MSc Sustainable Development and Environmental Management

The normal entry level is a minimum 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in social, life or physical sciences, or engineering disciplines, or sufficient work experience.

Students are accepted on our MSc programmes from a wide range of academic backgrounds, the strengths of which will be built upon during each specific course.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

IELTS minimum by component: 6.0

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

MSc Environmental Strategy

This programme provides both a theoretical and practical grounding for evaluating technical, social, economic and organisational elements of environmental problems.

These include life cycle assessment and other analytical methods to understand how to use resources and manage materials and waste.

You will learn how to anticipate and respond to future policy developments and market pressures, understand stakeholders’ roles and develop problem-solving and decision-making skills.

MSc Sustainable Development

This programme provides the essential tools for analysis of the relationship between environmental issues and human society in order to make informed decisions. As part of this approach, you will evaluate political, socio-economic, ethical, cultural and regulatory frameworks.

You will acquire a sensitive appreciation of issues surrounding sustainable development, especially in relation to developing countries.

MSc Corporate Environmental Management

This programme gives you a solid grounding in issues key to the sustainable development debate. The views of stakeholders such as business groups, environmentalists, government agencies and development institutions will be considered.

You will acquire the necessary skills to evaluate existing frameworks, inquire into environmental issues in organisations and industries, and develop a sensitive business practice.

Module Overview

The programme of study is structured in a flexible format, with modules offered as a series of intensive one-week lectures, seminars and practical exercises, supported by independent learning material.

Modules include:

Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility

This module evaluates and discusses how environmental concerns have affected organisations in the private sector. It will also examine how organisations have affected the content, shape and direction of the environmental debate.

Ecological Economics

This module introduces the basic insights of ecological economics – that is an economics grounded in ecological realities - and contrast these with perspectives from conventional economic theory and environmental economics.

Environmental Auditing and Management Systems

This module enables students both to understand and develop appropriate environmental policies, and to appreciate and work with environmental management systems (EMS).

Environmental Law

This module introduces the structure of key environmental laws in the UK and EU. Regulations covering waste, water and atmospheric pollution will be an important element.

Environmental Science and Society

This module introduces basic environmental science concepts including thermodynamics of ecosystems and human systems, ecology and biodiversity, pollution science, the science of climate change, and environmental policy and human behaviour. During the module, students learn how to undertake environmental risk assessments.

Foundations of Sustainable Development

This module introduces the foundational concepts of Sustainable Development. The aim is to provide a basic understanding of sustainable development that will equip students to discuss and research complex conceptual and practical challenges in the integration of sustainable development ideas in organisations, policies and projects.

Integrated Assessment

This module explores the interface between scientific evaluations of environmental impacts and their use in policy decision processes. Case studies will be important to demonstrate examples.

Life Cycle Thinking

This module introduces participants to life cycle thinking, life cycle management and related environmental systems analysis approaches. Participants gain sufficient depth of understanding to be able to commission an LCA study, interpret the results and provide critical feedback on its execution.

Life Cycle Assessment

This module builds upon the understanding of the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology developed in the Life Cycle Thinking module by providing more in-depth training on LCA methodology, practical experience of doing a LCA and opportunities to analyse LCA case studies.

Sustainable Development Applications

This module provides an introduction to SD for students primarily concerned with industrial ecology, and a consolidation and deepening of understanding for students focussing on sustainable development and corporate environmental management.

Transitions to a Low Carbon Economy

This module provides a broad understanding of the role of energy, and of the range of economic, human and environmental impacts associated with energy systems. Specialist knowledge of the energy field is placed within a more general environmental/sustainability framework, allowing students to analyse strategic energy issues and carbon management.

Water Policy and Management

This module aims to introduce students to global water issues, problems and potential solutions. Students gain a basic understanding of hydrological cycle, global trends in water resources use, international water resources law, as well as concepts such as Integrated Water Resources Management.

Industrial Placement

You will work on specific projects to gain valuable practical experience in industry, government agencies, NGOs or research centres.

There are twelve other modules dealing with materials, manufacturing and energy that students can choose from, both at the University of Surrey’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and at City University. For further information on these options, please contact the Faculty.

Programme Structure

The programmes are based on one-week modules in a similar format to the University’s Engineering Doctorate. Each programme consists of eight modules and a project/dissertation. Four modules are compulsory and the remaining four optional modules can be chosen from a wide range available at CES and other relevant MSc programmes. Each module carries 15 credits.

The compulsory modules have been designed by CES in consultation with industry and will continue to be fine-tuned in close consultation with our graduates and collaborators in the field.

Students on the full-time programmes start in September and follow a sequence of modules that has been designed to ensure steady and structured progress through the achievement of the Postgraduate Certificate to the Diploma and master’s degree. Part-time students may begin the programme at any time of the year.

You are allowed to choose up to two modules elsewhere in the University of Surrey’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, or from the Energy and Environmental Technology and Economics programme at City University, as agreed with your personal tutor. Students may take modules at other universities with the approval of the Board of Studies.