An entrepreneur is defined as “someone who undertakes an enterprise, often with considerable risk and generates economic output” We are surrounded by successful entrepreneurs, from Richard Branson (founder of the Virgin brand), Bill Gates (of Microsoft fortune) and the more recent fortunes of Roman Abromovich. But can people can be taught to act entrepreneurially?

Many business schools around the world believe so with many now offering programmes around the subject. Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is one of the most recognised in this arena and has been offering programmes for entrepreneurs since 1999 and has established the IEED (Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development) that works with real-life businesses through research, education and enterprise support.

LUMS takes a pragmatic view on entrepreneurship offering a wide range of programmes not just aimed at undergraduate or postgraduate students but to engage with businesses and enable their businesses to grow.

Their LEAD programme is one such example. This ten month programme engages with managers of small and mid-sized businesses and enables them to work on their business growth and personal development, the results speak for themselves with over 90% seeing an increase in turnover, employment, productivity and profit.

For those looking to study and improve their knowledge of management and innovation, LUMS offers two exciting and yet unique programmes aimed at developing entrepreneurial activity. The first is the MSc Management and Innovation. This programme is designed to demonstrate how innovation can support business growth and development in SMEs and large organisations.

Entrepreneurs often need a wide variety of skills to enable an idea to succeed, from accounting, marketing, sales, pitching and many more things. LUMS recognises this and delivers a broad range of skills that every entrepreneur needs.

For those looking to specialise further in the fast growing world of online business, LUMS offer an MSc E-Business Innovation that focuses on the issues surrounding the development of high-growth Internet businesses. This programme is ideal for anyone looking to shape innovation in the e-business or e-commerce world.

The programme, in partnership with another world-class institute, the Lancaster Computing Department, provides an extensive insight into the world of high-growth internet businesses as well as established enterprises. The programme draws upon its relationships with partners such as IBM and SAP to demonstrate the principles and methods of highly complex systems design.

Both programmes offer extensive opportunities to engage with the business community and see theory in practice and put into practice consultancy projects with real organisations.

But do these programmes really deliver - can you teach someone to become an entrepreneur? There are many members of the LUMS alumni who will answer a resounding “yes”to this question. By qualifying at LUMS you join the ranks of many famous LUMS entrepreneurs including Nahed Taher (one of the FT’s 50 most powerful women in business) and Gian Fulgoni (founder of internet research firm ComScore).

Beyond these names are thousands of other graduates who are living their dreams and innovating - many for themselves and many others within organisations. LUMS provides more than just education, it provides international leadership programmes, develops the skills needed to identify opportunities and enables graduates to fully realise


Claire Evans is the author of this article on business schools. Find more information, about MSc Management and Innovation here