Program Overview

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MSc Sustainable Business Management

Overview

Develop advanced business skills combined with an in-depth understanding of sustainability and the role of business in creating a sustainable future. Study a range of modules across a variety of disciplines such as climate change, policy and governance, environment and human health taught by experts in the most pressing sustainability problems and their solutions. Engage with highly current concepts and debates around Biomimicry and the Circular Economy. Progress to careers in general management or leadership positions across all market sectors or more specialist roles in environment and sustainability.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:2 degree from a recognised university.
• We consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications.
• Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry Requirements for International Students

English Language Requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Course Content

Environmental sustainability and ethical decision-making are becoming increasingly important within business, with growing recognition that if businesses and governments do not respond to environmental issues the long-term economic impacts will be vast. You will explore sustainability with a focus on the circular enterprise economy, natural capital, and biomimicry in innovative and entrepreneurial business practices.

You will complete a case study providing the opportunity to analyse real-world examples of the relationship between environmental and social performances and economic values and use these learnings to develop your own approaches for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in your Major Project.

Our wide range of optional modules enables you to tailor your programme to your career and research interests.

Modules

• During the programme you will study modules totalling 180 credits.
• Please note that programme structures may be subject to change.
• Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list.

The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

• 120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.

Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits
BEPM001	Major Project	45
BEPM003	Business Transformation Case Study	15
BEPM002	Biomimicry and Circular Economy Design Principles	15
BEPM008	Sustainable Business Management	15
BEPM009	Strategic Innovation for Sustainable Business	15
BEPM010	Circular Economy Management Consultancy Services	15

Optional Modules

Code	Module	Credits
BEPM011	Environmental Governance	15
BEPM012	Contemporary Tourism Industry	15
BEPM013	Sustainable Tourism Management	15
GEOM407	Perspectives on Sustainable Development	15
GEOM363B	Themes in Climate Change	15
GEOM418	Marine and Coastal Social-ecological systems	15
HPDM029	Nature, Health and Wellbeing	15
HPDM200	Environmental Health Risks and Epidemiology	15
HPDM183	Global Public Health and Environmental Change	15
HPDM027	Contemporary Environment and Human Health	15
GEOM247	Transforming Energy Systems	15
BEPM014	Environmental Impact Assessment	15
GEOM408	Transdisciplinary Methods for Sustainability Science	15
ENE3004	Life Cycle Analysis	15

Fees

2025/26 Entry

UK Fees per Year:

£17,900 full-time

International Fees per Year:

£30,700 full-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26. Full details can be found here.

*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Teaching and Research

University of Exeter Business School research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Our research-led teaching is combined with practical experiences such as field trips and project work, so that you can apply your learning to real world scenarios. Upon graduation, you will have the skills and knowledge to pursue the career you want, wherever in the world you choose to work.

Our programmes cover a range of disciplines including entrepreneurship, international business, marketing, human resource management, and tourism. With strong links to organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and with professional organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), we ensure that your Master’s degree is widely recognised in today’s global marketplace.

You will be taught by internationally respected academics who are at the forefront of their research. We draw upon disciplines across the social sciences and give emphasis to the dynamic nature of enterprise, global connectivity and the management and leadership of the global challenges that lie ahead.

The Business School is home to the following research centres:

• Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
• Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM)
• Exeter Centre for Social Networks (ECSN)
• Exeter Centre for Leadership (ExCL)
• Initiative in the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX)
• Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute (LEEP)
• Research Methods Centre
• Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC)
• The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE)

Careers

Graduates will be well placed to take up general management and leadership positions across all market sectors, such as Graduate Manager, Management Consultant, Business Development Manager. You will also be competitive candidates for specialist environment and sustainability roles such as Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Environmental/Sustainability Consultant, Environmental/Sustainability Analyst.

Related Courses

• Sustainable Business Management: Tourism MSc
• Sustainable Business Management: Environment MSc
• Management MSc

Why Exeter?

• Student life
• Our campuses
• International students
• Accommodation
• Apply for a Masters
• Immigration and visas
• Tuition fees and funding