Program Overview

---

Leadership for Sustainable Development

Overview

This innovative Masters programme is open to applicants from all subject backgrounds, and is designed to create leaders and sustainability professionals in all fields and subjects. The course will require a high level of independence, adaptability, engagement with both the University and external organisations, and a willingness to be challenged.

Course Structure

• Autumn Semester
  • Students will be introduced to leadership and sustainable development over three taught modules to help gain an overview of the principles and values of sustainable development, and why it is important.
  • Leadership & Management for Sustainable Development: explore approaches to leading and managing people, projects, change, budgets and more, particularly in how these can be used as tools for creating action within the field of sustainable development.
  • Foundations for Sustainable Development: consider the core themes, subject knowledge, history, policies and strategies underpinning sustainable development, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Skills for Sustainable Development: develop and understanding of the tools and methodologies needed by a sustainability professional such as behaviour change, environmental impact assessment and lifecycle analysis.
  • Effective Leadership (Group Project): requires a small group of students to engage with a host organisation over the year in a real-world project to promote sustainable development through experiential learning and action research.
• Spring Semester
  • Students carry out two compulsory work-based learning placements in the second semester, each comprising eight weeks' work:
    • Work Placement in Sustainable Development Placement I – Jan-Mar
    • Work Placement in Sustainable Development Placement II – April-June
  • The placements provide experiences of sustainable development and leadership thereof in a wide range of organisations. Staff and students work together to identify suitable hosts.
• Summer Semester
  • Students have a choice between a third eight-week work placement, or to undertake a taught module:
    • Work Placement in Sustainable Development Placement III – July-August
    • Reflective Practice in Sustainable Development: requires students to consider their role as reflective practitioners in Sustainable Development and critically evaluate their development and performance over the year.

Modules

Core Modules

• Skills for Sustainable Development (20 credits)
• Effective Leadership: Group Project (30 credits)
• Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development (20 credits)
• Placement in Sustainable Development 2 (30 credits)
• Foundations for Sustainable Development (20 credits)
• Placement in Sustainable Development 1 (30 credits)

Optional Modules

• Reflective Practice in Sustainable Development (30 credits)
• Placement in Sustainable Development 3 (30 credits)

Entrance Requirements

• Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
• Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Submission of a portfolio and/or interview may be required.
• Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2025. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.
• Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
• Please Select Your Country/Region Please Select Your Country/Region
  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia And Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China Mainland
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong (SAR)
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau (SAR)
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • St Vincent And The Grenadines
  • Sudan
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syria
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uruguay
  • USA
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).
• International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £7,300
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £7,300
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £9,250
• EU Other 3 | £21,500
• International | £21,500

Additional Course Costs

• A number of bursaries are available to support Northern Ireland-domiciled students enrolling to the MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development and MSc Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development programmes. The bursaries are intended to support access to postgraduate study for individuals committed to developing the leadership skills needed to drive sustainability transitions across sectors.
• Please note that bursary availability is reviewed annually and cannot be guaranteed for future intakes.

Career Prospects

• This MSc will equip you to work in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector, here in Northern Ireland, and internationally. Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide range of roles such as; Climate Programme Manager: Action Resilience Officer for Climate: Communications and Engagement Specialist; Environmental Manager; Sustainability Consultant; Housing Development; Recycling Education Promotions Officer; International Development Volunteer; Marine Community Support Officer; Waste and Recycling Manager: Parliamentary Assistant and Environmental Consultant.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

How do I fund my study?

• The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
• A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
• More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students, is available at

Skills for Sustainable Development

Overview

This is a broad ranging module exploring the major global issues in environmental sustainability, such as Climate Change, Biodiversity, Waste Management, Water Management and Renewable Energy. The module will introduce concepts and methodologies such as Environmental Economics, ecological footprinting, environmental cost benefit analysis and environmental impact analysis. Students will learn about the pressure caused to the environment by human activities and solutions to help combat these.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to: conceptualise the global context of environmental sustainability; recognise and judge the effectiveness of techniques and methodologies for sustainable development; identify and assess the pressures caused to the environment by human activities and explore current solutions which have been applied to help combat these.

Skills

Competence in appreciating the complexity and diversity of the natural environment; an ability to assess the merits of key theories and debates of sustainable development with particular reference to the natural environment; apply techniques and methodologies for sustainable development in a local context and evaluate its emergence as a response to problems of the natural environment.

Effective Leadership: Group Project

Overview

This module requires students to work in groups to carry out a significant project to promote sustainable development under the supervision of an organisation. Three weeks in January will be spent developing the project. Work is ongoing until August when a three week period is allocated for completion of project.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate sustainable development issues to a wider audience utilising various forms of media through the application of knowledge and skills gained from other modules.

Skills

Ability to work effectively as part of a team to facilitate a successful outcome, develop project management skills including project planning, budget and time management. Communication and group presentation skills

Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development

Overview

Course contents
Lectures in the concept and theory of leadership, key concepts, concerns and activities, tools and techniques of project management.

Learning Outcomes

Students will gain a high level of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice of leadership and project management within the sustainable development context to provide a basis for them to increase personal effectiveness as leaders.

Skills

Leadership skills, research skills, numeracy skills (data analysis, data presentation, sampling), communication skills (written and oral), project management skills.

Placement in Sustainable Development 2

Overview

Research project conducted whilst placed within a sector organisation (8 weeks full time). Briefing session on sector. Debriefing session. Visit to NI Assembly or from politician/civil servant.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of placements students should be able to evaluate critically the role of leadership for sustainable development, identifying best practice and understanding changes, opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. Students will have had the opportunity to apply and develop knowledge and skills in order to conduct original research relevant for the host organisation.

Skills

Students will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and summarise academic and professional information, use initiative to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional level, conduct critical self-analysis to develop own learning, develop research and employability skills.

Foundations for Sustainable Development

Overview

An introduction to the field of sustainable development through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will receive an overview of the relevant knowledge, science, policy and socio-historical contexts to better direct their independent study and development of the wide subject areas involved in sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes

Analyse and judge the effectiveness of relevant government policies and strategies which impact on sustainable development in Europe. Provide a critical appraisal of the impact that these strategies will have on both local and regional sustainable development.

Skills

Integrate and evaluate different thinking in sustainable development issues and develop own arguments. Recognise different viewpoints, make decisions based on limited information available and devise solutions to sustainable development problems. Utilise a range of techniques and methods which can enhance and facilitate sustainable development. Critically evaluate the impact of major relevant policies and directives on sustainability.

Placement in Sustainable Development 1

Overview

Research project on sustainable/rural issues conducted whilst on placement (8 weeks full time). Briefing session on sector. Debriefing session. Visit to or from umbrella organisation representative.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of placements students should be able to evaluate critically the role of leadership for sustainable development, identifying best practice and understanding changes, opportunities and challenges for sustainable development within sector. Students will have had the opportunity to apply and develop knowledge and skills in order to conduct original research relevant for the host organisation.

Skills

Students will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and summarise academic and professional information, use initiative to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional level, conduct critical self-analysis to develop own learning, develop research and employability skills.

Reflective Practice in Sustainable Development

Overview

This primarily self-directed module introduces students to the use of reflective practice amongst sustainable development professionals. Students will have an opportunity to explore a topic of interest to them through a literature review, reflect on their learning and growth as both a student and a practitioner of sustainable development, and cement their learning and development across the entire programme.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Describe the role of reflective practice in sustainable development.
• Critically self-evaluate their performance reflectively and reflexively.
• Apply models of reflective practice to both learning and professional practice.
• Facilitate reflective practice in others.
• Conduct a literature review.

Skills

• Critical & Independent Thought: Students will consider various positions in sustainable development across disciplines and theoretical perspectives, evaluate the objective strengths and weaknesses of these viewpoints and formulate their own approach as practitioners.
• Reflective Practice: Students will apply theories of reflective practice to their own work as practitioners in sustainable development, and to their journey as learners at MSc level.
• Knowledge Management & Synthesis: Students will review and interrogate a range of sources, both academic and professional, to evaluate their usefulness and credibility, and draw conclusions for professional practice in sustainability.
• Written Communication: Students will have the opportunity to develop written communication through long form written work.
• Research: Students will develop their research skills by conducting a literature review.

Placement in Sustainable Development 3

Overview

Research project conducted whilst placed within a organisation (8 weeks full time). Briefing session on sector. Debriefing session. Visit to or from umbrella organisation representative of Business sector.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of placements students should be able to evaluate critically the role of leadership for sustainable development, identifying best practice and understanding changes, opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. Students will have had the opportunity to apply and develop knowledge and skills in order to conduct original research relevant for the host organisation.

Skills

Students will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and summarise academic and professional information, use initiative to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional level, conduct critical self-analysis to develop own learning, develop research and employability skills.