Take a lead role in

the bioeconomy
The Masters in Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance (MSc
BIG) is an innovative and dynamic postgraduate qualification designed to meet
the increasing demand for skilled people in the growing global bioeconomy.

The MSc BIG programme responds to the central challenges of the bioeconomy,
including: developing sustainable innovation in a responsible manner; identifying

MSc in Management of Bioeconomy,

and exploiting value throughout innovation ecosystems; and bringing new
technologies to existing and emerging markets.
To meet these modern challenges, MSc BIG provides students with a dynamic set

Innovation and Governance (BIG) of competencies and knowledge about life science innovation, as highly desired
by prospective employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Areas
covered by the programme, include: agricultural biotechnology, sustainable

A career-oriented postgraduate opportunity

food and animal production, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial
resistance, regenerative medicine and cell therapies, stratified medicine, industrial
biotechnology, genetic databases, biofuels and energy-related developments. innogen
MSc BIG graduates will excel in strategic thinking that brings globally contextualised
www.innogen.ac.uk/study/mscbig solutions to practical problems relating to innovation and firm strategy, policy and
regulation, collaborative R&D models, and governance and intellectual property.

Who should take this programme?

MSc BIG Programme Specifics

The University of Edinburgh
Innogen Institute
Innogen is renowned for world-leading
research with global impact on the social
and economic aspects of the life sciences
and emerging technologies. In areas such
as food and energy security, health, global
development and innovation systems,
Innogen offers in-depth, rigorous research
and impartial, evidence-based advice to
public and private stakeholders. Innogen
focuses on innovation arising from life
science research and technological
development, how research and
technologies are regulated and governed,
and how technological and social
innovation interact. With a commitment
to putting research into practice, Innogen
has developed a novel suite of methods
for understanding the systemic aspects of
innovation ecoystems.
What Knowledge & Competencies does the
The Graduate School of
Programme Provide?
Social and Political Science
Innogen is a part of the Science,
Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS)
subject group in the School of Social and
Political Science (SPS) at the University of
Edinburgh. SPS is one of Europe’s leading
centres for social science research and
hosts a vibrant community of more than
180 staff, 300 taught postgraduates and
250 research postgraduates.
Students are welcome from a variety of
backgrounds: scientists who want to pursue
a career outside the lab; social scientists and
business studies students who want to develop
their interests in life science innovation; and people
already working in biotechnology related fields
who wish to engage in further training. The diverse
student profile reflects the interdisciplinary nature
of the programme and its delivery.
How is the Programme taught?
The MSc BIG programme draws upon real life
case studies and the latest research findings.
Experiential learning is encouraged, and is
accomplished through problem-based group work
activities, presentations and interactive seminars,
along with conventional lectures. The programme
incorporates high-profile guest lectures from
senior officials within industry, international
governmental, regulatory and policy-making
bodies to ensure the latest thinking from key
opinion leaders is provided.
Knowledge and conceptual frameworks
• Emerging trends in life science innovation ecosytems
• The bioeconomy and its foundations
• Risk regulation and governance of life sciences
• New R&D strategies, business models and value chains
• Intellectual property and knowledge networks
• Responsible research and innovation
Competencies and practical skills
• Critical analysis of emerging trends, opportunities and
challenges within innovation ecosystems
• Facilitate creative thinking about the future of the
bioeconomy
• Ability to understand new business models and plan routes
to market for new technologies
• Foresight and scenario-analysis for managing risk and
uncertainty with emerging technologies
• Presentation and communication skills
MSc BIG Structure & Courses
The MSc BIG programme is comprised of a unique
suite of courses aimed at providing students with a
comprehensive overview of and the ability to assess
how innovation in the life sciences is changing
production methods, industrial structures, market
dynamics and strategic decision making. Students take
80 credits of core courses, plus 40 credits of optional
courses, and are required to write a dissertation.
See www.innogen.ac.uk/study/msc-big-structure for
details and course descriptions.
Dissertation & Placement-Based Dissertations
Students will undertake a 15,000 word dissertation.
Placement-based dissertations will be encouraged,
and Innogen can help to organise placements with our
collaborators in industry and government.
Please visit www.innogen.ac.uk/study/msc-big-structure
further details on the MSc BIG structure and courses.
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to have at least an upper
second class UK degree (2.1) or its international
equivalent. No specific disciplinary background is
required.
The International Office provide further information,
by country, on what is considered equivalent to a
UK 2.1 qualification. Go to www.ed.ac.uk/studying/
international/country, select your country from the list
provided and follow the links to ‘Postgraduate Entry’.
Tuition fees
Please visit www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding for up-to-date
tuition fee information.
Scholarships
The Innogen MSc Scholarship
The Innogen Institute offers annual scholarships to
outstanding applicants to assist with the costs associated
with pursuing the MSc BIG in Edinburgh.
Highly Skilled Workforce Scholarship Programme
These scholarships cover full tuition and are available to UK
nationals who are permanently domiciled in Scotland, as well
as EU nationals (excluding UK nationals) domiciled in EU or
Scotland, but not elsewhere in UK.
University of Edinburgh Scholarships
An extensive range of scholarships are also available from the
University of Edinburgh, both general and country-specific.
Please visit www.innogen.ac.uk/study/msc-big-fees for
further information on the scholarships available.
Contact Details
For information and questions about For information further information
the programme, please contact: on the Graduate School of Social
and Political Science, please
Dr James Mittra contact:
MSc BIG Programme Director
Innogen Institute, The University of Postgraduate Admissions
Edinburgh t: +44 (0) 131 651 1560
t: +44 (0) 131 650 9113 e: pgadmissions.sps@ed.ac.uk
e: mscbig@ed.ac.uk
www.sps.ed.ac.uk/gradschool/contact