Dublin, with specialist HR agencies linking a market for this new job category. The basic idea is that startup founders rapidly become time-poor as they have to create new strategy, structure, processes and systems, manage existing stakeholders and seek new ones. Why not give some of these tasks to someone you can trust? That’s where the Founders Associate comes in. The CEO needs to pitch to customers or investors, but tasks like customer research, financial modeling, pitchdecks and job descriptions can be created by a Founders Associate – if they know how to do it! This programme provides potential Founders Associates with a range of skills needed to support their CEO.

  • Next Generation Family Business Management

Family businesses often task the next generation with a new departure for the business: it could be a foray into a new sector, or testing out a new business model, or running a new division. These all require startup skills that differ from running the core business. Investing in training in the skills needed to start and scale a new business for whoever will run this new venture is a wise move. This programme provides those skills.

  • Specialist Functional Roles in Scaling

Scaling businesses need junior managers and section leaders who can build out scale-proof systems and processes and understand the nature of scaling and what it is like to be in the eye of the storm as a business scales rapidly. This programme gives that insight into the scaling process. 

A small number of graduates may also become founders or co-founders, leveraging their comprehensive understanding of venture management to launch their own startups.

 

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€11,650 full-time; (including levy) p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€11,500 full-time; 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 full-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€21,000 p.a. (€21,140 p.a. including levy) 2025/26


For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here

Find out More

Programme Director: Dr. Yixin Qiu

Email: yixin.qiu@universityofgalway.ie

 

Programme Administrator:

Email: management@universityofgalway.ie  


What Our Graduates Say

Naitik

Naitik Chandak |   MSc Graduate, eCommerce Analyst EMEA at Henry Schein

I completed my masters in Entrepreneurship to enhance my decision-making skills and understanding of real-word problems. .This masters taught me critical thinking, strategic decision-making and people management skills....Trips to startup hubs and meeting founders and learning from them was something I liked the most about the course.
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