Innovation

Course overview

Develop the abilities and creative mindset needed to solve tough problems, opening the door to an array of impactful careers.

This course aims to develop the next generation of innovators. It integrates our 'GRIT' concepts: global, responsible, innovative, technology – skills that the World Economic Forum has identified as non‑negotiable for the 21st century.

During your studies you'll learn how to innovate ethically, engage globally, and use technology decisively to deliver solutions with positive social and industry impacts.

You’ll study our business core and gain a strong foundation in business. You'll then build on this with our suite of innovation fundamentals units. In your second and third years, you will apply your business knowledge, creative-thinking skills and innovation strategies to a specific business major of your choice, or pursue a multidisciplinary skillset by studying two specialisations from areas such as business, arts, design, science and Indigenous studies.

Throughout the course, you’ll have opportunities to build your expertise through four transformative experiences. These immersive, real-world experiences will challenge you to solve local, regional and global problems using your innovation skill sets.

You'll also have the opportunity to join the Curtin Ignition and Curtin Accelerate entrepreneurship programs, and access executive education masterclasses to help you set up your own enterprise.

This course supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and advocates for the stewardship of First Nations Peoples. You’ll enhance your understanding of diverse cultural perspectives and effective communication across local, regional and global contexts.

Career outcomes

Careers

• Innovation analyst / startup advisor
• Entrepreneur
• Consultant (in area of major/specialisation)
• Business analyst
• Chief strategy officer
• Product strategy manager
• Tourism and event manager
• Product strategy manager
• Venture capitalist diligence officer
• Web developer

Industries

• Design
• eCommerce
• Health innovation
• Higher education
• Government and non-profit
• ICT and cybersecurity
• Media and marketing
• Resources and energy
• Tourism
• Transport and supply chains.

Hear from our students

"I love the flexibility of the Bachelor of Innovation, as I can craft the degree to ensure I will graduate with the exact skills I need for my career. Curtin is a place where I feel like I can ask questions, but also develop the skills I need to be able to answer them on my own. In the future, I plan on entering the field of Lunar Logistics. This course is not only giving me the knowledge, but the confidence that I can achieve this."

Hayden Lovelock
Bachelor of Innovation

Other study options

Double degrees

Combine your Bachelor of Innovation with a degree in another field and increase your career options. You can study the following double degrees:

• Arts and Innovation³
• Engineering and Innovation³
• Health Sciences and Innovation³
• Law and Innovation
• Nutrition and Innovation
• Science and Innovation³

³Various course majors are available.

Course structure

Business core

With these business core units you'll gain a solid foundation in business theory and practice:

• Communication Culture and Indigenous Perspectives in Business
• Strategic Career Design
• Markets and Legal Frameworks
• Financial Decision Making
• Analytics for Decision Making.

Innovation fundamentals

These units are our suite of innovation fundamentals:

Introduction to Innovation Principles: You will learn about innovation principles, types, contexts and approaches, and about the development of innovation and technological capabilities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. You’ll also use your innovation skillsets to solve a real-world problem faced by a local organisation.

Design Principles and Processes: This unit focuses on design principles and process and how to research, ideate and develop a design to a professional standard.

Design Computing OR Introduction to Business Programming

• Design Computing: You’ll learn about industry-standard design technologies and software and complete practical design exercises and projects and exercises.
• Introduction to Business Programming: This unit focuses on contemporary programming language, computing environments and system software that will enable you to solve business problems.

Responsible Innovation and Leadership: In this unit you’ll explore the benefits of a global, responsible, innovative and technology (GRIT) mindset. You’ll also develop a responsible leader’s approach to innovative solutions that consider the needs of all stakeholders while aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Project Management: You’ll learn about the management of information and tasks that ensure successful project delivery, including project scope and the management of time, cost, quality, risk, human resources, communication and procurement.

Entrepreneurship or International Management

• Entrepreneurship: This unit focuses on research, theory and practice of entrepreneurship so that you gain an understanding of the characteristics and challenges of entrepreneurship and growing a new business.
• International Management: You’ll learn about international management theory and practice, and study the challenges and adaptation required in cross-cultural or cross-national managerial interfaces.

Management of Innovation: This unit explores how innovation drives the creation of competitive advantage, and how a firm’s innovation strategy emerges from its competencies and capabilities.

Transformative experiences

Throughout the course you'll complete four transformative experience units.¹

1. Sustainable Business Innovation Project: You’ll work on an industry-connected business innovation project related to sustainable development and social impact. Working collaboratively with a team, you’ll seek solutions that benefit the environment, society and the economy.

2. Business Innovation Lab: You will use your initiative, creativity and adaptability as you work on an applied business project within a start-up environment. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you’ll solve a problem or advance an innovation while demonstrating your managerial judgement, professional communications and commitment to responsible business practice.

3. Business and Law International Experience OR Business Clinic OR Business Internship OR Business Study Tour/International Business Project

You may select up to two of the four available capstone experience units.

• Business and Law International Experience: We’re a global university with campuses and connections around the world – why not make the most of it! Through this capstone experience, you can progress your studies while travelling by studying a short course with one of our global exchange partners. You’ll immerse yourself in a different culture, expand your knowledge, make lifelong memories and build your global perspective.
• Business Clinic: This is your chance to become a real-world business consultant, working directly with individuals, small organisations and startups to solve challenges and optimise for opportunities. Through hands-on experience in the clinic, you will develop your understanding of key business concepts, problem-solving techniques and ethical decision-making. You’ll gain valuable insights into the modern business world and the confidence to navigate its complexities once you graduate.
• Business Internship: You’ve understood the theory, read the academic papers and pored through the textbooks – now it’s time to apply what you’ve learned to real business situations through a professional internship. Guided by an academic advisor and an industry professional, you’ll be immersed in the day-to-day operations of your host organisation. This capstone experience is a chance to develop your business skills, enhance your career readiness, build your professional network and nurture your personal and professional growth.
• Business Study Tour or International Business Project: Ready for an adventure? Through this capstone experience, you’ll apply what you’ve learnt in real-world settings around the globe. Through site visits, guest lectures and team projects, you'll connect with industry leaders, gain fresh perspectives and tackle real business challenges – all with the guidance of our academic staff. Local or international, every tour blends cultural activities with practical learning – developing your leadership, problem-solving and global industry knowledge.

¹ Note that opportunities may vary depending on academic performance and international travel restrictions.

Detailed course structure and unit information

For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.

Customise your Innovation degree

You can customise your degree through two options:

Entry requirements

To study this course, you must meet the entry criteria:

• course ATAR, or equivalent, demonstrated via an accepted entry pathway
• any course-specific requirements
• English language requirement.

Guaranteed entry
If you achieve the guaranteed ATAR/selection rank for this course and meet all other entry requirements, you’re guaranteed a place in this course.

Entry pathways

Course-specific requirements

You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.

Study credit and support

You may be able to receive study credit or support based on your previous experience or personal circumstances.

Get credit towards your degree

You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Find specific details about CRL for this course on the Handbook.

Special consideration

If your studies were affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for special consideration when applying to Curtin. This process is available to new applicants only and allows your application to be assessed in light of those circumstances.

Check if you’re eligible for special consideration.

Additional information