Sustainability Transitions, MSc

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.

Program Outline

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Sustainability Transitions, MSc

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Degree Overview:

The Sustainability Transitions, MSc program is designed to train future sustainability leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, and passion to make the world a more sustainable place. The program welcomes individuals with a background in sustainable development and a strong desire to contribute to global sustainability efforts.

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Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the skills, knowledge, and passion to lead the transition towards a more sustainable world.
• Provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability transitions, encompassing environmental, economic, and social aspects.
• Develop crucial practical skills such as grant preparation, policy development, and project leadership.
• Foster a diverse learning environment with graduates from various social and physical science disciplines, enriching the learning experience through knowledge exchange.
• Offer access to expertise from renowned academics and industry professionals, encompassing diverse fields and enhancing the program's practical relevance.

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Program Description:

This program combines theoretical knowledge on sustainable development and transitions with practical employment-ready skills, preparing graduates for diverse career paths in government, industry, and business. The program offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical application through real-world projects and field trips.

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Outline:

The program consists of three semesters, each focusing on specific aspects of sustainability transitions.

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Semester 1:

• The Leadership Challenge: Develops leadership skills for navigating complex sustainability challenges.
• Governance and Political Economy of Sustainability: Explores the political and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
• Research Methods: Equips students with the tools to conduct independent research on sustainability topics.
• Partnerships for Sustainability: Examines the role of partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.

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Semester 2:

• Contemporary Environmental Challenges: Analyzes current environmental issues and management strategies.
• Rural and Environmental Policy and Law: Provides insights into environmental policy and legal frameworks.
• Introduction to Energy Transition: Explores the technical, economic, and social aspects of energy transition.
• Sustainability Transitions - Challenges and Opportunities: Examines the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to sustainable forms of production and consumption.

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Semester 3:

• Sustainability Project: Students conduct independent research on a chosen aspect of sustainability, collaborating with partner organizations.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods include coursework, written examinations, or a combination of both, depending on the specific course.

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Teaching:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, group projects, individual projects, field trips, and research. Students are taught by academics from diverse disciplines and subject areas, as well as experts in various sustainability-related fields, providing access to a comprehensive range of expertise.

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Careers:

Graduates of this program possess analytical, interdisciplinary, and problem-solving skills highly sought after by employers across various sectors, including:

• Global corporations
• Supranational NGOs
• National, regional, and local governments
• Community-based organizations
• Sustainable businesses
The program equips graduates for a wide range of careers, including:
• Sustainability consultants
• Environmental policy analysts
• Project managers
• Researchers
• Educators
• Leaders in sustainable businesses

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Other:

• The program attracts graduates from diverse backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment.
• Students benefit from close collaboration with external partners, including government agencies, NGOs, and local environmental organizations.

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EU / International students: £22,000 UK: £10,000