To be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Innovative and Sustainable Entrepreneurship, successful attendance and examination in 8 courses is required. Specifically, this includes:
- 4 compulsory courses (8 ECTS credits each),
- 2 elective courses (6 ECTS credits each), and
- the Master’s Thesis, which is worth the equivalent of two compulsory courses (16 ECTS credits).
The entire curriculum amounts to 60 ECTS credits, evenly distributed across the two academic semesters.
Compulsory Courses – 1st Semester:
Economics of Energy, Environment & Policy
This course focuses on energy markets, the economics of renewable resources, energy efficiency, and innovation in energy sectors. It explores microeconomic and macroeconomic impacts of climate change, green and energy transitions, and relevant policies at European and international levels. It introduces environmental policy tools, case studies, and quantitative analysis using indicators, aiding in deeper understanding and the formulation of policy proposals toward climate neutrality.
Full course description available here.
Economics of Strategy & Sustainability
This course examines how business strategies are formed with a focus on sustainability. It covers strategic planning, technological change, competitive advantage, and sustainable development. It includes quantitative methods for strategy analysis, case studies, official data, and international experience, providing specialized knowledge on integrating sustainability into business strategies.
Full course description available here.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
This course centers on the principles and skills needed to create and develop entrepreneurial ventures. It presents economic, cultural, political, and psychological approaches, with an emphasis on leveraging digital technologies for implementing business ideas. It targets students from various academic backgrounds who wish to cultivate the skills and attitudes necessary for successful entrepreneurship.
Full course description available here.
Elective Courses – 1st Semester (Choose one):
Special Topics in Innovation
Offers specialized knowledge in Innovation and Technology Management, focusing on factors that influence business strategy and performance. It introduces theoretical models and tools for understanding technology and innovation, and the drivers that shape optimal strategies and favorable environments for new products and services.
Full course description available here.
Special Topics in Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Focuses on sustainable entrepreneurship and covers core ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concepts and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), including their historical development and application in modern business. It explores ESG performance metrics, international initiatives, and European sustainability policies. Special emphasis is given to green technologies, digital transition strategies, and the related opportunities and challenges for businesses, especially SMEs. The course includes case studies and business model canvas analysis to implement sustainable and innovative practices in green and digital entrepreneurship.
Full course description available here.
Economics of Innovation
This course focuses on the economics of innovation and technological change, analyzed at macroeconomic, microeconomic, and sectoral levels. It studies the relationship between technological change and economic transformation, including impacts on productivity, unemployment, and structural shifts. At the micro level, it examines sources and strategies of innovation, comparing public and private sectors. It also addresses skill issues, distribution of innovation benefits, and the role of technology in markets. At the sectoral level, it analyzes the diffusion of new products and processes, network design, and standards. Intellectual property and its effect on innovation, international regulations, and technology transfer between universities and industry are also covered. The course concludes with the economics of science and the impact of scientific progress, particularly in areas like Industry 4.0, biotechnology, and telecommunications.
Full course description available here.
Compulsory Courses – 2nd Semester:
Quantitative Methods for Analysis & Business Decision-Making
This course provides specialized knowledge in econometrics and its applications in business decision-making, focusing on advanced analytical methods. It covers core multivariate analysis techniques such as Principal Component Analysis, Correspondence Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Distance Methods, and Discriminant Analysis. It also explores models with limited dependent variables (probit, logit, tobit), interpretation of marginal effects, selection bias (Heckman selection), and endogeneity issues. Methods like two-stage estimation and Conditional Mixed Process estimation are used. The course includes Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), factor analysis (exploratory/confirmatory), path analysis, and composite indicators. Time series and trend analysis are also featured, with real-world examples and interpretation of results.
Full course description available here.
Elective Courses – 2nd Semester (Choose one):
Project Management
This course provides specialized knowledge in managing and financing projects, focusing on project design, scheduling, and financial control. Students learn methodologies and techniques for effective project management, especially under resource constraints, integrating concepts from operations research, combinatorial optimization, and AI. It also covers business plan financing, capital sourcing for investment projects, and performance evaluation using financial indicators. Topics include project management principles, project organization, financial dimensions, Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), and resource limitations. It explores financing of investment plans, capital raising strategies, and performance/creditworthiness indicators for selecting optimal plans. The course includes practical examples and case study analysis.
Full course description available here.
E-Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing
This course offers specialized knowledge in e-business and digital marketing. It covers core concepts of e-commerce, differences from digital business, and business models (B2B, B2C, C2C). It explores supporting technologies, payment systems, and online security. Emphasis is placed on digital business development strategies, generating new business ideas, and using the Business Model Canvas in case studies. Also included: practical design of online stores, and digital marketing tactics such as SEO, social media, and email marketing. It concludes with topics on e-commerce business financing, campaign data analysis, and legal/ethical considerations.
Full course description available here.
Efficiency & Productivity Analysis
This course dives into analyzing efficiency and productivity. It introduces the estimation of production functions through non-parametric (Data Envelopment Analysis – DEA) and parametric (Stochastic Frontier Analysis – SFA) methods. It presents production and technology models, dynamic efficiency via the Malmquist productivity index, and R-based applications. Technological heterogeneity is addressed through meta-frontier analysis and cross-technology performance comparisons. Topics include technological change, inefficiency, different efficiency orientations, and business heterogeneity. The concept of endogeneity is applied in dynamic models, with analysis of knowledge diffusion impacts on productivity. It also touches on IT, knowledge economy, and structural reforms to enhance efficiency.
Full course description available here.