Study Program

In the Minor/LAO Innovation & Entrepreneurship students will:

• Analyze innovations and their mechanisms, and critically evaluate them across different contexts and disciplines.
• Develop and implement ideas or inventions into practice within organizational, non-profit and start-up contexts.
• Assess and strategically leverage innovation ecosystems to create impact.
• Apply teamwork, communication, and leadership skills to develop and realize ideas in interdisciplinary teams.
• Integrate and refine evidence-based strategies and methods to design sustainable and scalable solutions in real-world challenges. 

Starting in Fall 2026, you will progress through a sequence of learning experiences:

Beyond the classroom, students can join a vibrant innovation community. Events, workshops, and networking opportunities connect participants with peers, academics, entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry partners from the wider innovation and startup ecosystem.

Participation is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.

Learn more here

Yes, you can. If you are a Master's or Advanced Bachelor's student planning to enroll in the Minor/LAO in the Spring Semester 2027 and interested in booking the core modules taking place in the Fall Semester 2026, please send an email to the study program coordinator at minor@innovation.uzh.ch, including your first name, surname, and matriculation number. Email subject: Minor Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Letter of Interest

If you are an advanced Bachelor’s student, please also indicate the number of ECTS credits you expect to have completed by the end of the Fall Semester 2026.

Please note that students planning to enroll in the Minor/LAO in the Spring Semester 2027 who have sent a letter of interest in booking the core modules offered in the Fall Semester 2026 will be given the same priority for place allocation as students enrolled in the Minor/LAO in the Fall Semester 2026.

As Minor Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the program can be combined with the following UZH Master’s Majors:

Master of Science in Computerlinguistik

Master of Arts in Antikes Judentum (JDP)

Master of Arts (RVO19)

Master of Arts in Sozialwissenschaften (RVO19)

Master UZH in Religionswissenschaft Bologna 2020

Master of Theology UZH Bologna 2020

Master of Science Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät (120) (2021)

Master of Science UZH in Informatik (RVO22)

Master of Arts UZH in Wirtschaftswissenschaften (RVO22)

School for Transdisciplinary Studies

As LAO (Liberal Arts Option) Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the program can be combined with the Major 90 within MLaw UZH 120 (RVO21)

No, students who are already enrolled in the single Major 90 in Law need to transfer to the Master of Law UZH 120 (RVO21) in order to enroll in the LAO. Students can then graduate upon successful completion of the full Master of Law UZH 120 (RVO21) study program, which comprises 120 ECTS credits.

While attendance of these modules is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to achieve the best possible learning outcomes. The modules follow an interactive teaching approach that includes teamwork sessions, discussions, and other in-class activities.

Yes, you can enrol in the Fall or the Spring Semester. Please note that the module "Foundations of Innovation" is the entry module and needs to be your first module in the minor. It is offered every Fall Semester. 

We ensure interdisciplinarity by bringing together students from diverse academic backgrounds and creating learning settings where they collaborate on shared challenges. Throughout the program, you work with faculty from different disciplines across UZH and engage with practice partners who bring real‑world perspectives into the classroom. This mix of viewpoints, methods, and experiences enables you to gather a deep understanding about innovation and entrepreneurship and empowers you to develop innovative and impact‑oriented solutions.

Yes, you can. The program is open to all UZH students. It is offered through the School for Transdisciplinary Studies, which means students from any discipline can participate.

We recommend checking whether it fits with your individual study plan. Feel free to contact us for further questions.

Innovation happens across disciplines. Students therefore complement the core modules with crosslisted courses from different faculties. These modules allow participants to deepen specific competences according their Master’s profile or broaden their perspective on innovation-related topics. This way, the students can create their own personalized learning pathway within the minor. 

Students choose courses according to their interests and academic background. More information

While this is possible, it is not recommended. Cross-listed modules  are designed to help students deepen or broaden their knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship within their chosen disciplinary areas. For this reason, students are encouraged to take these modules from the second semester onwards, after completing "Foundations of Innovation" and "XP Lab Innovation". 

The goal of the program is to enable you with fostering the skills, methods and mindset needed to build a venture if you choose to. Throughout the program, you also gain access to a supportive network that can be valuable should you later decide to launch your own project.

One ECTS equals 25-30 working hours for a student (including self-study). The lectures will take place on Friday afternoons during the semester and for some modules we have blocked lectures before the semester starts. Please note that "Foundations of Innovation" starts already on 1 September 2026.