Technology Commercialisation (PDip)

Course Overview

You will develop an understanding of venture capital financing, the patenting process, business strategy, financial management, marketing and technology development. You will learn how to identify technology-based business opportunities, with particular focus on how to assess their market potential and how to judge their appeal to the venture capital community. You will establish the importance of innovation for the exploitation of new technological developments and the transfer process for this technology to enable commercialisation. You will gain an understanding of the importance of intellectual property and patenting as a key element of commercialisation.

On completion of this postgraduate diploma, students can then progress to our Masters in Technology Management and gain exemptions for modules completed, see Progression Options.

Mode of Study: Online Learning—this course will be delivered online with synchronous sessions.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Course Outline

The Diploma in Technology Commercialisation seeks to improve Ireland’s expertise in Technology Commercialisation and to upskill the next generation of entrepreneurs focused on new and emerging technologies. It provides information and guidance to potential entrepreneurs in business planning, securing project finance and gaining the knowledge needed to commercialise new technologies, products and services.

The course is delivered online, in association with the University College Cork (UCC) and comprises 30 ECTS. There are four individual modules (5 ECTS) and a project (10 ECTS) to complete, see module descriptions below. The Project module runs over the full academic year. Modules are run on a sequential basis, students study one module every six weeks. Please see 2021-2022 Technology Commercialisation Timetable for further details.

Technology, Finance & Capital
The module content is designed to apply the theories and concepts of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Business Finance to the decision making process within small, medium and global organisations. The financial strategies associated with the achievement of predetermined key performance indicators are fully explored within the module. The function of strategic management accounting is a focal point as a creator of vital information for enhancing operational excellence and formulation and implementation of new strategies. The relationship between Investment and return and the management of capital are given a high priority. Case studies are included in the module content as a valuable learning resource in topic areas such as Activity Based Costing, the Balanced Scorecard and Investment Appraisal Analysis.

Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
The module reviews a broad range of topics that critically affect technology-based start-up companies. It is designed to help the learner develop strong conceptual foundations for understanding and exploiting technological innovation and entrepreneurship. More specifically, it aims to equip the learner with an understanding of the technology innovation lifecycle and the key issues involved in entrepreneurship and new venture creation. The module reviews concepts and frameworks to create, commercialise and capture value from technology-based products and services. It aims to provide the learner with a comprehensive toolbox to enable the learner to identify opportunities, and develop feasibility studies and business plans in order to develop and manage innovation throughout the product lifecycle, and exploit a new technological venture.

Innovation & Technology Transfer
This module is an introduction to Technology Transfer which highlights key areas of the process and introduces practical skills and knowledge for students to take forward to their careers. Participants will develop the ability to identify new technology platforms of potential strategic importance and to successfully assimilate such platforms into their firms. The module will also address the different mechanisms through which firms can gain the maximum return from technologies that they have developed. These include patents, licensing, and trading in technical know-how.

Marketing Technology Products
This module introduces you to the world of marketing. What is marketing all about? To put it in a nutshell, marketing is two things. First, it is a business philosophy whose main premise is that the customer is king and that if a company can provide enough people with exactly what they want, they will make a profit. This implies that marketing is a particular way of looking at the world of business. This in itself is rather intangible and explains why there is a lot of uncertainty regarding marketing’s domain. Second, marketing is a business function, which is much more tangible. The dominant view holds that marketing is the business function responsible for finding out what the customer wants (marketing research), providing the customer with that product or service (product development), in a convenient outlet at the right time and in the right quantities (distribution), and information the customer about the product or service (marketing communications). It is about planning the future of the company and staying ahead of the competition. Increasingly, this also necessitates relationship building as organisations pursue customer loyalty. Consequently, marketing is a critical activity in the business enterprise. While there are many obvious opportunities provided by increasingly complex, dynamic and competitive markets, companies lacking marketing skills face huge risks.

In Company Project
The student completes a research/practical project in the area of Technology Commercialisation or Innovation Management. This module gives a student the opportunity to further develop novel technologies that are near-commercialization or start at the very beginning of identifying what needs to be done to get to commercialisation stage. This project may allow you to support research/development in all areas of technology including medical devices, electronics, software, communications, engineering, etc. This project module can give an opportunity to look at innovation projects that are integrated into the business at both strategic and operational levels.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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