Sustainable Development MSc

Why choose this course

In the wake of the 2015 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, our MSc Sustainable Development provides you with the knowledge to help organisations move towards a greener future. This MSc examines the societal transformations required to tackle the climate emergency, protect the environment, and shift towards sustainable consumption and production.

This course is run by our Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) – an inter-disciplinary centre for forward-thinking environmental and sustainability-related research and postgraduate teaching.

Sustainable development graduates are equipped to tackle the strategic challenges being faced by companies, individuals and governments and implement the changes required to protect our planet.

What you will study

Questioning what you thought you knew about sustainability and the environment, we’ll inspire you to face some of society’s biggest sustainability challenges.

We’ll provide insight into the latest thinking in numerous important areas, covering the essentials needed to analyse the relationship between environmental issues and human society. As part of this approach, you’ll evaluate political, socio-economic, ethical, cultural and regulatory frameworks, and acquire an understanding of the theory and application of sustainable development, while developing a sensitive appreciation of the issues surrounding it.

This course will enable you to hear from external speakers from industry, government and NGOs who are active in establishing sustainable development. It also provides a route to the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment graduate membership.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.

Graduates of this course go on to pursue a diverse range of careers implementing sustainable development and dealing with the real environmental challenges facing humanity.

You could work as an energy efficiency officer for a local government or an environmental officer in a multi-national chemical company. Studying this course could also lead to you starting a career as a sustainability adviser for a national television or radio station, or working as an environmental consultant for an engineering consultancy. You could also become a programme officer with a sustainability charity.

Other graduates use the research skills they develop to study for PhDs.

A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. Relevant work experience may also be considered.