Learn to innovate and breathe new life into your career

“Businesses are crying out for new thinking, new ideas and people who can come at problems in new ways,” according to Northumbria University lecturer Nick Spencer.

Nick is Programme Leader for Northumbria’s Multidisciplinary Innovation MA/MSc, which he says was developed to meet this demand for new ways of doing things.

“Our programme was designed for people who want to find new approaches, new systems and new strategies and help businesses, organisations and communities overcome the challenges they face.”

“Innovation is simple,” he adds. “It’s about doing something differently that can make a positive change.”

Students are based at the Northern Design Centre in a professional facility, working alongside creative businesses. By working on real-time, real world projects students learn how to practice design-led innovation to deliver strategic value to real professional clients.

“Choosing the MDI course is the best thing I have ever done,” says former student Rob Hunter.

“It was more of a job than a university subject, I had the opportunity to work every day of the week on client projects as a consultant, solving complex problems using innovative methods and solutions.

“MDI has given me the most incredible exposure to industry, more than I could have ever imagined, and that knowledge has helped me advance, opening a whole raft of career opportunities.”

The Multidisciplinary Innovation programme is open to applicants from any academic discipline or professional background, and combines creative and critical design and business thinking. Students work to bring to life new products, services, systems and strategies while building a professional network through industry collaborations.

Students on the course benefit from working with a range of businesses, from huge global corporations like Unilever to local start-ups.

Pierre Stark, a Senior Manager in Unilever’s Research and Development team said, “We get 50 brains working with us which is absolutely brilliant, and the staff at Northumbria really help the students develop and focus ideas which are ready for us to use. It’s a very productive partnership.”

“Working with businesses gives students a sense of reality, something they can’t get anywhere else, adds lecturer Nick Spencer.

“Students are encouraged to break out from a linear process of doing things and push the boundaries, which really helps them learn how to make a difference and cultivate creativity which will be of huge value to any future employer.”

Multidisciplinary Innovation MA/Msc starts in September 2017 and is a one-year full time Masters programme.

To apply or for more information go to www.northumbria.ac.uk/mdi