Sustainability and Business

The course is split in to 3 semesters if you study on a 12 month full-time basis. In the first 2 terms you will take lectures and seminars, followed by approximately 4 months of individual work leading to the submission of a dissertation in late August.

You’ll consider different aspects of sustainability, while a wide range of optional modules allow you tailor your study to fit your interests and career plans.

You can also choose an optional overseas field course which enables you to gain practical experience and apply classroom-based learning first hand in a developing country context.

The course runs for 24 months on a part-time basis, with each year split into 3 semesters. You will take 2 modules in each semester, followed by individual work leading to the submission of a dissertation in semester 3 of your final year.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Enterprise Awareness 15 credits
• New Venture Creation 15 credits
• Research Methods 15 credits
• Research Project 60 credits
• Business, Environment and Sustainability 15 credits
• Introduction to Sustainability 15 credits
• Issues and Cases in Corporate Social Responsibility 15 credits

Optional modules

• Organizational Development and Change 15 credits
• Contemporary Challenges in Enterprise 15 credits
• Delivering Sustainability Through Projects 15 credits
• Managing and Delivering Sustainability through Projects and Organisations 30 credits
• Environmental Policy and Governance 15 credits
• Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development 15 credits
• Climate Change Mitigation 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Sustainability and Business MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Sustainability and Business MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a variety of teaching methods to help you develop both generic and subject-specific skills.

This includes lectures, real case studies, practical workshops, computer lab sessions, research seminars from external speakers, project work (individual and groupwork) and a written dissertation.

Practical exercises focus around real-world scenarios and case studies to produce optimal solutions including familiarisation with state-of-the-art technical approaches, software and the regulatory regimes that companies and public sector organisations operate within.

The research-intensive environment of the School ensures that your course material is both up-to-date and research led.

You'll also learn the scientific and rational principles lying behind the practical approaches used in the world outside academia, so that your skills keep pace with changes in technology or the regulatory environment.

Facilities

The School of Earth and Environment’s £23m building gives you access to world-class research, teaching and facilities.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of ways including both written and oral assignments and exams.

Alumni profile

“What I've liked most about the programme is its freshness and critical intelligence. It's full of emerging academic factors about sustainability and filled with analytic, creative differences.” Read more

Hyun-Sang Jeong, Sustainability and Business, MSc