Developing an Entrepreneurial Mind-Set

This unit is designed to equip postgraduate students with a deep understanding of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mind-set, enabling them to become proactive, opportunity-aware individuals capable of creating value in a wide range of professional, organisational, and societal contexts.

At its core, the unit invites students to explore the foundational question: Are entrepreneurs born or made? Through engagement with theory and practice, students will critically examine the development of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, assess the skills and behaviours associated with entrepreneurial success, and consider how systems and environments can support the emergence and development of an entrepreneurial mind-set.

Students will investigate different types of entrepreneurial practice, from start-ups to intrapreneurship in existing organisations, and from commercial ventures to social enterprises. They will engage with and hear from entrepreneurs, review real-world case studies and explore how successful entrepreneurs have navigated uncertainty, developed resilience, and turned ideas into impactful ventures.

Students will be exposed to contemporary theoretical models, such as Bolton and Thompson’s FACETS framework, Sarasvathy’s effectuation theory, and identity-based views of entrepreneurship, students will analyse both the external behaviours and internal mindsets that define entrepreneurial actors. They will be encouraged to reflect on their own values, strengths, and ambitions, using self-assessment tools to explore their potential as enterprising individuals.

A central element of the unit is the development of a personal entrepreneurial development roadmap. Through a combination of reflective practice and applied theory, students will articulate their professional and personal goals, evaluate their own entrepreneurial competencies, and design a strategic plan for their growth as entrepreneurial thinkers and doers.

Students will also be introduced to a range of entrepreneurial research methodologies, including qualitative and practice-based approaches. These will support students in critically engaging with entrepreneurship as a field of study and enable them to connect research, theory, and lived entrepreneurial experience.

The unit will be delivered through a blend of interactive lectures, workshops, practitioner guest sessions, and reflective assignments. Students will work individually and in teams, building practical and interpersonal skills that mirror real-world entrepreneurial environments. 

This Unit will not be available to students taking MCEL MCEL60142

The unit aims to:

This unit is designed to cultivate a nuanced understanding of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship within the complex and evolving landscape of new venture creation and organisational innovation. It encourages students to develop a critically reflective and opportunity-seeking mindset by exploring how entrepreneurial capabilities can be harnessed to address pressing challenges and deliver meaningful impact across business, services, and community-based contexts.

The aims of the unit are:

• To critically examine the roles, identities, and motivations of entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and enterprising individuals across diverse sectors, with a focus on how entrepreneurial behaviours contribute to innovation and value creation in a variety of organisational and societal settings.

• To explore and evaluate key competencies, traits, and behaviours associated with the entrepreneurial mind-set, drawing upon contemporary academic research, psychological and behavioural theory, and reflective practice.

• To support students in recognising the value of cultivating their own entrepreneurial mind-set, particularly in identifying opportunities, initiating innovation, and developing ventures that create economic, social, or environmental value.

• To enable students to become self-aware, reflective, and independent learners capable of managing their own personal and professional development and navigating uncertain and complex environments through proactive decision-making and opportunity recognition.

• To equip students with theoretical frameworks and practical tools to map and monitor their development as entrepreneurial individuals, including the creation of a personal ‘Entrepreneurial Development Roadmap’ aligned with their long-term career or venture goals.

• To foster a mindset of lifelong learning, critical inquiry, and creative problem-solving that prepares students to lead or contribute to innovation and change across start-up, corporate, non-profit, and community-based environments. 

1. Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Mind-Set: Concepts and Definitions    

2. Entrepreneurship in Action: From entrepreneurs in society to Value Creation and shared benefit

3. Entrepreneurial Education and Leadership    

4. Theoretical Models of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Development    

5. Entrepreneurial Development Processes and Lifecycles    

6. Entrepreneurial Research Methods    

7. Defining and Understanding Personal Development    

8. Reflection and Self-Assessment: Tools for Entrepreneurial Growth    

9. Entrepreneurial Development Planning    

10. Synthesis and Future Pathways: Becoming an Entrepreneurial Professional     

This unit is delivered through a combination of interactive lectures, asynchronous learning, practitioner engagement, and applied in-class activities that reflect the dynamic and real-world nature of entrepreneurial learning. The teaching strategy is designed to promote critical thinking, self-reflection, and experiential engagement with the subject matter, enabling students to develop both theoretical understanding and practical capabilities.

Delivery Format

The unit will be taught over 12 weeks, comprising:

Weekly 2-hour face-to-face sessions: These will include lectures, group activities, discussions, case study analysis, and opportunities to engage directly with the CUD and peers.

A proportion of 1-hour asynchronous learning (20% Max): These will include pre-recorded video lectures, curated readings, reflective exercises, and relevant case studies to consolidate learning and prepare for live sessions.

Guest speakers and practitioner panels: across selected sessions, students will hear from entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and development specialists to gain insights into real-life entrepreneurial journeys and build professional networks.

Students are expected to come to live sessions prepared and having engaged with asynchronous materials in advance. This flipped-classroom approach ensures live time is used for deeper discussion, clarification, and application of concepts.

Learning Support and Resources

To support students’ independent and directed learning:

A comprehensive reading list will be provided for each topic, including links to academic papers, practitioner insights, and multimedia resources via the Canvas learning platform.

Lecture slides, case materials, and session notes will be made available in advance to allow pre-session engagement.

Each week’s Canvas folder will include:

           • Downloadable lecture slides

           • Key readings and additional research materials

           • Activities or exercises for reflection and application

           • Students will have opportunities to speak directly with the unit leader during timetabled                           sessions, and office hours will be available for 1:1 guidance.

Feedback and Formative Support

Formative feedback will be embedded throughout the unit via Formative Assessment Tasks, in class discussions, reflective activities, and informal group presentations.

Structured feedback opportunities will help students track their progress, refine their understanding, and prepare for their summative assessments.

Peer interaction and collaborative learning will be encouraged through informal group work, shared discussion spaces, and in-session feedback opportunities.

Pedagogical Approach

The unit follows a blended learning model rooted in:

           • Active and experiential learning

           • Reflective practice and personal development planning

           • Real-world application of theory through case studies and guest input

           • Self-directed learning supported by accessible, structured online materials

This integrated approach ensures that students not only gain theoretical insight into the entrepreneurial mind-set but also develop the reflective and practical skills to apply these ideas in professional and personal contexts. 

Assess the commonly accepted definitions theories, models and frameworks of entrepreneurship

Assess the importance of entrepreneurs in society, including public value and shared benefit.

Assess key entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial behaviours, traits, and competencies using real-world case examples, including their role in creating personal, commercial, and public value and shared benefit.

Analyse contemporary models and theories of entrepreneurial learning, mind-set development, and self-directed professional growth.

Evaluate entrepreneurial effectiveness through the lens of value creation, originality, social responsibility, and sustainable innovation.

Critically evaluate personal competencies and learning needs to develop a self-directed personal and professional development plan

Critically evaluate digital and non-digital information sources to support entrepreneurial analysis and reflective arguments in personal development.

Develop a creative a written, digital or audio-visual output (e.g. storyboard or video) demonstrating analytical insight into the traits and journey of an enterprising individual using appropriate tools, e.g. digital.

Communicate complex ideas, evaluations, and reflections clearly and professionally in both digital and written formats to diverse audiences.

Evaluate the impact of entrepreneurial and personal development strategies on their own professional growth, including use of feedback and reflection.

Demonstrate time management, collaboration, and planning in the execution of group and/or individual tasks, including within digital environments.

Use digital applications and tools effectively to support self-assessment, storytelling, and professional development planning.

Group assignment 20%

individual evidenced based participation reflective portfolio 20%

Individual report 60%

Written Feedback will be provided within 15 days via Canvas 

“Entrepreneurs: Talent, Temperament and Opportunity” Bill Bolton & John Thompson (2013) Routledge; 3 edition 0415631882

“Skills for success: The Personal Development Planning Handbook”, Cottrell, S. (2003), Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 1-4039-1132-0

“Entrepreneurship: From Opportunity to Action”. Rae, D (2007), Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN-13: 978-1403941756Lowe, R & Marriott, S (2006), Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN 0750669209

The Advantage: The 7 Soft Skills You Need to Stay One Step Ahead, Emma-Sue Prince, (2013), Pearson

Handbook of Entrepreneurial Cognition, J. Robert Mitchell, Ronald K. Mitchell, Brandon Randolph-Seng, (2015), Edward Elgar

The Psychology of Entrepreneurship, J. Robert Baum, Michael Frese, Robert A. Baron, (2006), Psychology Press

Entrepreneurial Strategic Decision-Making: A Cognitive Perspective, Patrick A.M. Vermeulen (Author, Editor), Petru L Curseu (Author),Petru L. Curseu (Editor), (2010), Edward Elgar

The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action, Donald A. Schon, (1984), Basic Books