Minor “Entrepreneurial Thinking and Action”

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In this application-oriented minor, bachelor's and master's students can learn and test entrepreneurial skills over two or four semesters.

Course content
Students develop entrepreneurial skills as a basis for trendsetting careers and projects in art, culture and the creative industry.

Skills acquired in this minor
Students learn

  • to shape the entrepreneurial foundations of their artistic or design practice autonomously
  • to position their own ideas in a larger context and to position themselves innovatively in a relevant market or cultural sector
  • to harmonize their vision, personal values and work so that they are able to tackle opportunities and obstacles
  • to design entrepreneurial strategies in transdisciplinary collaboration.

    Programme overview

    Modules autumn semester 2025/26

    Entrepreneurial Basics
    Content: Introduction to entrepreneurial thinking & action, legal forms of organisation, self-employment basics, insurance & social security, financing
    Dates: Kick-off Friday, 18.09.2025, 1-4pm, roundtables Fridays 1-4pm from 03. - 31.10.2025, plus self-study
    Type: Compulsory module, 1 ECTS
    Leadership: Philipp Kotsopoulos, Z-Kubator
    Other participants: Subject matter experts

    Wellbeing and Entrepreneurial Thinking & Action
    Content: Reflection techniques, personal development & wellbeing in an entrepreneurial context, self-efficacy, mindfulness
    Dates: 5x Friday 1-4pm from 14.11. - 12.12.2025 plus self-study
    Type: Compulsory module, 1 ECTS
    Leadership: Malin Fluri, Z-Kubator
    Other participants: Subject matter experts

    Individual Entrepreneurial Project
    Content: Development of an individual project, project planning & reflection, self-management
    Dates: 05. – 23.01.2026 (Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm)
    Type: Compulsory module, 6 ECTS
    Leadership: Philipp Kotsopoulos, Z-Kubator
    Other participants: Mentors, subject matter expers, alumni case studies

      Modules spring semester 2026

      (Self-) Marketing and Communication
      Content: Introduction to culture and self-marketing, marketing and communication channels, target groups & community, branding, realisation of a prototype brand with directions & coaching
      Dates: Monday - Thursday, 23. - 26.02.2026, 9am - 5pm plus self-study
      Type: Compulsory module, 2 ECTS
      Leadership: Marisa Burn, Founder House of Change, Head of CAS Digitale Lern- & Lehrkulturen, Project Manager e-Learning

      Take-off: Mein Projekt vermitteln
      Content: Systemic thinking, methods and tools for project development and mediation, self-leadership, presentation techniques, case studies and expert inputs
      Dates: Monday - Friday, 02. - 06.03.2026, 9am - 5pm
      Type: Compulsory module, 2 ECTS
      Leadership: Johannes M. Hedinger, Head of ILEA, curator, artist, lecturer
      Other participants: Experts from the arts and culture

        Free electives

        Internal and/or external modules with a thematic fit comprising 3 ECTS in total

        In addition to the modules listed below, students can suggest further thematically relevant modules on their own initiative. These should be in the context of entrepreneurial thinking and action, project development, self-employment, career preparation, or innovation. The approval of credits will be verified individually. Enrollment takes place directly via the internal or external providers; places are usually limited.

        Internal modules

        Open modules from majors or other minors
        More information in the course catalogue

        External modules

        Innosuisse Startup Training: Business Concept (module 2) - 3 ECTS
        More information, dates and application

        Recognition of academic achievements

        Information about the recognition of academic achievements outside of existing university study programmes is available here.

          Practical information

          • Admission requirements: Suitable for students from all disciplines without prior qualifications
          • Study level: BA and MA
          • Course work: 15 credits
          • Teaching languages: German / English (good understanding of presentations in German required)
          • Timing: starts once per year in the autumn semester

          More information

          Information about the minor selection process and important deadlines

          Discover all major and minor programmes

          Contact
          Philipp Kotsopoulos, +41 43 446 20 65