CPD and short courses

Our modules form the basis of our continuing professional development (CPD) offering. You may choose to join a module simply for the experience of the teaching or choose to undertake assessment of learning, and gain credits. All our modules are accredited by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) through CIFAL Surrey.

Explore our modules

Sustainability is key to building resilient organisations

Organisations are increasingly being judged on non-financial performance. Environment, social and governance factors are of growing importance when organisations are considering choices about products and services and their environmental implications.

Benefits of our training

Through our CPD provision, we help organisations:

  • Integrate sustainability into decision making
  • Look at ways to minimise their environmental impact
  • Actively work towards a global sustainable future.

Drawing on sustainability specialists

Our CPD training draws on sustainability specialists from a range of backgrounds (such as engineering, sociology, psychology, natural sciences, business studies etc) who combine their specialist insights with broader knowledge of sustainability.

Classes are enriched with masters’ students, research students and individuals from our business network ensuring dynamic interactions between students from different disciplines, backgrounds and experience. Additionally, our modules incorporate a host of external professional speakers from industry, non-governmental organisations and government to ensure our teaching is practice based and relevant.

Modes of attendance

Our courses have two modes of attendance:

  • Attendance only: As a CPD student you will attend five days of classes at the University of Surrey over a single intensive week of learning. No preparation is required and there is no assessment outside of class time. Upon completion we will issue you with a certificate of attendance.
  • Assessment and certification: If you wish to undertake the assessments associated with the CPD module and pass, you will receive a certificate of completion from CIFAL Surrey, a United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) accredited training centre. Additionally, academic credits will be awarded, allowing you to start to build towards a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

Having embarked on the first module I was introduced to a student mentor, who kindly guided me and provided invaluable support as I completed my, first ever, academic essay. I enjoyed every moment of the module and can’t thank the CPD team, lecturers, mentor and support staff enough for their guidance and assistance. CPD student, Nick Clifton-Welker
Students in a classroom

Find a module

You are welcome to register for any of our modules listed below, they are intensive five-day modules making them ideal for blending with your work and other commitments.

If you are interested in bespoke training packages, wish to register your interest on a future module, or have any queries then please contact Dr Zoe Harris, Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability (ifs@surrey.ac.uk).

Start dates:20 April 2026

Life Cycle Assessment

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:11 May 2026

Ecological Economics

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:28 September 2026

Environmental Science and Society

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:October 2026

Corporate Sustainability

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:November 2026

Foundations and applications of sustainable development

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:November 2026

Life Cycle Thinking and the Circular Economy

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:December 2026

Environmental Auditing and Management Systems

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:February 2027

Transitions to a Low Carbon Economy

£1,450 - £2,900

Start dates:March 2027

Environmental Law

£1,450 - £2,900