Program Overview

MSc Sustainability & Environmental Studies

The MSc Sustainability & Environmental Studies offers a cross-disciplinary approach to the study of environmental management and policy, circular economy, sustainability, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in both developed and developing countries. It is suitable for applicants from all academic backgrounds, and the wide range of subject options enables students to choose classes to suit their background.

Why this course?

Our MSc Sustainability & Environmental Studies offers a cross-disciplinary approach to the study of environmental management and policy, circular economy, sustainability, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in both developed and developing countries. It is suitable for applicants from all academic backgrounds, and the wide range of subject options enables students to choose classes to suit their background.

Key facts

• Start date: September & January
• Accreditation: Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation & Institute of Highway Engineers
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months or 36 months part-time (on campus); 36 months part-time distance learning
• Athena Swan Gold Award for supporting gender equality in engineering
• Eligibility: All academic backgrounds accepted, including arts, business, education, engineering, geography, journalism, languages, law, sciences, and social sciences.

Study with us

• Receive cross-disciplinary teaching from all four Faculties in the University
• Gain skills in environmental management, circular economy, EIA, and sustainability
• Design your own curriculum to suit your career aspirations
• Opportunity to carry out an industrial project
• Suitable for graduates from any background
• Join the more than 600 alumni from this MSc in a wide range of job opportunities

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree.

Course content

• Compulsory classes:
  • Circular Economy & Transformations Towards Sustainability (10 credits)
  • Research methods for quantitative & qualitative approaches (10 credits)
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (10 credits)
• Elective classes:
  • Choose 90 credits from a wide range of optional classes, including:
    • Climate Change Economics (10 credits)
    • Contaminated Land (10 credits)
    • Economics of Inequality and Inclusive Growth (10 credits)
    • Energy Economics (10 credits)
    • Energy Resources & Policy (10 credits)
    • Environmental Economics (10 credits)
    • Environmental Geochemistry (10 credits)
    • Environmental Pollution Management (10 credits)
    • Financial Engineering (10 credits)
    • Fundamentals of Environmental Forensics (10 credits)
    • Games of Strategy (10 credits)
    • Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (10 credits)
    • Global Water Policy (10 credits)
    • Human Information Behaviour (10 credits)
    • Hydrogeology (10 credits)
    • Independent Study in Collaboration with Industry (10 credits)
    • International Environmental Law (10 credits)
    • Natural Resources, Sustainability and Governance (10 credits)
    • Organic machines, engineered environments, and hybrid natures (20 credits)
    • Principles of Environmental Microbiology (10 credits)
    • Public Health Studies (10 credits)
    • Regional Development Policy (10 credits)
    • Remanufacturing (10 credits)
    • Renewable Marine Energy Systems (10 credits)
    • Social Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
    • Sustainable Product Design and Manufacturing (10 credits)
    • Water & Wastewater Treatment Design (10 credits)
    • Waste Management & Landfill Design (10 credits)
    • Water & Environmental Management (10 credits)

Entry requirements

• Academic requirements: Normally a first-class or second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in any degree discipline. All backgrounds considered, including social sciences, arts, engineering, law, chemistry, maths, physics, geology, biology, and business. Lower degree classifications may be considered if there is strength elsewhere.
• English language requirements: If English is not your first language, please visit the English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application.

Fees & funding

• Scotland: £10,800 (2024/25), £11,900 (2025/26)
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £10,800 (2024/25), £11,900 (2025/26)
• International: £27,500 (2024/25), £30,250 (2025/26)
• Distance Learning: £5,100 per 60 credits (2024/25 and 2025/26)
• Available scholarships: Take a look at the scholarships search for funding opportunities.
• Visa & immigration: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

Careers

There are now more than 600 alumni from this pioneering Sustainability MSc that span the globe, contributing to environmental agencies, businesses, consultancies, NGOs, and government departments. As a graduate, you may find yourself in a range of positions in private consultancies, government agencies, local authorities, environmental regulators, businesses, and agencies. Some of our graduates have also created their own companies, and some started a PhD after completing the MSc.

Job titles include:

• Carbon Reporting Consultant
• Circular Economy Advisor
• Climate Change Manager
• Community Renewal Energy Manager
• Contaminated Land Officer
• EIA project manager
• Energy & Environmental Manager
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Officer
• Estates Manager
• Forest Planner
• Low Carbon Project Officer
• Principal Senior Ecologist
• Sustainability Analyst

Employers include:

• Arup
• Atkins
• East Dunbartonshire Council
• Forestry and Land Scotland
• Jacobs Engineering
• NatureScot
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Scottish Government
• SSE Renewables
• Transport Scotland
• Zero Waste Scotland

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping, and socialising alongside your studies.