Program Overview

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Sustainability Transitions, MSc

Overview

This programme is designed to train the future generation of innovators and thinkers who have the passion and ambition to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and become true sustainability leaders which the world needs.

Study Information

Study Options

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September or January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Programme Fees

Fee category	Cost
EU / International students	£22,000
UK	£10,000

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

• The Leadership Challenge (BU5584)
• Governance and Political Economy of Sustainability (GG5557)
• Research Methods (GG5516)
• Partnerships for Sustainability (GG5571)
• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

• Sustainability Project (GG5913)

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

• Contemporary Environmental Challenges (GG5056)
• Rural and Environmental Policy and Law (GG5071)
• Sustainability Transitions - Challenges and Opportunities (GG5072)
• Introduction to Energy Transition: Demand, Technologies and Economics (EG504H)

Available Programmes of Study

• MSc Sustainability Transitions

Funding Opportunities

• The Aberdeen Global Scholarship
• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Scholarships

• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Related Programmes

• Climate Politics and Policy
• Geographical Information Systems
• Global Energy Transition Enterprise Management
• Restorative Land Management and Rural Surveying
• Sustainable Water Management

Related Information

• Chat to our students and staff
• Find Accommodation
• Find Funding
• Postgraduate Guide

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Field Trips
• Field Work
• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• By coursework, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course.

Why Study Sustainability Transitions?

• This MSc is designed to train future sustainability leaders who will have the skills, knowledge and passion to make the world a more sustainable place.
• The nature and composition of teaching on the programme ensures that the skills students learn can be applied globally, across government, industry and business.
• The programme has been designed in close consultation with a range of relevant organisations, agencies and institutions promoting sustainability transitions.

Entry Requirements

• Motivation and understanding of this degree is an important factor in securing admission.
• Your personal statement/statement of purpose should focus on covering the following points:
  • Clear understanding of the degree and its underlying principles;
  • Previous relevant experience in relation to sustainability;
  • Information on how the degree will help with future career development.

Qualifications

• 2:2 (Honours) degree (or equivalent) in Agriculture, Business, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Environmental Economics, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Geography, Geology, Law, Marine Science, Planning, Politics, Sociology, Soil Science, Zoology.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Document Requirements

• CV
• Degree Certificate
• Degree Transcript
• Personal Statement

Careers

• Each industry, community, region, and country faces sustainability challenges of a different kind, with the need to reconcile numerous conflicting objectives often remaining the most serious one.
• You will possess the analytical, interdisciplinary and problem-solving skills that will make you well-placed for a sustainability-focused career across a range of sectors.

Career Opportunities

• Business Development Coordinator
• Energy and Business Consultant
• Energy and Sustainability Adviser
• Environmental Adviser
• Government Officer
• Media Communications and Journalism
• Non-Governmental Organisation Officer
• Outreach and Community Engagement Officer
• Sustainability Consultant

What our Alumni Say

• Ezequeil Seillant, Business Development Analyst
• Hannah Lawson, Graduate Sustainability Consultant, HDR
• Analia Araujo Macedo, Sustainability Transitions MSc
• Rachel Roberts, Environmental Manager
• Parul Baghel, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Edinburgh Leisure
• Adam Kench, Transport Officer, Nestrans
• Deborah Oduro, Sustainability Transitions MSc
• Theresa Schwarz, UNV / UN-REDD Communications Specialist - United Nations Development Programme

Our Experts

• Programme Coordinator: Dr Piotr Niewiadomski

Features

• Numerous Field trips
• Recent trips have included visiting community forestry and local economic development initiatives, decision making in local government and coastal management sites.