Environmental Strategy MSc – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
- Study mode and duration
- Full-time: 1 year (maximum course length)*
- Part-time: 5 years (maximum course length)*
Why choose this course
Our MSc is run by our Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) – a pioneering hub for inter-disciplinary environmental research and postgraduate teaching. Drawing upon the engineering, physical and social sciences, we’ll develop your technical and analytical skills to understand and resolve environmental problems.
This course will prepare you to join a new generation of environment and sustainability professionals ready to tackle the challenges ahead through the application of inter-disciplinary approaches, strategic thinking and analysis.
What you will study
This MSc will provide you with both theoretical and practical knowledge for evaluating the technical, social, economic and organisational elements of environmental problems.
You’ll be taught how to apply life-cycle assessment thinking and other analytical methods to understand how resources are used, and how to manage materials and waste.
You’ll also learn about anticipating and responding to future policy developments and market pressures, enabling you to develop impressive problem-solving and decision-making skills.
The skills you’ll gain on our course are much sought after by environmental and consultancy employers. They can also provide you with a direct route to the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment graduate membership, and the Institution of Environmental Sciences student membership.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Industrial placement
Some full-time students complete an industrial placement as one of their elective modules. This enables you to spend 6 to 12 weeks working for a company or a non-governmental organisation, doing the type of work you’ll aim to find after graduation.
Examples of organisations at which recent industrial placements have taken place include:
- AECOM
- Diocese of London
- GAP
- LC Energy
- Minimise Solutions
- NUS
- Portsmouth City Council
- The Radisson
- Solar Aid.
Guest lecturers
Several high-profile guest lecturers help teach on some of the modules. We make maximum use of guest lecturers, drawing on the practical skills and experience of major experts from government and industry to complement the theoretical components of the modules offered.
The extensive expertise of CES academics and researchers is also drawn upon in modules.
Professor Tim Jackson, adviser to the government and international bodies and author of the seminal book, Prosperity without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet, lectures on some CES modules.
Study and work abroad
There may be opportunities to acquire valuable European experience by working or conducting research abroad during your degree or shortly afterwards. It is possible to do this in the summer period with an Erasmus+ grant working on your dissertation or as a recent graduate. In order to qualify your Erasmus+ traineeship must be a minimum of two months.
Professional recognition
MSc - Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)
Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership.
MSc - Institution of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for 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. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
Graduates from this masters go on to pursue a diverse range of careers, developing and implementing environmental strategy in corporations, governments and charities.
93 per cent of our environment and sustainability postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA).
Department
Research centre
Academic year structure
Both full-time and part-time students must complete five compulsory modules and four elective modules by the end of their MSc. The dissertation forms one of the compulsory modules. You can start this MSc at the beginning of either the first semester in September or the second semester in February.
The academic year begins with an induction week when students are introduced to the University and full-time students choose their elective modules. If you’re a part-time student you can enrol in modules close to the time they wish to take a module.
During Semester 2, you’ll begin to focus on your dissertation, with a series of seminar events held to help you refine your ideas and make a start. You’re free to choose your own dissertation topic. Most choose topics related to issues or ideas encountered in the taught modules, or in a professional context, which relates to environment or sustainability. You’ll be allocated a dissertation supervisor to help guide you through the dissertation process.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Students are to take four optional modules.
Optional modules for Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Students are to take four optional modules.
Timetable
Each module on this course is taught on an intensive modular basis. There is pre-reading to do for each module and, on occasion, a pre-module assessment, followed by the intensive taught week where there are several hours of classes run from approximately 9am – 5pm each day, Monday to Friday for one week. Post-module coursework is to be completed over the four-week period after the intensive week. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Relevant work experience may also be considered.
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit transfer
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees per year
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £23,900
Part-time - 5 years
- UK
- £1,200
- Overseas
- £2,700
Please note:
- *The dissertation module is charged as a 15-credit module for fee purposes
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on an unstructured self-paced part-time course, the fee shown is per 15 credits for the 2023-24 academic year
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
- If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Additional costs
There may be associated costs with this programme:
Commuting (local travel expenses): Unable to specify amount - Potential travel costs for the dissertation if the student’s topic requires travel to case study sites.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Course | Status |
---|---|
Environmental Strategy MSc Full-time, 12 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 3 July 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Environmental Strategy MSc Part-time, 60 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 3 July 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH