MG105: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has encouraged a new generation of social entrepreneurs who contribute to this vision through innovative initiatives, and by setting up important new social businesses, NGOs and social movements.

Based on recent leading-edge research, this course will give you the concepts, insights and tools necessary to successfully start up, manage and scale-up innovative, sustainable businesses which are designed for social good. Using interactive case studies and working in teams, you will examine social innovations and their impact in a variety of different sectors such as solar energy, microfinance, gender and youth equality, mobile banking, and online education.

This course will give you a grounding in the fundamentals of social innovation and entrepreneurship which can be applied in different contexts. The focus will be on emerging economies where social and environmental problems are most extreme, including South Asia, Africa and South America. By the end of the course you will have designed and planned a new social enterprise with your peers allowing you to apply the content to real-world challenges.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course

Level: 100 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One written examination (50%) and one group project (50%)

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This course is suitable if you have no previous experience in the field of social innovation and entrepreneurship, but want the skills and theoretical understanding necessary to design an impactful social business. The course is especially useful for students wanting to start their own business, work in the NGO sector, or make a meaningful difference in the public sector. 

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the social innovation and entrepreneurship sector

• Understand the conditions where social enterprises create positive social impact

• Analyse local social problems and develop a theory of change

• Understand how to design a social enterprise that achieves both social change and economic goals

• Design an innovative and impactful social organisation, sustainable business with a social purpose, NGO, or social movement

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.