Program Overview

Introduction to the MSc Sustainable Development with Industrial Practice

The MSc in Sustainable Development with Industrial Practice is a multidisciplinary program that involves the application of a wide range of engineering, natural, and social sciences knowledge and methods. This program is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to understand the concept of Sustainable Development and make judgments about Sustainable Development policies and their implementation.

Awarding Body and Teaching Institute

The awarding body and teaching institute for this program is the University of Surrey.

Framework and Final Award

The program is offered at FHEQ Level 7, and the final award is an MSc in Sustainable Development with Industrial Practice (Placement pathway, 24 months).

Modes of Study

The program is available in a full-time mode with a placement, consisting of 240 credits and 120 ECTS credits.

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement

The program is benchmarked against the Earth sciences, environmental sciences, and environment subject benchmark statement.

Faculty and Department

The program is offered by the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Engineering.

Programme Leader

The program leader is CHENOWETH Jonathan, School of Engineering.

Date of Production/Revision of Specification

The program specification was produced/revision on 27/01/2026.

Educational Aims of the Programme

The educational aims of the program are:

• To provide students with a thorough conceptual framework and the skills necessary to understand the concept of Sustainable Development.
• To equip students to evaluate existing political, socio-economic, ethical, cultural, and regulatory frameworks to inform decisions regarding Sustainable Development.
• To encourage students to develop a sensitive appreciation of the significance of the contextual settings of sustainable development.
• To develop and enhance students' research and data handling skills.
• To provide practice opportunities to enhance the learning process by a year-long industrial placement.

Programme Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes are:

• Be able to evaluate technical, social, environmental, economic, and political aspects of sustainable development.
• Be able to adapt economic and social assessment tools to support decision-making for sustainable development.
• Be aware of the ethical dimensions of research project design and implementation.
• Be able to research complex sustainability problems.
• Be aware of digital resources and tools which can support the implementation of sustainable development.
• Be aware of the range of careers pursued by sustainable development practitioners.
• Reflect on career goals and develop the employability skills needed to secure relevant employment.
• Demonstrate the ability to work according to the professional expectations and expected codes of behavior of the industry/company within which the placement is situated.
• Reflect and evaluate the skills, knowledge, and personal development gained from the completion of the Industrial Practice placement.
• Critically analyze how scientific and practical contexts of practice can impact the advancement of professional practice.

Programme Structure

The program is studied full-time over two academic years, consisting of 240 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester-based and worth 15 credits, with the exception of project, practice-based, and dissertation modules.

Modules

The program includes the following modules:

• Year 1:
  • ENGM165: Dissertation (CES)
  • ENGM324: Employability
  • ENGM060: Environmental Science and Society
  • ENGM305: Corporate Sustainability
  • ENGM310: Foundations and Applications of Sustainable Development
  • ENGM058: Life Cycle Thinking and the Circular Economy
  • ENGM066: Environmental Auditing and Management Systems
  • ENGM059: Ecological Economics
  • ENGM184: Transitions to a Low Carbon Economy
  • PSYM067: The Psychology of Sustainable Development
  • ENGM253: Life Cycle Assessment
  • ENGM061: Environmental Law
• Year 2:
  • ENGM325: Industrial Practice Year

Opportunities for Placements/Work-Related Learning/Collaborative Activity

The program includes opportunities for placements, work-related learning, and collaborative activity, including an industrial practice year and guest speakers from industry and government.

Other Information

The program is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), and students who complete the program are eligible for Graduate Membership of IEMA upon graduation. The program is designed to develop graduates with strengths in employability, digital capabilities, global and cultural capabilities, sustainability, and resourcefulness and resilience.