Sponsored by Lingnan University

Social entrepreneurship has become a rising business trend over the last 10 years and many businesses are recognising social impact as a new driver for business growth. It’s therefore unsurprising that universities around the world are now offering degree programmes that aim to nurture the next generation of social entrepreneurs who are ready to champion social impact, innovation and purpose-driven careers.

Lingnan University, the only liberal arts university in Hong Kong, is rolling out its brand-new MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management for anyone working in or aspiring to a career in social innovation and social impact. The programme combines theoretical and practical teaching, allowing students to gain invaluable hands-on experience and knowledge on entrepreneurial leadership and innovation management for a better society.

If you’re thinking of pursuing a master’s in social entrepreneurship and innovation management, here’s what you need to consider…

You want to make a difference

There are many social, economic and environmental issues in the world that need innovative solutions. Being a social entrepreneur or being part of a social impact organisation means you could be the one to find such solutions and bring about positive change.

Launching a successful social enterprise isn’t always an easy job. Most of the world’s most popular social impact businesses – think TOMS, Lush, Ben & Jerry’s and Terracycle – were the result of great solutions, innovative strategies and solid market interest.

So, although it is important to have a vision, it’s also important that you understand how to best use your skills and knowledge to proactively turn your idea into a profitable, sustainable long-term business venture.

You want to tap into your creative and innovative mindset

Social entrepreneurs like to think outside-of-the-box and tend to see opportunities which others may perceive to be as obstacles. The MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management at Lingnan University lets students’ imaginations run free and put their creative, problem-solving skills to the test. And with the regular consultations and supports from subject-matter experts in the fields, turning visions into reality has never been more possible.

You want to develop key business skills

Connecting aspirational and creative ideas with business know-how is key to ensuring social impact organisations stay abreast of latest innovation and trends, and stay financially viable to succeed in the long-term.

Studying a master’s degree like the MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management sees students delve into the most crucial fields of business and entrepreneurship management as well as new areas of social innovation that have evolved significantly in recent years. These skillsets are not just relevant to social impact organisations – they are 21st century skills that are relevant and crucial in a variety of industries to help drive innovation and change.

You want to build a strong network

Knowing the right people can lead to exciting collaborative projects, successful professional relationships, and even new job opportunities later down the line.

At Lingnan University, MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management students can connect with esteemed local, regional and international partner organisations.

Through various community-based experiential learning experiences as well as exchange and internship opportunities, students can make a long-lasting impression on their peers and industry leaders alike and build their foundation of network partners, which is theirs to keep and grow in the many years to come.

You want to pursue a purpose-driven career

Whether you have plans for your own social start-up, or you want to be part of an already established social organisation where you drive social impact initiatives, a master’s degree in social entrepreneurship and innovation management will hone your skills in the space of social impact and innovation.

The MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management at Lingnan University offers students professional consultations with various social and business experts as well as internship opportunities in different areas. This opens up opportunities for both working and recent graduates who want to broaden and better pave their career paths.

Occasionally errors are reported after the analysis is complete and after institutions have received their rank and scores. In such cases, QS first rectifies the issue and where necessary updates the institution with a corrected set of results. If a rank change occurs we place the corrected institution in its correct position but leave all other institutions unaffected. This can result in two institutions in the same rank position with slightly different scores. In the case of an institution being removed from the rankings, again no other institutions will be affected but a gap may appear in the ranks.This is the initial version of the rankings published on 23.10.2021, with no post-publication edits yet. Once any correction occurs, you can view its summary on this page.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: joint 19^th

Lausanne is the fourth-largest city in Switzerland by population, and is in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. Located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva and with the Jura Mountains to the north-west, Lausanne is certainly a scenic place to be a student.

Lausanne is a hub of international sport, home to the International Olympic Committee, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and around 55 other international sporting associations. Sporty students can enjoy watersports on nearby Lake Geneva, mountaineering and winter sports in the neighbouring mountains, as well as cycling, with popular routes taking you through local vineyards.

The city is also a cultural hotspot, with 46 buildings or sites listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance, including Lausanne Cathedral, the Casino de Montbenon, Olympic Museum and Fondation de l'Hermitage. There are also numerous museums with subjects ranging from art to zoology -- suffice to say, it'll be hard to get bored as a student in Lausanne!

Internationally ranked universities in Lausanne

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Guangzhou is a brand-new addition to the QS Best Student Cities 2022 at joint 110^th.

The Chinese metropolis in the south of the country is an important industrial and trade location with the nickname ‘Factory of the World’.

Three universities in Guangzhou feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2022, the most notable of which is Sun Yat-sen University, which stands at 260^th in the world.

The size of a city can make a big difference on your study experience. Some students prefer the feel and pace of larger busy cities, while some may prefer a smaller and calmer feel. Guangzhou averages a population of about 13,302,000 residents and covers some 3843km2.

Are you studying in Guangzhou? Rate your experience.

Best universities in Guangzhou: QS Best Student Cities ranking: =110^th

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Leeds for students

A new entry in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, Leeds enters in 55th place this year. Leeds is the largest city in the county of West Yorkshire, and is home to two top-ranking universities: University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University.

This year, Leeds earns its highest score in the student view indicator, ranking 50th. This indicator is based on a student survey which collects responses from 85,000 students around the world. This high reflects a positive student experience, with students being likely to stay in the city after graduation.

Best universities in Leeds - QS Best Student Cities ranking: 55th

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Seattle for students 

Located between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, Seattle is a new entry in this year's QS Best Student Cities ranking, joining in joint 89th place. 

If you're a fan of coffee - it's where Starbucks originated, and Seattle's Best - then you'll definitely enjoy Seattle's mix of big brand cafés and independent coffee houses. 

Although Seattle has a reputation for its rainy climate, it's also where many of the great '90s films and TV shows were set, including Sleepless in Seattle, Singles, and Frasier.

Seattle has two ranked universities featuring in the QS World University Rankings 2022: University of Washington  and Seattle University.

Best universities in Seattle: QS Best Student Cities ranking: Joint 89th

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Kazan for students

A new entry in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, Kazan comes in at joint 102nd this year.

Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia. It has a population of approximately 1.2 million, of which nearly three percent are students.

The city has two universities featuring in the QS World University Rankings 2022: Kazan (Volga region) Federal University and Kazan National Research Technological University. 

Best universities in Kazan - QS Best Student Cities ranking: =102nd

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Durham is a brand-new addition to the QS Best Student Cities 2022.

Situated in gorgeous Northeast England, Durham is a region long-renowned for its natural beauty and rich heritage. The Northeast also has a lower cost of living and a fraction of the population of the Southeast. It’s no wonder why the north-east region is now one of the most popular study destinations in the UK.

Three universities in Durham feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2022, the most notable of which is Durham University, which stands at joint 82^nd in the world.

Are you studying in Durham? Rate your experience.

Best universities in Durham: QS Best Student Cities ranking: =80^th

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