Master's Degree in Leadership and Innovation in Organizations (LIO).

The Business School’s one-year Master's degree program.

Are you ready to manage the digital transformation of corporations and SMEs as well as to develop sustainable products and services? Do you want to found an innovative start-up? Do you want to use your creativity to make organizations more responsible? Then the Master's degree program "Leadership and Innovation in Organizations" (LIO) is for you!

LIO is a one-year graduate degree program that gives you unparalleled expertise to establish and manage innovative and successful organizations.

Designed as a graduate degree program for those who wish to complete a Master’s degree quickly, the program is custom-tailored to driven and ambitious students aiming to become managers or entrepreneurs.

 

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Key Facts

Degree

Master of Science (MSc)

Duration

"Virtual Summer School", 2 full semesters (9 months at the JKU), and the Master's thesis

ECTS

120 Credits

Language

English (Level C1)

Location

JKU, Linz

Program

Full-time

Spots in the Program

40

Why Leadership and Innovation in Organizations is Particularly Attractive

  • Get your MSc degree in one year. After a virtual summer school, 9 months on campus and with the completion of a thesis, a full European MSc degree can be yours in just one year of full-time study.
  • Acquire a unique skill set through a well-designed combination of state-of-the-art insights from innovation studies, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation management.
  • Get inspired and motivated by experts who lead academic fields and markets and, in class, will help you master new analytical, social, and intercultural abilities.
  • An stimulating learning experience through advanced and interactive teaching methods.
  • Build your network by interacting closely and directly with instructors, peers, and practitioners.

Program Structure

The graduate degree program LIO consists of a pre-term "Summer School" session (remote learning), a 9-month on-site, in-person phase at the JKU (September - June), and successfully completing a Master's thesis between July and September. You decide how you would like to add the electives to your schedule.

  ECTS CREDITS

Pre-Term / Virtuel Summer School

16
Winter Semester / Capacity Building Phase 35
Summer Semester / Capacity Integration Phase 35
Post-Term / Master's Thesis 22
Electives 12

Program Information

If you would like to learn more about the Master's degree program in Leadership and Innovation in Organizations (LIO), we strongly recommend taking a look at the curriculum. In addition, we have summarized some of the program details separately for you.

Areas of Specialization

The LIO program combines the following areas of specializations:

Organization and Leadership: 

  • creative and diverse teams
  • dynamics of organizational cultures
  • management of change and digitalization projects
  • cooperation within and across organizations

Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

  • organization of structures and processes for (responsible) innovation
  • open innovation processes
  • entrepreneurial thinking and actions
  • marketing and financial evaluation of new products and services

Digital Economy and Data-Driven Management: 

  • digital and platform-based business models
  • Artificial Intelligence and evidence-based management
  • quantitative and qualitative empirical research methods
     

Video about the Master's degree program Leadership and Innovation in Organizations

Listen in as Univ. Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler (the former program director) and Sandra Suleiman, BSc., a student in the program, talk about the LIO program at the Johannes Kepler University:

 

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Additional Videos about the Program

What You Will Learn in the Program

We provide you with the following skills that are key for future managers and entrepreneurs:

  • Leadership Skills: How can I be a better leader? How do I get a team to achieve its goals? How do I deal with employees who have diverse backgrounds? How do I lead creative teams and individuals?
  • Strategic Skills: How do I create a context that encourages and supports innovation and creativity? How can I harness social relationships to foster innovation? How do I develop a successful strategy that involves various stakeholders?
  • Entrepreneurial Skills: How can I think and act like an entrepreneur? How can I successfully found and scale my startup?
  • Digital Skills: What do digital markets and digital business models work? How do I design the business of digital platforms?
  • Research Skills: How do I navigate the maze of information available? How do I collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data using scientific methods? How can I draw robust conclusions from my data? How do I report my data credibly and compellingly?
  • Analytical Skills: How do I use data and software to make better decisions and streamline business processes? What heuristics can I use to address specific management situations?
  • Managerial Accounting and Finance Skills: How do I read a balance sheet? What are key performance indicators, particularly in innovation and entrepreneurship?

The Target Group

As a graduate degree program, Leadership and Innovation in Organizations (LIO) is intended for students who aspire to a managerial position or to an entrepreneurial career.

We therefore welcome applications from:

  • Graduates with an academic background in business administration
  • Graduates in non-business majors who want to complement their knowledge with business topics to become a manager
  • Young professionals who
    • are currently working at a company and are eligible to take a one-year educational leave of absence
    • are about to complete a trainee program and are eligible to take a one-year leave of absence
    • have professional experience and are looking to change careers

Your Career Prospects

You can use your expertise and acquired skills as:

  • a leader responsible for driving innovation in business departments or divisions
  • a project manager or expert in innovation, business development, and organizational change
  • a business consultant responsible for organizational and strategic development, either independently or at consulting firms
  • an entrepreneur who founds and grows a new company based on innovative ideas
  • an intrapreneur to mobilize support for innovate ideas in companies, NPOs, non-profit organizations, think tanks, and interest groups

On average, graduates can find a job immediately after completing the program. After 3 years on the job, an average monthly gross salary is approximately € 3,625.

„The LIO program is a great opportunity for those seeking a personal challenge and the latest academic understanding of pressing issues in the current professional world, together with a diverse team of international students coming from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. This comprehensive package attracted me to this short, intensive program. In addition to the innovative and cutting-edge course content, the unique LIO culture is the perfect environment to grow personally and be inspired, helping to boost professional development and advance one's academic career.“
Mario Stich, LIO Class of 2021/2022 & Head of Digital Marketing at voestalpine steel division
[Translate to Englisch:] Mario Stich, Absolvent Master LIO, JKU Linz

Admission to Studies

Prerequisites

In order to be admitted to the LIO program, you must fulfill the following requirements.

Please note:

  • In addition to strong time management skills, a sense of motivation, and a willingness to actively take part in a full-time Master's degree program (120 ECTS credits), you should also possess the ability to work effectively with an international group of like-minded students under demanding conditions in order to earn a graduate degree in just two semesters.

Still Have Questions?

Then contact us!

Department

Admissions Office

Building

Bank Building

Apply Now - A Step-by-Step Guide

Here is a step-by-step guide to the admissions procedure beginning with entering your personal information to paying tuition fees! We have also summarized all of the important information about the admissions procedure for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The GMAT® (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized, internationally recognized examination. PLEASE NOTE: The GMAT requires advanced preparation and signing up for a certain test date. Spots are limited. The GMAT test is subject to fees. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for information about preparing for the GMAT, registration procedures, content, and the schedule.

The examination fee in Austria is currently € 275 (last update: May 2024). In addition, there may be fees to take preparation courses – there are different ways to prepare for the GMAT. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for detailed information.

The general recommendation is approximately 6 months to prepare for the GMAT. Many graduates suggest a minimum study time of 6 weeks prior to taking the test, providing you are already familiar with the content. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for detailed information and to download an 6-week study plan.

No. As the degree program is very demanding and time-consuming, you need to be fully committed to studying full-time for a 12-month period. Students who already have a background in business administration and management may be able to work a few hours during the pre-term distance learning period.

We advise students who already have a full-time job in Austria to take an educational leave-of-absence in order to fully concentrate on their studies.

Other students, particularly those starting the Master’s degree program right after completing a Bachelor’s degree, must ensure they can adequately finance themselves for 12 months as working even part-time will not be feasible in addition to completing the LIO program due to the program’s highly condensed nature.

You do not have to quit your job in order to enroll full-time in the Master's degree program "Leadership and Innovation in Organizations". In Austria, you can apply for an educational leave-of-absence for a maximum period of 12 months. You must speak with your employer about taking a leave-of-absence for educational purposes and submit an application to the Public Employment Service. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for detailed information about the application procedure, possible variations and financial aid.

LIO aims to go far beyond simple "employability", meaning just getting a job: We do not create experts, but rather managers and successful business leaders capable of an entrepreneurial way of thinking. In this regard, we want to move away from a purely functional level (the "How?"). The program focuses on principles and correlations (the "Why?"). You not only learn how to look at multiple perspectives of innovation, leadership and organization, but also how to hone your skills to think outside of the box; the Master's degree program in Leadership and Innovation in Organizations at the JKU focuses strongly on strategic issues.

Unlike an MBA program, an MSc program consists of a regular academic curriculum and is worth 120 ECTS credits. Also, the LIO graduate degree program focuses on specific subject areas, such as leadership, organization, entrepreneurship and the digital economy while also honing your general management skills. Students wishing to enroll in the LIO program are not required to show previous professional experience in leadership and management (which many MBA programs often require).

General regulations for tuition fees at public Austrian universities apply to the LIO program. Click here for detailed information.

LIO is a demanding and intensive degree program that will require your full attention during the two semesters. While you will most likely have to sacrifice the one or the other weekend during the program, you will also have some down time in between, as this is also considered didactically important.

From the online pre-registration procedure to paying tuition fees: Click here to learn more about what you need to know to help you take your first step to enroll!

There are many student dormitories located in close proximity to the campus. Click here for an overview.

We can help students enrolled in the LIO program obtain housing at the International Student Centre "Julius Raab Heim", opens an external URL in a new window. You can move into the Raab Heim starting in July, or later. However, as room availability is limited, we ask that you to apply for housing as soon as possible.

Please note that unfortunately we cannot guarantee housing at the Julius Raab Heim as our quota of rooms is limited.

 

How do I apply for a room at the "Julius Raab Heim"?

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window to register at the "Julius Raab Heim". When completing the form, be sure to enter "Intended degree program: LIO Master's degree program" on the form.

Program Management

Are you interested in the Master's degree program in Leadership and Innovation in Organizations? Please make an appointment in advance for individual consultation:

Christian Hölzlwimmer
Management Center, 2nd Floor, 211B
+43 732 2468 3073
lio(at)jku.at

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Advanced Degree Programs

After successfully completing the Master's degree program, you can opt to pursue a doctorate degree:

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