Societal grand challenges are massive social and environmental issues such as Digitisation, Artificial Intelligence (AI)  and Automation, Climate Change, Energy, Water, Food, Health, Ecology, Poverty and Equality. These transcend national borders and have potential or actual negative effects on large numbers of people, communities, business and the planet.

Business models will be impacted, new economic opportunities will emerge and social solutions will need to be found. The post pandemic global economy requires a new generation of creative business and social entrepreneurs.

We live in a rapidly changing society where it is essential that everyone has the capacity to act upon opportunities and ideas, to work with others, to manage dynamic careers and shape the future for the common good.  To achieve these goals we need people, teams and organisations with an entrepreneurial mindset, in every aspect of life.

This programme will provide you with latest innovative tools in business and entrepreneurship to equip you with the knowledge and skillset need for the 21st century.

Societal grand challenges provide a context in which to explore business knowledge and skill sets needed for entrepreneurship and business/social impact. The course will cover essential knowledge areas such as strategies,  finance and leadership and encourage innovative thinking about Business models to explain how an enterprise succeeds to create, deliver and capture value. Business models are about designing the organisation to enact an opportunity. While there are numerous entrepreneurial opportunities, the challenge is to create viable businesses through designing appropriate value propositions, profit formulas, resources, and processes.

This study programme enables participants to systematically understand, design & differentiate new business models and facilitate innovative ideas for novel products and services.

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to grand societal challenges – UN SDG Framework

• Importance of Open Innovation Frameworks for Global challenges and business

• Innovating and commercialising business models

• Entrepreneurial finance

• Strategic Management & Competitive advantage

• Business strategy

• Leadership and team building

• How to write a business plan

• How to communicate your ideas

• Build and maintain networks (networking)

• Presentation to jury: business model & financial

This programme is designed for undergraduate or postgraduate students motivated to be part of the new global economy. You need to be interested in learning  about societal 'grand' challenges, innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and developing business ideas. This programme is also relevant to PhD students with an interest in commercialising their research.

All students are expected to be studying an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree in any subject disciplines, at a well-recognised university.

The winter school is designed for students studying an undergraduate degree in any subject discipline at a well-recognised university.

• Applicants should normally demonstrate good overall university performance in their current year of study.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old before the start of the winter school.

• Applicants should have a good command of English, and if it is not their first language, they will need to satisfy the College requirement as follows: 

• a minimum score of IELTS (Academic Test) 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.0 in any element) or equivalent.

• TOEFL (iBT) 92 overall (minimum 20 in all elements)

• CET- 4 (China) minimum score of 550. 

• CET- 6 (China) minimum score of 520

*The English qualification certificate is waived for the student undertake high education (undergraduate or postgraduate) studies in English. If you have difficulty providing the above evidence, you will be required to attend an online interview.

The cost of the winter school is £4080. The fee includes all tuition which covers:

• Lectures, project work, supporting materials, Imperial College certificate of attendance and transcript;

• Visits and social activities in the programme schedule;

• Lunches and refreshments on weekdays from 6 February to 12 February;

• Accommodation fee for 10 nights;

• Overseas insurance expenses;

• A London Transport card with a top-up value of £5;

• An airport shuttle service on a fixed schedule.

*You will need to upload a copy of your university transcript and evidence of English language proficiency in the above website. It is important that the transcript includes your full name. (If this document is not in English, please provide a brief translation.) 

*To prevent potential disappointment, we highly recommend that you submit your application at your earliest convenience. Our admissions process operates on a rolling system, meaning applications are assessed and decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying earlier grants you access to a larger pool of available places to offer for evaluation.

Please note you are eligible to apply for the scholarship and get a tuition fee deduction. A scholarship of up to £500 will be provided by Global University Online. To apply, please click the link below, complete an online application form and upload your personal statement (within 500 words) and CV/resume: http://www.globaluniversityonline.org/hqdx.php/scholarship/detail/47.html.

The deadline of scholarship application is 23:59 18 October 2024 (UK time).

*In order to ensure the prompt and efficient processing of your scholarship applications, it is imperative that you submit your scholarship application on the same day as your application materials.