On 14 July, we visited Imperial College London to attend the Imperial Cleantech Innovation MSc 2025 Show—and left inspired by what we saw. This wasn’t your typical end-of-year showcase. Instead of graduation speeches, students were presenting patent-pending prototypes, startup pitches, and sustainability solutions that could hit the market tomorrow.

Degrees like the MSc in Cleantech Innovation are part of a growing trend at top UK universities: blending academic rigour with entrepreneurial thinking. These programmes are designed for students who want to tackle real-world problems—not just write about them. And they’re producing graduates who are leaving university not just with a diploma, but with intellectual property, business plans, and investor traction.

The new graduate profile: founder, not job-seeker

At a time when graduate job markets are more competitive than ever, programmes like these offer an alternative. Instead of polishing CVs for graduate schemes, many students are preparing pitch decks for investors and go-to-market strategies for early adopters.

At Imperial, we saw cleantech startups focused on everything from improving wind turbine efficiency to biodegradable packaging. Some projects had already attracted interest from venture capital firms. Others were supported by the university’s internal accelerator or had won funding through competitions like WE Innovate and Venture Catalyst Challenge.

For families considering UK university options, this trend is worth watching. A degree from a top UK university has always opened doors—but these programmes are helping students build the doors themselves.

What makes these programmes different?

Unlike traditional degrees, innovation-focused courses often include:

• Interdisciplinary Teams: Engineering, business, and science students work together to solve complex challenges.
• Access to Labs and Workshops: Students can prototype and test physical products, not just draft theoretical designs.
• Entrepreneurship Training: Modules on venture creation, fundraising, and intellectual property rights are built in.
• Real Industry Engagement: Corporate partners and investors regularly review student projects and offer feedback.
• Support Beyond Graduation: Graduates can often continue developing their ventures through university incubators or innovation hubs.

Degrees to watch

While Imperial is leading the way, other top UK universities are also evolving their offerings:

• University of Cambridge: MPhil in Technology Policy and MSt in Social Innovation are designed for future founders and policy leaders.
• University College London (UCL): MSc in Entrepreneurship and MSc in Smart Energy and the Built Environment.
• University of Edinburgh: MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
• University of Manchester: MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship.

These degrees are ideal for students who are creative, solution-driven, and ready to take risks. They also appeal to families who want to future-proof their children's education—combining world-class academics with practical, career-building experience.

Why this matters for families in Asia

In a fast-changing world, the most successful graduates will be those who can create their own opportunities. Whether your child wants to be a founder, product designer, or innovator, degrees like the Imperial Cleantech Innovation MSc can be a launchpad—not just for a job, but for a venture.

At Mantora, we help families not only choose the right school or university, but also understand what kind of future those choices are preparing their children for. Innovation-focused degrees are an exciting and strategic option—and we’re here to help you explore them.