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Design Innovation

Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation

As a non-disciplinary specific programme, it’s the perfect meld of academic learning, problem-solving, design thinking and human–centred system-minded design.

Students will be encouraged to develop a deep sense of curiosity, purpose, passion and empathy to be leaders — not followers — and to influence the future.

 

The programme supports students through an integrated approach, intentionally building resilience and confidence alongside the development of creative and innovative concepts and products.

Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation, MBA, Entrepreneur, business startup, MVP, business owner

Outline

The MCEI programme enables you to experience a cutting-edge learning journey to identify and develop entrepreneurial characteristics to become a leader of change and impact the entre/intrapreneurial world.

As an innovator you will pioneer the art of non-linear problem solving to become resilient and risk tolerant as opposed to risk averse. The key is ‘doing it for real’, meaning a hands-on, applied approach to everything during the programme.

The programme will open the entrepreneurial door within you to enable you to recognise new business, social, indigenous or community focused opportunities, develop a minimum viable product (MVP) and approach investors.

It is a gateway to create wealth by building a sustainable business or becoming an innovative leader within a large organisation, or social or community focused enterprise.

Duration

18 Months

Full-time (3 semesters)
Distance with some in-person seminars

Key Dates

February 2025 Intake

17/02/2025

 

July 2025 Intake

21/07/2025

 

Available Locations

Auckland City Symonds Street Campus

Costs

Fees indicated are for 1st year of study. Next 6 months fees may vary.
All 2025 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval.

Domestic: $9,260+ $300 Student Service Levy

International: $24,000 + $300 Student Services Levy

Students will strengthen their critical thinking and analysis skills, problem-solving, self-management, working with people and communication competencies.

Further study options:

Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral studies, depending on the entry requirements of the receiving programme. Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation , students in class, workshop, Master, design, Whitecliffe

Academic Calendar

2025 Academic Calendars

Key Student Information

NZ Government key information link for students.

Qualification

Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation
NZQA Level 9 (180 Credits)

Where could this programme take you?

Graduates of the MCEI are creative and innovative problem solvers focused on creating change and entre/intrapreneurship.

 

Graduates will be able to:

 

  • Demonstrate an agile mind-set, communications skills, innovative leadership, and resilience through creative storytelling.
  • Apply critical thinking to discern the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of design innovation.
  • Create innovative, non-linear solutions to design challenges.
  • Establish and monitor realistic goals to transform and actualise a minimum viable product (MVP) to market readiness.
  • Synthesise concepts, research, and practice to generate future-focused ideas and creative innovations in local or global contexts.
Entrepreneurs
Enterprise creators
Business founders / owners
Senior managers or C-suite contenders
Disrupters
Agents of change
Job creators
Re-imagining existing business

Featured student work

Featured Alumni

Admission Requirements

Applicants must

  • Have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s Degree achieved with a B average in the final year or a Bachelor Honours Degree or a Postgraduate Diploma OR
  • Have been awarded a Bachelor’s Degree followed by relevant professional experience OR
  • Have demonstrated equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience.

International applicants must

  • Turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
  • Have achieved prior to enrolling an IELTS academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 or equivalent (whitecliffe.ac.nz/english-proficiency-outcome)
  • Hold a New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed to be a bachelor’s degree (NZQF Level 7)
  • Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements
    whitecliffe.ac.nz/international-students

Faculty Members

The vast majority of our team have extensive experience within their respective industries. This is key in helping us ensure our graduates have the real-world skills they need for a successful career and bright future.

Rob Mills, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rob Mills

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Rob Mills is a design thinker, educator, and creative freelancer with a Master’s degree in Digi ...

Rebecca Steedman, Programme Leader, Design Innovation, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rebecca Steedman

Programme Leader

Design Innovation

Rebecca Steedman is a design educator, designer, and artist with over 12 years of educational exp ...

Rebecca Stokes, Becky, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Becky Stokes

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Becky’s experience ranges in the fields of digital media, marketing, and videography. She holds ...

Chris Chong, Lecturer (Contractor), Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Chris Chong

Lecturer (Contractor)

Design Innovation

Chris has over 36 years of commercial experience in the creative industry. Including 30 years as ...

Mark Bradford, Senior Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Dr Mark Bradford

Senior Lecturer

Design Innovation

Dr. Mark Bradford has a PhD (Business, Massey University), MFA (Intermedia, RMIT University) and ...

Roman Mitch, Lecturer, Leading Researcher, Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, membermember

Dr Roman Mitch

Lecturer / Leading Researcher

Design Innovation

Roman is an artist and full-stack developer with a long-standing involvement in the arts and cult ...

Uelese Vavae, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Design, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Uelese Vavae

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Uelese is a graduate of the Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts and is teaching the Certificate of Di ...