Program Overview

Sustainability in Transport MSc

The Sustainability in Transport MSc will equip students with the knowledge, technical, and professional skills needed to help solve some of the grand challenges of sustainability in transport. Taught by researchers at the forefront of the subject, students will look at how to respond to the critical need for rapid transport decarbonisation and how transport systems can be changed to improve sustainable development, liveable and healthy cities and environments, and social equity and inclusion.

Course Overview

This Masters degree will ignite students' imagination and expand their horizons, regardless of their background. Students could be social or political scientists, geographers, philosophers, law graduates, engineering graduates, or science graduates. What's most important is that they thrive on critical thinking and have a willingness to move outside disciplinary comfort zones.

Why Study at Leeds

• This Masters degree is accredited by the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), formerly the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
• The Institute for Transport Studies' globally-renowned research feeds directly into the course, shaping students' learning with the latest thinking in sustainable transport.
• Students will advance their knowledge in key areas, including shaping future transport systems, environmental science, and sustainability in transport, and strategic assessments of transport and environmental policy.
• Students will develop a professional and specialist skill set that will enable them to manage projects in industry effectively, run visioning workshops, stakeholder engagement events, strategy meetings, and make persuasive presentations to policymakers.
• The course can be tailored to suit students' career aspirations with a broad selection of optional modules that refine their knowledge in topics of interest.
• Students will build industry experience by collaborating on a multidisciplinary team project with students from other degree specialisms, focusing on a real-world transport problem posed by Leeds City Council or another relevant organisation.
• Students may also be able to apply for an optional industrial placement.

Course Structure

The course includes compulsory and optional modules, as well as a dissertation. Compulsory modules cover topics such as environmental science and sustainability for transport, shaping future transport systems, transport data collection and analysis, perspectives on sustainability, environment, and development, transport integrated project, and transport dissertation.

Compulsory Modules

• Environmental Science and Sustainability for Transport (15 credits): Students will learn the knowledge and skills to influence decision-making in transport towards environmentally and socially sustainable solutions.
• Shaping Future Transport Systems (15 credits): Students will understand the fundamental relationships in transport systems, their interactions with other sectors, and future opportunities and challenges.
• Transport Data Collection and Analysis (15 credits): Students will acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge of data collection and analysis in the context of transport.
• Perspectives on Sustainability, Environment, and Development (15 credits): Students will understand and analyze interlinkages in environment and development issues.
• Transport Integrated Project (15 credits): This group project lets students develop industry experience of working within the transport sector as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Transport Dissertation (60 credits): Students' dissertations give them the ultimate opportunity to develop and apply research and/or design skills in a specialist topic within the transport discipline.

Optional Modules

Please note that the modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

• Environmental Politics, Policy, and Governance (15 credits)
• Finance for Sustainable Development (15 credits)
• Sustainable Spatial Planning and Analysis (15 credits)
• Green Logistics (15 credits)
• Analysing Transport and Society (15 credits)
• Public Transport Planning and Management (15 credits)
• System Dynamics: Modelling Policy (15 credits)
• Traffic Management (15 credits)
• Global Transferability of Policies (15 credits)
• Environmental Values & Governance (15 credits)
• Railway Investment Appraisal (15 credits)
• Transport Investment Appraisal (15 credits)
• Air Quality Policy Design and Evaluation (15 credits)
• Transport in Developing Countries (15 credits)
• Road Safety (15 credits)

Fieldwork

At the Institute for Transport Studies, students will have the chance to build hands-on, real-world skills through fieldwork, experiencing transport systems in action and meeting transport professionals.

Industrial Placements

This program gives students the opportunity to undertake a paid placement, either over four or twelve months, with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM. Please note that placement opportunities are limited and therefore the application is highly competitive.

Part-time Study Options

The course is also available to study part-time, over 24 or 36 months.

Learning and Teaching

Postgraduate study involves a range of teaching methods, supported by independent learning. Students will learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, computer exercises, practical sessions, directed reading, reflective journals, peer review, presentations, discussions, fieldwork, and tutorials.

Assessment

Assessment is equally varied and can include coursework essays, case-study reports, group assignments, posters, presentations, and exams.

Entry Requirements

• A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject.
• Applicants with a 2:2 (hons) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be considered.
• International students: The University accepts a range of international equivalent qualifications.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Fees

• UK: Ł13,000 (Total)
• International: Ł30,750 (Total)

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Scholarships are also available to help fund students' Masters studies.

Career Opportunities

A degree from the Institute for Transport Studies at Leeds opens up a range of opportunities to pursue a rewarding career in this industry. This course will equip students with an extensive specialist skill set, alongside industry experience and the chance to interact directly with industry organizations, which could give them the edge with employers.

Work Placements and Industry Experience

Students will have the opportunity to gain four or twelve months of industry experience in the UK with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM at the end of their Masters course. The scheme is open to all Masters students, including those on a student visa, within the Institute for Transport Studies.

Global Industry Programme

As a Masters student at Leeds, students will have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with the Global Industry Programme. This experience will enhance their CV, helping them to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving their chances of securing the career they want.

Related Courses

• Transport Planning and Engineering MSc (Eng)
• Sustainable Cities MSc
• Transport Economics MSc
• Transport Planning MSc
• Transport Planning and the Environment MSc