Program Overview

MSc Environmental Sustainability

The MSc Environmental Sustainability program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address global environmental sustainability challenges. The program is tailored to students from various backgrounds, including science, engineering, social sciences, and business, who are passionate about making a positive impact on the planet.

Course Overview

The program is closely aligned with global populations and the policies and solutions needed to achieve harmony with both governmental and corporate structures. It has been specifically developed to address key international themes in sustainability, carbon management, climate change, urban resilience, and skills that are current and meaningful to the sector.

Features and Benefits

• Research-led teaching: 100% of the program's research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent, ensuring that students' learning is at the forefront of development within the environmental sustainability sector.
• Professional study environment: The program is delivered in a brand-new, state-of-the-art building with dynamic learning spaces, world-class teaching and research facilities, and collaborative study zones.
• Gain a global perspective: The curriculum is tuned to address the needs of global populations, connecting policy and solutions with governmental and corporate frameworks.
• Tailored to your passions: Students have the freedom to specialize and develop expertise in their chosen area through a hands-on master's dissertation project.

Year 1

Students will study eight core modules covering areas such as biodiversity governance, environmental solutions, and risk management.

Core Modules

• Global Sustainability Challenges: Explores the Sustainable Development Goals in the context of planetary boundaries, examining synergies and trade-offs in achieving a safe and socially just operating space for humanity.
• Climate Risk and Resilience: Examines how climate risk is assessed and managed at both national and corporate levels, and explores urban resilience, drawing on global case studies.
• Biodiversity, Natural Capital, and Ecosystem Services: Evaluates the latest techniques for assessing and monitoring biodiversity, natural capital, and ecosystem services.
• Natural Capital and Biodiversity Governance: Critically evaluates governance mechanisms for conserving and enhancing natural capital and biodiversity.
• Transitioning to Net Zero: Focuses on best and emerging practice in carbon management, examining target setting, accounting methodologies, and implementation plans.
• Developing Resilient Cities: Examines urban resilience, drawing upon global examples to provide knowledge, methodologies, and tools that can support cities in reducing risks, adapting to change, and building resilience to environmental hazards.
• Management of Project Fundamentals: Develops knowledge in the fundamentals of project management and the management of projects.
• Project Dissertation: Provides the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge by completing a master's dissertation in areas relating to a suitable research topic.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 20% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study.
• Assessment: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination.

Entry Requirements

• A UK honors degree – at least a 2:2 – or the international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
• Professional experience will also be considered for mature students.
• Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee £10,250 per year.
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee £20,000 per year.
• Additional costs: Compulsory estimate £10; optional estimate £200 - £700.

Careers Support and Prospects

The program prepares students for a range of careers in research or the private, public, or charitable sectors. Career routes include:

• Environmental Consultancy
• Environmental Policy Analyst
• Sustainability Manager
• Environmental Educator
• Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Careers support is available from the moment students join the program and for up to three years after they finish their course. Dedicated careers and employability advisors in the department and the University Careers Service will help students find the role that's right for them.