The London School of Economics and Political Science

Social Entrepreneurship

Develop the entrepreneurial skills, tools, and knowledge to drive positive change and evaluate your social influence.

Start date

05 March 2025

Price

$2,484 USD

Installment Plan

Request a call

Course duration

8 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

7-9 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

75%

The percentage of organisations that believe ethics will play an important role in securing their success in the future of work.

Deloitte (May, 2020).

41%

The share of millennials who need to know that a company is run ethically and responsibly before they consider purchasing from it.

Morning Consult (2020).

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

The conventional approach toward social and environmental issues is no longer sufficient. Nowadays, with increased transparency and accountability, businesses must strive to drive positive change and generate value beyond just profits.

The Social Entrepreneurship online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) provides comprehensive insight into the tools, processes, and expertise necessary for building socially conscious organisations. This social entrepreneurship online course covers the complexities and prospects associated with social entrepreneurship and educates participants on developing a business strategy that actively addresses social concerns.

Throughout the social entrepreneurship course's eight-week duration, participants will explore the critical organisational considerations needed to launch a social entrepreneurship enterprise and learn how to gauge its social impact and value.

Is this course for you?

This course is beneficial for professionals across various industries, including entrepreneurs aiming to establish socially conscious organisations, management positions within non-profits, social-sector consultancies, and social enterprises to make measurable social impacts. Policymakers will learn how to collaborate with social enterprises, philanthropic foundations, and social-impact funders. This course will also benefit leaders, executives, and managers interested in addressing social issues and embedding purpose in their organisations.

This Social Entrepreneurship online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.

Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

Course overview

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

An understanding of the key organisational factors to consider when developing a social organisation.

Expert insight into what a social issue is, how to find a solution for it, and how to measure the social impact your enterprise creates.

A business plan to guide the development of your social organisation, and the skills to drive positive change.

An in-depth understanding of the need for greater social consciousness within government, business, and charities.

Unlimited access to edX's Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.

Course curriculum

Explore the theory and practice of social entrepreneurship as you work through the weekly modules of this online certificate course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

The entrepreneurial imperative: Drivers of change

Module 2

Understanding social problems

Module 3

Becoming a social entrepreneur

Module 4

Business models for social entrepreneurship

Module 5

Funding for social entrepreneurship

Module 6

To profit or not to profit: Choosing your organisational form

Module 7

Measuring social impact

Module 8

Social entrepreneurship: Criticisms, challenges, and opportunities

Get more information

Who you'll learn from

The design of this online certificate course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course. View the prospectus to see all the industry thought leaders featured on this course.

Professor Stephan Chambers

Course Convenor
Director and Professor in Practice, The Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship, LSE

Dr Jonathan Roberts

Course Convenor
Teaching Director and Senior Lecturer in Practice, The Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship, LSE

Dr Kerryn Krige

Senior Lecturer in Practice, The Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship, LSE

Dr Eva Neitzert

Module Advisor
Visiting Fellow, The Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship

About the certificate

Acquire the knowledge and skills to launch your own social organisation and earn an official certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

LSE Social Entrepreneurship online certificate course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

Get more information

Answer a few questions and get more information about the course.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

By entering your phone number, you consent to being contacted by an Enrollment Advisor to provide additional information and help answer any questions you may have about the course/programme.

Contact number

Please enter a valid phone number

Yes, I want to receive additional information about the LSE Social Entrepreneurship online certificate course. Please contact me by email: *

YesNo

edX, and its parent company, 2U, Inc., offer other online education programmes across various fields of study. Please email me about these programmes.

Learn more about the educational programmes that the London School of Economics and Political Science offers that may be of interest to me.*

YesNo

By consenting to receive communications, you agree to the use of your data as described in our privacy policy. You may opt out of receiving communication at any time.

FAQ

Want to know more?

GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.

We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.

Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.

Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.

You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.

GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.

At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.

By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?

Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.

If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.

As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.

To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.

On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.

ENTERPRISE TEAMS